Pass it on

An aerial view of a Hudson Valley tree farm.

Cutting Down the Impact of That Christmas Tree

For those who celebrate one of the year-end holiday biggies, the time of year has come back around to ponder an age-old (okay, few-decades-old) question: real Christmas tree, or fake?  Sales of real and artificial Christmas trees in the U.S....

This Winter, Slash the Salt

In the best of winters, cold weather brings Hudson Valley residents both the silent stillness of a fresh snowfall and the feeling of safety on well-maintained local roads. But beneath the snowfall and black road top is a growing problem:...
Campfire in a ring during sunset.

Fire It Up With Eco-Friendlier Campfires

Building campfires and settling in to unwind before the crackling flames is a uniquely human pleasure, one with deep evolutionary roots in practical and recreational activities. Recent research even suggests its soothing affects may be enough to reduce blood pressure,...

Fall Foliage and Climate Change: A Wild Mix

The photogenic sprawl of trees in their vibrant fall colors is arguably one of the Hudson Valley’s most defining features, annually drawing the awe of locals and out-of-towners alike. But if it has crossed your mind in recent years that...

Why to Support These New Bike Safety Bills for N.Y. State

In this year’s ranking of bike-friendly states conducted annually by the League of American Bicyclists, New York placed 13th. (FYI, Massachusetts, Oregon, Washington, California, and Minnesota hold places one through five, respectively.)  But in the category “Traffic Laws and Practices” — a...

Fireflies: Beautiful, And in Need of Our Help

They are the earthbound constellations of summer. They swoop and dive, creating patterns in the darkness so reminiscent of a twinkling, star-filled sky that one species common to the Hudson Valley is nicknamed the “Big Dipper.” They are fireflies, the...

Safer Summer Hiking With Dogs

The warm sunshine is here, and it’s time to hit those sizzling trails in the Hudson Valley — but how hot is too hot for your dog to come along?  I’ve been hiking with my rescue dog, Roxy, for seven...

#Invasives101: How Bad Is Water Chestnut, Really?

When it comes to invasive species that have affected the Hudson River, water chestnuts are one of the most common. Imported to North America from Eurasia in the 19th century as an ornamental plant, the aquatic plant’s impenetrable floating beds...