Reservations are now being accepted for the lodging reservations at Allegany State Park for next spring's Allegany Nature Pilgrimage, an outdoor learning experience that combines fun with a variety of nature oriented activities.
The 55th pilgrimage will be May 31 to June 2, at Camp Allegany in the Red House area. Camp sites fill quickly.
The Allegany Nature Pilgrimage is organized by volunteers from the Buffalo Audubon Society, Burroughs Audubon Nature Club, Jamestown Audubon Society and Presque Isle Audubon Society.
Dozens of programs and field trips are offered with nature topics including trees, flowers, ferns, insects, birds, salamanders, reptiles, tracks and signs, mammals, geology, astronomy, ecology, and more. There are also classes in areas like yoga, paper-making, photography, sketching, and nature games. Participants are welcome to just relax, visit, or hike, as well.
One 2013 evening presentation will feature Tim Spierto, Department of Environmental Conservation senior big game biologist, who will talk about bears. Using a variety of resources, including data from GPS-collared bears, Spierto is working on DEC projects to study the curious and intelligent black bears that are expanding their range in New York state.
For more information about the Allegany Nature Pilgrimage, visit alleganynaturepilgrimage.com.
Reservations at the Red House area of Allegany State Park can be made from nysparks.com/parks/73/details.aspx, at reserveamerica.com, or by calling 800-456-CAMP.