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.
The book is now available at local book stores, the Hawthorne Valley Farm Store, at our events, and online from Black Dome Press and Amazon.
In the Press:
The Columbia Paper and The UpStater.com (13 May 2024): “Helping us hear the little voices: A unique local field guide released” by Deborah Lans
WAMC Northeast Public Radio featured Claudia and Conrad on The Roundtable (3 June 2024): “Black Dome Press presents new Columbia County field guide”
Berkshire Eagle (24 July 2024): “One can never have too many field guides, especially if they are about your own backyard” by Clellie Lynch
Building on the Field Guide:
Read more about our plans for follow-up research of underappreciated and at-risk habitats.
Habitat Explorations Throughout Columbia County
We hope, that our book and related events will help readers and participants to “see more color” in the landscape. This includes recognizing new patterns in the distribution of plants and animals associated with different habitats, getting a glimpse into the history of different habitats, and becoming more aware of their own and other people’s perceptions of the natural world.
Since May 2024, we have offered five paired Book Talks and Habitat Explorations, as well as several stand-alone Habitat Explorations. These free talks (taylored to each location) can be enjoyed as a single event or paired with a habitat exploration, in which participants will have a chance to use the book to explore in more detail the many facets of several habitats.
All events are free, but some require registration. Please check the respective links to the events calendar for more information and to register. The following Habitat Exploraion Events are scheduled for the remainder of 2024:
Saturday, Aug. 17th, 10 am-noon: Mushroom Walk and Ancient Forest Discussion at High Falls Conservation Area (Philmont); please reserve a space by emailing Josie.
Thursday, Sept. 5th, 6-7:30 pm: Book Talk “From the Hudson to the Taconics—Looking at Our Landscape Through the Lens of Habitats in the Germantown Area” (Germantown Library, Germantown)
Saturday, Sept. 7th, 1-3 pm: Habitat Exploration Walk at Palatine Park (Germantown); please reserve a space by emailing us or by signing up at the Germantown Library.
Sunday, Sept. 15th, 2-5 pm: Book Talk and Habitat Walk at the Austerlitz Historical Society (Austerlitz)
Wednesday, Sept. 25th, 6-7:30 pm: Book Talk “From the Hudson to the Taconics—Looking at Our Landscape Through the Lens of Habitats in the Claverack Area” (Claverack Free Library, Claverack)
Saturday, Sept. 28th, 1-3 pm: Habitat Exploration Walk at High Falls Conservation Area (Philmont); please reserve a space by emailing us or by signing up at the Claverack Free Library.
Tuesday, Oct. 2nd, 5:30-7 pm: Book Talk “From the Hudson to the Taconics–Looking at Our Landscape Through the Lens of Habitats” (O Zone, Red Hook); please register here if you plan to attend.