This past spring, HHLT continued its collaboration with the New York-New Jersey Trail Conference (NYNJTC) to provide specialized training for their 2025 Trail Stewards, focusing on vernal pools and their ecological importance to forest ecosystems. Building on our years of partnership in conservation education, the trainings were conducted on Bull Hill in Hudson Highlands State Park Preserve, where teams located these temporary wetlands that provide crucial breeding habitats for native amphibian species, such as spotted salamanders, wood frogs, and spring peepers.

Trail Stewards learned to identify amphibian egg masses and how to educate hikers about protecting these biodiversity hotspots, which often appear as mere muddy areas during dry months. The Trail Stewards will establish weekend education stations where vernal pools are close to trails, helping hikers understand the importance of these threatened habitats. This collaborative effort represents another milestone in our ongoing commitment to protecting the Hudson Highlands through education and stewardship. Look for Trail Stewards on popular trails throughout the hiking season and say hello!

HHLT's partnership with the NYNJTC extends beyond vernal pool education to include habitat restoration efforts. The Invasive Strike Force team has been actively working at Granite Mountain Preserve, tackling problematic invasive species, including Japanese angelica tree (Aralia elata), yellow archangel (Lamium galeobdolon), and burning bush (Euonymus alatus). These aggressive non-native plants threaten local biodiversity, and the Strike Force's targeted removal efforts help restore ecological balance and protect our native ecosystems.

The restoration work employs various removal techniques tailored to each species, always prioritizing safety and environmental protection. Important safety note: Flame weeding should only be performed by trained professionals using proper equipment and strict safety protocols.

For more information about invasive species identification and monitoring techniques, visit the Lower Hudson Partnership for Regional Invasive Species Management (PRISM) website for valuable resources to help community members become more effective stewards.

The Hudson Highlands Land Trust (HHLT) continues to be a proud partner with Putnam Valley's Go Green Club, helping to bring environmental education outdoors through hikes and workshops at preserves like Granite Mountain. These experiences have deepened students’ connection to local ecosystems and inspired real-world action.

In honor of New York Invasive Species Awareness Week, Club Advisor and teacher at Putnam Valley Central School District, Shawn Tarkington, shared, “This year’s Go Green Club has been very motivated to do good things in the realm of Green Living. They have sought to improve many aspects of Green Living, such as saving and reducing the amount of water used, recycling, participating in healthy outdoor activities, energy efficiency within our school, and many more. The group even set out to assist in gathering data on an invasive species, the Spotted Lanternfly. After our last visit to Granite Mountain Preserve with the HHLT, the group made a DIY trap that now hangs on a tree on our campus.”

This kind of hands-on learning is at the heart of HHLT’s education programs — empowering the next generation to explore, engage, and lead in protecting the environment.