Meadow Work Day at the Forge Project
2025-06-21 16:00 - 19:00 (America/New_York) | Forge Project
Please join a group of volunteers facilitated by Claudia and Josie for a few hours on the longest day of the year to tend the various meadows at the Forge Project. We will learn who are the native plants we try to support on this beautiful hilltop. We plan to remove invasives and woody plants from an established wet meadow, which has been actively managed without mowing for three years, gently nudging it towards a higher proportion of native plants. We will also visit a newly seeded wildflower meadow, learn to recognize the seedlings of native and non-native species, and do some weeding, if needed.
If you plan to attend, please RSVP with the Forge Project to receive directions.

Comedy to Conservation — a free presentation by Carla Rhodes
2025-07-11 18:30 - 20:00 | Hawthorne Valley Farmscape Ecology Program, 1075 Harlemville Rd, Ghent, New York, 12075
Friday, July 11, 6:30pm at the FEP Creekhouse in Harlemville (directions here)
Carla Rhodes, former stand-up comedian and current wildlife photographer & conservationist, will present a slideshow entitled, Comedy to Conservation. Carla, based near New Paltz in Ulster County, is an amazing photographer of our regional wildlife, as her portfolio illustrates. She has a fascination with flying squirrels, shrews, and moths, among other creatures. She has published in The Washington Post, Rolling Stone, The Guardian, Wall Street Journal, Smithsonian and other publications. We invite you to join us for this in-person free event. Because space is limited at the Creekhouse, we do ask that you register. Hope to see you then.

Pollinator Meadow Exploration at Overmountain Cons. Area
2025-07-21 15:00 - 17:00
Monday, July 21, 3 to 5pm; 138 Cattalino Rd, Ancramdale, NY
Join researchers from the Farmscape Ecology Program for an exploration of a pollinator meadow seeded by volunteers in the autumn of 2019 on a former corn field at Overmountain Conservation Area in Ancram. Which native plants were seeded? Who are the native (and non-native) plants growing in the meadow now, during its 6th season? Which pollinators visit their flowers? What have we learned from monitoring the vegetation development over the years?
This free event is sponsored by the Columbia Land Conservancy. Participant number is limited, so please register with fep@hawthornevalleyfarm.org or call 518-672-7994 to reserve a space and receive directions. Rain date: Wednesday, July 23.

Farmscape Ecology Field Day at the Hudson Valley Farm Hub
2025-07-29 13:30 - 16:30 | Hudson Valley Farm Hub, 1875 Hurley Mountain Rd, Hurley, NY, 12443
Tuesday, July 29, 1:30-4:40pm, 1874 Hurley Mountain Road, Hurley NY; rain date: Wed., July 30th; register here
This will be an opportunity to join us and our colleagues from the Applied Farmscape Ecology Research Collaborative to learn about and discuss the different Farmscape Ecology research projects that occur at the Farm Hub. This event is for farmers, conservation professionals, land managers, and others interested in on-farm ecology to learn about the different research projects that occur at the Farm Hub and discussing their applications.
This event will be free, but has limited capacity and will require registration with the Hudson Valley Farm Hub.

Insect Ecology Walk at the Keep Conservation Foundation
2025-08-23 13:00 - 15:00 | Keep Conservation Foundation, Germantown, NY, 12526, United States
Our entomology team recently started a new initiative called the Hudson Valley Center for Insect Conservation. With worldwide alarm over insect declines, the Center aims to understand the status of insects in the Hudson Valley, inspire an appreciation for them among the public, and advocate for their conservation in our region. Insects play essential roles in ecosystems and provide important services such as pollination and pest control. We are excited to begin this new endeavor!
As part of our effort to inspire appreciation for insects among the public, Kenny, Kyle, and Laura will be leading an insect-focused walk at the Keep Conservation Foundation preserve in Germantown. Join us to learn about a variety of insects, their habitats, and why they matter. This free event is made possible by a grant from the Ackerman Foundation. Space is limited, please email lstark@hawthornevalley.org to register.

Historical Weather Station Display at Martin Van Buren NHS
2025-08-30 10:00 - 15:00 | Martin Van Buren National Historic Site, 1013 Old Post Road, Kinderhook, NY, 12106, United States
Join us as we set up our historical weather station display for an “historical weather day” at the Martin Van Buren NHS. The weather station display will feature antique and replica weather instruments, predominantly from the 19th century. The event will be an opportunity to learn about and interact with these early weather instruments, many of which were manufactured and/or used locally. Some such tools were part of a 19th century meteorological network throughout New York State that included sites in Kinderhook, Hudson, New Lebanon, Chatham, and Spencertown. Slightly later instrumentation was used by the US Weather Bureau, the precursor of our current Weather Service.
Visitors will be invited to try their hand at reading the weather conditions on some of the still-functional instruments, and learn more about their history and use. A daily almanac derived from meteorological and seasonal observations made by 19th century observers in Kinderhook and nearby towns will be available for perusing, as well as historical weather maps. These historical weather observations provide a window into how weather and climate has changed since Martin Van Buren’s time, and some of the local effects of those changes.

Habitat Exploration for the Rare Leonard’s Skipper Butterfly
2025-09-06 13:00 - 15:00
As part of our Hudson Valley Center for Insect Conservation initiative, join FEP staff on Saturday, September 6, from 1-3pm, to explore a powerline accessed through private land near the village of Philmont. We will look for the regionally rare Leonard’s Skipper butterfly. *Fair Warning* – We cannot guarantee that we’ll see the butterfly because this species has a short flight period. The timing of this walk is within the possible timeframe, but year-to-year variation can make it hard to predict. In any case, you’ll have an opportunity to see the location of the only known population of Leonard’s Skipper in Columbia County. We will discuss the species’ natural history, including the aspects that may contribute to its regionally rare status. We’ll key in on characteristics of the habitat that support Leonard’s Skipper and look for other insects and plants to learn about.
Access to the powerline is roughly a 0.2 mile walk through forest with no defined trail. Participants should be comfortable off-trail in somewhat hilly terrain. Once on the powerline, there is a maintenance road that we can walk on. Space is limited. Please email kbradford@hawthornevalley.org to sign up.

Discussion of Native Plants at Arthur's Point Farm
2025-09-13 10:30
As part of a small panel discussion, Claudia Knab-Vispo will be speaking at Arthur’s Point Farm in Ghent during their final Open Nursery Weekend of the season (Sept 12–14, 10am–4pm).
Claudia will discuss the ecological role of native plants in gardens, including how diversity of flowering times, flower morphology, and genetics can support pollinators and other insects, and broader landscape health.
Arthur’s Point Farm is a native nursery and landscape partner in Columbia County working to reconnect people with plants, soil, and community. The talk is free and open to all.
[Event info + RSVP here]

Ancient Forest Ecology Walk at Wally Farms
2025-09-13 13:00 - 15:00
Interested in learning about ancient forests and their land use history in Columbia County? Join FEP staff on Saturday, September 13th, for an ecology walk hosted by Wally Farms, where we will define what ancient forests are, learn about the characteristics we use to distinguish them, and then discuss why they are at risk. For more information about our work mapping and studying ancient forests in Columbia County, check out our webpage here.
Please visit this link to register. The meeting location will be shared following registration.

Fall Meadow Work Day at the Forge Project
2025-09-27 16:00 - 19:00
We will be co-facilitating a meadow-tending session at the Forge Project in Ancram, NY, a local organization centered around amplifying indigenous voices through art, education, and land revitalization. FEP has been involved in the transitioning of the former agricultural fields and traditionally landscaped areas around their buildings into native meadows and shrublands that will feature native and culturally significant species. During this event, we will learn who are the native plants we try to support on this beautiful hilltop. We plan to remove invasives and woody plants from an established wet meadow, which has been actively managed without mowing for three years, gently nudging it towards a higher proportion of native plants.
If you plan on attending, please RSVP with the Forge Project to receive directions.

Halloween Bug House
2025-11-01 14:00 - 17:00 | Hawthorne Valley Farmscape Ecology Program, 1075 Harlemville Rd, Ghent, New York, 12075
Are you a fan of spooky creatures? Have you ever wondered how to identify animals based on their skeletons? Are you curious about carnivorous plants? Have you heard of Dark Taxa? Did you know that insects wear costumes, too? Do you want to learn about the species pictured in the images above? Would you like to play bug games, create bug crafts, or get bug-themed face paint?
If you answered ‘yes’ to any of these questions, come to FEP’s Halloween Bug House this Saturday from 2pm to 5pm. Kids and families encouraged! We will have indoor and outdoor activities, so come dressed for the weather.
Additional Parking is available at Hawthorne Valley Waldorf School located at 330 County Rte 21C, Ghent, NY 12075.

Book Talk and Discussion with Jerry Jenkins
2025-11-05 18:00 - 19:30
Where: 1075 Harlemville Rd, Ghent, NY 12075
Botanist and ecologist Jerry Jenkins, of the Northern Forest Atlas, will be visiting next week and sharing his new “Field Guide to the Woody Plants of the Northern Forest.” This new book is a richly illustrated guide with information on not only identification, but also the geography and ecology of 272 woody plants in the northeast. Next Wednesday, 6 pm, Jerry will be giving a presentation about the new book, why including ecology in these guides is so important, and much more! Space is limited, so we are asking those interested to register beforehand. Email Josie if you would like to attend.

Presentation: "Not all Forests are Created Equal"
2025-11-15 10:00 - 12:00
Where: West Taghkanic Firehouse, 631 Old Route 82, Taghkanic, NY
The presentation “Not all Forests are Created Equal: A Closer Look at Our Forest Habitats and Their Biodiversity” by Claudia Knab-Vispo, Conrad Vispo, and Kyle Bradford will be the fourth in a series entitled “The Forest in Your Backyard,” organized by the Conservation Advisory Councils and Climate Smart Committees of the Towns of Taghkanic and Gallatin.
We will introduce our book “From the Hudson to the Taconics: An Ecological and Cultural Field Guide to the Habitats of Columbia County, New York” and describe how it can be used to recognize a variety of forest habitats, including various types of upland forests, as well as floodplain and swamp forest. Along the way, you will meet some of the plants and animals found in these different forest types. We’ll introduce the concept of “ancient” forest (which is not equivalent with “old growth” forest) and share our recently completed map of the potentially ancient forest remnants in Columbia County. Finally, we’ll share some thoughts about how land use history has shaped our forests, as well as some results from recent biodiversity inventories comparing ancient and post-agricultural forests in Columbia County.
The presentation will be recorded and posted on the Town of Taghkanic website (https://taghkanic.gov/), where you can also view the prior presentations in this series:

An Introduction to the Forests of Columbia County – Will Yandik (Feb 8, 2025)
Our Forests, Our Future: The State of Columbia County’s Forests – Troy Weldy (Mar 29, 2025)
Ecological Woodland Health – Tracey Testo-Smith (May 10, 2025)

Ancient Forest Walk at Schor Conservation Area
2026-02-28 10:00 - 12:00
Join us for a winter walk at Schor Conservation Area (58 Shore View Drive, East Chatham, NY 12060) to learn about our Ancient Forest Project. We will walk through a variety of habitats, compare younger post-agricultural forests to those that have never been fully cleared for agriculture, and teach winter plant identification along the way. Participants should be prepared for snow, cold weather, and uneven terrain. Please email lstark@hawthornevalley.org to register; space is limited.

Presentation in Austerlitz: "Land, History, and How We Got Here"
2026-03-21 11:00 - 12:30 | Austerlitz Town Hall, 816 NY-203, Spencertown, NY, 12165, United States
The Austerlitz Housing Committee is launching a new community speaker series designed to help residents better understand the place we live through story, ecology, and history. The goal is to create programming that is engaging, accessible, and not boring, while giving residents shared context for future conversations about land use, preservation, and housing.
The first program of the series explores Austerlitz through two connected lenses: the land itself and the human decisions that shaped it.

The program opens with FEP’s Conrad Vispo, who will speak about the ecology of Austerlitz—its soils, water, forests, wildlife corridors, and natural systems—and what the land can quietly support or limit. Town Historian Tom Moreland will explore the town’s human story, tracing how settlement patterns, agriculture, roads, and local decisions accumulated over time to shape the Austerlitz we know today.

Both talks are designed to be conversational and story-driven. No prior knowledge is required—just curiosity!

Spring Gardening Day in Hudson
2026-03-28 08:30 - 15:30
Where: Hudson Jr/Sr High School (215 Harry Howard Ave, Hudson, NY 12534)
Come see us at the Spring Gardening Day, put on by Cornell Cooperative Extension in Hudson. There will be a full day of learning and workshops, and FEP staff will be among the local organizations with information tables. Our displays will be centered around the Insect Conservation Center and our work with native plants. Click here for more information about the event and tickets.

Amphibians at Lindenwald Walk
2026-04-11 13:00 - 14:30 | Martin Van Buren National Historic Site, 1013 Old Post Road, Kinderhook, NY, 12106, United States
The Hawthorne Valley Farmscape Ecology Program will lead an “Amphibians at Lindenwald” guided walk hosted by the Martin Van Buren National Historic Site on Saturday. The walk will give participants the opportunity to visit several amphibian breeding pools and ponds within the historical boundary of Lindenwald and learn about the frogs and salamanders that use them in early spring. If the timing is right, participants may even have the opportunity to observe the egg masses of vernal pool amphibians like Wood Frogs and Spotted Salamanders. Please email anna@hawthornevalleyfarm.org to register; space is limited.

Earth Day Celebration in Spencertown
2026-04-18 11:00 - 15:00
Where: Spencertown Park (786 NY-203) or, in the case of rain, Town Hall (816 NY-203)
Alongside other nature and conservation-focused community organizations, FEP will be attending the Earth Day Festival in Spencertown, hosted by the Spencertown Academy Arts Center and Town of Austerlitz. We will have displays about our place-based research, historical weather, butterflies of Columbia County, ancient forests, and an opportunity to look at a variety of insects through a microscope. For more information about the event and the other programming that will be offered, here is a link.

Earth Day Film Fest
2026-04-19 13:00 - 15:00
The County Climate Smart Task Force & Columbia Land Conservancy will be hosting a Film Festival at the Crandell Theater in Chatham. They will be showing two films:
Farmscape Ecology by Jon Bowermaster – A 26-minute film attempting to answer the question: “How can we produce food while ensuring farmers’ livelihoods, and respecting the needs of other organisms with whom we share the land?”
The Nature of Nature – Biodiversity in the Hudson Valley – This film celebrates the remarkable plants, animals, and habitats in the Hudson River estuary watershed, guided by the biologists and conservationists who know it best. Directed by Laura deNey and produced by Flicker Filmworks, in partnership with Laura Heady at the DEC Hudson River Estuary Program, and Cornell University.
The films will be followed by a Q&A session moderated by Columbia County Climate Smart Task Force Chair David Newman.
Panelists will be:

Laura Heady – Conservation and Land Use Program Coordinator at the Hudson River Estuary Program

Troy Weldy – President Columbia Land Conservancy

Will Yandik – A fourth generation Columbia County farmer and independent researcher with a background in environmental sciences

Conrad Vispo – Wildlife Ecologist and Co-coordinator of the Hawthorne Valley Farmscape Ecology Program

Spring Biodiversity Trail Walk
2026-04-25 10:00 - 12:00
Where: Hawthorne Valley Farm, 327 Route 21c, Ghent, NY 12075
This is the second in the four-part Seasons on the Biodiversity Trail guided walk series. The walk will be co-led by Anna (from the Farmscape Ecology Program) and Spencer (from the Hawthorne Valley Farm) and will provide an opportunity to observe spring happenings on the new Biodiversity Trail that traverses hillside pasturelands at Hawthorne Valley.
The walk is free, but space is limited, so interested participants should register by emailing Anna Duhon: anna@hawthornevalleyfarm.org.

Spring Flower Walk at Hand Hollow Conservation Area
2026-05-03 10:00 - 12:00
We have a limited number of spots available for a Spring Flower Walk in New Lebanon that is being coordinated in partnership with the New Lebanon Community Events Committee. Josie and Anna will lead this walk at the Hand Hollow Conservation Area. Participants will see how spring is progressing in diverse habitats in the landscape, including an ancient forest habitat adjacent to younger forest. This is a great opportunity to welcome back spring flowers, learn how to recognize different species, and discover some of the special qualities of ancient forests. Because many of the spots for this free walk have been filled through outreach by the New Lebanon Community Events Committee, we have only a limited number of spots reserved for those on our mailing list, but will also keep a waiting list in case of cancellations. If you are interested in registering, please email Anna Duhon: anna@hawthornevalleyfarm.org

Hawthorne Valley Farm Bird Walk
2026-05-08 08:30 - 10:30
Join Laura and Hawthorne Valley’s Spencer Crawford (who was recently interviewed on the podcast Beakuency) for a morning bird walk around Hawthorne Valley Farm. Spring migration is well underway, and we hope to see many exciting species returning to their breeding grounds or passing through. Please email lstark@hawthornevalley.org to register; space is limited.

Taghkanic Talk: Birds and Butterflies
2026-05-09 10:00 - 12:00
Where: Taghkanic Fire House 631 Old Rte 82, West Taghkanic, 12521
As part of the Taghkanic Talks series, hosted by the Taghkanic Climate Smart and Conservation Advisory Committees, Conrad Vispo and Will Yandik will be presenting “How to Identify, Conserve and Create Habitat for Columbia County’s Butterflies and Birds.” Please RSVP at rsvp@taghkanic.org.

Spring Meadow Work Day at the Forge Project
2026-05-15 16:00
DATE CHANGE TO FRIDAY, MAY 15th
Join us for a meadow-tending session at the Forge Project in Ancram, NY, a local organization centered around amplifying Indigenous voices through art, education, and land revitalization. FEP has been involved in the transitioning of the former agricultural fields and traditionally landscaped areas around their buildings into native meadows and shrublands that will feature native and culturally significant species. During this event, you can expect to learn some of the native plants we try to support and help remove invasives. There will be two introductions or sessions, at 4pm and 5:30pm. You can sign up for either session, or stay for both! Please RSVP with the Forge Project to receive directions.

Spring in the Orchard at Lindenwald (Tours)
2026-05-30 | Martin Van Buren National Historic Site, 1013 Old Post Road, Kinderhook, NY, 12106, United States
Tours at 10:15, 11:15, 1:15, and 2:15
In the second of a monthly 6-part Seasons at Lindenwald series facilitated by the Farmscape Ecology Program, Anna and Kyle will be leading tours of the recently restored historic orchard at Lindenwald highlighting spring happenings, including in two second-year native wildflower plots within the orchard. The tours will provide an opportunity to learn how Hawthorne Valley Farmscape Ecology Program biologists are working to monitor the ecology of the organically managed orchard over time, including the impact on pollinators and other insects. Participants will also have an opportunity to closely observe the young apple and pear trees and learn about what historical records tell us about these varieties, and when they were flowering, during Martin Van Buren’s time. No registration is needed and people are welcome to stop by for any of the tour times.

Forge Project Meadow Work Day
2026-06-04 16:00 - 19:00
The Farmscape Ecology Program will lead a Spring Meadow Work Day at Forge Project on Thursday, June 4th. Introductions will be led at 4:15pm and 5:45pm, and while participants are required to sign up for one session, they are welcome to stay for both.
The Farmscape Ecology Program has been involved in the transitioning of the former agricultural fields and traditionally landscaped areas into native meadows and shrublands that will feature native and culturally significant species. Guests can expect to learn some of the native plants we try to support and help remove invasives. This is a seasonal opportunity to participate hands-on in some of the remediation work happening onsite and learn how you can fold simple restoration practices into your own home spaces and gardens.
Basic plant identification will be led by the Farmscape Ecology Program team, and Paloma Wake, Forge Project Operations Director, will share about some of the shifts happening throughout the land at Forge Project and the organization’s ongoing relations with the Stockbridge Munsee Band of Mohicans, the homeland people who this land belongs to and who belong to this land.
Guests are asked to bring their own gardening gloves and hand tools if possible (for example a digging fork, dandelion digger, hand clippers, weed wrench); a water bottle; and a willingness to work together. Snacks and beverages will be provided by Forge Project.
Interested participants should plan to register on the Forge Project website:
https://www.eventbrite.com/e/summer-meadow-work-day-tickets-1986819496598?aff=oddtdtcreator

Linden Flowers and Other Phenology at Lindenwald (Tours)
2026-06-13 10:15 - 15:00
Saturday, June 13th, Tours at 10:15, 11:15, and 2:15 at Martin Van Buren National Historic Site (1013 Old Post Road, Kinderhook, NY)
Anna will lead guided walks featuring the late-spring flowers and fruits seen along the “Phenology Trail” at Lindenwald, including the fragrant, late-flowering American Basswoods (“Lindens”) for which Lindenwald was named. Park staff have been monitoring the timing of flowering, leafing, fruiting, and other life cycle events—also known as phenology—for 10 different species of trees and shrubs at the site since 2021, as part of the USA National Phenology Network. Tours will explore the history of phenology in Kinderhook during Martin Van Buren’s time, observe current happenings like the flowering Lindens, and learn how phenology monitoring provides important insights into the impact of climate change on local plants and animals

Pollinator talk at Beatrix Farrand Garden at Bellefield
2026-06-20 10:30 - 23:30
Saturday, June 20th, 10:30 -11:30 am in Hyde Park, NY
Follow this link to get tickets: https://www.viewcy.com/event/wild_pollinators_div
Wild Pollinators: Diversity, Natural History, and Conservation
Pollinator diversity and natural history are spectacular and easily observable wherever you find flowering plants. Join FEP biologist Kyle Bradford for a talk that provides an overview of some of our pollinating animals and offers a deeper dive into wild bees, their natural history, and conservation. Weather permitting, we will go out into the Beatrix Farrand Garden to observe bees and other pollinators up close.

The Understory Morning Coffee Webinar
2026-07-14 08:30 - 09:30
Ancient Forests of Columbia County, NY: Perspectives from Ants, Plants, and Fungi
Join Kyle to hear the latest on our ancient forest research. While not necessarily “old-growth,” ancient forests have never been completely cleared for agriculture or had their soils homogenized by the plow. In a largely forested landscape, it is not always easy to distinguish between an ancient forest and a younger, post-agricultural forest, making our oldest forests susceptible to logging, development, and loss. As a first step in ancient forest conservation, the Hawthorne Valley Farmscape Ecology Program has mapped ancient forest in Columbia County. Over the last two years, we have been studying the biodiversity and forest characteristics of ancient forests and post-agricultural forests. This talk will give an update on what we have found and discuss the potential conservation benefits of ancient forests and how you can be involved in their protection. Please register for the event here.

CANCELED: Kinderhook Pine Barren Walk
2026-07-18
This event is canceled, with hopes of rescheduling, because the Martin Van Buren National Historic Site is closed to allow ongoing clean-up from the July 2 storm that damaged many trees.
