Dyken Pond Environmental Education Center

The Dyken Pond Environmental Education Center is owned and operated by Rensselaer County. Our mission is to provide high quality natural science education programs and services that promote stewardship of the environment and foster sound environmental decision making. The Friends of Dyken Pond is a separate, not-for-profit 501 (c) (3) organization created in 1991 to be a support group for the Center. Our mission is to: foster ecological literacy and land stewardship by promoting experiential environmental education, supporting the Dyken Pond Environmental Education Center’s programs and protecting the natural resources at and around the Center through financial and volunteer support. Together, Rensselaer County and the Friends of Dyken Pond collaborate to provide high quality environmental education, outdoor recreation and youth development opportunities at this special place called Dyken Pond.

We are a low-use recreational area. Open during daylight hours, the park features over 11 miles of trails for hiking, bird watching and nature photography, with a launch for non-motorized boats, and areas on the shoreline for great fishing. Four short trails are self-guiding, allowing you to learn of our plants and animals at your own pace. There is no swimming, open fires or collecting of any kind.