Dutchess Watershed Awareness Month

Dutchess Watershed Awarensss Month 2010

Do you have an idea for an event that would educate community members about what a watershed is or the importance of protecting water and land resources in Dutchess County? Let the Dutchess Watershed Coalition know!! Dutchess Watershed Awareness Month 2009 has passed but due to its success the Dutchess Watershed Coalition is already planning for Dutchess Watershed Awareness Month 2010. We are looking for feedback on this past year’s events and new ideas to make WAM 2010 even better. To share your ideas, or find out how you can get involved in planning WAM 2010, contact Carolyn at cak97@cornell.edu or 845-677-8223, ext. 135.

Below is the list of events that took place for WAM 2009.

Click Here to see the Calendar of Events for WAM 2009.

Adirondack Mountain Club Hike at Tamarac Furnaces and Stream
Tuesday, June 23 , 10am
Location: Housatonic Valley Association Office, 19 Furnace Bank Road, Wassaic, NY—- MAP
Watershed: Ten Mile
Kick off the Watershed month by a hike with the Mid-Hudson ADK along one of the tributaries of the Ten Mile River. We will tour the Housatonic Valley Association office, followed by a visit to old stone furnaces and a hike along the Tamarack creek in a pristine forest with waterfalls. The trip leader will be Lalita Malik. Call Lalita, 845-592-0204, or email lalitamalik@aol.com, to confirm. Meet at the HVA office, 19 Furnace Bank Road, Wassaic, NY.

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 Jen Rubbo at 845-454-7673 or jen@clearwater.org.

Concerts in the Parks – Interactive Watershed Table
Wednesday July 8th, 6:00pm
Location: Vanderbilt Mansion, Hyde Park, NY—- MAP
Watershed: Fall Kill
Learn more about Dutchess County watersheds and the critters that live in them. Then enjoy the music of the Bearcats Jazz Band.

Storm Drain Marking
Thursday July 9th, 10:00am
Location: Main Street, 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.

Where Does all the Water Go?
Thursday July 9th, 2:00pm
Location: Starting at Pulaski Park, Poughkeepsie, NY—- MAP
Watershed: Fall Kill
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.

Stream and Watershed Informational Table at the Arlington Farmers Market
Thursday July 9th, 3:00pm-7:00pm
Location: Vassar College Alumni 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.

Inspired by a Stream: A walk exploring the history of Val-Kill
Friday July 10th, 10:00am
Location: The Eleanor Roosevelt Center at Val-Kill, Hyde Park, NY—- MAP
Watershed: Fall Kill
Visit one of the less impacted segments of the Fall Kill at the Eleanor Roosevelt Center in Hyde Park. Gain insight to Eleanor Roosevelt’s use of the grounds, trails and the Fall Kill as you walk the loop trail with a Park Service Interpreter.

The Poughkeepsie Spring: Natural and social history – A talk and walk event
Friday, July 10, 5:30pm
Location: Maple Grove Historic Site, Poughkeepsie, NY —- MAP
Watershed: Fall Kill
John Mylod and Roy Budnik will be leading a talk and walk from the Maple Grove house down to the wetland area and stream emerging from the Poughkeepsie Spring. Learn about the role our creeks had in the development of the Poughkeepsie area. All are welcome.

Swamp River Event
Saturday, July 11, 9:00am – 12:00pm
Location: Edward R. Murrow Park, Pawling, NY —- MAP
Watershed: Swamp River
Come to Pawling’s Murrow Park on Saturday July 11th to celebrate Dutchess County Watershed Awareness Month. Friends of the Great Swamp will cast their dip nets and catch the amazing little stream creatures known as macroinvertebrates. Help us try and figure out what they are while they wiggle and swim about in front of our eyes. Listen to Jim Eyring’s tales and true stories of Birds of Prey found in our watershed and how the predator/prey cycles play a vital role in sustaining healthy watershed ecosystems. The Pawling Planning Department will help us understand what we can do to improve stormwater runoff, reduce erosion, and improve water quality, with special guest Norm Benson.

Bird and Ecological Walk on Vassar Farm
Saturday, July 11, 8:00am-9:30am
Location: Vassar College Farm and Ecological Preserve, Poughkeepsie, NY —- MAP
Watershed: Casperkill
Members of the Ralph T. Waterman Bird Club and Vassar College faculty will be leading a walk on the Farm and along the Casperkill. Walk leaders will provide information on resident birds of the area and on the ecological characteristics of the stream. Please click here for more information about the bird walk and detailed directions.

Adirondack Mountain Club Hike at Madam Brett Park
Saturday, July 11  Time: 10:30am
Location: Madam Brett Park, Beacon, NY —- MAP
Watershed: Fishkill Creek
Hike along the lower Fishkill Creek where it meets the Hudson. We will see the dam which marks the site of Madam Brett’s 18th century mill, a waterfall, and views of the Southern Highlands from the water’s edge of a classic Hudson River marsh. After the hike, those interested may go on a tour of the Madame Brett Homestea, located about one mile away on VanNydeck Ave. Steady rain cancels the hike. Call or email trip leader Sue Mackson at least one day in advance to confirm attendance and the meeting place.  Contact Sue, at 845-471-9892  or susiem6@juno.com.

Reviving the Fall Kill – Unveiling Event
Saturday July 11th, 11:00am
Location: Mid-Hudson Children’s Museum, Poughkeepsie, NY—- MAP
Watershed: Fall Kill
On April 25th over 50 volunteers gathered in the City of Poughkeepsie to clean trash out of the Fall Kill Creek. In addition to over 3 tons of glass, volunteers collected broken pieces of glass from the creek bottom to be incorporated into a unique sculpture created by local artist Rachel Collet. Join us for the official unveiling of this sculpture – a new exhibit at the Mid-Hudson Children’s museum. Light refreshments will be served, free admission to the museum until 11:30am.

Rain Barrel Building Workshop
Saturday, July 11, Time: 1:00pm
Location: Vassar College Farm and Ecological Preserve, Poughkeepsie, NY —- MAP
Watershed: Casperkill
A rain barrel is used to capture runoff from rooftops during a storm. Once the water is collected in a barrel, the water can then be used to water your lawn or garden on days when there isn’t so much rain. 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 $10 fee and a sign-up. Spaces are limited so sign up now by emailing Casperkill Watershed Alliance member, Cat Foley catmfoley@yahoo.com. Want more information about rain barrels before you sign up? Check out this EPA site on rain barrels: Click Here.

Adirondack Mountain Club Paddle of the lower Wappinger Creek to the Hudson River
Saturday, July 11 Time:2pm
Location: Kohl’s parking lot on Route 9, Wappinger, NY
Watershed: Wappinger Creek
An easy paddle with the Mid-Hudson ADK of the lower Wappinger Creek onto the Hudson River. The trip will also paddle back to the bottom of the dam, if there is enough water. Bring your canoe or kayak for an easy paddle, about 6 miles round trip. Participants may fins a place to take a dip in the water if it is really hot out. There are usually a lot of birds to see in this area. If attending, don’t forget to wear sunscreen, a hat, a life jacket, proper foot wear, drinking water and snacks. Registration is required. To register contact trip leader Michelle, no later then 10pm on July 9th, at 845-691-7442 or Michelevh8@aol.com. Meet in th eKohl’s parking lot on Route 9 at 2pm. Look for kayaks on top of cars.

An Introduction to Fly-Fishing
Saturday, July 11, Time: 3:30pm
Location: Sunset Lake at Vassar College, Poughkeepsie, NY —-
Watershed: Casperkill
Members of the Hudson Valley Chapter of Trout Unlimited will be sharing their knowledge of fly-fishing in an introductory lesson. Come ready to learn a bit about the history of fly-fishing in the Hudson Valley and learn the first steps to casting a perfect rod.

Bird Walk with the Ralph T. Waterman Bird Club at Buttercup Farm Sanctuary – West
Sunday, July 12, Time: 8:00am
Location: Buttercup Farm Sanctuary, Route 82, Pine Plains, NY —- MAP
Watershed: Wappinger Creek
Join the Ralph T. Waterman Bird Club at the Audubon New York’s Buttercup Farm Sanctuary and learn more about the birds that frequent the wetlands and meadows there. Buttercup is an area of diverse habitats with rolling, open grasslands, second growth and more mature woodlands, a former orchard and a marshy, flooded woodland. More information on this event will be available soon. Please click here for more information about the bird walk and detailed directions.

Adirondack Mountain Club Hike from Bulls Bridge to junction of the Ten Mile and Housatonic Rivers
Sunday, July 12 Time:10am
Location: Bulls Bridge, Kent, CT —- MAP
Watershed: Ten Mile
From the bridge where George Washington lost his horse, join the Mid-Hudson ADK on a walk along a section of the Appalachian Trail by the Housatonic River, watching the water churn whorls in the rocks as it cascades through the gorge to the intersection of the Ten Mile and Housatonic rivers.  Tonia Shoumatoff of the Housatonic Valley Associtation will share information about the natural history and ecology of the area. Meeting at Bulls Bridge parking lot at 10 am.  Call trip leader Beth Willis to confirm: 845-373-8202.

The Village of Wappingers Falls “Picnic in the Park”
Sunday, July 12th, 10am-4pm
Location: Mesier Park, Village of Wappinger Falls, NY —- MAP
Watershed: Wappinger Creek
Join us at Mesier Park in the Village of Wappinger Falls, as we kick off Creek Week. Throughout the day WIC volunteers and staff of Cornell Cooperative Extension Dutchess County will be leading environmentally themed activities for youth including crafts, taking a look at the “bugs” that live in the stream, and much more. The parade begins at 1pm. Be sure to get a good seat to watch for the “Wappinger Creek Week” car and Watershed Awareness Month mascot.

Bird Walk with the Ralph T. Waterman Bird Club at Pond Gut
Wednesday, July 15, 8:00am
Location: Pond Gut, Pond Gut Road, LaGrangeville, NY —- MAP
Watershed:
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. More information on this event will be available soon. Please click here for more information about the bird walk and detailed directions.

Wappinger Creek History Night
Friday, July 17, Time: 7:00pm
Location: Mill Site Memorial Park, Main Street, Pleasant Valley, NY —- MAP
Watershed: Wappinger Creek
Join the Wappinger Creek Watershed Intermunicipal Council (WIC) and the Pleasant Valley Historical Society as we learn more about the history of the Wappinger Creek and settlement of Dutchess County from Pleasant Valley Town Historian, Fred Schaffer. Come take a tour of the Pleasant Valley Mill Site and Museum with members of the PleasantValley Historical Society.Bring your pictures of the Wappinger Creek and the area and share with us your memories of the creek.

Adirondack Mountain Club Hike from the Wappingers Greenway to the Hudson River
Saturday, July 18, Time: 10:00am
Location:1849 South Rd, Wappingers Falls, NY —- MAP
Watershed: Wappinger Creek
We will walk along the Wappingers Creek from the Village of Wappingers Falls to New Hamburg on the Greenway Trail and the end of the Wappinger Creek as it empties into the Hudson. We will return via the same route. Meet at the Staples parking lot between Rt.9 and 9D at 10 am. Contact Lalita Malik, at 845-592-0204 or LalitaMalik@aol.com, to confirm attendance.

Cary Institute Watershed Exploration
Saturday, July 18, Time: 8:30 am & 4:00pm
Location: The Cary Institute, 2801 Sharon Turnpike (Route 44), Millbrook, N.Y. —- MAP
Watershed: Wappinger Creek
Explore the Cary Institute’s trails while learning about watershed issues. At 8:30 a.m., join Quinn Emmering for a watershed bird walk. He will provide visitors with insight into resident and migratory birds, their behavior, and the ecology of information. Then at 4:00 p.m. come back for a family-friendly afternoon stroll along Wappinger Creek Trail with Cary Institute educators Kim Notin and Lia Harris. Sample creek macro invertebrates and learn about water quality issues. During the afternoon event, WIC volunteers and members of the Dutchess Watershed Coalition will have additional information available for guests.

Hike to Stone Church, Dover Plains
Saturday, July 18, 11am
Location: Dover Elementary School parking lot (across from Dover Firehouse, south of light—-
Watershed: Ten Mile
View a spectacular waterfall inside of an arched cave that you can walk into. The brook flows through the rock ledges forming waterfalls. This was where Sassacus the Sachem of the Pequots hid out. Thousands of New Yorkers have come to this location and in the 1800′s mant even got married at the Stone Church! For more information, or to RSVP, contact Tonia Shoumatoff, Housatonic Valley Association, at 845-789-1381 or toniahva@hotmail.com.

Stream Exploration and Scavenger Hunt at Thompson–Mazzarella Park
Sunday, July 19, Time: 9:00am-3pm
Location: Thompson–Mazzarella Park by the Starr library, 68 W Market St, Rhinebeck, NY —- MAP
Watershed: Northern Dutchess Streams
Join the Winnakee Land Trust, Cornell Cooperative Extension Dutchess County, the Rhinebeck CAC, the Red Hook CAC, and the Stream Alliance of Northern Dutchess to learn more about streams, their watersheds, and Global Positioning Systems (GPS). Throughout the day, there will be GPS Scavenger Hunts where youth and their families can learn about the wonderful habitats located at the Thompson-Mazzarella Park while also learning how to use a GPS unit. There will also be Stream Explorations for youth that will allow them to investigate and learn more about the “bugs”, or macroinvertebrates, that live in streams, while also studying the physical and chemical aspects of a stream. Bring a blanket and a picnic lunch to enjoy between activities! Informational displays and crafts will also be set up for participants to learn more about their local watersheds and how to protect them.  Registration is required for the GPS Scavenger Hunt and Stream Explorations. For more information or to register, contact Vicky at 845-677-8223, ext. 153 or email vcb4@cornell.edu.

Adirondack Mountain Club Hike at Tymor Park
Sunday, July 19, Time: 10:00am
Location: Tymor Park, Unionvale, NY —- MAP
Watershed: Fishkill Creek
The Mid-Hudson ADK hike along the Fishkill Creek will take us through woods, to Furnace Pond and the ruins of old kilns. Our hike will take us through wildflower meadows, returning to the fields beside the gorge. Bring a picnic lunch to enjoy at the pavilion by the creek after the hike. Boats will be available on Furnace Pond by request. Meet at Tymor Park parking lot in Union Vale at 10 am. Call or email to confirm and reserve a boat. Contact Lalita Malik, at 845-592-0204 or LalitaMalik@aol.com, to confirm.

Bird Walk with the Ralph T. Waterman Bird Club at Thompson Pond
Wednesday, July 22, Time: 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. More information on this event will be available soon. Please click here for more information about the bird walk and detailed directions.

The Fishkill Creek Festival – From Rain to River
Saturday, July 25, Time: 1:00-6:00pm
Location: Beacon Riverfront Park, Beacon, NY —- MAP
Watershed: Fishkill Creek

Water is the life-blood of our planet and its streams, wetlands and underground waters help make life possible on the blue planet called Earth. The Fishkill Creek Watershed Committee, in partnership with the Beacon Sloop Club and others, have organized a free public event to celebrate the importance of fresh water in our lives. The festival will be on Saturday afternoon and early evening, July 25, 2009 at Beacon Riverfront Park starting at 1:00PM. It will feature live music, environmentalists, artists and craft persons, local politicians and children’s activities. There will be arts and crafts for sale along with several food vendors. Please join us for an afternoon and evening of fun.

Fishkill Watershed Day with the Beacon Institute
Saturday, July 25, Time: Gallery open 11am-5pm, Presentation at 1pm
Location: Beacon Institute for Rivers and Estuaries Gallery and Beacon Headquarters, 199 Main Street, Beacon, NY —- MAP
Watershed: Fishkill Creek

Visit the Beacon Institute’s Main Street Office and enjoy a presentation by Jim Heron, the Beacon Institute’s Project Historian, at 1pm. Also view the art exhibit Up River: Man-Made Sites of Interest on the Hudson from the Battery to Troy which is on display until October 2009. A portrait of the Hudson’s shores, Up River focuses on man-made sites rarely seen by those who travel along the river’s banks. The Up River exhibit is courtesy of The Center for Land Use Interpretation. More information about this event will follow.

Adirondack Mountain Club Hike at Thompson Pond
Sunday, July 26, 10:00am
Location:Thompson Pond, Pine Plains, NY —- MAP
Watershed: Wappinger Creek
A national natural landmark, this 44-acre glacial kettle pond was created 15,000 years ago by melting glaciers. The hike will take participants through Nature Conservancy property where we will see birds, wildflowers, a dairy farm and the start of the Wappinger Creek. Meet at the Thompson Pond parking lot on Lake Road in Pine Plains at 10 am. Contact Lalita Malik, at 845-592-0204 or LalitaMalik@aol.com, to confirm.

Click Here to see a Calendar of Events.