Programs and Events


“Car”dboard Box Car and Drive-In Movie

DateSaturday, May 31, 2025
Time11:00 am
DescriptionThe last Saturday in May, Mrs. Stokem and Mrs. Hickland will lead a fun class for kids: making a car out of a cardboard box.

After the boxes have been painted, paper plate wheels added, and cars adorned with fun embellishments, children can “park” in their cars to watch Disney Pixar’s Cars shorts film (approximately 20 minutes)
LocationProudfit Hall
RegistrationRegistration is helpful. Program has limited supplies.
Contact518-854-7463 or slm-director@sals.edu for questions

Build a Bluebird House

DateSaturday, June 7, 2025
Time10:30 am – 11:30 am
DescriptionBancroft Library will provide pre-made bluebird house kits courtesy of volunteer Mark Cooney and the Bancroft Bird Watchers group. Families or individuals are welcome to come to this program and assemble your birdhouse. Paint will also be available if you would like to decorate your constructed box!

Participants will leave with info on bluebirds and instruction sheets to build future birdhouses.
LocationProudfit Hall
RegistrationRegistration is Required. Limit of one box per family group/individual
Contact518-854-7463 or slm-director@sals.edu for questions or to register

Homeschool Supply Swap

DateTuesday, June 24, 2025 (this was shifted from June 17th).
Time2:30 pm – 4:00 pm
DescriptionBring in your curriculum, workbooks, educational items, and anything else homeschool-related that you no longer use and are ready to pass on to another family! Meet other homeschooling parents, share ideas and curriculum recommendations, and take home items new to you. Everything will be free. Please be prepared to take back any items that you bring that do not find a new home. Crafts and activities will be available for kids to enjoy while adults swap.
LocationProudfit Hall
RegistrationNo registration is required.
Contact518-854-7463 or slm-director@sals.edu for questions

Bird Talk: Avian Research at the Albany Pine Bush

DateThursday, June 26, 2025
Time6:00 pm
DescriptionInland pine barrens are a rare yet important habitat for shrubland birds in the northeastern U.S. However, many of these ecosystems are limited to fragmented remnants in heavily urbanized landscapes. The 3,407-acre Albany Pine Bush Preserve protects the remnants of an inland pine barrens following decades of loss, fragmentation, and degradation due to human development, species invasions, and fire suppression. To understand the effects of their protection efforts, researchers have been monitoring the response of bird populations at the Pine Bush, conducting point counts, capturing birds to band and release, and documenting the territory fidelity of two target shrubland birds: the Prairie Warbler and the Eastern Whip-poor-will. Neil Gifford will provide a synopsis of the individual studies and conservation work being conducted there and share that their efforts have had a positive impact on the local shrubland bird community.
LocationProudfit Hall
RegistrationRegistration is helpful. Program has limited supplies.
Contact518-854-7463 or slm-director@sals.edu for questions
BIO: Neil Gifford is the Conservation Director for the Albany Pine Bush Preserve Commission, and a community representative on the North Atlantic Fire Science Exchange, with 28+ years of fire ecology, prescribed fire and field ornithology experience. He earned associate’s, bachelor’s, and master’s degrees in Ecology and Environmental Science from Paul Smith’s College, and Plattsburgh State University. Neil is also a certified wildland fire fighter, a USGS Master Bird Bander and the author of both popular and peer-reviewed scientific articles. Neil lives on a small farm in White Creek, NY where he tends a flock of Jacob Sheep and many species of cavity nesting birds.