Pass it on
Making a Big Effort to Save a Little Turtle
Around late April, bog turtles began to emerge from their muddy hibernacula, or winter shelters, to greet another season in upstate New York. Although they’re one of the smallest turtle species in the world, growing up to just 4.5 inches...
What To Know Before Hiking Solo
Sometimes we want to hit the trail or explore nature alone, whether because a friend isn’t available or we just want the space to think. A solo hike offers an entirely different mental experience, reflective rather than social. In the...
From Arctic to Valley, Why Snowy Owls Make Surprise Flights
The secret ingredient to understanding the habits of snowy owls is, of all things, lemmings. This tiny rodent that thrives in the high Arctic is the key to what makes snowy owls produce many babies (or not) in a given...
Cutting Down the Impact of That Christmas Tree
For those who celebrate one of the year-end holiday biggies, the time of year has come back around to ponder an age-old (okay, few-decades-old) question: real Christmas tree, or fake? Sales of real and artificial Christmas trees in the U.S....
This Winter, Slash the Salt
In the best of winters, cold weather brings Hudson Valley residents both the silent stillness of a fresh snowfall and the feeling of safety on well-maintained local roads. But beneath the snowfall and black road top is a growing problem:...
Fire It Up With Eco-Friendlier Campfires
Building campfires and settling in to unwind before the crackling flames is a uniquely human pleasure, one with deep evolutionary roots in practical and recreational activities. Recent research even suggests its soothing affects may be enough to reduce blood pressure,...
Fall Foliage and Climate Change: A Wild Mix
The photogenic sprawl of trees in their vibrant fall colors is arguably one of the Hudson Valley’s most defining features, annually drawing the awe of locals and out-of-towners alike. But if it has crossed your mind in recent years that...
Why to Support These New Bike Safety Bills for N.Y. State
In this year’s ranking of bike-friendly states conducted annually by the League of American Bicyclists, New York placed 13th. (FYI, Massachusetts, Oregon, Washington, California, and Minnesota hold places one through five, respectively.) But in the category “Traffic Laws and Practices” — a...