Dutchess Watershed Awareness Month

Casperkill and Fall Kill Creek Week
July 12 – 18

Ribbon Cutting Event – Kick Off for Dutchess WAM 2010
Friday, June 25, 1:00 PM
Location: Mid-Hudson Children Museum, 75 North Water Street, 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.

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!

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.

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.

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!

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.

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, 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/).

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.