Mud Creek Environmental Learning Center (ELC) is located on the lower floor of the District building. Our facilities include nature trails, an indoor classroom, and the Hudson River Estuary exhibit room. The trails are open daily from dawn-dusk and the exhibit room is open Monday-Friday 8:00am-4:30pm.  

Mud Creek ELC offers a variety of hands-on, inquiry based, environmental education programs.  Our programs can be adapted to any grade level and integrated into various parts of your school's curriculum.  We are also available to develop programs to meet the needs of scout groups and other community organizations. Programs are offered both at Mud Creek ELC and as outreach - we can come to you!

Mud Creek has a loop trail that traverse fields and wetland habitat. The trailhead starts to the left of the garage/pavilion and ends at the western edge of the parking lot. The inner loop is .6 miles and features numerous bridges and boardwalks. The outer loop is 1 mile and features an overlook of the county airport, Mud Creek, and rolling hills to the east. While hiking keep your eyes and ears open - Mud Creek is home to beavers, muskrats, rabbits, coyotes, lots of birds, and even a bobcat!  The trail is open daily from dawn-dusk.  Download our Brochure for a trail map. 

Water Quality
Pond/Stream Study
Life of a Tree
Sensing Nature
Wonderful Wetlands
Ecosystem Exploration
Animal Homes and Habitats
Tracks and Traces
Birds of Prey
Fall & Spring Bird Migration
Reptiles and Amphibians
Incredible Insects
Snowshoe Adventures
Create-a-Program

Download the Brochure for program information and a trail map:

Schools, day cares, home school groups, churches,  girl scouts, boy scouts,  libraries, summer recreation programs, and other community organizations all utlize Mud Creek's programming. Programs can either take place at Mud Creek or at your choice of venue. Programs are free! For more information and to schedule a program please contact:

Chelsea Benson, Education Program Coordinator
chelsea.benson@ccswcd.org

CCSWCD
1024 Route 66
Ghent, NY 12075
Phone: (518) 828-4386 x 3
Fax: (518) 822-0219

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Mud Creek offers free public programs at the Center. All ages are welcome!  
Registration is appreciated; please call 518-828-4386 x 3 or email chelsea.benson@ccswcd.org at least 24 hours before the program. 

February Programs
Tracks & Traces Snowshoe Hike
Friday, February 24 2:00-3:00pm  
Join us for an animal tracking hike around Mud Creek! We may see tracks and traces left by squirrels, foxes, deer, and perhaps even a bobcat!  We will look for signs of wildlife and learn about the natural history of local animals. A limited number of snowshoes are available.  Registration is recommended in order to reserve snowshoes. The hike is a snow or no snow event. 

All Winter - Spontaneous Snowshoe Hikes
Based on the weather conditions, these walks will be held spontaneously at Mud Creek & at other locations in Columbia County. We have set up an email alert system to schedule the snowshoe outings. You will receive a message from Chelsea Benson: “Snowshoe Hike Scheduled”. Reply to the email and indicate if you need to borrow snowshoes. We have a limited number of snowshoes available for participants. Beginners are always welcome. To be notified of our next spontaneous snowshoe hike contact Chelsea Benson by phone 518-828-4386 x 3 or by email at chelsea.benson@ccswcd.org.

**To receive the Mud Creek Calendar via email, please contact Chelsea Benson.