About Mud Creek ELCMud 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! The Mud Creek TrailMud 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.
ProgramsWater 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: 
How to Schedule Programs
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 Photo Contest Announces Winners
A reception and exhibit were held on the evening of Friday, October 18 at Mud Creek ELC to announce the winners of the 2013 Experience Mud Creek photo contest. Thirty-four adult and nine youth submissions were received. Judging the event were professional photographers Michael Molinski of Photographic Solutions in Hudson, David Lee of the Register Star, and Scott Langley of Scott Langley Photography in Ghent. Winning the Youth division was Carter Engel with his photo "Mud Creek View." Winner of the Adult division was Sarah Sterling with her photo "Fall Morning, Mud Creek 2013." Final results are listed below. Photographs will be exhibited during normal business hours through November 22. Youth 1st Carter Engel Mud Creek View 2nd Hailyn Suarez Refuge 3rd Sabrina Adams Rest and Peace Honorable Mention: Hailey Jennings Reflections in the Stream Adult 1st Sarah Sterling Fall Morning, Mud Creek 2013 2nd Michael Ashline Place of Reflection 3rd J. Pierre Gontier Autumn Vines Honorable Mention: Joan Lezette-Miller Honey Bee on White Aster Marie Meehan Clearwing Hummingbird Moth Manager’s Choice: Jonathon Simons Ellie at the Creek 
Winning Adult Photograph - "Fall Morning, 2013 Mud Creek" by Sarah Sterling
Scenes from the Trail & ProgramsThe Mud Creek CalendarMud 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. December Program
Owls @ Germantown Library Thursday, December 5, 4:30-5:30pm Learn about the unique features that make up local owls: their habitats, behavior, and much more. See “real” (but not alive) owls up close and become a scientist as we dissect owl pellets. Registration is required. Please call the Germantown Library (518) 537-5800 or email germantownlibraryevents@yahoo.com. Visit the library website for information and directions: www.germantownlibrary.org. January Program Moonrise Snowshoe Hike Friday, January 17, 6:00-7:00pm The nearly full moon will be rising as we hike Mud Creek’s trails. January’s full moon is aptly named the Wolf Moon and the Moon after Yule. Moon gaze and listen to the sounds of nocturnal critters. Hot coco and tea will be provided afterwards. A limited number of snowshoes are available. Registration is recommended in order to reserve snowshoes. The hike is a snow or no snow event. February Programs Where Did All the Wild Things Go? Saturday, February 1, 2:00-3:30pm Surviving the winter can be a struggle for many animals. Join us at Mud Creek while we learn how all the wild things cope with the winter’s cold. How do animals stay warm and find food? What is the difference between hibernation and torpor? Do frogs really freeze? Come find out! If there is snow, a limited number of snowshoes are available. Registration is recommended in order to reserve snowshoes. The hike is a snow or no snow event. Animal Tracks & Traces Snowshoe Hike Thursday, February 20, 2:00-3:30pm 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. 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 contact Chelsea Benson by phone 518-828-4386 x 3 or by email at chelsea.benson@ccswcd.org |
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