Actually, it's not so secret! Animals communicate through a variety of sights, sounds and smells with all their neighbors. Aside from that, they leave unintentional signs of their presence everywhere you turn. Dan is a level 3 certified tracker who has spent over three decades learning to understand much of this hidden language. Come see what the tracker sees when walking through the woods. You'll be surprised how many "secrets" you can learn and take home with you on a simple 3 hour walk. And it's lots of fun too! Tracking is a slow moving activity. We will be stopping frequently to question and talk about what we are seeing. Recommended dress: layers for a typical, 3 hour casual walk then add 2 layers. Hand and feet warmers are excellent to take the sting off of cold toes and finger tips.

Rapidly warming temperatures mean that native species will move hundreds of miles in the coming decades just to support their environment. Our gardens can help native species shift their ranges and adapt to climate change. Plants that grow in a new environment can also develop invasive characteristics. Insect and plant life can make our current plant life vulnerable as they are not adapted to the invading species. Native plantings today seed ecosystems of the future.Registration: To register and receive each Zoom link, email columbiacountylibraries@gmail.com

As an integral part of Maryna Balik’s exhibition “Wildflower Riviera: Celebrating the Hudson Valley’s Flora” she will host two hands-on painting workshops, demonstrating the oldest known painting technique – fresco. Participants will learn how to create their own artwork inspired by the wild plants of the Hudson Valley. Fresco methods incorporate organic ingredients such as sand, limestone, and pigments sourced from the environment. All materials provided.

Dates/Times:
Wednesdays, February 18, 5:30 – 7:30pm and
Wednesday, February 25, 5:30 – 7:30pm

Each of these workshops is a separate, stand-alone opportunity. Registrants may participate in only one or the other.

Location: Hudson Area Library Community Room

Registration: Email programs@hudsonarealibrary.org or call 518-828-1792 x101

Community Conversations is an opportunity to join local experts and community members virtually. This program series addresses important issues, from affordable farmland to building a community forest, and explores how they connect to conservation. One-hour Zoom sessions will include brief presentations, time for questions and answers, and the opportunity to connect with others.

This month, we will explore how communities and conservation organizations can work together to care for land.