THE CANOPY - Spring 2025 news & upcoming events

Winnakee awarded grants by our partner Scenic Hudson

Winnakee Land Trust is partnering with Scenic Hudson to conserve three large properties of high conservation value. Winnakee raised funds to purchase the lands through a combination of grants from the New York Department of Environmental Conservation’s Water Quality Improvement Program and an anonymous donor. Scenic Hudson brought additional generous funding to the projects from its 30X30 Fund, created to capitalize and mobilize the conservation capacities of conservation partners throughout the Hudson Valley. READ MORE

IMPROVING WILDLIFE HABITAT

Spring is Turtle Time!

by Jen Adams, Director of Land Stewardship

Most turtle populations in New York State are declining, primarily due to habitat loss. Winnakee is working locally to change this! READ MORE

Winnakee will offer new trails and forest management workshops at “Robert’s Refuge”

This spring, Winnakee will open an important local forest and wetland in Clinton and Hyde Park, donated to Winnakee in 2022, for a special forest management workshop that offers landowners the opportunity to be a part of its active stewardship.

Named Robert’s Refuge in honor of the land donor's love for his land, this site ranked in NYS DEC top 5% for local connectivity of Core Forest in a Forest Linkage Zone. However, like many regional forests, Robert’s Refuge also faces regeneration challenges.

Learn more about this incredible property, Winnakee's plans to restore its forest and open new trails, and how to be a part of an upcoming on-site landowner event!

Join Trevor at Robert's Refuge to learn the basics of silviculture—how to assess tree health and use simple data on tree vigor and quality to create a step-by-step plan for improving your woodland.

Questions? Email Trevor at tkeough@winnakee.org

Save Your Spot for May 17th!

Learn more about our Landowner Assistance Pilot Program

Trevor Keough Opens Rising Professionals Conference of Society of American Foresters

Trevor Keough, Winnakee's Conservation Forester, attended the Society of American Foresters Rising Professionals Conference in Madison Wisconsin last week.

This conference brings together aspiring forestry leaders from across the country to dive into the latest insights, expand their professional networks, and ignite their passion for sustainable forest stewardship. Trevor was an integral part of the planning committee that helped bring this event to life. He took part in insightful panels discussing the impact of volunteering, building growth opportunities, and finding resilience after setbacks. To top it off, Trevor had the honor of leading the opening remarks on closing day.

Winnakee is so proud of Trevor’s leadership, dedication, and commitment to fostering collaboration in the field of forestry!

Did you miss our International Day of the Forest webinar?

We had a record number of sign-ups for this webinar. Click below to watch MANAGING WOODS FOR WILDLIFE, highlighting the co-benefits of managing for young forests

"If bellwether species like the American woodcock are thriving, we can gauge how forests are doing, and if there is a landscape of diverse, functioning forest ecosystem present ."

–Todd Waldron, Northeast Forest Conservation Director, Ruffed Grouse Society and American Woodcock Society

Featured upcoming event

Spring Bird Migration is Underway!

You may have noticed new sounds outside. Migrating birds are returning or passing through the Hudson Valley. Join Winnakee's annual birding event with the Ralph T. Waterman Bird Club at Vlei Marsh, an E-Bird Hot Spot, to be part of a special birdwatching group. All levels of birders welcome!

View a Gallery of Birds Seen at Vlei and REGISTER!

We are celebrating Environmental Professionals Day throughout April! Each week we will feature another Winnakee staff member out in the field doing incredible work for our region’s future.

WATCH STAFF VIDEOS THROUGHOUT APRIL

www.winnakee.org