Chapters in New York

This preserve features some open meadow-like habitat, as well as views of the Catskill Creek. Expect to see some sun-loving and part-shade meadow plants. See the Scenic Hudson site for a map and guide.

Everyone is welcome, with no need to RSVP. To get reminders and be informed of any last-minute changes, sign up for meet-and-hike updates.

Join us for a visit to Stonecrop Gardens. Known for its dramatic landscape of windswept fields and rocky slopes, Stonecrop is located in Cold Spring, NY. The gardens were created by Garden Conservancy founder Frank Cabot and his wife Anne. The garden’s mission is to inspire gardeners to explore the variety of plants and to experiment in the garden. Though these gardens are not exclusively or even primarily planted with natives, we will be focusing on design principles. The woodland, cliff rock garden, and water gardens can provide inspiration to those who are interested in creating naturalistic garden designs using native. We will receive an orientation to the garden and then as a group explore the woodlands together collecting ideas that can be applied to shade gardens using native species. After that you’ll be free to explore on your own the cliff rock gardens, alpine gardens, etc. on a self guided tour.

There is a $10 general admission ($5 for seniors 65+) to Stonecrop Garden which will be collected at the site. Registration is required with a limit of 20 people.

Subscribe to our monthly newsletter to receive program announcements. Carpooling for this event is encouraged. If you have any questions please contact [email protected]

Join us as we come together during National Moth Week (July 18-25) to celebrate the beauty, diversity, and ecological importance of moths.

Take a peek into the dazzling world of nature’s tiniest and mightiest superheroes during a one-time showing of the powerful documentary The Extraordinary Caterpillar.  Great for all audiences!  Join Wild Ones and Thacher Nature Center for this family-friendly event with a free showing of the movie along with kid-friendly crafts.  Following the movie, join a nature educator for a short walk outdoors to hunt for these tiny superheroes (caterpillars!) that drive biodiversity in the most surprising places.   

Learn how our native gardens are supporting the food web!   

It is noted that Thacher State Park charges a $6 vehicle entrance fee, typically collected daily from 9 a.m. to 5 p.m. between May 1 and October 31. Payment is required at automated kiosks (cash or card) or via attendants at the booths. The fee applies to the Visitor Center lot and other main parking areas. 

When it comes to nurseries, Catskill Native Nursery stands out among the crowd. They offer-

1) A truly unusual number of native plant species and plant types;

2) Beautiful on-site native plant gardens to wander through; and

3) Knowledgeable staff able to discuss the plants along with ecological landscaping principles.

Please join us on this field trip for a talk by the nursery manager. We’ll discuss planting natives along with other ecological landscaping topics followed by a Q&A. The discussion incorporates a stroll through the gardens (border, cottage, and woodland) where an extensive variety of native plants have found a home. Whatever your native-gardening level—beginner to advanced—this field trip will further your understanding and leave you inspired to learn more – plant more.

Catskill Native Nursery has been inspiring gardeners since 1999 to create biodiverse and remarkably ornamental gardens using plants that are native to eastern North America.

Registration is required.

Subscribe to our monthly newsletter to receive program announcements.

If you have any questions, please contact [email protected].

Join Habitat Gardening in Central New York (HGCNY) for a “Show Me, Help Me” garden tour at Sue Boettger’s property in Fayetteville.

In Sue's own words:

When we moved to Fayetteville in 1994, the yard consisted of a half-acre of lawn,
shrubs and a few native trees. The yard now contains more than 15 perennial beds, two annual beds, a vegetable garden and a small arboretum. I’ve planted more than 250 species of native plants and I’ve been delighted to see them self-seed and enrich my more challenging perennial beds. I’m especially fond of asters, goldenrods, mountain mints and ferns. This year begins my transformation of the annual beds into native perennial gardens.

This tour offers a wonderful chance to see a mature native plant garden in action, get inspiration for your own yard, and ask questions about what works (and what doesn’t!) in a Central New York landscape.

Registration is required and space is limited to 15 people.  Separate sign up required for each individual interested in attending.

A waiting list will be started once the maximum sign-ups are reached. If this happens, we will request secondary confirmation of attendance via email — otherwise your spot may be given to someone on the waiting list. Full details, exact address, parking instructions, and what to bring will be provided when attendance is confirmed.