Troy Nature Society Brings Back Maple Syrup Time

The Troy Nature Society (TNS), a nonprofit corporation formed in 2010, is bringing back to the this Saturday and next Saturday (March 17) with public tours beginning every half an hour from 9 a.m.-3 p.m. Tours last about an hour and a half.

The program begins in the nature center building with a brief introduction to maple syruping — the process of turning sap into syrup. Then, participants walk the Sugar Maple Loop to see how the sap is collected.

The sugar shed is the next stop to view the wood-stoked sap evaporator in action, and everyone gets to taste the syrup on mini-waffles donated by of Troy. Maple syrup and candy will be available for purchase thanks to members of the , who have offered to sell the products and donate a portion of the profits to the Troy Nature Society.

According to John Ragan, president of the Troy Nature Society, people are enthusiastic about bringing the program back to the Stage Nature Center.

"It takes many volunteers for the Maple Syrup Time program, not only on the days of the tours but also prior to the event when the trees are tapped and the sugar shed is prepared for the event," Ragan said. "But we’ve been able to get the help we need and look forward to a couple of enjoyable weekends of family fun."

To register for the event, visit the Troy Nature Society website at www.troynaturesociety.org. The fee is $6 for the general public and $5 for Troy Nature Society members. All children must be accompanied by an adult. Although walk-ins are welcome on the day of the program, it is on a space-available basis only, so it’s best to pre-register for the event.

The preceding information was submitted by the Troy Nature Society.