The back-to-the-land movement of the 1970s spurred a revival of interest not only in organic farming, but also in foraging for wild foods and medicinal herbs. Now, with epochal climate change driving the desire to get off the grid and live as sustainably as possible, a whole new generation too young to remember Euell Gibbons is turning its attention to these same pursuits. This weekend brings several local events on these themes.
Citizen scientists of all ages (no special training or experience necessary) will be teamed with scientists and expert naturalists to study the wildlife, plants and biodiversity at the Catskill Center’s Thorn Preserve.
The last glacier, which receded about 12,000 years ago from the Hudson Valley, wiped out all our native earthworms.
Saturday, June 1: Wallkill Valley Land Trust hosts “Rosendale and Beyond: Reshaping the Land – Farmsteads, Cement Works and Canal Towns” historic house tour.
Saturday, June 1: This new pedestrian walkway on the Rip Van Winkle Bridge connects the east and west sides of the river as well as the inspirational estates of the two leading painters of the Hudson River School: Thomas Cole and Frederic Church.
Friday-Sunday, May 24-26: Since Bard College acquired Montgomery Place in 2016, the former seat of one of the branches of the Livingston family has become the “salon” hosting public events. Famous names long associated with Montgomery Place include architect Alexander Jackson Davis and landscape designer Andrew Jackson Downing, but now visitors will have opportunities to learn about a lesser-known steward of this magnificent site overlooking the Hudson River, Alexander Gilson.
Saturday, May 4: This work-in-progress will include solos, duets and trios from Barton’s piece Awáa, which The Washington Post hailed as “an extraordinary work.” There will also be champagne and chocolates.
Saturday, May 4: More than 140 state parks, historic sites and public lands will host hosting volunteer events, including beach cleanups, trail restoration, tree and flower plantings, beautification projects.
Saturday, May 4: The ornithological equivalent of a walkathon and the John Burroughs Natural History Society (JBNHS)’s one fundraising event of the year, the Big Sit situates several birdwatchers in a 24-hour observation and identification of birds by sight and sound, raising money in the pledge-based style per bird or by straight donation.
“Every trail has a unique challenge, so I started to seek out techniques from other trades, whether it’s rigging from sailors or from the stone-quarry industries… The rocks I set in place will still be there until the next Ice Age. That’s very rewarding.”