Our recent protection of the Watergrass Sanctuary in Philipstown (Putnam) conserves critical habitat for birds and other wildlife, and ensures that low-impact public use of the sanctuary will continue forever.

Earlier this winter, we worked with land protection partners in Putnam County to protect a 48-acre wildlife sanctuary in the heart of the Hudson Highlands. Our partnership with the Hudson Highlands Land Trust and Putnam Highlands Audubon Society ensures permanent protection and guarantees public access to this critical habitat for birds and other wildlife. Detailed profiles of all our latest victories -- complete with photographs and downloadable maps -- are available in the land conservation section of our Web site.

Filmmaker Josh Aronson's latest online video documents a Scenic Hudson's "Orienteering 101" event at Black Creek Preserve last December.

As part of our ongoing celebration of the 400th anniversary of Henry Hudson's voyage of discovery, Scenic Hudson will launch a special "I ♥ Hudson Valley" online video contest this spring. We'll be inviting people throughout the Hudson Valley to create short videos that capture their personal connection to the river and its landscapes. Details will be posted in next month's newsletter and in the video section of our Web site. Stay tuned!

Sell your extra outdoor gear by renting a table at our March 21 "swap and sell."

CLEARING OUT? GEARING UP?
Don't Miss Our March 21 Swap and Sell
Our first-ever "Swap and Sell" will be a great way to get ready for the upcoming season of outdoor activities. If your garage or basement is full of used or surplus gear -- tents, sleeping bags, kayaks, snowshoes, etc. -- you can come sell them at the Hyde Park Drive-in. We'll be advertising the sale throughout Dutchess and Ulster counties, so you should get plenty of customers. What better way to spend the first day of spring? More...

Can you identify which Scenic Hudson Park Reed Sparling is visiting this month? Visit this page to find out.

Our congratulations to Garrick Bryant of Highland for being the first to respond to last month's "Where in the Valley is Reed Sparling" contest. Garrick recognized Reed as being at Esopus Meadows Preserve (Ulster County). See this page for additional details.

For February, we have a new challenge. Will you be the first person to respond correctly and win an autographed copy of Reed's book, Hudson Valley Voyage: Through the Seasons, Through the Years? Happy guessing!

Featured Event:
"Give a Hoot" Hike

Join us on Thursday evening, Feb. 19, for a unique workshop at Esopus Meadows (Ulster). More ...

Other Outings:
Love Lives of Animals
Date: Saturday, Feb. 14, 10 a.m.
Location: Madam Brett Park (Dutchess)
Find out what gets some local creatures "in the mood" and learn all about their strange courtship rituals during this short Valentine's Day hike.
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Morning Ranger Hike
Date: Thursday, Feb. 19, 10 a.m.
Location: Mount Beacon (Dutchess)
Join us for a challenging 4-mile snowshoe trek or hike to Mount Beacon’s summit for panoramic views of the Hudson Valley.
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Morning Ranger Hike
Date: Thursday, Mar. 5, 10 a.m.
Location: Poets' Walk Park (Dutchess)
Join a Scenic Hudson ranger for a moderate (2.5 mile) fact-filled nature walk with splendid views of the Hudson river and Catskill mountains.
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Morning Ranger Hike
Date: Thursday, Mar. 19, 10 a.m.
Location: Madam Brett Park (Dutchess)
Join a Scenic Hudson ranger for an easy (1 mile) fact-filled hike along Fishkill Creek to the Hudson River with possible eagle sightings.
More ...

Outdoor Gear Swap & Sell
Date: Saturday, Mar. 21, 10 a.m.
Location: Hyde Park Drive-In (Dutchess)
Sell your used or surplus outdoor gear and pick up some new gear at the lowest possible prices.
More ...

Vernal Pool Study
Date: Thursday, Mar. 26, 5 p.m.
Location: Black Creek Preserve (Ulster)
Celebrate the coming of spring as a naturalist helps you catch and identify some of the amphibians that rely on these fragile habitats.
More ...

Have a greener Valentine's Day From fair trade wine, chocolate and flowers to all-natural Valentines for kids, Mother Nature News has suggestions for making this weekend's holiday earth-friendly. More...

Become a trailblazer for Scenic Hudson through our Monthly Giving Program.