CAPTURING THE MAGIC OF THE HUDSON VALLEY: Gallery Exhibit to Highlight Our Recent Photo Competition

We're pleased to announce that Muddy Cup Coffee House in Poughkeepsie is devoting its entire exhibit space to showcasing entries from our 2008 Online Photo Contest. The contest was a tremendous success, attracting nearly 2,500 entries in six different categories. For the rest of July, Muddy Cup is displaying a preview exhibit of selected entries, and starting in August, the Gallery will showcase a collection of the top 100 images! Join us for an opening reception on Wed., July 9, from 6 - 8 p.m. and enjoy a free cup of Muddy Cup's famous coffee! More...

	Lawmakers made positive progress on many issues important to the Valley.

Good News for Hudson Valley Environment as Legislative Session Ends
Environmentalists won important victories at the New York state capitol this spring. New pieces of legislation to reform the brownfields program, strengthen protections for Hudson Valley farms, and provide new incentives for renewable energy, green building and historic preservation are all on their way to Governor Paterson for consideration. Our thanks to all the Scenic Hudson members who sent thousands of e-mails to lawmakers to help us achieve these victories. More...

Scenic Hudson Study Helps Send Pine Plains Developer Back to Drawing Board

Scenic Hudson's science-based analysis of this 951-unit proposal for the former Carvel property appears to have convinced developers to pursue a different approach with a design based on the site's unique environmental qualities.

At a recent meeting of the Pine Plains Planning Board, representatives of the Durst Organization announced that they are working on a major revision of their large-scale development proposal for nearly 2,300 acres in Pine Plains and neighboring Milan. The decision to revisit the original proposal came in the wake of an ecological assessment prepared by Dr. Michael Klemens on behalf of Scenic Hudson that found the project would have significant negative impacts, including the eradication of rare reptile and amphibian species. More...

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

Our congratulations to Linda Keeling of Red Hook for being the first to respond to last month's "Where in the Valley is Reed Sparling" contest. She recognized Reed as being atop Burger Hill (Dutchess County). See this page for additional details.

For July 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!

Your donation will help us continue to preserve the health and beauty of the Hudson River Valley before it's too late. (photo: Robert Rodriguez, Jr.)

Save Gas this Summer — Visit a Nearby Scenic Hudson Park!

Enjoy some of the most beautiful scenery in the world -- right here in the Hudson Valley. Check our calendar of events for some great local ways to enjoy the outdoors this summer.

Morning Ranger Hike
Date: Thursday, July 17, 10 a.m.
Location: Franny Reese Preserve (Lloyd)
Join a Scenic Hudson ranger for a moderate (2.5-mile) fact-filled nature walk at one of our newest parks.
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Mount Beacon by Moonlight
Date: Friday, July 18, 7 p.m.
Location: Mount Beacon (Beacon)
We'll arrive at this legendary summit in time to enjoy a spectacular Hudson Valley sunset, then journey back down beneath a full moon. More....

Orienteering 101
Date: Saturday, July 26, 9 a.m.
Location: Hudson Highlands Gateway Park (Cortlandt)
Learn basic map and compass skills by maneuvering through a set course in this beautiful Peekskill-area park. All equipment will be supplied.
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Lighthouse Kayak Trip
Date: Tuesday, July 29, 5 p.m.
Location: Esopus Meadows (Esopus)
Explore Scenic Hudson's stop on the Hudson River Water Trail by paddling to the historic Esopus Meadows Lighthouse. Equipment and instruction will be provided courtesy of Ray Fusco.
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PARKS FESTIVAL!
Date: Saturday, August 16, 9 a.m. to 6 p.m.
Location: Shaupeneak Ridge, Black Creek Preserve, Fishkill Ridge, Foundry Dock Park, and Poets' Walk Park.
Our Second Annual Summer Parks Festival will feature scavenger hunts, letter-boxing, croquet and kickball along with live music, refreshments, games and prizes!
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FILM SCREENINGS: July 24 - 27

Scenic Hudson and Time & Space Limited are sponsoring four screenings of The Unforeseen, a highly acclaimed documentary with strong parallels to Scenic Hudson's work. The film is about a battle between a real estate developer and a Texas community struggling to preserve a beautiful natural swimming hole. More ...