Mohonk Preserve

08/14/2026

What's going on in the Trapps? For the first time in nearly 30 years, this beloved historic carriage road is receiving new gravel and improved drainage. Tune in to hear from the Stewardship crew to learn more about the Undercliff Carriage Road Stewardship Project.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=RH1WcV1DmUA

Video by Nicolas Salazar & photos by Mohonk Preserve Volunteer Photographers

Tune in to hear from the stewardship crew about the Undercliff Carr...

08/13/2026

🌿 Did you know?

Mohonk Preserve is New York's largest nonprofit nature preserve, protecting and managing more than 8,200 acres of forests, fields, streams, cliffs, and mountain ridges along the Shawangunk Ridge. Every visit helps support the conservation, stewardship, education, and research programs that help keep this remarkable landscape thriving for future generations.

From sweeping vistas to quiet forest trails, Mohonk Preserve offers countless opportunities to connect with nature and experience the beauty of the ridge.

📸 Clouds View from Millbrook Ridge by Siu S. Yuen

08/12/2026

🏺 Another successful hands-on archaeology program, this time at Marlboro Free Library.

Participants joined Elizabeth Clippard, Community Outreach Coordinator, to explore the rich history of the Hudson Valley through archaeological artifacts and reconstructed tools. 🔍

Through interactive discussion and close observation, participants examined projectile points, pottery, pestles, awls, hammerstones, and other artifacts while learning how they were made and used.

Programs like this help connect people of all ages to the history of the Hudson Valley and encourage a deeper appreciation for the stories preserved in the landscape around us. 🌿

📸 Photo from Kids at Marlboro Free Library Facebook



https://www.facebook.com/share/p/19RsQK1JYi/

08/11/2026

☄️✨ What if you could watch up to dozens of meteors streak across the sky on one of the darkest nights of the year?

On August 12, join us at Mohonk Preserve for Perseid Meteor Shower Viewing, a chance to experience one of the most anticipated celestial events of the year. The Perseids are known for their bright meteors, occasional fireballs, and impressive steady meteor activity. Even better, the 2026 shower coincides with a New Moon, creating exceptionally dark conditions for stargazing and making this one of the best years to view the Perseids.

From the open setting of Slingerland Pavilion, you'll have the opportunity to relax under the stars, learn about the night sky, and watch for meteors as Earth passes through debris left behind by Comet Swift-Tuttle. 🌌

Bring a camp chair or blanket, a flashlight or headlamp, and a sense of wonder. Whether you're an experienced stargazer or simply looking for a memorable summer evening, this is the kind of event that reminds us just how extraordinary the night sky can be. 💫

📅 Wednesday, August 12
⏰ 8:30 p.m. – 11:00 pm
📍 Slingerland Pavilion at Spring Farm

🎟 Registration is required and space is limited.

Photo by Mohonk Preserve Volunteer Photographer Gerald Liddelow

08/10/2026

🏺 What can a piece of pottery or a stone tool tell us about life hundreds or even thousands of years ago?

At Esopus Library, participants joined Elizabeth Clippard, Community Outreach Coordinator, for a hands-on exploration of Hudson Valley archaeology, examining artifacts that offer a window into the region's rich history. 🔍

By comparing tools, materials, and reconstructed objects from different periods, participants discovered how people adapted to their environment, developed new technologies, and met the challenges of everyday life.

The program offered a unique opportunity to connect with the past through the objects people once relied on for hunting, cooking, crafting, and survival, while gaining a deeper appreciation for the stories hidden beneath our feet and the history of the Hudson Valley landscape. 🌿

📸 Photos by Mohonk Preserve Volunteer Photographer Melissa Styles

08/07/2026

Looking for something fun to do tomorrow? Join us at Mohonk Preserve Visitor Center for a day of discovery, creativity, art, and connection to nature.

🔎 Discovery Days invites visitors of all ages to explore interactive nature stations, collect stamps in a Discovery Passport, and earn a prize after completing their adventure.

🎨 While you're here, visit the Visitor Center Art Gallery for Seasonal Vibrations in the Mohonk Preserve, featuring colorful oils and works on paper by Lynne Friedman. Meet the artist at the reception tomorrow, August 8, from 3 to 5 p.m.

🚌 Make it a car-free adventure by hopping on the Nature Bus from New Paltz or Ellenville and spend the day exploring all that Mohonk Preserve has to offer.

We hope to see you tomorrow for a day of nature, art, and discovery! 🌿

08/07/2026

"The sun is a daily reminder that we too can rise again from the darkness, that we too can shine our own light." - S. Ajna

📸 Summer Sunset by Maryalice Citera, featured in the 2026 Mohonk Preserve Calendar for the month of August

08/06/2026

✨ The perfect find might be waiting for you.

One of the most anticipated parts of Mohonk Preserve's Annual Benefit Auction is the silent auction, featuring an exceptional collection of artwork, handcrafted treasures, specialty items, local wines and spirits, and one-of-a-kind experiences from talented Hudson Valley makers, sought-after regional artists, and Mohonk Preserve experts.

Bid on exclusive experiences like a Ranger Experience; Bonticou Exploration with Andrew Bajardi, Director of Visitor Experience & Chief Ranger; Native Tree Identification Walk with Jeremy Sabol, Field Operations Coordinator; and A Day in the Life of a Forest Ecologist, alongside distinctive gifts and memorable finds you won't discover anywhere else.

Browse, bid, and enjoy the thrill of friendly competition throughout the evening. Whether you're hoping to take home a stunning piece of art, a locally crafted treasure, or an unforgettable experience, there's something for everyone.

Best of all, every bid helps support environmental education for children, conservation research, and the care of Mohonk Preserve's lands and trails.

🎟️ Tickets and tables are on sale now: https://www.mohonkpreserve.org/auction

Photo by Bill Winter and Andrea MacScott.

08/06/2026

Could your next family adventure start with a bus ride?

Join us for Mohonk Preserve Discovery Days on August 8 and turn a simple trip into a day of exploration, creativity, and fun. Stop by the Visitor Center for FREE hands-on activities, crafts, and educator-led experiences designed to help visitors of all ages connect with nature.

Be sure to pick up a Discovery Days booklet and take part in our special stamp rally. Visit each station to collect a unique stamp, then complete your booklet to earn a prize. ✨

The best part? Each stamp was hand-carved from scratch by Taryn Withers, Community Programs Coordinator, transforming local plants, animals, and natural features into beautiful works of art that make the journey even more memorable. 💚

Coming from New Paltz or Ellenville? Skip the parking and hop aboard the FREE Nature Bus. The Ridge Route will bring you right to the Mohonk Preserve Visitor Center, making it easy to enjoy a full day of discovery without a car.

📅 Saturday, August 8
⏰ 9:00 a.m. – 1:00 p.m
📍 Mohonk Preserve Visitor Center
🎟️ FREE. No registration required

Bring your curiosity, collect all the stamps, and discover something new along the way. 🌿

08/05/2026

What happens when a fleeting moment of light becomes a work of art? 🎨

Join us for the Artist Reception of Seasonal Vibrations at Mohonk Preserve, featuring color-drenched oils and works on paper by Lynne Friedman. Drawing inspiration from time spent on Mohonk Preserve and in her Mid-Hudson Valley studio, Friedman captures the movement of rushing water, the interplay of light and shadow, and the ever-changing beauty of the landscape.

Artist Reception: Saturday, August 8, 3–5 p.m.
🗓️ On display August 1–30, 2026.

Through vibrant color and expressive brushwork, her paintings invite viewers to slow down and experience the natural world from a fresh perspective.

Even better, the free Ulster County Nature Bus 🚌 will be running on August 8, making it easy to visit Mohonk Preserve without a car. Hop on the Ridge Route from New Paltz or Ellenville and enjoy a day of art, nature, and exploration.

We invite you to visit the gallery, meet the artist, and explore this beautiful celebration of the landscapes that inspire us all. 💚

Learn more, link in comments.

📸 Photos and video by Andrea MacScott