New Land for the New Year: Scenic Hudson Protects Two Vital Properties

View from our newly acquired property in Hyde Park.

Scenic Hudson has purchased 72 prime riverfront acres in the Town of Hyde Park (Dutchess) and 167 acres surrounding Black Creek in the Town of Esopus (Ulster). Both properties are significant additions in our campaign to "save the land that matters most" in the Hudson Valley. The former Dominican Camp property in Hyde Park will provide a much-needed buffer from sprawling development along the Route 9 corridor. The Black Creek property is part of a growing corridor of protected lands along this historic and ecologically sensitive Hudson River tributary. Both properties offer exciting opportunities for public use.

Kunstler to Lecture about Sprawl

Scenic Hudson members are invited to "Time To Talk: The Coming Permanent Energy Crisis," a special lecture by James Howard Kunstler to be held at Time & Space Limited in Hudson on Saturday, Feb. 2, at 8 p.m. Mr. Kunstler, author of the widely acclaimed book The Geography of Nowhere, is a provocative speaker with a fascinating perspective on the devastating costs of America's car-crazed lifestyle. More...

Latest Hudson Valley Heroes

Each year Scenic Hudson recognizes a number of Hudson Valley Heroes -- special individuals who are making extraordinary efforts to protect the river, landscapes and communities that we love. This month we're proud to recognize the contributions of Herman Keith of Yonkers and Huck Hill of Red Hook. More...

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

Congratulations to Aaron from Hudson for correctly identifying last month's "Where in the Valley is Reed Sparling" photo as being in the RamsHorn-Livingston Sanctuary in Catskill. See this page for additional details.

For January we have a new challenge. Once again, the first person to respond correctly will win an autographed copy of his new book, Hudson Valley Voyage: Through the Seasons, Through the Years. Happy guessing!

Winter Fun!

In addition to the events listed below, we've come up with five great ways you can get outside and enjoy the Hudson Valley this winter. More ...

Events...

"School's Out" Outdoor Fun Day
Date: Monday, Jan. 21, 1 p.m.
Location: Esopus Meadows (Ulster)
Join Scenic Hudson staff for an afternoon of outdoor fun, including a self-guided"Seek and Find Hike," a"Winter Buddies" survival game and warming up with a hot beverage.
More ...

Sledding Party
Date: Saturday, Jan. 26, 1 p.m.
Location: Burger Hill (Dutchess)
Join Scenic Hudson and Winnakee Land Trust for an afternoon of sledding at this regionally famous hill -- the tallest in the Town of Rhinebeck. Bring your own sleds.
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Annual "Winter Fest"
Date: Saturday, Feb. 2, 10 a.m.
Location: Shaupeneak Ridge (Ulster)
Join us for a classic winter fun day at our Shaupeneak Ridge Park in the Town of Esopus. Event includes an "intro to snowshoeing" workshop with snowshoes provided by Kenco Outfitters of Kingston.
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Scavenger Hunt
Date: Saturday, Feb. 23, 2 p.m.
Location: Madam Brett Park (Dutchess)
Bring the kids and navigate your way through this historic park on an exciting scavenger hunt. Using a map and compass, find stations where you will learn fascinating facts about the park, the Hudson River and Scenic Hudson.
More ...