ECOS: The Environmental Clearinghouse

09/03/2026

Afterschool Outdoors is back! Join us tomorrow afternoon for the first fall session of this popular program for school-age kids. We'll meet at Central Park in Schenectady at the Sustainable Living Center. Learn more at https://www.facebook.com/share/19aK6swsLo/

08/31/2026

Our fall walk tomorrow is to Wolf Creek Falls Preserve. These woods offer many waterfalls along with remnants of a stone-walled sheep pasture and an old home cellar. The hike will follow several trails over mostly gentle terrain. Learn more at https://www.facebook.com/share/1D3p3653LQ/

08/27/2026

Wrap up your summer with a good read! ECOS is starting a book club and there's still plenty of time for you to join our first session. Learn more at https://www.facebook.com/share/1Daf8LEZqz/

08/27/2026

The ECOS office will be closed all next week. We'll reopen on Tuesday, Sept. 8, from 9 a.m. to noon, then return to regular office hours: Mondays and Thursdays, 9 a.m. to noon. Programs will continue as scheduled!

08/24/2026

Explore Woodlawn Preserve with us tomorrow during our Tuesday fall walk! We’ll enjoy the many types of asters and goldenrod, as well as other surprises around this beautiful selection of woodland, lake, and pine barrens – and see what’s going on with the beavers. https://www.facebook.com/share/1FYdcMZdhk/

08/24/2026

Ready to get outside? ECOS offers regular nature walks, monthly guided birding and flora trips, and kid-friendly activities to help you connect to the outdoors. Find them all at ecosny.org. Check out Schenectady County's Get Offline, Get Outside initiative for other ideas for enjoying the outdoors.

🌳 Get Offline, Get Outside in Schenectady County! ☀️

Looking for fun, free ways to spend time with family and friends? Schenectady County’s Get Offline, Get Outside Passport is your guide to more than 48 activities right here in our community.

🥾 Hike a County Preserve
🚲 Ride the Mohawk-Hudson Bike-Hike Trail
🎣 Go fishing or paddle the Mohawk River
📚 Visit your local library
🎶 Attend a free outdoor concert
🌹 Explore local parks, preserves, and gardens

Challenge yourself to complete 20 activities — or all 48!

Pick up your free passport at Schenectady County offices or any branch of the Schenectady County Public Library .

Start your next adventure today:
🔗www.schenectadycountyny.gov/get-offline

08/19/2026

ECOS is starting a book club! The first session is coming up on Thursday, Sept. 10, starting at 7 p.m. We'll be discussing "Timefulness" by Marcia Bjornerud. For details: https://ecosny.org/ecos-event/ecos-reads-book-club-timefulness-by-marcia-bjornerud/

08/17/2026

The Nature Conservancy is reworking parts of the Lisha Kill Natural Area to create a new loop and enhance the nature park following a land grant.

08/17/2026

Our first fall walk is tomorrow! Join us for an exploration of the woods behind the Central Park greenhouse, where ECOS and other community partners have been removing burning bush and planting native plants. For details, see https://ecosny.org/ecos-event/fall-walk-central-park-schenectady-3/