From the Hudson to the Taconics : An Ecological and Cultural Field Guide to the Habitats of Columbia County, New York
Location: Columbia County
This richly illustrated and easy-to-use Field Guide is an invitation to explore the ecological and cultural fabric of a diverse Hudson Valley landscape. Informed by decades of original research by the Hawthorne Valley Farmscape Ecology Program and Hudsonia Ltd., it provides readers with the tools to recognize and get to know 36 distinct habitats and includes—
Information on how to identify and distinguish each habitat in the landscape
Maps of public areas where habitats can be experienced
What to look for, including lists of associated wild plants and animals
Stewardship ideas and considerations
Habitat history in the context of human history
Perspectives from people interacting with the habitats
Interactive suggestions for engaging with different habitats
From the Hudson to the Taconics is for anyone who inhabits, visits, or loves this landscape. Casual readers, naturalists, biologists, educators, policymakers, and land managers alike will find in it ample resources to deepen a personal relationship with this land and an understanding of the wild plants and animals who share it.
Farmscape Ecology Program, Hawthorne Valley
Location: Harlemville
The Farmscape Ecology Program was founded in 2003 as a small research and outreach program dedicated to encouraging an informed compassion for place.
We do this by exploring the relationship between human culture and the rural, semi-agricultural landscape of Columbia County.
Our Program includes a core staff comprised of a botanist, social scientist, and a wildlife ecologist. Together with technicians, interns and volunteers, we do participatory research on aspects of the County’s ecology, history and culture with the goal of stimulating their exploration and building love and knowledge of this area. We share our knowledge and findings widely through public ecology walks, presentations, local publications, electronic media, and a variety of facilitated discussions and gatherings.
Contact: 518-672-7994 or fep@hawthornevalleyfarm.org
Website: https://hvfarmscape.org/
The Nature Institute
Location: Harlemville
The Nature Institute, founded in 1998, is a small, independent not-for-profit organization in upstate New York with a proven track record for incisive and thoughtful research studies, publications, and education programs. The Institute serves as a local, national, and international forum for research, education, and the exchange of ideas about the re-visioning of science and technology in an effort to realign humanity with nature. Staff members and adjunct researchers/faculty have authored books and articles while also presenting at conferences, leading workshops, training teachers, and lecturing widely.
Contact: 518-672-0116 or info@natureinstitute.org
Website: https://www.natureinstitute.org/
Find Your Wild - Tes Reed
Location: Berkshire and Columbia Counties
“Those who contemplate the beauty of the earth find reserves of strength that will endure as long as life lasts.”
— Rachel Carson, The Sense of Wonder
Nature Education for Children and Adults - Offering a wide variety of retreats, workshops, individual consulting and wilderness mentoring.
Nature Event Planning, such sessions as:
• Learn Your Land – Your Forest or Mine
• Wild Campfire Cocktail Party
• Guided Hikes
• Foraging Wild Edibles and Primitive Cooking Workshop
• Solo Guided Retreats
• Wild Birthday Parties
Contact: 413-329-8563 or tesreed01230@gmail.com
Website: https://tesreed.com/
Flying Deer Nature Center
Flying Deer Nature Center is a nonprofit wilderness school and community dedicated to mentoring children, youth, adults, and families in deep connection to nature, self, and others.
Since 1996, FDNC has offered nature-immersion programming for people of all ages, through school and homeschool programs, summer camps, corporate curriculums, rites-of-passage experiences, adult programs, and outreach events.
Our work aims not only to teach naturalist practices and wilderness survival skills, but also to foster in participants a lifelong relationship with nature and access to the gifts it brings: resilience, creativity, and the ability to listen deeply to ourselves and to others. We all need the benefits of connecting with the natural world and, in like measure, nature needs our care. This deep and reciprocal relationship with the earth is at the heart of our mission.
Website: https://flyingdeernaturecenter.org/