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Plants + Animals

Only every decade or so does the U.S. Department of Agriculture release the latest edition of the Plant Hardiness Zone...

The Valley’s Different Breed of Zoo

Sure, NYC offers world-caliber collections of wildlife like the Bronx...

Winging It With New York Bats

Despite their spooky rep, there’s much more to bats than...

Why Regional Bear Sightings Feel Like They’re on the Rise

Listening to TV news, you’d think New York State is...

The Lowdown on Keeping Backyard Chickens

For eco-minded, egg-loving Hudson Valley residents looking to make that next carbon-footprint reduction, keeping backyard...

The Valley’s Various Frog Species Make Moves

Frogs may be the most familiar and observable amphibians in the Hudson Valley. Unlike their...

Cameo: Valley Foxes in Snow

The Scenic Hudson team uses cameras to help monitor our parks — but sometimes, wildlife...

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Up Close With New York’s Only Resident Hummingbird

Bird lovers throughout the Hudson Valley are watching for one of our area’s most beloved seasonal residents: the ruby-throated hummingbird....

How Robins Signal Spring

The robin is the oneThat interrupts the mornWith hurried, few, express reportsWhen March is scarcely on. Virtually nobody signals the...

Why Cardinals Rule

Northern cardinals have become a familiar and welcome sight to New Yorkers, particularly here in the Hudson Valley. The iconic...

What’s Next When You Find an Injured Bird

There’s something especially heartbreaking about coming across an injured bird — a creature meant to soar that is suddenly suffering,...

Poughkeepsie’s Massive Crow Roost

As the weather cools off, crows flock to Poughkeepsie by the thousands to join a communal roost, a ritual that’s...

The Local Eagle-Spotting Outlook

Few things in life draw the sort of deep-sigh feeling of awe as the sight of a majestic eagle soaring...

On Cold Days, Go Gull-Spotting

You might see a seagull over the Hudson River and think it’s amazing that these birds have come 50 or...

The Valley’s Vanishing Nighthawks

BEEMPP! BOOM!!  and again  BEEEMPP! BOOOM! On a warm June evening, I would take the kids down to Coxsackie to wait....

The Valley’s Fall Birdwatching Forecast

If you stand outside at about 9:30 p.m. and listen quietly, you might hear the distinctive “wheet” calls of the...

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Big Trees and the Humans Who Find Them

Near Coeymans, N.Y., there is a floodplain that flanks the Hudson and extends out to a well-kept property that a...

Celebrating FDR’s Pioneering Tree Conservation

Conserving land — cultivating it expressly for nature — is a standard practice today. But decades ago, it was an unheard-of...

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,...

Quiz: Do You Know Fall’s Most Vibrant Leaves?

The Hudson Valley is famous for its fall foliage, best seen across rolling hills, apple orchards, and riverside mountains. Everyone...

Newburgh’s Balmville Tree, a Landmark of American History

Among local trees that have captured the imagination, it’s hard to top the Balmville Tree. Walk, bike, or drive past...

Return of the Elms

On a fall Friday morning, a pickup truck arrived at Mawignack Preserve in Catskill with a long-anticipated cargo: 28 trees....
Ashokan Rail Trail

10 Top Fall-Foliage Hot Spots in the Hudson Valley

The annual changing-leaf display along the Hudson River always boosts flagging spirits — and who couldn’t use a little pick-me-up...

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World’s First Bee Vaccine Expands Pollinator Potential

The next time you see a honeybee buzzing around a flower or a shrub or an apple tree, you can...

It’s National Moth Week

by Dalvin Aboagye Step outside your home on a nice night and take a look around. What do you see?...
Rick Ostfeld holding a white-footed mouse

Tackling Ticks

Enjoying outdoor exercise helps boost our immune system and relieve stress, which has never been more important. But while a...

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Winging It With New York Bats

Despite their spooky rep, there’s much more to bats than Dracula and Halloween decorations. Around the world, bats serve as...

The Valley’s Various Frog Species Make Moves

Frogs may be the most familiar and observable amphibians in the Hudson Valley. Unlike their secretive cousins the salamanders, frogs...

The Opossum, a Surprising N.Y. Fan Fave

They may not look like the cuddliest creatures, but opossums are still beloved by many New Yorkers. In May, they...

Look Out For These New York Snakes

Cryptic, mysterious, and too often feared, snakes are among the most misunderstood animals that share our planet. New York is...

Making a Big Effort to Save a Little Turtle

Around late April, bog turtles began to emerge from their muddy hibernacula, or winter shelters, to greet another season in...

Forget Forecasting — Appreciate What Groundhogs Can Actually Rock

Will he or won’t he? That will be the question on everyone’s mind on Feb. 2, Groundhog Day, when Punxsutawney...

Why the Tiny Shrew Will Blow Your Mind

Shrews aren’t just terms out of Shakespeare. In fact, Shakespeare is brand-new compared to actual shrews, animals that have been...

The Cheeky Ways Chipmunks Operate

Next to gray squirrels, their rodent cousins, Eastern chipmunks are probably the most frequently spotted mammal in parks and backyards...

River Otters Play in the Valley Again

Otters aren’t just oceanic creatures — their semi-aquatic mammal cousins, North American river otters, are found all over the continent,...

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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....

If You Can’t Beat ‘Em, Eat ‘Em

Invasive plants wreak great havoc in the Hudson Valley, crowding out native species that birds and other animals depend on...

Hounding Out Invasive Species in the Hudson Valley

The next time you’re hiking in the Lower Hudson Valley, be on the lookout for two of the region’s newest...

Woolly Adelgids Threaten Eastern Hemlock Trees

For generations, the canopies provided by the Eastern hemlock trees have been integral to the Empire State’s forest ecosystems. Although...
Spotted Lanternfly

Watch Out for Spotted Lanternflies

The spotted lanternfly is one beautiful bug. With its wings outspread, an adult resembles an abstract painting, sporting geometric splotches...
Japanese Knotweed

Solving a Knotty Knotweed Problem

“When I first started working here, I didn’t realize this could be such a beautiful view,” says Scenic Hudson Parks...
Cow Parsnip

Don’t Touch That Plant!

Trees, shrubs and wildflowers contribute so much beauty to the Hudson Valley — and joy to our lives — but...
Ice Skate in Tree

Trees That Eat Things

Scenic Hudson Land Stewardship Coordinator Dan Smith photographed an ice skate being “eaten” by a tree on one of our...

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Cameo: Valley Foxes in Snow

The Scenic Hudson team uses cameras to help monitor our parks — but sometimes, wildlife makes a guest appearance. What...

Cameo: Valley Coyotes

The Scenic Hudson team uses cameras to help monitor our parks — but sometimes, wildlife makes a guest appearance. What...

Cameo: Valley Bears

The Scenic Hudson team uses cameras to help monitor our parks — but sometimes, wildlife makes a guest appearance. What...

Cameo: Valley Deer

The Scenic Hudson team uses cameras to help monitor our parks — but sometimes, wildlife makes a guest appearance. What...

Cameo: Valley Raccoons

The Scenic Hudson team uses cameras to help monitor our parks — but sometimes, wildlife makes a guest appearance. What...

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As the Climate Changes, Which Perennials Will Thrive in the Hudson Valley?

Only every decade or so does the U.S. Department of Agriculture release the latest edition of the Plant Hardiness Zone...

The Tiny, Mossy Forest Below

Generous forests and elegant mountains might command your attention when you’re enjoying the Hudson Valley outdoors. But if you shift...

Seed Saving: How the Valley Has Helped Lead the Nation in Preserving Heirloom Plants

When you hold a seed in your hand, “once upon a time” might not be the first words that pop...

The Apples of Your Ancestors’ Daydreams

Centuries-old apple varieties that were almost pushed out by industrialization have started to get popular again in the Hudson Valley...

Huckleberry Picking, An Old Summer Tradition in the Shawangunks

The poor, acidic, and shallow soil on top of the Shawangunk Ridge was never ideal for farming — but it...

Blooming Now: The Valley’s Own Native Cactus

With all the emphasis on native plants these days, you’d be forgiven for shaking your head when stumbling across a...

Go Spring Ephemeral-Spotting

The Valley may not host showy fields of tulips or bluebonnets. Yet for the hikers, painters, students, explorers, photographers and...

How and Why To Plant Native

Like many, Millbrook resident Liselotte Vince earned her green thumb as a kid years ago, when beauty was the big...

Vertical Gardening at Home

A decade ago, Bryan Meador was an art student in New York City alienated by too much concrete. He felt...

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The Valley’s Different Breed of Zoo

Sure, NYC offers world-caliber collections of wildlife like the Bronx Zoo — but the Hudson Valley is home to two...

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...

From Alpaca to Sweater: HV Fiber Farming

Sheep and goats are classic Hudson Valley grazers, and in the past few years, a handful of regional farmers have...

Winter Hiking With Dogs

Once upon a time, I adopted the best trail buddy a gal could dream of. Roxy is a 50-pound mutt...

Invite a Goat to Your Next Online Meeting

As Kathy Stevens sits in the shade contemplating the Catskill Animal Sanctuary’s next move, she loses her train of thought...

Search Viewfinder:

Hudson Valley Viewfinder is a collaborative, community digital magazine sharing what inspires us about the beautiful Hudson Valley. We publish original stories and multimedia content about all things sustainable in the region along the Hudson River — including agriculture, science, wildlife, outdoor recreation, green transportation, environmental justice, and more.

Our mission is to immerse you in the storied history, fresh happenings, and coming solutions for making the Hudson Valley greener and more livable long-term.

Viewfinder is published by Scenic Hudson, the celebrated nonprofit credited with launching the modern grassroots environmental movement in 1963. With over 25,000 passionate supporters, Scenic Hudson’s mission is to sustain and enhance the Hudson Valley’s inspirational beauty and health for generations to come. Viewfinder supports that mission, because the better people understand what makes this place special, the more they will invest in protecting it. 

Keep up with the latest stories by subscribing to Scenic Hudson’s monthly digital newsletter, and connect with us on social via Facebook, Instagram, Twitter, LinkedIn, and Threads.

Our mission is to immerse you in the storied history, fresh happenings, and coming solutions for making the Hudson Valley greener and more livable long-term.

Viewfinder is published by Scenic Hudson, the celebrated nonprofit credited with launching the modern grassroots environmental movement in 1963. With over 25,000 passionate supporters, Scenic Hudson’s mission is to sustain and enhance the Hudson Valley’s inspirational beauty and health for generations to come. Viewfinder supports that mission, because the better people understand what makes this place special, the more they will invest in protecting it. 

Keep up with the latest stories by subscribing to Scenic Hudson’s monthly digital newsletter, and connect with us on social via Facebook, Instagram, Twitter, LinkedIn, and Threads.

Lynn Freehill-Maye
Managing Editor
editorial@scenichudson.org 

Riley Johndonnell
Director Creative Strategies & Communications
rjohndonnell@scenichudson.org

Lynn Freehill-Maye
Managing Editor
editorial@scenichudson.org 

Riley Johndonnell
Director Creative Strategies & Communications
rjohndonnell@scenichudson.org

We’re always looking for ideas around our main topic areas of Climate Solutions, Land + Air + Water, Plants + Animals, History + Culture, Outdoors, and Community.
  • Journalists and writers who have deep familiarity with New York and the Hudson Valley, we’d love to have you contribute! Please do introduce yourself by email, sharing writing samples and any relevant pitches you may have.
  • Photographers and videographers, we’d love to hear from you and see what you do. Please send along a portfolio with images or footage that showcases your best and/or most relevant work, with an emphasis on anything captured outdoors. 
  • Illustrators, we commission artwork on the regular. Drop us a note with some of the beauty you’ve created.
  • Media Partners & Social Media Influencers, we welcome opportunities to team up on series and campaigns. Reach out with any background about yourselves and your ideas.
We’re always looking for ideas around our main topic areas of Climate Solutions, Land + Air + Water, Plants + Animals, History + Culture, Outdoors, and Community.
  • Journalists and writers who have deep familiarity with New York and the Hudson Valley, we’d love to have you contribute! Please do introduce yourself by email, sharing writing samples and any relevant pitches you may have.
  • Photographers and videographers, we’d love to hear from you and see what you do. Please send along a portfolio with images or footage that showcases your best and/or most relevant work, with an emphasis on anything captured outdoors. 
  • Illustrators, we commission artwork on the regular. Drop us a note with some of the beauty you’ve created.
  • Media Partners & Social Media Influencers, we welcome opportunities to team up on series and campaigns. Reach out with any background about yourselves and your ideas.
  • We love to collaborate with media outlets, especially on episodic series (like these) of interest to our shared audiences. Past collaborations have included radio interviews, panel discussions and other events, original artwork, and e-blasts, all furthering the campaign’s excitement and reach. 
  • We also love to partner with other organizations whose missions align with Scenic Hudson’s. Feel free to reach out with some background on your group and its work.
  • Writers, photographers, and creatives, if you have an idea for a series or content campaign that might be a good fit, drop us a line!

Businesses, please note that as a nonprofit, Scenic Hudson is restricted from advertising or promoting for-profit companies, through Viewfinder or other outlets. While we understand content managers may wish to alert us to your company’s role in a relevant topic, we are unable to add links to businesses to our stories.

  • We love to collaborate with media outlets, especially on episodic series (like these) of interest to our shared audiences. Past collaborations have included radio interviews, panel discussions and other events, original artwork, and e-blasts, all furthering the campaign’s excitement and reach. 
  • We also love to partner with other organizations whose missions align with Scenic Hudson’s. Feel free to reach out with some background on your group and its work.
  • Writers, photographers, and creatives, if you have an idea for a series or content campaign that might be a good fit, drop us a line!

Businesses, please note that as a nonprofit, Scenic Hudson is restricted from advertising or promoting for-profit companies, through Viewfinder or other outlets. While we understand content managers may wish to alert us to your company’s role in a relevant topic, we are unable to add links to businesses to our stories.

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