Education at the Hudson River Research Reserve
Marist College students display their "catch of the day" during a
field program at Norrie Point. (Chris Bowser)
A commitment to environmental education supports the Reserve's efforts in research, stewardship, and restoration. Our programs focus on hands-on, inquiry-based learning involving current science and superb facilities. Topics include:
- Hudson River animals, habitats, and ecosystems
- Changes in the river from climate change, invasive species, and land use patterns
- Research on the river, including water monitoring and mapping vegetation and the river bottom
- Student-level research and stewardship projects
Different programs focus on school classes and the general public. Student education programs follow New York State Learning Standards as well as national K-12 Estuarine Education Program (KEEP). Please click on the links below to find out more about specific programs:
- School Field Programs at Norrie Point: Designed for middle school, high school, and undergraduate classes
- Distance Learning: Educators "visit" your classroom through videoconferencing technology
- Citizen-science Fisheries Research: Students and volunteers monitor tributaries for juvenile American eels and river herring each spring
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Tidal Marsh Canoe Programs: Public, private, and high school programs available, these free paddles take place at several Hudson River sites
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Fishing the River at Norrie: Free monthly public seining and fishing programs April-October at the Norrie Point Environmental Center
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Tivoli Bays Visitor Center Events: Free public programs at the visitor center include lectures and family-friendly "Wild Wednesdays"
Middle school students investigate water quality in the
Hudson River Estuary during a field program led by
educators at the DEC Hudson River Research Reserve.Immerse your students in Hudson River Estuary education! Free field-based programs available at Norrie Point Environmental Center for students 6th grade and older. Maximum group size of 45.
Our educational programs draw on past and current Hudson River research and field studies. The reserve's education programs provide first-hand experience with the estuary. Students explore the reserve's lands and waters, and the host of life that abounds within them, by engaging with educators at various "stations". Current stations include:
- Hudson River Estuary Puzzle
- Macroinvertebrates & More (Biological Indicators and Invasives)
- Fish ID & Biology
- Fish Seining in Norrie Cove
- Water Chemistry
- Watershed Model
- Watershed Role-playing
- Canoeing & Marsh Ecology (high school only)
Stations under development include Weather & Climate and Environmental Jeopardy.
Reservations are required. For more information on School Field Programs at Norrie Point, please call 845-889-4745 X105 or email jvmcavoy@gw.dec.state.ny.us
Distance Learning at Norrie Point
SCA member leading a distance learning program for a local
middle school. Students from the Dutchess Academy of
Environmental Studies display a large snake
in the background. (Chris Bowser)
Sometimes, if you can't bring the kids to the field trip, you have to bring the field trip to the kids. In our age of tight schedules and tighter budgets, educators have to get creative. One way to connect students with their larger environment is through videoconferencing and live internet programs, called distance learning.
Educators at the Hudson River Research Reserve are connecting to classrooms from Staten Island to Troy through the internet. Educators and students can see and talk to each other, ask questions, and explore a wide range of topics. Cameras on the river allow students to track tide changes and look at boat traffic, while other cameras give a close-up view of live animals.
Programs are geared towards middle and high school ages, and can cover topics including estuary basics of tides and watersheds, river ecology and biology, and current Reserve research initiatives.
For more information on Distance Learning at Norrie Point, please call 845-889-4745 x104 or email chbowser@gw.dec.state.ny.us
Citizen-science Fisheries Research: American Eels
These glass eels were caught in a Hudson River tributary as
part of a monitoring program spearheaded by the Hudson River
Research Reserve and the Hudson River Estuary Program.
(Chris Bowser)
American eels are "catadromous", which means they're born in the salty Atlantic Ocean and migrate into freshwater systems in North America. Eels live for decades in freshwater rivers, streams, and ponds before returning to the Sargasso Sea to spawn. By the time the tiny "glass eels" arrive in Hudson River tributaries, they've already traveled over 1,000 miles. Baseline studies of migrations are needed because historically-abundant eel populations are declining in many areas.
Students and community volunteers work with DEC staff and scientists to monitor glass eel populations in Hudson River tributaries each spring. These tiny fish are counted, weighed, then released back into the water to continue their journey upstream.
These projects involve students, teachers, and community volunteers directly with scientific design and field methods. Participants learn about their local ecosystem and collect important information about migrating fish and environmental conditions. More information is available on the citizen-science and eel monitoring page on the DEC website.
For more information on Citizen-science Fisheries Research, please call 845-889-4745 x104 or email chbowser@gw.dec.state.ny.us
Tidal Marsh Canoe Programs
The Reserve offers educational canoe trips at selected sites along the Hudson River Estuary. Paddle with staff naturalists and learn about tidal marsh ecology, Hudson River research, and challenges facing estuarine habitats. Trips are free and open to the public (one per person per season, please). Trips may also be scheduled for non-profit, municipal, environmental, and school groups.
Young woman enjoying a late afternoon paddle with educators
from the Hudson River Research Reserve. (Chris Bowser)
Stockport Flats
Watch for herons, belted kingfishers, and eagles as we explore Columbia County's Stockport Creek. Depending on time, we paddle into a tiny tidal channel to see a beaver lodge perched next to the water. Weather permitting, we paddle to Stockport Middle Ground to take a break. This sandy, dredge-spoil island features bank swallows and a great swimming beach adjacent to the shipping channel - so wear your swimsuit and hope for waves from passing boats!
Tivoli North Bay
This fascinating tidal marsh in Dutchess County offers spectacular plants, interesting wildlife, and scenic views of the Catskills. Look for banded killifish skipping along the top of the water, red-wing blackbirds flying above the marsh, and blooming wildflowers in this natural perennial garden. Enjoy unique sights, sounds, and smells as you wander through one of the most amazing protected sites on the Hudson.
Kowawese State Unique Area
Located at Plum Point Park south of Newburgh, this wonderland is filled with marsh birds and plants. Watch for eagles, herons, cormorants, and other wildlife as we travel along the Hudson River shallows of Newburgh Bay, then up into Moodna Creek. We typically stop at a small rocky island at the head of tide to take a break - and if you want to get in touch with your inner child, to turn over rocks looking for crabs, eels, crayfish, and other creek dwellers.
Iona Island
Paddle through this marshy maze in Rockland County with Reserve naturalists. Nestled in the Hudson Highlands adjacent to Bear Mountain State Park, this wetland features marsh flowers, snapping turtles, and dramatic views of Dunderberg, Bald, West, and Manitou Mountains. You may catch a glimpse of a blue crab swimming below or a secretive green heron perching above the water.
The schedule will be posted on our Events Calendar by mid-May. The canoe season will resume in June 2009.
For more information on Tidal Marsh Canoe Programs, please call 845-889-4745 x107 or email lafila@gw.dec.state.ny.us
Fishing the River at Norrie
Seining for fish in the cove adjacent to the Norrie Point
Environmental Center. (Chris Bowser)
Come on down to the Norrie Point Environmental Center for some fishing fun. Put on some waders and pull a seine net with Research Reserve educators, or go angling with rods and reels supplied by the DEC "I Fish New York" program. Full bathroom facilities are available.
Programs are appropriate for children and families, and are guided by DEC and Research Reserve staff. All events are free, no registration needed, and take place monthly from April to October.
For more information on Fishing the River at Norrie, please call 845-889-4745 x108, email brburgio@gw.dec.state.ny.us or see our Events Calendar for 2009 dates.
Directions to Norrie Point Environmental Center
Tivoli Bays Visitors Center
The Tivoli Bays Visitor Center features the
"Doorway to the Bays" natural history exhibit.
Everyone is invited to attend the many programs at the beautiful Tivoli Bays Visitors' Center, located next to the Tivoli Library in the historic Watts dePeyster Fireman's Hall in Dutchess County. "Wild Wednesdays" are designed to connect children with the wonderful wildlife of the Hudson River with a new topic each week. "Tivoli Bays Talks" are focused more on older students and adults, and take place the first Thursday evening of each month except January.
For more information on the Tivoli Bays Visitor Center, please call 845-889-4745 x105 or email jvmcavoy@gw.dec.state.ny.us or see our Events Calendar for upcoming programs.
Directions to the Tivoli Bays Visitors' Center
