Dear Buckingham Pond Conservancy Members and Friends —

Buckingham Pond Conservancy is a volunteer-run “friends” group that works closely with the City of Albany to protect and enhance the pond and park. Thanks to generous neighbors like you — and an Albany County Municipal Park Improvement Grant, and substantial support from the City of Albany — we completed important shoreline and habitat improvements in 2025.

Save the Date: Annual Meeting 2026

To engage with members, friends, and city agencies, the BPC hosts our annual members meeting typically in late March or early April. While we have not yet identified a time or location, please check back here and on our Facebook for updates.

2025 Accomplishments

Phase 2 of the North Shoreline Improvements
We completed Phase 2 of the North Shoreline Native Planting and Stabilization with generous support of Albany County, City of Albany, and volunteers. The Phase 2 plantings took root well, thanks to almost daily watering between July and September made possible with the good work of some highly dedicated volunteers. The BPC Board would like to thank Sue Berstein, Ron Boutin, Lotus El-Bahtity, Janice Joyce, Fiona Keating, Carol McCarthy, Abbey O’Conner, Elisa Winter, and John Roy Schlessman for their help.

Invasive Species Removals
With help from volunteers and BPC members, we’ve continued to manage the garlic mustard near Rafts Way & Milner Avenue.

Update the Tree Tags QR Code Links
As tree tags have gotten damaged or vandalized, we have begun planning updates and repairs to the tree tags around the pond. And we’re keeping a close eye on active links for each QR code on the tree tags so that information is readily available and up to date.

Advocacy
We continue to advocate with various City of Albany Departments and Neighborhood Services for various other issues at the playground and park:

• Playground mulch replacement (no more sharp sticks) working with Recreation Department and Department of General Services
• Poison ivy removals and vigilant advocacy with City and Department of General Services
• Trash removal on land and by canoe in the water
• Vegetation trimming

Cleanups and Volunteer Opportunities
Many thanks to all of you who have pitched in to keep the grounds in good shape. This year we hosted the Spring Cleanup, the Inaugural Fall Stewardship Day (sponsoring community and volunteer education by More Trees), Tulip Planting at the parking lot.

CSLAP – Citizen Statewide Lake Assessment Program
BPC Board Members, with the assistance of Michael Campbell, completed the eighth year of water testing, helping to gain further insight into the water quality of the pond.

Interpretive Signage Project
Those work promised by the “coming soon” signs on the bulletin boards is under way. We began in earnest developing new storytelling signage, to help neighbors and visitors understand the history, ecology, and community significance of Buckingham Pond. We hope to be able to provide another project update on that soon.

For 2026, we have big plans to organize volunteer projects and community events, give neighbors a voice in planning for the pond’s future, and continue advocating for its care. Your support — whether through a donation, volunteering, or simply spreading the word — helps keep Buckingham Pond a beautiful, healthy, and welcoming place for all.

Are you interested in getting involved or helping out?

Contributions of your time, skills, and money are the key to keeping Buckingham Pond thriving for generations to come. We look forward to working with you to keep our pond and park the special place we love.

• Get Informed – Learn more about the Conservancy and our projects and events at our Facebook, Instagram or website where you can also subscribe to our mailing list!
• Be Part of the Conversation – Board Meetings are open to Conservancy members and take place on the fourth Monday of each month. Email us or see the website for location details. We’d also love to see you at our Annual Meeting in Spring 2026—watch your email and our website for the date!
• Bring Your Talents to the Pond – Every bit of knowledge and energy helps our community and the pond thrive! We especially need people with skills in grant writing, fundraising, website management, and organizing volunteers, and expertise in ecology, native plants, landscape architecture, and environmental engineering.
• Join a Work Day / Become a Park Steward – All of us make this work happen. You, too, can volunteer for work days or become a Park Steward and work at your own pace! We can teach you what you need to know. Reach out if this is something you’d like to do!
• Donate, Join or Renew – Love the pond? Show your love for the pond and help it thrive with a $25 tax-deductible membership donation at buckinghampondconservancy.org/donate/.

With the holiday season upon us, we want to extend our heartfelt wishes for a happy and healthy new year. Thank you for your continued support of the Buckingham Pond Conservancy.

Sincerely,

Grace Bennett
President
Buckingham Pond Conservancy

Featured Image: Courtesy of Sara Hart