Dutchess Watershed Awareness Month

Dutchess Watershed Awareness Month 2010

Adopt-a-Spot
The month of July
Location: various locations throughout the watershed
Our watersheds are made up of more than hust the creek – they include the parks, neighborhoods and street we live on. Clean up your spot in the watershed – all are invited to help make our watersheds a cleaner place to live. For more details about how to get involved and to register, contact Stephanie Cabey at Stephanie.Cabey1@marist.edu.

Ribbon Cutting Event – Kick Off for Dutchess WAM 2010
Friday, June 25, 1:00PM
Location: Mid-Hudson Children Museum, Poughkeepsie, NY—- MAP
Watershed: Fall Kill
Join the Dutchess Watershed Coalition and the Dutchess County Chamber of Commerce to kick off Dutchess WAM! This event is in conjunction with the MHCM’s “Celebrate Summer!” event.

Hike to Stone Church
Saturday, June 26, 10:30AM – 12:00PM
Location: Meet at Dover Plains Elementary School parking lot on Rt. 22, Dover Plains, NY—- MAP
Watershed: Tenmile River
Hikers will pass three lakes on the walk and view a spectacular waterfall inside an arched cave. For more information, contact Tonia at toniahva@hotmail.com.

Poughkeepsie Film Screening
Thursday, July 1, 7:00PM
Location: Children’s Media Project, 20 Academy Street, Poughkeepsie, NY—- MAP
Watershed: Fall Kill
We will be showing “The Lorax” and “Swim for the River.”

Hyde Park Independence Day Parade
Saturday, July 3, 10:00AM
Location: Begins at Roosevelt Theater, 4060 Rt. 9, Hyde Park, NY—- MAP
Watershed: Fall Kill
Look for the Watershed Spirit and members of the Dutchess Watershed Coalition in Hyde Park’s Fourth of July Parade. If you’d like to join us, contact Jen Rubbo at (845) 265-8080 x7114 or jen@clearwater.org for more information. Free t-shirts for all who participate!

Ralph T. Waterman Bird Club Walk: West Buttercup Farm Wildlife Sanctuary
Sunday, July 4, 8:00AM
Location: West Buttercup Farm Wildlife Sanctuary, Stanford, NY—- MAP
Watershed: Wappinger Creek
For 2-3 hours explore Buttercup Farm with members of the Ralph T. Waterman Bird Club. The Farm is made up of 553 acres of woodlands, fields, pastures, and wooded swamp and provides home to raptors, waterfowl, Great Horned Owls, bluebirds, and many resident nesting species. This is an easy to moderate walk. Please click here for more information about the bird walk and detailed directions.

ADK Hike: Bull’s Bridge to Junction of Tenmile and Housatonic Rivers
Monday, July 5, 10:00AM
Location: Meet at Bulls Bridge parking lot, Kent, CT—- MAP
Watershed: Tenmile River
From the bridge where George Washington lost his horse, we will walk along a section of the Appalachian Trail to the intersection of the Tenmile and Housatonic Rivers. Call/email trip leader Sue Mackson at 471-9892 or susiem6@juno.com to RSVP.

Wappinger Creek History Night: History of the Hart’s Village Mills
Thursday, July 8, 7:30PM – 9:00PM
Location: Millbrook Free Library, 3 Friendly Lane, Millbrook, NY—- MAP
Watershed: Wappinger Creek
A panel will discuss the history of mills, living in a mill, and restoring mills, as well as the importance of the Wappinger watershed in the community’s past.

Beacon Institute Walk & Talk
Friday, July 9, 12:00PM – 1:30PM
Location: Beacon Institute’s Center for Environmental Innovation and Education (CEIE) at Denning’s Point, 199 Dennings Avenue, Beacon, NY —- MAP
Watershed: Fishkill
Join Lucille Lewis Johnson, Ph.D., Professor of Anthropology at Vassar College, and Jim Heron, author of Denning’s Point: A Hudson River History, for a tour and discussion of Denning’s Point’s rich and historic landscape. Please pre-register; visit http://www.bire.org/events/.

Cary Institute Wappinger Creek Week Celebration Walk
Friday, July 9, 5:00PM – 6:30PM
Location: The Cary Institute, 2917 Sharon Turnpike, Millbrook, NY—- MAP
Watershed: Wappinger Creek
Have a family-friendly afternoon stroll along Wappinger Creek Trail with Cary Institute educators Kim Norton and Lia Harris. Learn about water quality issues and methodology. Macroinvertebrates are the stream “bugs” that provide indications of water quality. This stroll will show you how to sample the “bugs” and let you try to do it yourself. During the stroll members of the Dutchess Watershed Coalition will have additional information available for guests.

Paddle Wappinger Lake
Friday, July 9, 5:30PM – 8:30PM
Location: Veterans’ Park, Spring Street, Village of Wappingers Falls, NY—-
Watershed: Wappinger Creek
Join us at Veterans’ Park on Wappinger Lake for a night of exploration of Wappinger Lake. Outfitters will be present to discuss equipment, take attendees on a tour of the Lake, and answer your questions about the sport of paddling. Here is an opportunity to see the Lake from a different perspective! Bring sunscreen, a hat, proper footwear, water and snacks. For more information on the event, contact Russ by email at RussOutdoors@yahoo.com

Fall Kill History Event
Friday, July 9, 11:00AM – 4:00PM; Saturday, July 10, 11:00AM – 4:00PM; Sunday, July 11, 12:00PM – 4:00PM
Location: Reynold & Hoffman Houses, City of Poughkeepsie, NY—- MAP
Watershed: Fall Kill
Come experience historic recreations at the first industrial site along the Fall Kill Creek – Upper Landing. Rug hooking, carving, an old grocery store, and an old-fashioned gristmill will be some of the exhibits and demonstrations taking place.

Clinton CAC and Ralph T. Waterman Bird Club Walk: Clinton Nature Trail
Saturday, July 10, 10:00AM
Location: Meet at Clinton Town Hall, 1215 Centre Road (County Rt. 18), Rhinebeck, NY—- MAP
Watershed: Wappinger Creek
Join the Clinton CAC and Ralph T. Waterman Bird Club for a walk in the Town of Clinton’s Nature Trail, located along the Little Wappingers Creek. Come and learn about the birds, dragonflies, and butterflies that live in this area during the summer months. Bring binoculars and cameras. Wear long pants to protect against deer ticks, and hiking boots (waterproof, if possible) since some of the paths may be wet. Please click here for more information about the bird walk.

ADK Hike: Buttercup Preserve & Thompson Pond
Saturday, July 10, 10:00AM
Location: Buttercup Farm
Watershed: Wappinger Creek
We will head north along the Buttercup Farm Audubon Sanctuary trail, parallel to the Wappinger Creek (admission $3). Later, we will drive to Thompson Pond, where the Wappinger Creek originates, and hike around it (about 3 miles).Please call or email trip leader Beth Willis at (845) 373-8202, bethwillis@optonline.com to RSVP.

Wappinger Watershed Rain Barrel Building Workshop
Saturday, July 10, 10:00AM
Location: Wappinger Town Hall, 20 Middlebush Road, Wappingers Falls, NY—- MAP
Watershed: Wappinger Creek
A rain barrel is used to capture runoff from rooftops during a storm. Once the water is collected in a barrel, it can be used later to water your lawn or garden. At the end of this rain barrel building workshop you’ll walk away with your own functional and ready-to-install rain barrel! Due to the costs associated with this event, there is a small $15 fee and a sign-up. Spaces are limited – please RSVP by emailing Vicky Buono at vcb4@cornell.edu or calling (845) 677-8223 x153.

The Village of Wappingers Falls “Picnic in the Park”
Sunday, July 11, 12:00PM – 4:00PM
Location: Mesier Park, Village of Wappingers Falls, NY—- MAP
Watershed: Wappinger Creek
Join us at Mesier Park in Wappingers Falls as we conclude Creek Week. Throughout the day WIC and Dutchess Watershed Coalition volunteers and staff of Cornell Cooperative Extension Dutchess County will be leading environmentally themes activities for youth including crafts, taking a look at the “bugs” that live in the stream and much more. The event parade kicks off at 1 PM. Be sure to get a good seat to watch for the Dutchess Watershed Awareness Month mascot, the Watershed Spirit! Santha Cooke will be present to share some of her personal stories of the Creek and collect some of yours. Be sure you take time to share your memories so they can be preserved!

Storm Drain Marking
Tuesday, July 13, 10:00AM
Location: Meet at the corner of Rt. 44/Columbus Drive & Main Street, City of Poughkeepsie, NY—- MAP
Watershed: Fall Kill
Water that flows into the gutters often contains many pollutants – road salt, cigarette butts, and candy wrappers to name a few. Small disc-shaped markers are permanently attached to the storm drain and help remind people that the water entering that drain flows to our river and streams. Help mark storm drains along the Main Street Corridor and help raise awareness about a common source of pollution to our rivers and streams. Learn about stormwater runoff, what it is, where it comes from and how to reduce it as you stroll along the Fall Kill Creek in the City of Poughkeepsie with the Assistant City Engineer, Joe Chenier, and the Fall Kill Watershed Coordinator, Jen Rubbo. For more information, contact Jen Rubbo, jen@clearwater.org.

The Fall Kill – Then and Now
Tuesday, July 13, 4:00PM
Location: Meet at Corner of Washington Street and Brookside Avenue, City of Poughkeepsie, NY—- MAP
Watershed: Fall Kill
Take a walk along the Fall Kill to the Walkway over the Hudson with City Assistant Engineer Joe Chenier and local historian and author Harvey Flad. Learn how the creek played a role in the development of the city and now, how the city impacts the creek. Meet at the bridge on the corner of Washington St. and Brookside Ave., parking available along the creek side of Brookside Ave. Walk is about 2 miles total.

Ralph T. Waterman Bird Club Walk: Pond Gut
Wednesday, July 14, 8:00AM
Location: Pond Gut, Pond Gut Road, LaGrangeville, NY—- MAP
Watershed: Wappinger Creek
Join the Ralph T. Waterman Bird Club and learn more about birds in the Hudson Valley that frequent this area. A part of the Taconic-Hereford MUA, with separate access in the Town of LaGrange west of Verbank, Pond Gut contains varied habitat with a pond, stream, and trails. Please click here for more information about the bird walk and detailed directions.

Music in the Parks – Information Table
Wednesday, July 14, 7:00PM – 9:00PM
Location: Mills Mansion, Old Post Road, Staatsburg, NY—- MAP
Watershed: Fall Kill
Learn more about Dutchess County watersheds and the critters that live in them. Then enjoy the live music!

Pawling Film Screening
Wednesday, July 14, 7:00PM
Location: Pawling Library, 11 Broad Street, Village of Pawling, NY—- MAP
Watershed: Great Swamp
Join us for a screening of “After the Storm” and “RiverWebs.” “After the Storm,” produced by the US EPA, describes the impact of stormwater on waterbodies across the county. “RiverWebs” is a documentary about the inspiring life of Japanese stream ecologist Dr. Shigeru Nakano.

Arlington Farmer’s Market – Information Table
Thursday, July 15, 3:00PM – 7:00PM
Location: Vassar College Alumnae House lawn, Raymond Avenue, Poughkeepsie, NY—- MAP
Watershed: Casperkill
The Casperkill Watershed Alliance will be having a stream table demonstration with healthy stream and watershed informational pamphlets.

Poughkeepsie Film Screening
Thursday, July 15, 7:30PM
Location: Café Bocca, 14 Mt. Carmel Place, Poughkeepsie, NY—- MAP
Watershed: Fall Kill
We will be showing “FLOW” and selections from “A Journey in the History of Water.”

Main Street Farmers Market – Information Table
Friday, July 16, 10:00AM – 2:00PM
Location: Main Street, Poughkeepsie, NY—-
Watershed: Fall Kill
The Casperkill Watershed Alliance and Fall Kill Creek Coalition will be having a stream table demonstration with healthy stream and watershed informational pamphlets.

OpenHouse Poughkeepsie – Opening Reception
Friday, July 16, 5:00PM – 7:00PM
Location: Gov. Clinton House, 549 Main Street, Poughkeepsie, NY—- MAP
Watershed: Fall Kill
OpenHouse Poughkeepsie, sponsored by Hudson River Housing, is a two week art and cultural exposition that includes art created using inspiration and materials from the June 5th Fall Kill Clean Up. There will be music by Los Caribenos and dance performances by Ballet Folklorico Mexicano.

Potable Water in An Estuary: the Importance of the Spring to Prehistoric People
Friday, July 16, 5:30PM
Location: Maple Grove Historic Site, 24 Beechwood Avenue, Poughkeepsie, NY—- MAP
Watershed: Hudson Direct
Join us on a walk down through the field at Maple Grove to the stream from the Poughkeepsie Spring. Archaeologist Lucy Johnson will discuss the Native American presence in the region and the importance of Hudson Valley tributaries and coastal springs.

Ralph T. Waterman Bird Club Walk: Vassar College Farm & Ecological Preserve
Saturday, July 17, 8:00AM
Location: Vassar College Farm and Ecological Preserve, Poughkeepsie, NY —- MAP
Watershed: Casperkill
Members of the Ralph T. Waterman Bird Club will be leading a walk on the Farm. Walk leaders will provide information on resident birds of the area. Please click here for more information about the bird walk and detailed directions.

Casperkill-Fall Kill Rain Barrel Building Workshop
Saturday, July 17, 1:00PM
Location: Fall Kill Partnership Gardens, 29 North Hamilton Street, Poughkeepsie, NY—- MAP
Watershed: Fall Kill
A rain barrel is used to capture runoff from rooftops during a storm. Once the water is collected in a barrel, it can be used later to water your lawn or garden. At the end of this rain barrel building workshop you’ll walk away with your own functional and ready-to-install rain barrel! Due to the costs associated with this event, there is a small $15 fee and a sign-up. Spaces are limited – please RSVP by emailing Vicky Buono at vcb4@cornell.edu or calling (845) 677-8223 x153.

Kirsten Olsten Exhibit at Barrett Clay Works
Saturday, July 17, Gallery Opening: 10:00AM-1:00PM; Artist Reception and Live Demonstration: 6:00PM-9:00PM
Location: Barrett Clay Works, 485 Main Street, Poughkeepsie, NY—- MAP
Watershed: Fall Kill
Inspired by the stream that ran along the border of the property where she played as a child, Kirsten Olsten’s art connects elements of play and scientific theory by making ceramics – a weighty medium derived from the natural elements of earth and fire – float. (http://www.kirstenolsonceramics.com/).

Northern Dutchess Rain Barrel Building Workshop
Sunday, July 18, 1:30PM
Location: Starr Library, 68 West Market Street, Rhinebeck, NY—- MAP
Watershed: Northern Dutchess streams
A rain barrel is used to capture runoff from rooftops during a storm. Once the water is collected in a barrel, it can be used later to water your lawn or garden. At the end of this rain barrel building workshop you’ll walk away with your own functional and ready-to-install rain barrel! Due to the costs associated with this event, there is a small $15 fee and a sign-up. Spaces are limited – please RSVP by emailing Vicky Buono at vcb4@cornell.edu or calling (845) 677-8223 x153.

Great Swamp Rain Barrel Building Workshop
Tuesday, July 20, 7:00PM
Location: Lathrop Building at Lakeside Park, West Dover Road, Town of Pawling, NY—-
Watershed: Great Swamp
A rain barrel is used to capture runoff from rooftops during a storm. Once the water is collected in a barrel, it can be used later to water your lawn or garden. At the end of this rain barrel building workshop you’ll walk away with your own functional and ready-to-install rain barrel! Due to the costs associated with this event, there is a small $15 fee and a sign-up. Spaces are limited – please RSVP by emailing Vicky Buono at vcb4@cornell.edu or calling (845) 677-8223 x153.

Staatsburg Library Film Screening
Wednesday, July 21, 6:30PM
Location: Staatsburg Library, 70 Old Post Road, Staatsburg, NY—- MAP
Watershed: Northern Dutchess streams
We will be showing “Swim for the River” and “FLOW”

Red Hook CAC Film Screening
Thursday, July 22, 6:30PM
Location: Red Hook Village Hall, 7467 South Broadway, Red Hook, NY—- MAP
Watershed: Northern Dutchess streams
We will be showing “Swim for the River” and “FLOW.”

Aquatic Ecology of Vassar Farm & Ecological Preserve
Friday, July 23, 10:00AM
Location: Priscilla Bullitt Collins Field Station, Vassar Farm & Ecological Preserve, Poughkeepsie—- MAP
Watershed: Casperkill
We will be collecting aquatic invertebrates within various bodies of water at Vassar Farm & Ecological Preserve and discussing aquatic ecology. This event is especially geared towards kids and families. Please wear old sneakers, hiking boots, or rain boots – no flip flops please! Participants are not required to enter the water – but we may get wet! Please meet/park at the Priscilla Bullitt Collins Field Station located at the end of the Farm Road. There will be a short walk to the ponds. For more information, contact Hannah at hannah3890@yahoo.com.

Ralph T. Waterman Bird Club Walk: Thompson Pond
Saturday, July 24, 8:00AM
Location: Thompson Pond, Pine Plains, NY—- MAP
Watershed: Wappinger Creek
Join the Ralph T. Waterman Bird Club and learn more about birds in the Hudson Valley that frequent the calcareous bog known as Thompson Pond. Thompson Pond is located at the base of Stissing Mountain and is the beginning, or the headwaters, of the Wappinger Creek. Please click here for more information about the bird walk and detailed directions.

Macroinvertebrate Workshop
Saturday, July 24, 10:00AM – 2:00PM
Location: Murrow Park, Old Rt. 55, Pawling, NY—- MAP
Watershed: Great Swamp
Join Friends of the Great Swamp (FrOGS) and Watershed Research Associates Senior Taxonomist J. Kelley Nolan for a stream-side macroinvertebrate workshop. The workshop will provide an overview of stream bio-monitoring to assess water quality. Attendees can observe us collecting data at the site, and we’ll talk about the macro life habits and how they indicate water quality. The Oblong Land Conservancy and representatives from Pawling CAB and MS4 Committee will also attend to discuss about watershed goals. Spaces are limited – please RSVP by emailing Vicky Buono at vcb4@cornell.edu or calling (845) 677-8223 x153.

Beacon Institute Walk & Talk
Saturday, July 24, 12:00PM – 2:00PM
Location: Beacon’s Institute’s Center for Environmental Innovation and Education (CEIE) at Denning’s Point, 199 Dennings Avenue, Beacon, NY —- MAP
Watershed: Fishkill
Join Jim Heron, Project Historian for Beacon Institute and author of Denning’s Point: A Hudson River History for a tour of Denning’s Point. Please pre-register; visit http://www.bire.org/events/.

ADK Hike: Beacon Riverside Trail & Dennings Point
Saturday, July 24, 10:00AM
Location: Meet at Beacon Sloop Club, Riverfront Park, Beacon, NY—- MAP
Watershed: Fishkill
Join us on a leisurely 5-mile hike with excellent views of the Hudson River from this beautiful and historic location. Contact trip leader Lou Ruidisch at (845) 896-9332 or LER3rd@verizon.net to RSVP.

Fishkill Watershed Rain Barrel Building Workshop
Saturday, July 24, 3:30PM
Location: Hudson River Sloop Clearwater, Inc. 724 Wolcott Avenue, Beacon, NY—- MAP
Watershed: Fishkill
A rain barrel is used to capture runoff from rooftops during a storm. Once the water is collected in a barrel, it can be used later to water your lawn or garden. At the end of this rain barrel building workshop you’ll walk away with your own functional and ready-to-install rain barrel! Due to the costs associated with this event, there is a small $15 fee and a sign-up. Spaces are limited – please RSVP by emailing Vicky Buono at vcb4@cornell.edu or calling (845) 677-8223 x153.

Creek Critters at the Library
Tuesday, July 27, 10:00AM
Location: Staatsburg Library, Meet at the Dinsmore Fire House, Old Post Road, Staatsburg, NY
Watershed: Northern Dutchess streams
Learn about the critters that live in our rivers and streams and the importance of food webs with members of the Fall Kill Watershed Committee. For children ages 3-5.

ADK Hike: Tymor Park
Tuesday, July 27, 3:00PM
Location: Meet at Beacon Sloop Club, Riverfront Park, Beacon, NY—- MAP
Watershed: Fishkill
This hike will take us along Fishkill Creek to Furnace Pond and the ruins of old kilns, returning to the fields beside the gorge. Bring a picnic supper to enjoy after the hike. Contact trip leader Sue Mackson at 471-9892 or Susiem6@juno.com to RSVP.

Using GIS for Local Municipal Watershed Planning
Tuesday, July 27, 7:00PM – 9:00PM
Location: East Fishkill Town Hall, 330 Rt. 376, Hopewell Junction, NY—- MAP
Watershed: Fishkill
At this workshop, Robert Wills, Sr. GIS Project Coordinator for the Dutchess County Planning and Development Department, will familiarize participants with new, high-resolution geographic data on county watersheds. Neil Curri, Sr. GIS Resource Educator for Cornell Cooperative Extension Dutchess County, will provide an overview of Geographic Information Systems (GIS) and demonstrate a mapping tool for municipal land use planning.

EVENT SERIES:

Rain Barrel Building Workshops:

Wappinger Watershed Rain Barrel Building Workshop
Saturday, July 10, 10:00AM
Location: Wappinger Town Hall, 20 Middlebush Road, Wappingers Falls, NY
Watershed: Wappinger Creek

Casperkill-Fall Kill Rain Barrel Building Workshop
Saturday, July 17, 1:00PM
Location: Fall Kill Partnership Garden, 29 North Hamilton Street, Poughkeepsie, NY
Watershed: Fall Kill

Northern Dutchess Rain Barrel Building Workshop
Sunday, July 18, 1:30PM
Location: Starr Library, 68 West Market Street, Rhinebeck, NY
Watershed: Northern Dutchess streams

Great Swamp Rain Barrel Building Workshop
Tuesday, July 20, 7:00PM
Location: Lathrop Building at Lakeside Park, West Dover Road, Town of Pawling, NY
Watershed: Great Swamp

Fishkill Watershed Rain Barrel Building Workshop
Saturday, July 24, 3:30PM
Location: Hudson River Sloop Clearwater, Inc., 724 Wolcott Avenue, Beacon, NY
Watershed: Fishkill

Film Screenings:

Poughkeepsie Film Screening
Thursday, July 1, 7:00PM
Location: Children’s Media Project, 20 Academy Street, Poughkeepsie, NY

Pawling Film Screening
Wednesday, July 14, 7:00PM
Location: Pawling Library, 11 Broad Street, Village of Pawling, NY

Poughkeepsie Film Screening
Thursday, July 15, 7:30PM
Location: Café Bocca, 14 Mt. Carmel Place, Poughkeepsie, NY

Staatsburg Library Film Screening
Wednesday, July 21, 6:30PM
Location: Staatsburg Library, 70 Old Post Road, Staatsburg, NY

Red Hook CAC Film Screening
Thursday, July 22, 6:30PM
Location: Red Hook Village Hall, 7467 South Broadway, Red Hook, NY