See the Shaker Swamp — A Mirror of New Lebanon’s 200 Years
As part of New Lebanon’s bicentennial celebration, the Shaker Swamp Conservancy is offering a guided winter walk into the historic Shaker Swamp.
The date of the walk is Saturday, February 17 from 11 am to probably 1 pm. It will be led by botanist Claudia Knab-Vispo and wildlife ecologist Conrad Vispo of the Hawthorne Valley Farmscape Ecology Program.
The route of the walk will depend on the weather conditions. If the Swamp is frozen and conditions allow, the walk will venture out into the Swamp.
During the walk, Claudia and Conrad will point out how human activities have shaped Shaker Swamp since 1818. Much has changed in the Swamp since then: it was partially drained, farmed and then abandoned, the beavers were hunted out and then some returned; many invasive plant species have taken root. Yet the Swamp’s natural features have largely re-emerged, not in their pristine condition, but nonetheless the product of natural forces.
If you are interested in joining the swamp walk, please contact John Dax at jdax@daxlawfirm.com by February 14 to register and provide your phone number. There will be a maximum of 15 people and it may be necessary to confirm conditions with you on the day of the walk.
The walk will be of moderate difficulty through uneven terrain; good waterproof boots are a must. Dress in layers for the cold and bring something to drink, such as something warm in a thermos.
