Have you been enjoying the Nature Time videos we've been sharing over the past few months? This is your chance to become a Nature Time star! Throughout the months of September and October, we invite you to visit your favorite public open space in the Hudson Highlands—or even your own backyard—and make your own Nature Time video. A great opportunity to get outdoors, get creative, and, most importantly, have fun with the whole family!

Participation is FREE and every video submission is eligible for a prize. Plus, video contributions will be featured on our Facebook page, on our website, and during our (virtual) annual benefit, coming up this winter. Everyone that submits a video will also receive one free ticket to the benefit.

Read more about this Nature Time Challenge on our website. We can't wait to see the Hudson Highlands through YOUR eyes!

Do you love living in the Hudson Highlands and experiencing its natural beauty? Do you want to help ensure visitors preserve our landscapes while enjoying the trails? Then join us and our partners at the New York-New Jersey Trail Conference for a webinar on Wednesday, September 23rd, at 3:30pm to learn about the Volunteer Trail Steward Program for Hudson Highlands State Park Preserve and Fahnestock State Park. More information and registration is available on the NYNJTC website.

We're happy to announce that Granite Mountain Preserve is now open after a temporary closure due to Tropical Storm Isaias. Thanks so much to our incredible volunteers who have helped (and are still helping!) with the clean-up process, especially Lew Kingsley and John Benjamin.

A few things to note before your next visit to the Preserve:

We will continue to post updates as needed on our Facebook page and on our website. See you back on the trails!

The second in a series of free webinars about the Hudson Highlands Fjord Trail is scheduled for Thursday, September 24th, at 5:30 pm. “Exploring the New Vision: The Breakneck Connector & Bridge” will give the public the opportunity to learn about the first section of the HHFT to be constructed, starting in the second half of next year. The project aims to improve pedestrian and auto safety along State Route 9D, protect quality of life for local residents, and mitigate erosion and habitat infringement on Breakneck Ridge. Don’t miss this opportunity to ask questions and see visuals of this transformative project.

Register here to receive the free webinar login information by email.

Granite Mountain Preserve will be closed from November 21st through November 29th for the 2020 deer hunting program. During that time, only hunters with valid HHLT permits will be allowed to access the Preserve. Thank you to the hunters and the community for helping us manage the deer population and help protect our future forests!

Please visit our website for more information on the deer hunting program. You can also tune in to the Putnam Valley Town Board meeting, which has been moved to Wednesday, September 23rd, to hear our Natural Resources Manager present an overview of the program (Town Board meetings are televised live on Channel 20).

Also note that a rare and fatal virus, Epizootic Hemorrhagic Disease, has been found in several local deer recently. Please report any sick or dead deer you come across to the NYS Department of Environmental Conservation. Read more in this DEC press release or in The Highlands Current.

We encourage you to tune into the premiere of a fantastic new documentary about threats to public lands across America, produced by Patagonia and Robert Redford. The film, Public Trust, premieres Friday, September 25th at 5pm PDT / 8pm ET on YouTube. Learn more on the Patagonia website.