The Capital District Chapter of the New York Forest Owners Association inviteS you to a walk at the Rheinstrom Hill Audubon Sanctuary and Center, a 1039-acre forest in southeastern Columbia County, that provides habitat for many at-risk climate-threatened bird species, such as Wood Thrush, Veery, Scarlet Tanager, Rose-breasted Grosbeak, Blue-headed Vireo, and warblers such as Ovenbird, Chestnut-sided, Black-throated Blue, Black and White, and Blackburnian. The address for the woodswalk is 225 Cambridge Rd, Hillsdale, NY 12529

Eric Lind, Director of Center Programs and Education at the Sanctuary, will discuss land use and history at Rheinstrom Hill and how Audubon is managing the forest to improve diversity, habitat, health, and resiliency. By Demonstrating their successes to the public, Audubon is educating foresters, loggers and landowners on forestry techniques that benefit woodland bird species.

There will be discussion regarding the negative impacts deer can have on forest regeneration and the natural diversity of forest tree, shrub and wildflower species, which in turn affect native bird and mammal populations. Rheinstrom Hill has three demonstration areas with small clearcuts for habitat improvement. These cuts were done 8, 6 and 4 year(s) ago and half of each area has a deer exclosure. A fourth area with open canopy and existing oak saplings was recently fenced to demonstrate how wildlife habitat can be improved once deer browsing pressure is removed. The difference in regeneration within and without the deer exclosure is something you have to see to believe, and will be very informative to folks interested in healthy forests and wildlife habitat.

Audubon has an interesting magazine article that can be found at https://www.audubon.org/magazine/surging-deer-popu…. Thiselaborates on the deer problem in eastern forests and what they and Cornell University have been working on for solutions.

To register please email NYFOA member Carol at happyinthehollow@gmail.com by September 19.

Please park in the lots near the old nature center, with overflow along the gravel roadway leading into the sanctuary.

The event is limited to 40 participants to ensure a quality experience and facilitate group discussion.