News from HHLT: September 2025

Dear friends,

As summer winds down and those first crisp mornings hint at fall's arrival, it's the perfect moment to look back on the successes you've made possible over the last several months. Thanks to supporters, volunteers, and partners, the summer was packed with conservation action.


For example, HHLT volunteers rolled up their sleeves and joined staff in tackling stubborn invasive species and sprucing up trails at Humble Bee Hollow and Granite Mountain Preserve, work that is already opening up space for native plants and wildlife to thrive in their natural habitats. At the same time, volunteers nurtured 1,500+ native seedlings through hands-on workshops. Come fall, these plants will find new homes in regional forests, enhancing habitats to better serve the animals that live there.


We hope you'll join us to celebrate these achievements at HHLT's Annual Fall Cocktail Party on September 21. It's a great opportunity to learn about upcoming projects and see how your support creates real conservation impact. Details below.


With deep gratitude for your continued partnership,

Katrina Shindledecker, Executive Director

Hudson Highlands Land Trust

Kindly RSVP by September 12, 2025

Or contact Jonathan Leitner at 845-424-3358 x6, jonathan.leitner@hhlt.org

Stewardship at the Preserves

Thank You Summer Volunteers!


We're grateful to the dedicated volunteers who joined our Out-of-Office-Hours volunteer series this summer. Your hands-on efforts made a meaningful difference across HHLT preserves, helping clear overgrowth at Humble Bee Hollow (Garrison, NY) and Granite Mountain Preserve (Putnam Valley, NY), and creating space for nature to thrive.


The work accomplished this summer goes beyond trail maintenance. By removing invasive plant species, volunteers helped restore these ecosystems, giving native plants the space and resources they need to flourish. This careful stewardship creates healthier forest environments that support local wildlife and biodiversity.


The cleared areas are now ready for fall native plantings, completing an important cycle of ecological restoration. Thank you for your contributions and ongoing support!

Wild Woods Restoration Project Update:


HHLT's partnership with Wild Woods Restoration Project (WWRP) continues to flourish! This summer, we successfully concluded our potting day workshop series with community volunteers, potting 1,596 native plants that will restore local forest ecosystems.


Community volunteers helped pot these native plants and provided ongoing care throughout the summer months. The plants are now mature and ready for fall plantings at Granite Mountain Preserve (Putnam Valley) and throughout the Hudson Highlands region. This grassroots effort supports restoration efforts at HHLT preserves and the broader Hudson Highlands region. Our collaboration represents a shared commitment to revitalizing Hudson Valley forests with community-grown native plants while connecting people to nature.


If you are interested in participating in fall planting days at Granite Mountain Preserve, on September 17th, October 19th & 26th, register by clicking the preferred date. These events are open to adults and children ages 8+. We look forward to seeing you there!

For more information and to register, please click HERE, or contact nadia.azizi@hhlt.org.

UPCOMING PARTNER EVENTS

Click on the links below for more information about these upcoming events.

Note: A double asterisk (**) indicates pre-registration or tickets are required.


September 6: Putnam Highlands Audubon: Great Swamp Walk**

September 6: Hudson River Valley Greenway: Fred Dill Wildlife Sanctuary Walk**

September 7: Little Stony Point Citizens Association: HOOT Music Festival: All ages

September 16: Dutchess Land Conservancy: The Beauty of Butterflies & Moths**

September 20: Putnam Highlands Audubon: Bird Walk at Hubbard Lodge**

September 23: Desmond Fish Library: NYS Disaster Preparedness Training**

September 27: Putnam History Museum: History Hike, Benedict Arnold's Flight**

September 27: Westchester Land Trust: A Journey in Time Geology Hike**

September 29: Desmond Fish Library: The Lost Estates of Peekskill**

September 30: Putnam Valley Library: Learn Composting with Maeve: Ages 5+**



HHLT conserves and cares for the lands and waters of the Hudson Highlands,

so that people and nature can flourish together for generations to come.



You make our work possible. Thank you for your support!

Photo credits, top to bottom: Banner (Photo by Christine Ashburn); Photo of Katrina (Bridget Goldberg); Fall Cocktail Benefit Graphic (KHCREATIVE); Fall Cocktail Benefit Photo (Christine Ashburn); Volunteer Day GIF (Nadia Azizi); Potting Day Photo (WWRP Staff);

Follow the Forest Graphic (Housatonic Valley Association).


Hudson Highlands Land Trust

20 Nazareth Way, P.O. Box 226, Garrison, NY 10524

(845) 424-3358

info@hhlt.org

www.hhlt.org



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