Winnakee awarded $90,000 Grant from The Open Space Institute to Advance Appalachian Landscapes Conservation
Winnakee Land Trust has been awarded a competitive $90,000 capital grant from the Open Space Institute (OSI)’s Appalachian Landscapes Project (ALP). This critical funding will help close a remaining budget gap for the acquisition of an ecologically invaluable forest property in Columbia County that is highly vulnerable to development. Once protected, the forestland will become a... Read More
Winnakee Land Trust and New York Forest Owners Association Launch The Woodland Stewards Collaborative
A new program partnership putting conservation-forward landowner education at its center Winnakee Land Trust and the New York Forest Owners Association (NYFOA) are pleased to announce the formation of The Woodland Stewards Collaborative, a joint program partnership dedicated to empowering private landowners across New York with practical, trusted guidance on forest stewardship education and activities.... Read More
Spring Ephemerals in the Forest
“Those who contemplate the beauty of the earth find reserves of strength that will endure as long as life lasts. There is something infinitely healing in the repeated refrains of nature — the assurance that dawn comes after night, and spring after winter.” —Rachel Carson, Silent Spring The fleeting interval in April to mid-May, after... Read More
From the Forests: Monitoring Pests and Pathogens Threatening Regeneration
In our region, forests face growing pressure from pests and pathogens that threaten tree health and influence the diversity and regeneration of our woodlands. Through dedicated monitoring projects, Winnakee and partner organizations are tracking levels of infestation and identifying trees that exhibit resilience to these threats. The goal is to secure data that informs scientific... Read More
A Personal Note from an Open Field Society Member
By Michael Sasse Our moving to Dutchess County and our involvement with Winnakee are closely connected. When closing on our property, we noted the office of a small, local land trust located in the same office building as our lawyer. Winnakee: That was the organization responsible for the glory of Burger Hill, a place we... Read More
THE CANOPY – Winnakee News, Spring 2026
IN THIS ISSUE View FULL EDITION Winnakee awarded $90,000 Grant from The Open Space Institute to Advance Appalachian Landscapes Conservation Winnakee Land Trust and New York Forest Owners Association Launch The Woodland Stewards Collaborative The Understory Blog: A Personal Note from an Open Field Society Member by Michael Sasse From the Forests: Monitoring Pests and Pathogens... Read More
Join Us to Combat Invasive Buckthorn
April Work Dates: 1, 8, and 15 from 5:00pm to 7:00pm. This spring, volunteers will have the opportunity to learn about forest regeneration practices occurring on the Clermont property (read more about it here) and lend a hand to help remove invasive buckthorn, a highly invasive shrub, that is threatening our forest. Please wear weather... Read More
Signs of Spring at Vlei Marsh
WHERE: Vlei Marsh Preserve, 186 Vlei Road, Rhinebeck WHEN: Saturday, April 18 from 10:00-11:30am Join Winnakee naturalist Garrett Chisholm for a guided walk at Vlei Marsh as we explore the exciting signs of spring emerging across the landscape. We will share clues to identify the species of tree buds emerging on maples, oaks, and other native trees... Read More
Invasive Species ID Walk at Saw Kill
Kick off Earth Week by Gaining Hands-On Knowledge About Invasive Species and What You Can Do About Them! WHEN:Sunday, April 19 from 9:00-10:30am WHERE:Saw Kill Trails, Red Hook, NY Join us for a guided woods walk focused on hands-on identification of invasive plant species. Winnakee’s naturalists, Jen Adams and Garrett Chisholm, will point out key identification features and... Read More
Native Tree Planting in Clermont
Sunday, May 3rd from 9:30-11:30 This May, join us at our Clermont property for a special native tree planting celebration! After years of hard work removing invasive buckthorn and preparing the land, we’re ready to restore the forest with native species that will support this woodland, and the wildlife within it, for years to come.... Read More