In the Spirit of Healing
Carole Heaney, sometimes called a death and grief walker, is a doula who companions those moving through serious illness, end of life, and grief. It doesn't need to be complicated. She simply invites you to seek a willingness to make meaning of dying, whenever it comes.
This might look like talking through wishes with your family, tending to legacy, or simply sitting with what’s hard and uncertain.
Carole advocates bringing conversations about loss and death into everyday life. She believes that when we make space for death, it shapes how we live. Begin with the end in mind—it changes how you live. When we resist death, endings, or loss of any kind, we can lose touch with what it means to live fully.
Carole offers accessible resources on her website to support loved ones, family, and healthcare providers. You can find them here: https://caroleheaney.com/grief-events-resources/
Website: https://caroleheaney.com
Rise and Run Permaculture
Location: Ghent
We are here to serve and support our region by offering our commercial and residential clients consultation, design, installation, and maintenance of holistically integrated natural and human habitats, landscapes, and systems.
We also partner with effective and conscientious local businesses, organizations, and artisans to implement our designs, and foster a healthy economy reflecting the cooperative nature of our ecology. In all our work we are guided by the ethics of permaculture: care for the Earth, care for people, fair and responsible share of our natural resources and surpluses, and the compassionate realization that we are all in a state of transition toward healthy environments, communities, and selves.
Contact: 516-236-4993 or info@riseandrunpermaculture.com
Endless Gardens Permaculture
Permaculture Landscape and Design
We create native and edible organic landscapes that are both regenerative and beautiful. We aim to facilitate ecosystem renewal, vitality, and balance.
Endless Gardens draws from a wide range of ecologically significant and innovative practices. Founded in permaculture, we also utilize our knowledge and experience in biodynamic horticultural, ecological regeneration, water retention landscaping, and bioremediation.
We can assist you in the creation of Edible Gardens, Native Plant Gardens and Landscapes, Rain Gardens, Ecosystem Regeneration and more.
Contact: 518-859-0120 or endlessgardens@outlook.com
Website: https://endlessgardener.com/
Mud Creek Environmental Learning Center
Mud Creek ELC is a project of Columbia County Soil and Water Conservation District and offers a variety of free hands-on, inquiry based, environmental education programs. Our programs can be adapted to any grade level and integrated into various parts of your school's curriculum. We are also available to develop programs to meet the needs of scout groups and other community organizations for both children and adults.
Program Ideas: Water Quality
Pond/Stream Study
Life of a Tree
Sensing Nature
Wonderful Wetlands
Ecosystem Exploration
Animal Homes and Habitats
Tracks and Traces
Birds of Prey
Fall & Spring Bird Migration
Reptiles and Amphibians
Incredible Insects
Snowshoe Adventures
Create-a-Program
and much more!
Contact: 518-267-3313 or LEANNA.OGRADY@CCSWCD.ORG
Bounty and Blooms Garden Care
Hudson Valley Garden Care Specializing in Organic Vegetables and Flowers
Our full-service, seasonal garden care packages begin with an offseason garden design, optimized best for your site. Then during the growing season your gardener’s work is all encompassing. Some of the many tasks include: soil preparation, direct seeding/transplanting, succession plantings, weeding, harvesting, pruning, disease/pest control, and more. We aim to combine our growing expertise with high-end client care, to create a memorable, personal experience. We will treat your garden as if it were our very own!
Contact: 845-347-5420 or zach@bountyandblooms.com
Website: https://bountyandblooms.com/
Jenna Houston CNM, Certified Nurse Midwife
Midwifery Services
As a midwife, my role is to provide my experience and knowledge and to support and respond to the needs of women and their families. Offering my advice and council when needed and respecting the rights of woman and of the couple as primary decision makers.
I work with informed women who choose homebirth and take responsibility for that choice, women who want a partnership with shared and informed decision making.
Contact: 518-947-0114 or WomanWay@gmail.com
Website: https://midwifejennahouston.com/
Amy Freinberg-Trufas Hypnosis
Certified hypnotist for stress reduction, improved sleep, and building good habits.
E-mail: amylikestodance@gmail.com
Unburdened Spaces
Feel at home in your life—not just your space.
Freedom from clutter, burnout, and the belief that something is wrong with you. Professional decluttering and organizing services that honor your natural rhythms and needs—not a one-size-fits-all ideal.
Website: https://www.unburdenedspaces.com/
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/
Optimal Wellness Center
Location: West Stockbridge MA
Nestled in the heart of the Berkshires, our 1200 square foot center provides a tranquil and inviting environment for healing and rejuvenation.
Group classes, personal training, and private mobility sessions.
Services Offered: Massage, Specialty Bodywork, Neuromuscular Therapy, Movement and Mobility Therapy, Functional Nutrition and Pain Management
Contact: 413-822-7394 or hello@optimalwellnessma.com
Website: https://optimalwellnessma.com/
Wild Soul River, Abolitionist Herbal Healing
Location: Williamstown MA
We have an herbalist on-site and offer energy healing, one-on-one deep dive herbal consults, workshops, crystals, tarot decks and tarot readings, simple single origin coffee and herbal teas, and much more.
We believe in the collective. We believe in holding space and and lifting up other healers, herbalist, witches, farmers, writers, artists, anarchists, makers, and revolutionaries. We believe in community ability to sustain projects and benefit the collective. We believe in radical healing. We believe in radical education. We believe in making these things accessible. We believe in land acknowledgment and in reparations. We believe these acts of solidarity provide deep generational healing for all of us. We believe that there is abundance for all of us.
Contact 413-597-1172 or info@wildsoulriver.com
Website: https://wildsoulriver.com/
Essential Pelvic Health, Laura Rowan
Location: Old Chatham
Essential Pelvic Health provides an integrative whole person approach to pelvic health. Treating women, men, and all gender diversities to get to the root cause of persistent pain and developing personalized lifestyle strategies for optimal bladder, bowel, and sexual function. EPH is committed to providing professional continuing education and mentorship to support the growing demands of this emerging profession.
Contact: 413-591-0211 or info@essentialpelvichealth.com
Full Body Thermography -Patricia Bowden-Luccardi, CTT, CNMT
Location: Chatham, Clifton Park
Since 2012, Patricia has focused her expertise on the natural prevention of breast cancer. She is a professional advocate for the promotion of radiation-free thermography.
Her public seminars and lectures are designed to educate women about the serious health risks of environmental toxins and endocrinal disruptors. Her natural protocols, including diet, supplementation and lifestyle changes, have revealed extraordinary results that have been later visibly confirmed by thermographic imaging.
Contact: 518 929 7579 or patricialuccardi@gmail.com
Website: https://patricialuccardi.com/
Dr. Rachel Low ND - Naturopathic Physician
Location: Great Barrington MA
In addition to 1:1 naturopathic medical visits, I offer online body literacy courses centered around the various phases of reproductive health care — menstrual health, fertility & preconception care, holistic pregnancy support, postpartum wellness, and perimenopause.
My practice is grounded firmly in the naturopathic principles of addressing the root cause of disease and working to support the natural healing process. I strongly emphasize establishing good foundational health with diet and lifestyle, while using plant and energy medicines to stimulate the nervous, endocrine, and immune systems and gently direct the body towards homeostasis. As an integrative provider, I blend evidence-based medicine with traditional and energetic practices. Modalities that I frequently use include herbal medicine, homeopathy, biotherapeutic drainage, clinical nutrition, flower essences, and hydrotherapy.
Contact: 860-337-2331 or hello@rachellownd.com
Website: https://www.rachellownd.com/
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/
La Leche League - Columbia County
Location: Columbia County
La Leche League is an international, nonprofit, nonsectarian organization dedicated to providing education, information, support, and encouragement to nursing families. Online and in person meetings and support
Contact: 518-392-5854
Website: https://lalechecolumbia.weebly.com/
Bloom Project
Location: Hudson
Supporting the well-being of expecting and new parents and families during the transitions of the childbearing years.
Childbirth Preparation Classes, Lactation and Infant Feeding
Contact: 518-992-6241 or info@bloomprojectny.org
Website: https://bloomprojectny.org/
Eurythmy - Kate Reese Hurd
Kate Reese Hurd is resident of Philmont, a graduate of the program in eurythmy at Spring Valley NY and holds degrees in music and English literature. She has now established a website for easier access to her reports, articles and materials; and she is orienting toward making full use of this new foundation in speech and movement to prepare and present pieces in eurythmy.