In this Issue: Sounds of the Winter Solstice this Sunday, Land Stewards Opportunity, Learn More about Lichen, Join Us for "Our Blue World" Screening, Climate Actions for 2026 and Bird of the Month

Hear "Sounds of Winter Solstice" Sunday

Join WLC, Zaneta for special event on Wavefarm

"When snow falls, nature listens."

- Dutch artist Antoinette Van Kleeff

WLC's educational programming for 2025 concludes this Sunday with an event you can enjoy in the comfort of your home, vehicle, business or on one of the trails.

Sounds of the Winter Solstice, an audio stream by sound artist Zaneta, will air on Wavefarm radio Dec. 21 at 10 a.m.

This piece is an excerpt of a larger audio piece, Invitations from the Land, which was recorded at WLC's Israel Wittman Sanctuary in the Zena Highwoods. Drawing from field recordings captured at powerful celestial moments like solstices and equinoxes, Zaneta creates immersive sonic worlds where the forest itself becomes both stage and collaborator. Layered within these soundscapes are their sung responses, an intimate practice rooted in their Filipinx heritage and the tradition of singing to the forest passed down by their grandmother.

Let us know you'd like to listen by clicking here. We'll send you all the details.

Want to Learn More about Land Stewards Program?

Attend an Information Session, Jan. 29

Are you interested in caring for local land? Would you like to gain hands-on experience in trail maintenance and invasive species management, take part in nature walks, and connect with a growing community of caretakers?

If you found yourself nodding in the affirmative to either — or both — of those questions, it's time to mark your calendar for a virtual informational session Jan. 29 at 6:30 p.m. You will learn more about the Land Stewards program, including special projects planned for 2026. At the end of the session, participants will have the opportunity to select a WLC preserve to steward.

The Land Stewards program invites volunteers to adopt and care for a specific WLC trail or property, with ongoing guidance from conservancy staff and support from fellow stewards. Throughout the year, participants engage in activities while exploring this question: How do we care for this land together?

Cohorts typically form in winter, and participants are encouraged to commit for a full year, although mid- or late-season sign-ups are also welcome. The program can be completed asynchronously, but we suggest joining at least four WLC events or workdays annually. We are happy to accommodate any accessibility needs.

RSVP here for the meeting link and email us with any specific questions. We're looking forward to seeing you at the information session!

Lichens Call Oaks Home

See the Symbiotic Relationship at Rock Oak Preserve

As part of the debut of our newest location, Rock Oak Preserve, we’re sharing facts each month about the local, native tree that gives the preserve its name.

Lichens thrive on chestnut oaks in the Mid-Hudson Valley due to the trees’ rough, deeply furrowed bark, which provides ample surface area and stable microhabitats. Rock oak bark is slightly acidic, favoring a diverse community of lichens. The open canopy conditions of many rock oak stands — especially on dry, rocky ridges — allow enough light for photobionts (the algae or cyanobacteria in lichens) to photosynthesize efficiently. In our area, common species include common green shield lichen, rough speckled shield lichen and mealy rosette lichen, all of which are indicators of clean air and relatively undisturbed habitat. These lichens not only enhance biodiversity but also contribute to nutrient cycling and provide microhabitats for insects and mosses.

Rock Oak Preserve is located on Basin Road, near the intersection of Basin Road and 28A in West Hurley. Visit the loop trail and the historic rock-cut from sunrise to sunset to spot rock oaks and their coterie of light-loving lichen.

Mark Your Calendar for Our Blue World

Film & Discussion Series Debuts Jan. 26

World Resources Institute completed a global survey related to climate change a few months ago, and the results showed a striking agreement among respondents. In a world where division seems to be a constant, a strong 80% of people want their countries to do more in the areas of climate action. That's four out of every five individuals, an incredible reminder that the voices we hear in the United States screaming "climate change is fake news" are a minority of voices when we expand the map and look globally.

More than half of the respondents said they thought about climate change at least weekly. There's clearly a push to do more both individually and collectively to mitigate the impact of climate change. So what can we do as individuals?

WRI produced a graphic showing the behavioral changes we can make in 2026. "WRI research shows that shifting a few key behaviors can significantly reduce emissions and climate impacts. And the more people who act, the bigger the collective change. The trick is knowing where to prioritize our efforts."

The researchers stress, however, that two of the more impactful actions we can take as citizens are not on the list. "It's true that governments and big businesses hold the most power to halt climate change. They have the ability to reshape global systems — like how we generate energy, produce food and design cities — that are at the root of the crisis. This is why political actions, like voting and joining climate campaigns, are among the most impactful you can take."

The full article on WRI's research is here.

If you are someone who makes new year's resolutions, this list of 19 (really 21) actions can help you develop them. May we all adopt climate resolutions for 2026, and may one of our resolutions be to share our behavioral changes with others.

If you find yourself at a holiday party discussing the origin of your name, recognize from the outset that your story will never be as compelling as the White-breasted Nuthatch. Imagine asking this bird that question. Here's the answer: They have a habit of jamming acorns and large nuts into tree bark to hold them still so they can then whack them with their bills to "hatch" or "free" the nuts inside. Ingenious, right?

White-breasted Nuthatch live in New York year-round, munching on insects, seeds and those nuts they hatch from their shells. They are found in forests but also parks and backyards, especially those with bird feeders. They are small but have a loud call, so you will likely hear them before you see them.

The birds live in pairs throughout the year, although the female is responsible for building the nest. They will typically produce 5-9 eggs a year then return to reuse their nest hole the following year. Sometimes, they are happy to find a hole abandoned by a woodpecker, using it as a nest.

Unlike some bird species, White-breasted Nuthatch males and females have quite similar coloring. The best ways to tell them apart: Females typically have a gray cap rather than a black one, and males — like this one captured in a photo by WLC Board Member Hank Starr — have rusty spots near the rear of their body. They both have the great story, though, about how they got their name.

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