Programs + Events

Saturday, August 31, 8:00-10:00am

Get your binoculars ready for this special labor day bird walk at Olana State Historic Site! Join the Alan Devoe Bird Club and The Olana Partnership on an exploration of Olana’s artist-designed landscape and learn more about visiting birds and the species that call this region home. Open to birders of all levels.

FREE. Advanced registration required. For more information, please contact education@olana.org or call (518) 567-2170.

Image credit: Suzy Allman

Saturday, October 12, 1:00-3:00pm

How can nature teach us the art of "letting go" and help us understand impermanence? This nature-based walk and workshop led by 'Snowy' Andrea Lajoie will explore growing through grief and loss.Through a series of creative therapeutic practices including mindful nature walking, participants will discover different ways they can leave impressions in an impermanent world. This program will include making cyanotypes with natural materials as a way to more deeply engage with the natural landscape and the art of letting go. This program is offered in conjunction with After Glow: Frederic Church and the Landscape of Memory. All materials provided.

'Snowy' Andrea Lajoie (LCSW-R, KMOG) is a practicing therapist who graduated with a Master of Social Work (MSW) degree from Wheelock College at Boston University in 2010. She is a level I certified Kripalu Mindful Outdoor Guide (KMOG) and a registered climate-aware therapist with the Climate Psychology Alliance of North America, and runs Wolf Tree Therapy wilderness therapy, working with humans of all ages in diverse settings.

Advance registration required. $5 for Columbia and Greene County residents, $10 for members, $15 for non-members. For more information, please contact education@olana.org or call (518) 751-6938.

Saturday, October 19, 2:00-3:30pm

Ground yourself in Olana’s landscape and use the natural world as an inspiration for improving your physical and mental health. During this outdoor program, participants will explore how to bring nature more deeply into their lives to expand their general well-being. Guided by Certified Health Coach, Hildi Kaufmann, participants will learn how to use the rhythm of nature to improve sleep, mood, and focus. This program will include meditation and mindfulness exercises inspired by Olana’s natural environment, information on nutritional wellness, and open discussion. The program will take place outdoors at Olana’s Mingled Flower Garden.

Hildi Kaufmann is a Certified Health Coach, trained at the Institute for Integrative Nutrition, the oldest and largest health coaching school in the world. Her Health Coaching business, Hildi B Well, has helped numerous clients transform their health and well-being and she has used her Health Coaching skills to help others throughout her life. Hildi has volunteered at Katchkie Farm, teaching children to appreciate nature and encouraging youth in Columbia County and beyond to eat from Mother Earth. Hildi’s daily walks, often at Olana, are one way she maintains her balanced health to continue helping others.

Advance registration required. $5 for Columbia and Greene County residents, $10 for members, $15 for non-members. For more information, please contact education@olana.org or call (518) 751-6938.

Friday, November 22, 6:00-10:00pm

Spend your evening looking up at the cosmos in the spirit of Frederic Church’s celestial-inspired paintings! During this free, drop-in program, learn more about the night sky and when viewable planets and deep-sky objects are visible from Olana State Historic Site. Members of the Mid-Hudson Astronomical Association will project real-time astro-images of galaxies and nebulae inside while Saturn, Jupiter, and other objects will be visible with the aid of additional powerful telescopes outdoors.

Special star-tours will be held at 7 PM and 9 PM, where an expert guide will point out the evening’s visible constellations. This program is offered in conjunction with the exhibition A Closer Look.

Light refreshments will be served. FREE; drop-in anytime between 6:00-10:00pm. Pre-registration is encouraged to ensure up to date info on viewing conditions Rain and/or cloud date will be on Saturday, November 23. For more information, please contact education@olana.org or call (518) 751-6938.