Six years ago, Craig Chapman noticed that nobody was renting kayaks by the Wallkill. “I wanted to be outside full-time, so I figured I’d hang out by the river one summer with some kayaks for rent, and the business took off from there.”
Saturday, October 6: Book talk at Slabsides with historian David Schuyler about his new book, Embattled River. Some of the conflicts that Schuyler documents are universally known: General Electric, the PCB contamination of the Hudson and the cleanup debate, for example. Others are news – startling news – to me: a major nuclear power facility with cooling towers proposed for the Esopus/Lloyd town line in the 1970s?
Lichen Walk this Saturday, October 6: This public garden situated on 178 acres above Tannersville is a stunning nature sanctuary. The nearly finished timber-frame Education Center designed by architect Jack Sobon features 21 native tree species.
Wednesday, Sept. 26: It’s said that, in centuries past, the spiral tusks of narwhals were regarded as proof of the existence of unicorns. Marine biologists studying this elusive cetacean today are discovering that this “horn” – in fact, an overgrown tooth – has ingenious if not magical properties.
Saturday, Sept. 15: Attendees can test drive electric cars and speak with energy efficiency and renewables experts. There will also be activities for kids, including a bicycle-decorating contest with prizes and wildlife education from Eric the Reptile Guy.
Monday, Sept. 17: There’s a growing rumble of popular interest in a movement to pass a “Green Amendment” or Environmental and Social Responsibility Amendment to the US Constitution. It takes varying forms, but in general would establish a constitutional right to a healthy environment, grant the natural environment “personhood” and standing in court and/or require large corporations to recertify at regular intervals that their business practices are environmentally responsible or lose their charters.
A six-mile loop trail connecting the village of New Paltz to the Shawangunk Ridge will officially open Saturday, Sept. 8, with an event featuring local dignitaries and a ceremonial First Bike Ride and Walk.
Saturday, August 25: This hunt begins with the essentials of mushroom foraging, as well as a lesson in the etiquette surrounding the practice.
Visitors can grab a bucket and wander through the colorful field, picking as much flowers as will fit in the bucket. The donation goes to one of five local worthy causes, which the picker gets to choose.
Saturday-Sunday, August 11-12: It’s all due to a backwards comet. All we need are mostly clear skies.