The Capital District is rich in natural areas, but community members without transportation — and without the funds to pay for transportation — may struggle to reach them. To make the most of green spaces, nature preserves and state parks are most often located away from urban areas and highways. That makes them quieter and wilder, but also off the routes provided by public transportation.
The Albany Nature Bus, started in 2021 as a partnership between the Mohawk Hudson Land Conservancy and CDTA, aimed to combat the issue by providing a regular route — free of charge — from downtown Albany to select natural areas. Two bus routes now make stops at places like the Albany County Rail Trail, John Boyd Thacher State Park, and Five Rivers Educational Center.
To learn more about the Nature Bus routes in Albany and Schenectady, including pick-up locations and drop-off times, visit the CDTA website at https://www.cdta.org/nature-bus
To volunteer at one of the Schenectady Nature Bus locations or to offer suggestions on stops that can be added in the future, email Harris Eisenhardt at [email protected].
This year, the effort has expanded with a pilot program in Schenectady County.
Unfortunately, when the first Schenectady Nature Bus pulled up at River Road Park in Niskayuna on June 24, it was raining and the forecast was terrible, keeping participating to about a dozen riders all day. ECOS board member Harris Eisenhardt says he’d love to have every bus full, but he’s happy with the turnout, especially considering the weather.
Sarah Walsh, associate director of the Mohawk Hudson Land Conservancy, says the Albany Nature Bus was born during the pandemic, when outdoor spaces were the safest places for people to gather.
“You have some beautiful places like Washington Park and Lincoln Park, but you’re not really in deep nature, and…
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