Ashford Glen Preserve

These photos were taken in the Ashford Glen Preserve on September 29, 2000 and October 1, 2000. The orange streamers indicate survey markers along the boundary lines of the property. The western boundary is not marked, as it follows very closely along the path of the stream.

On October 12, 2000 the Preserve was inaugurated with a trail walk attended by several members of the board of the Albany County Land Conservancy. This gathering, also attended by the press, celebrated the closing for the purchase of the Preserve by the Conservancy.

On October 19, 2000 several ACLC volunteers (Dan Driscoll, Doug Melnick, and Lois Porter) participated in posting the preserve boundaries.

Here are some of the first spring flowers:

On May 3, 2001 a volunteer crew (led byDan Driscoll) built a new entrance gate to the preserve :

Before the Conservancy took possession of the property, it was subjected to some abuse by off-road motorcycles and all-terrain-vehicles. The damage to trails included this trail washout, shown here as it looked before and after a bridge was added on May 10, 2001:


Before	After

A panoramic image in the Preserve, including the trail and Whispering Brook.If you have a speedy internet service, or lots of patience, you can see this fill your screen. In fact, you will probably need to scroll left and right to see it all.

Warning: Large File (470KB) -- this will take a while to download!

UPDATE: First volunteer workday (10/14/2001) by Nick Caponera and Boy Scout Troop 279 of Latham produces dazzling results.

UPDATE (5/29/2002):

Ferns of Ashford Glen Preserve

Identified by Steve Young and Laura Lehtonen, botanists, on a nature walk they led in the preserve on Sunday, May 26, 2002.

UPDATE: Volunteer workday (5/22/2004) by Zach Postle and Boy Scout Troop 162 of Latham a great success. Click the thumbnail photo at right for a larger version. More photos of the workday coming soon.

Update Feb 3, 2006: On Saturday, May 6, 2006, at 8 AM Ellen Pemrick of the Hudson Mohawk Bird Club will lead a bird walk at Ashford Glen. The walk is being jointly sponsored by the MHLC and the HMBC. Following the walk, participants may choose to continue bird watching at the Reist Sanctuary in Niskayuna.	Meet at 8am at the entrance to the preserve. The walk is free and open to the public.
The Ashford Glen Preserve is an 11.5 acre woodland traversed by a stream which flows into the Mohawk River, a half-mile away to the north. It is accessible from Vly Road, which crosses Route 7 near the Albany/Schenectady county line. A group of neighbors joined forces to purchase the property in October 2000, and donated it to the Mohawk Hudson Land Conservancy. Directions: Northway to Exit 6 West on route 7 for approximately 3 miles. Left onto Vly Road (traffic light and Stewart's). Third right onto Brookhill Road. Immediate right onto Cascade Terrace and then left onto Ashford Lane. The preserve entrance is located at 22 Ashford Lane. A locator map is available here.
	Click on the trail map to see a larger view.
On July 25, 2001 the Town of Colonie Highway Department sent a crew that skillfully executed a major cleanup of the road frontage of the Preserve. Paul Russell, Conservation Officer for the Town of Colonie, arranged with the Highway Department to make this significant contribution, rendering the site much more attractive from the road. The grass seed planted along the roadside received the benefit of a good rain during the following night and morning.
Professor Emeritus Carl George led a group through the Preserve in a stimulating nature walk on June 2, 2001, International Trails Day.
On Monday, May 21, 2001, a Peace Pole was planted in the Ashford Glen Preserve.

The Ashford Glen Preserve

The links below lead to more photos of the Preserve. Click on the photo thumbnail images below to see enlarged images. Most images are in the 100KB to 150KB size range.