Wait, Is That Rip Van Winkle?
/No, it’s the one and only Tim Riss, at the highest point on Black Rock Forest’s White Horse Trail today.
He led all the way to Upper Reservoir on this beautiful day at Black Rock.
Ninebark Glowing!
/I bought this ninebark, a native shrub, at Adams Fairacre Farms in Newburgh this spring. i bought another, yellow-leafed, one from them a year ago, and it is thriving and huge in the bright sunlight of my yard. Went i went to Adams this year, they had no yellow-leafed ninebarks, so i got this red-leafed one. It’s not just growing — it’s glowing!
It’ was nicknamed “ninebark” by the indiginous people of the newburgh area because in the fall, when its leaves are off, you can see the many mottled colors, sycamore-like, of its stems.
Best Beautyberry in Newburgh
/Who has the most beautiful Beautyberry in Newburgh?
Darn right I do.
what color do you call these berries — purple? amythyst? periwinkle? maybe just plain “beautyberry” fits best.
Vote Blue! And while you're at it, Vote Green!
/If you haven’t done so already: Vote the straight Democratic ticket to save our democracy, and then flip the ballot over and vote YES ON PROP 1, to save our environment!
Vote the straight Democratic line on Nov. 8 if you haven’t done so already, and don’t forget to flip your ballot over to VOTE YES on PROP 1!
Shrew on a Shoe!
/Kudos to @NYSDEC for the amazing photo by Rhyan Maier on the back cover of the Aug/Sept issue of the Conservationist. It inspired me to pen a commemorative poem:
A day so mild, and a sky so blue, / But look! Something weird is on your shoe. / Now just one photo, then shake that shrew, / ‘Cause those things have venomous spit! (Who knew?)
Good job, Rhyan Maier! We may never see a photo like this again.
The Worst Invasive Species: Mankind
/I’m happy to help the DEC and the Trail Conference remove invasive species, but which has had the more devastating impact on our planet: the spotted lanternfly, or Homo sapiens? https://www.lhprism.org
I’ll help remove spotted lanternflies, but I’d say humans have done more damage than these guys. And overall, they’re much better-looking.
Celebrate at Crabb Park, 2 pm This Satuday!
/Join the COMMUNITY TREE CELEBRATION on Saturday, Nov. 6 from 2:-4 pm at Tyrone Crabb Park, corner of South and Liberty streets in the City of Newburgh! 🌳 Neighbors, Friends, refreshments & Music with DJ Park Truth 🌲 Meet & Greet our Environmental Justice Fellows 🌳 Learn about the Many Benefits of Urban Trees 🌲 Enjoy a free, Hands-On, Tree-Care Workshop 🌳 And while you’re there, fill out a survey to Make Your Voice Heard !
The Environmental Justice Fellowship is a collaborative program of the Conservation Advisory Council, Outdoor Promise and the Greater Newburgh Parks Conservancy. Together, we are working to create a strong, community-led movement to plant & care for trees in the City of Newburgh and to build BIPOC leadership in environmental justice work. We are thrilled that the Fellowship was made possible by partnering with the Arbor Day Foundation and TD Bank. Many thanks to additional supporters of this celebration: Dreamburgh, The Kitchen, Scenic Hudson, and the fabulous folks at the City of Newburgh Dept. of Public Works!
Newburgh’s Environmental Justice Fellowship resulted in the planting of 32 new trees in our city — 16 thanks to a grant from the Arbor Day Foundation and TD Bank, and 16 “matching” trees from the City’s Conservation Advisory Council. None of this would have been possible without the hard work of the City’s Department of Public Works employees, who dug all those tree pits and — literally — did the heavy lifting. THANKS, JOHN, STEVE AND JIM!!
Become an Environmental Justice Fellow!
/Calling all Black and Latinx residents of Newburgh between the ages of 19 and 24! Apply now for an Environmental Justice Fellowship (stipend: $1,400 for the 28-week program). Your training will be paid! To read all about it and apply, click here: https://bit.ly/3dpMMti
Check Out this PBS Feature on What PFAS Chemicals Do To Our Water ... and Our Health
/Here’s a link to the great Shantal Parris Riley story on NOVA, about PFOS and its sister chemicals. It’s a horrifying look at the quality of America’s water … including Newburgh’s, until 2016. Thank G-d we switched to the New York City Aqueduct!
https://to.pbs.org/38OnrYb
Into the Woods and Through the 'Hoods
/Today i took a “loop hike” along the new Quassaick Creek Trail. i call it my “Into the Woods and Through the ‘Hoods” walk, because the route i take runs beside the scenic creek, past the ruins of some of Newburgh’s long-abandoned mills and factories, under the amazing arches of the Mill Street Bridge and along the overpass spanning Walsh’s Road, and then emerges onto Rt. 32 for a brief “road walk” before heading down S. William to William Street and through the Heights back to my house.
i was lucky to have my daughter Rachel Quimby, who’s visiting from Worcester, Massachusetts, as my adventuresome companion. It’s a rare day that is this picture-perfect.
There are few prettier places in Newburgh than our new trail, which I followed “Into the Woods and Through the ‘Hoods.'“ Hope to see you out there!
Taking Care of Newburgh's Downing Park
/Alison Filosa of the Newburgh Conservation Advisory Council took advantage of one of the last nice days we’ve had (it’s going to freeze and snow this weekend, they say) to cut back and bag the dead grasses at Newburgh’s Downing Park. I wish everyone had her energy and commitment.
Alison whacked and bagged dead grasses for us recently, and directed a helper at Downing Park. As an employee of the Newburgh Community Land Bank and a key member of Newburgh’s Conservation Advisory Council, she’s one of Newburgh’s unsung heroes.
Meet Me at GritWorks, 3 pm on March 7!
/Hey! Learn all about the new Greater Newburgh Parks Conservancy and how these great folks are helping to make us all greener and healthier. I’ll be there talking about the City’s Conservation Advisory Council, which works closely with this “sister agency.”
See you there!
These are some really good people, trying to get more and bigger and better parks and green spaces around here. Hope to see you at this meetup!
February Meetup At Crystal Lake!
/Scenic Hudson is once again holding its Winter Fest at Newburgh’s hidden gem, Crystal Lake. There’ll be arts and crafts, fat-tire biking, guided hikes, snowshoeing, baked goodies and hot chocolate, environmental and historical info about the area, and much more … and it’s all FREE! I’m sooo looking forward to it!
This is such a good time! Take a guided hike, see the lake, ride the fat-tire bikes and try snowshoeing, enjoy arts and crafts for the kids, and much more, while enjoying baked goodies and hot chocolate or coffee around a cozy campfire. See you there!
Sugarloaf is Burning
/Still don’t think Global Warming is a thing? On this hottest-ever day in September, I can look across the river from my porch and see brush fires breaking out all over Sugarloaf Mountain, just south of Beacon.
And you can’t drag fire hoses up there, friends.
Newburgh: Tree City, USA!
/Newburgh has once again been designated a “Tree City, USA” by the National Arbor Day Foundation. This means we plant trees to shade, clean, and protect our city’s natural environment for the benefit of our own and our kids’ future. Yesterday we planted a beautiful Kwanzan Cherry Tree on Liberty Street in front of the Flour Shop, to match the other gorgeous cherry trees on that street. Come and check them out!
Newburgh’s Acting City Manager Joe Donat joined DPW workers, City Council and Conservation Advisory Council members, business owners and city activists like Dr. Hannah Brooks and her little friend Hudson in planting a cherry tree yesterday on Liberty Street. Thanks to everyone who participated!