MHLC and CDTA Resume Free Bus Transport to Nature Attractions
May 18, 2022
Service to Run Every Saturday, May 28 through September 24
The Mohawk Hudson Land Conservancy (MHLC), the Capital District Transportation Authority (CDTA), and local project partners have come together again to offer free Saturday CDTA bus service to connect City of Albany residents to eight natural spaces in and around Albany. The service will start Saturday, May 28 and run through Saturday, September 24.
New locations—including the Albany Pine Bush and City of Albany Water Departments’ Six Mile Water Works and MHLC’s David’s Trail at the Bender Melon Farm Preserve—give folks new places to explore and connect with nature. Service will alternate to different locations on a two-week rotating schedule and be geared towards programming offered at all locations.
Location partners will offer free programming most Saturdays including guided trail walks, educational programs for families, and self-guided scavenger hunts. All partner locations have easy-to-navigate maps and well-marked trails to make the user experience fun and easy. All locations are free and open to the public from dawn to dusk. Children under 18 must be accompanied by an adult when vising Five Rivers.
Nature Bus will make four stops at the following locations on a bi-weekly rotating basis:
Starting May 28 and every other Saturday through September 17
CDTA CEO, Carm Basile said, “We are excited to see the return of the Nature Bus. The overwhelming support and enthusiasm for the service is great to see. Providing accessibility and opportunity to our local communities continues to be a top priority. We are committed to providing ways to enhance transportation services and the Nature Bus is an innovative program that will provide services to communities who may not have access to these beautiful, nature sites.”
State Department of Environmental Conservation Commissioner Basil Seggos said, “DEC is once again pleased to help support the Nature Bus, which will allow City of Albany residents the opportunity to enjoy Five Rivers Environmental Education Center, a place to explore, appreciate, and learn about nature. The Nature Bus demonstrates that barriers to accessing public lands can be overcome with creative thinking, collaboration, and willing partners. We look forward to continuing to work with communities to find out how to better ensure New York’s public lands are open and accessible to all.”
Albany County Executive Daniel P. McCoy, said “We’re thrilled to welcome the Nature Bus back to multiple locations along Albany County’s Helderberg-Hudson Rail Trail and to so many other great open spaces the county has to offer. The beauty of parks is that they are for everyone and they play an important role in both our physical and mental health. However, not everyone has easy access to them. This free bus service provided by Mohawk Hudson Land Conservancy and the CDTA is a tremendous resource that ensures more Albany residents have the opportunity to spend some time in nature this summer and enjoy the parks both inside and outside of the city."
To learn more about the Nature Bus route, including pick-up locations and drop off times, visit the CDTA website or https://www.cdta.org/schedules-route-detail?route_id=872
To learn more about programming at Nature Bus stops, visit MHLC’s Nature Bus web page: www.mohawkhudson.org/nature-bus
The Mohawk Hudson Land Conservancy (MHLC), the Capital District Transportation Authority (CDTA), and local project partners have come together again to offer free Saturday CDTA bus service to connect City of Albany residents to eight natural spaces in and around Albany. The service will start Saturday, May 28 and run through Saturday, September 24.
New locations—including the Albany Pine Bush and City of Albany Water Departments’ Six Mile Water Works and MHLC’s David’s Trail at the Bender Melon Farm Preserve—give folks new places to explore and connect with nature. Service will alternate to different locations on a two-week rotating schedule and be geared towards programming offered at all locations.
Location partners will offer free programming most Saturdays including guided trail walks, educational programs for families, and self-guided scavenger hunts. All partner locations have easy-to-navigate maps and well-marked trails to make the user experience fun and easy. All locations are free and open to the public from dawn to dusk. Children under 18 must be accompanied by an adult when vising Five Rivers.
Nature Bus will make four stops at the following locations on a bi-weekly rotating basis:
Starting May 28 and every other Saturday through September 17
- Albany Pine Bush and City of Albany Water Department Six Mile Water Works
- Tivoli Lake Preserve and Farm
- MHLC’s Normans Kill West Preserve
- Albany County Rail Trail Veterans Memorial Park
- DEC’s Five Rivers Environmental Education Center
- MHLC’s Normans Kill West Preserve
- Albany County Rail Trail Veterans Memorial Park
- Albany County Rail Trail Slingerlands Trailhead
- Hilton Park, MHLC’s David’s Trail, and Albany County Rail Trail
- Thacher Park Visitor Center
CDTA CEO, Carm Basile said, “We are excited to see the return of the Nature Bus. The overwhelming support and enthusiasm for the service is great to see. Providing accessibility and opportunity to our local communities continues to be a top priority. We are committed to providing ways to enhance transportation services and the Nature Bus is an innovative program that will provide services to communities who may not have access to these beautiful, nature sites.”
State Department of Environmental Conservation Commissioner Basil Seggos said, “DEC is once again pleased to help support the Nature Bus, which will allow City of Albany residents the opportunity to enjoy Five Rivers Environmental Education Center, a place to explore, appreciate, and learn about nature. The Nature Bus demonstrates that barriers to accessing public lands can be overcome with creative thinking, collaboration, and willing partners. We look forward to continuing to work with communities to find out how to better ensure New York’s public lands are open and accessible to all.”
Albany County Executive Daniel P. McCoy, said “We’re thrilled to welcome the Nature Bus back to multiple locations along Albany County’s Helderberg-Hudson Rail Trail and to so many other great open spaces the county has to offer. The beauty of parks is that they are for everyone and they play an important role in both our physical and mental health. However, not everyone has easy access to them. This free bus service provided by Mohawk Hudson Land Conservancy and the CDTA is a tremendous resource that ensures more Albany residents have the opportunity to spend some time in nature this summer and enjoy the parks both inside and outside of the city."
To learn more about the Nature Bus route, including pick-up locations and drop off times, visit the CDTA website or https://www.cdta.org/schedules-route-detail?route_id=872
To learn more about programming at Nature Bus stops, visit MHLC’s Nature Bus web page: www.mohawkhudson.org/nature-bus
