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Hudson Highlands Land Trust
April 2013 |
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Visit our website
Support our work
 
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Apr 13
Protecting the Highlands from Alien Invaders
HHLT's Sustainability Forum
Highlands Country Club
Garrison, NY
Apr 27 The Birds of Lake Alice, an HHLT TakeA-Hike!
Garrison, NY
May 5
Totally Toads
Hubbard Lodge
Cold Spring, NY
May 11
Celebrate the Forest,
an HHLT Take-A-Hike!
Black Rock Forest
Cornwall, NY
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June 11
Hudson Valley Shakespeare Festival
Season begins.
The Festival offers residents and visitors a great opportunity to enjoy the beauty of the Hudson Highlands coupled with exuberant outdoor performances at Boscobel in Garrison, NY. Plant to arrive early and enjoy a picnic on the grounds before the show.
Visit their website for more information and show times.
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Hudson Highlands Land Trust
P.O. Box 226
20 Nazareth Way
Garrison, NY 10524
845/424-3358
info@hhlt.org
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 HHLT Hosts Free Community Forum on Invasive Species
On Sat., April 13, HHLT will host Protecting the Highlands from Alien Invaders, a community forum on invasive species, at the Highlands Country Club, Rte. 9D, in Garrison, NY. The free event, scheduled from 10:00am to 3:00pm, will feature two moderated hour and a half long panel discussions.
Children's gardening education programming will be provided in a separate room during the panel discussions by members of HHLT's education team. Participants will receive complimentary lunch and the opportunity to browse informational exhibit tables during breaks before and after the panels.
The panels, We're All in This Together--Regional Responses to Invasives (in the morning) and Plant This, Not That--A How-To Guide for Managing Invasives on Your Own Property (after lunch), break the subject matter into two defined topics and allow time for specific questions on each aspect of backyard farming.
The forum is open to the general public and free of charge, but registration is strongly recommended as space is limited. Walk-ins will be accepted on the day of the event on a space available bases. Visit the forum website to register online, or call or email HHLT at 845/424-3358 or info@hhlt.org for more information or to make a reservation. |
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 HHLT Partners with Private Landowner and Scenic Hudson to Protect Malouf's Mountain
Situated on Fishkill Ridge, Malouf's Mountain Sunset Campground has been easing visitors into outdoor adventures by offering novice campers a way to go rustic without too much roughing.
Campsite owner Dick Malouf understands that his property is an important regional asset. Since the campsite's opening in 2005, its seasonal clientele has grown from dozens to hundreds of visitors annually.
HHLT's Director of Land Preservation, Katrina Shindledecker, has been working with Dick and Scenic Hudson since January 2012 to preserve this piece of ridgeline in Dutchess County, protecting natural resources, the scenic Fishkill Ridge viewshed and enhancing local property values.
Earlier this month, Dick sold Scenic Hudson 29+ acres of land adjacent to their Fishkill Ridge parkland and conveyed a voluntary conservation agreement to Hudson Highlands Land Trust on his hike-in, hike-out campground. His actions guarantee that these 50 acres will be protected in pepetuity--for future generations to enjoy as we do today.
As Andy Chmar, HHLT Executive Director explains, "Because the Hudson Highlands face intense development pressures, land protection becomes more vital every day. We applaud Dick Malouf for his individual efforts to preserve our community's character and scenic beauty, and are particularly happy to partner with Dick and Scenic Hudson to preserve this beautiful landscape, while also supporting a local business."
Landowners interested in learning more about voluntary conservation agreements can contact HHLT by email or phone (845/424-3358) for more information.
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 HHLT Applies for Accreditation Renewal
HHLT is currently applying to renew its accreditation with the Land Trust Alliance. The Land Trust Accreditation Commission is an independent program that recognizes land conservation organizations that meet national quality standards for protecting important natural places and working lands forever. Renewing our Accredited Land Trust status will be an objective affirmation that HHLT meets national standards for excellence, upholds the public trust and ensures that our conservation efforts are permanent.
The Commission invites public input and accepts signed, written comments on pending applications. Comments must relate to how Hudson Highlands Land Trust complies with national quality standards. These standards address the ethical and technical operation of a land trust. The full list of standards can be viewed on the LTA website.
To learn more about the accreditation program and submit a comment, visit
www.landtrustaccreditation.org/the-process/renewal/290, or email your comment to info@landtrustaccreditation.org. Comments may also be faxed (518/587-3183) or mailed to the Land Trust Accreditation Commission, Attn: Public Comments, 36 Phila Street, Suite 2, Saratoga Springs, NY 12866. Comments on Hudson Highlands Land Trust's application will be most useful by June 29, 2013.
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 Join HHLT's Birding Take-A-Hike!
Each spring, songbirds fill our woods and fields with color and song. Join Constitution Marsh Audubon Sanctuary and Center Director Eric Lind and Long-time Putnam Highlands Audubon Society and HHLT board member Lew Kingsley on Saturday, April 27, for a birding hike around picturesque Lake Alice in Garrison, NY. Listen, look and learn about these little beauties as they migrate back to our area to breed. Bring binoculars for an up-close look.
This free hike starts at 8:30am and lasts two hours. It is easy/family friendly, but no strollers. The hike takes place on privately conserved land; directions will be provided when you register. Email or call (845/424-3358) the HHLT office for more information or to sign up.
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 Separate Toad Facts from Fiction at Wildlife Workshop
Toads are the stars of many myths and legends. Discover fascinating facts about the habits, habitats and life cycles of these forest amphibians with Hudson Highlands Nature Museum Educator Carl Heitmuller. Following the presentation, participants will go on a short hike to look for toads.
The nature program will be held on Sunday, May 5, from 2:00-3:00pm at Hubbard Lodge, 2880 Rte. 9, in Cold Spring. It is recommended for adults with or without children, and children ages 5 and. Admission fees for all programs support the care of animals at the Wildlife Education Center in Cornwall. Admission is $7/adult and $5/child (museum members: $5/adult, $3/child). Visit hhnaturemuseum.org for more information, or call 845/534-5506 x204.
Hubbard Lodge is part of Fahnestock State Park. The entrance is on the east side of Rte. 9 just north of Rte. 301.
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 Have you heard the buzz? If not, you will soon.
The 17-year, or periodical, cicadas will make their appearance later this spring. In late May, they will emerge from the ground, leaving their shells on tree trunks and fence posts. Then they'll take to the trees and make a glorious racket--their mating calls. If you're planning an outdoor event from late May to mid-July, you may be competing with some noise.
Cicadas may look like creepy aliens but they are completely harmless and defenseless--and very tasty, at least to birds and small mammals. In fact, the cicadas emerge en masse to guarantee that enough survive to produce offspring and future generations.
You may see some minor damage on the ends of deciduous tree branches where the cicadas lay their eggs. Mature trees will suffer no lasting ill effects, but you may want to wrap fruit trees and newly planted ones to protect them.
And enjoy the show! They won't be back again until 2030.
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HHLT Will Not be Hosting a Family Festival This Year
Because our partners have decided to focus their efforts on other events, and with thanks to our families and friends who have joined us for eight years of outdoors fun, HHLT is announcing that there will be no Family Festival this year. We are researching other opportunities for families to enjoy the Hudson Highlands during all four seasons. Please contact us to let us know of your family favorites. In the meantime, here are a few camping options in our area, Malouf's Mountain, Clarence Fahnestock Memorial State Park, Harriman State Park.
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The Hudson Highlands Land Trust is a community-based, accredited non-profit land conservation organization dedicated to the protection of the natural resources, rural character and scenic beauty of the Hudson Highlands. |
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