10 a.m. every Thursday, from January 2nd through March 19th, weather permitting

While the weather outside is frightful, explore the outdoors, indoors! The Visitor Center is a great place for toddlers to be this winter. Cozy up in the Discovery Room for a nature-themed story and an activity. Hear about napping animals, hungry birds, or icy tracks and celebrate the snowy season while we wait for spring. This program is for children ages 2-5 with their parents or guardians. After the storytime, families are encouraged to explore the Visitor Center and check out the Kids’ Corner, Children’s Forest, or wander the Grafton Sensory Trail. The Mohonk Preserve reserves the right to cancel the program in inclement weather. Please call (845-255-0919) after 9 a.m. on Thursdays and ask the front desk about the status of the program.

Photo by Kim Tischler

From February 6-27, 2019, the Shawangunk Ridge Biodiversity Partnership (SRBP) will present a free public lecture series, Secrets of the Shawangunks, providing information on conservation topics and biodiversity on the Shawangunk Ridge. The lectures, which will take place at SUNY New Paltz and SUNY Ulster, are open to the public and free of charge. Cancellations due to winter weather will be announced on our website www.mohonkpreserve.org/events. These lectures are co-sponsored by SUNY Ulster and the SUNY New Paltz Biology Department. The lecture on Thursday, February 28th will be held at SUNY Ulster Stone Ridge Campus, Vanderlyn Hall, College Lounge, Room 203, and all other lectures will take place on Thursday evenings at the SUNY New Paltz Lecture Center Room 102.

For directions and campus maps to SUNY New Paltz, click here.
For directions and campus maps to SUNY Ulster, click here.

February 6th, 7:00 p.m.-8:30 p.m. – Bouldering and Biology, with Michael Tessler, American Museum of Natural History Biologist and former Mohonk Preserve Loewy Research Fellow. As a leading climbing and bouldering destination, the Shawangunk Ridge served as an outdoor laboratory for Michael Tessler’s research on the impact of these activities on the moss, liverworts, lichens, seedlings, herbs, little plants, and trees in the area. Tessler will share the findings from his studies and how the climbing community can help mitigate their impact on the cliffs. This lecture will take place at SUNY New Paltz Lecture Center Room 102.

February 13th, 7:00 p.m.-8:30 p.m. – Forest Bathing, with Jane Dobson, certified Mindful Nature Guide and founder of Mind The Forest. A decade ago, forest bathing was relatively unknown in the United States and much of the world. Today, this practice has taken hold globally, both as an essential part of our well-being and as critical to our role as caretakers of the Earth. Learn about this growing practice, its health benefits, the science behind it, its effects of fostering a sense of personal wholeness and authenticity, and techniques for developing an individual practice. This lecture will take place at SUNY New Paltz Lecture Center Room 102.

February 20th, 7:00 p.m.-8:30 p.m. – Fishers Past and Present, with Dr. Scott LaPoint, Black Rock Forest Research Scientist. Once widespread and then nearly eradicated, the fisher has since recovered much of its former eastern range thanks to conservation efforts and their own behavioral adaptations. Join us to learn about their ecology and conservation, including some updates to recent and ongoing studies across New York State. This lecture will take place at SUNY New Paltz Lecture Center Room 102.

February 27th, 7:00 p.m.-8:30 p.m. – Enhancing Visitor Experience through Wayfinding, with Ed Pestone, Mohonk Preserve Land Projects Manager. Drawing from Mohonk Preserve’s experience in overhauling their trail map and wayfinding signs, this session will cover the basics of wayfinding, as well as the planning, considerations and compromises that go into the process of implementing a wayfinding system for visitors with a wide range of experience and interests. This lecture will take place at SUNY Ulster College Lounge, Room 203.

Photo by Clay Spencer

Saturday, February 29th, 10:00 a.m.-2:00 p.m.

Grab your snowshoes, coat, lunch and thermos filled with a hot drink and join Christy Belardo, Mohonk Preserve Education Coordinator, as you snowshoe through a winter Narnia and learn how many plants adapt to the cold, snow, and ice. We’ll travel approximately a 3-mile loop of trails and carriage roads. Snowshoes are required; a limited number of snowshoes will be available to borrow (weight limit under 180 lbs.). If no snow, program becomes a hike. Space is limited. Registration is required. This is a free program. Additional meeting information provided after registration.

Click here to register.

Photo by Gerald Liddelow

Saturday, April 18, 2020.
Check in begins at 8:00 AM. Race starts at 9:00 AM.

Race on some of the most extraordinary running trails in the U.S., with five miles of gently rolling carriage roads. The Rock and Snow Bridge 2 Bridge Run is a 5-mile benefit run organized by the Shawangunk Runners with major support provided by Rock and Snow.

Click here to learn more.

Photo: Tom Weiner

Wednesday, April 22, 2020 (Earth Day)
At City Winery’s New Location:
Pier 57 @ 14th Street, New York City
6 - 10 p.m.

Join us for an Earth Day celebration including live music, sumptuous food and wine at City Winery’s brand-new west side location. Tickets are available now, get yours today!

Photo by Gerald Liddelow

Saturday, May 2nd, 6am.

Rock The Ridge is a 50-mile endurance challenge and environmental fundraiser set in the natural beauty of Mohonk Preserve, a vast, nonprofit nature preserve situated in the mid-Hudson Valley of New York State. The goal is to traverse a 50-mile course within 24 hours by walking, hiking, or running. The course winds along carriage roads and paths through the forests and over the ridgelines of the Preserve, lands which The Nature Conservancy has described as “one of Earth's last great places.”

For more information, click here.

Photo by Kate Schoonmaker