The Art of Nature Awareness

Please check back for an updated schedule 3 months prior to the event.

Preview last year’s schedule:

SUNDAY

Program Introduction: The Value of Reconnecting with the Natural World

During this brief gathering we’ll learn about the legacy our ancestors gifted to us in the forms of tracking and awareness, survival skills, and complex and effective social structures. We’ll have a nature display to evoke questions and conversation. This will be educational and fun for the entire family.

MONDAY

Mindfulness Walk: The Way of our Ancestors

Learn how moving efficiently through the natural world helps to pattern our brains for expanded awareness and our bodies for balance, agility, and strength. Shifting from an urban or suburban gait to our ancestral gait makes us instantly quieter in the woods and enables a more intimate perspective into the natural world. By learning to expand all of our senses to their fullest potential, we are able to see more wildlife and discern more subtle patterns. 1 mile, easy pace, all are welcome.

Amphibian and Reptile Walk

What cold-blooded, charismatic species share the woods and waters around the Mountain House? Join Lynn Bogan as we explore the fascinating world of amphibians and reptiles of the Shawangunk Ridge. We’ll discuss their interesting lives and search their habitats to get a close-up look at these elusive animals.

Carnivore Corner

Join Dan Bogan to learn about the fascinating natural history of our local carnivores and see photos of the animals who had their pictures taken on hidden cameras here on the Shawangunk Ridge.

“Should I stay or should I go?” A glimpse into bird migration

Each year, as our days become shorter and colder, many birds make the seasonal flight southwards, however we still have many birds that choose to stay here throughout the winter. Join Megan Napoli, Research Ecologist at the Daniel Smiley Research Center, as she sheds light on a bird’s decision to migrate and the various birds we can expect to see here both during our chilly months and our springtime revival of warmth and light.

TUESDAY

Edible and Medicinal Plants: The Freedom of the Wanderer

Long-term survival would be difficult at best without a firm knowledge of plants. They are the base of the food chain and humans can barely live in a habitat without reasonable plant diversity. With foundational plant knowledge, we essentially have access to food and medicine wherever we go. Here we will cover 20-25 edible and medicinal plants and learn their uses. 1 mile, easy pace, all are welcome.

The Gift of Water — Hike to Mossy Brook Spring

All life on Earth depends on water. Since the dawn of our species and beyond, we drank water from the surface of the earth. This of course has become a much rarer event as our culture has tainted much of this vital resource. Now all of our water comes from municipal or industrial sources. However, there are still plenty of places to find fresh, healthy surface water; all we need to know is how to read the landscape. On this beautiful path we will also learn about waterborne pathogens and how to purify water when necessary. Strenuous 2 miles, all are welcome.

Mammal Search with Dr. Dan Bogan

Mammals live all around us, yet often go unseen. Join Dan Bogan for a hands-on search for these animals and learn about the natural history and ecology of mammals inhabiting the Shawangunk Ridge.

Trunks of the Gunks with Nora Scarlett

Join the award winning professional photographer as she shows her fascinating collection of trunks, stumps, roots, and burls that spring to life in improbable locations around Mohonk. Let your imagination discover the faces of the forest and other hidden wonders.

Night Hike to Copes Lookout

Moving deftly and silently and tapping into our night vision. Be on the lookout for creatures and events of the night—owls, insects, coyotes, stars, and satellites. We’ll tap into our deep sensory awareness to take in as much information as possible. Approximately 1 mile, all are welcome.

WEDNESDAY

The Five Voices of the Birds

Do birds really talk? Consider that birds have been on the planet for approximately eighty million years and that they possess enhanced vocal and auditory apparatus. Surely these adaptations have allowed them to remain a viable life form, and their complex vocabularies have been instrumental in this success. Here we will learn not only who is vocalizing but reach into the question of why, and, just as important, what this can teach us about ourselves and our relations with the natural world. 1 mile, easy pace, all are welcome.

The Art of Primitive Fire-Making: The Science and Alchemy of Fire-by-Friction

Fire is an essential element for our long-term survival. The ability to make fire with only materials found at hand is a skill that our ancestors possessed for thousands of generations. While it is challenging at first, the rewards are many, as it gives us the freedom to know that we can create a fire in most circumstances and apply this vital element for heat, cooking, light, tool-making, preparing medicines, purifying water, and so much more. Participants will learn one method of fire-by-friction and apply their new-found knowledge on their own bow-drill kit. 1 mile, easy pace, all are welcome.

The Gift of Trees — Our Great Benefactors

Trees provide everything we need to live—oxygen, food, shelter, fire, tools, and more. They fix nutrients in and cool the soil, prevent erosion, bank carbon dioxide, and so much more. In every indigenous tradition, the trees are metaphors, a template, for how humans should live—close to the earth, rooted in our homeland, growing straight and tall, always reaching higher, adapting to the changing seasons, supporting each other, and living in balance with other species. On this casual walk through the forest we’ll cover approximately 20-25 species of tree, learn how they grow and where, and learn their uses and their teaching role in native lore. 2 miles, easy pace, all are welcome.

Evening Movie: Gringo Trails

A film by Pegi Vail and Melvin Estrella. Are backpackers destroying the planet—or saving it? How do travelers change the remote places they visit, and how are they changed? From the Bolivian jungle to the party beaches of Thailand, and from the deserts of Timbuktu, Mali to the breathtaking beauty of Bhutan, Gringo Trails traces stories over the course of thirty years to show the dramatic long-term impact of tourism on cultures, economies, and the environment. Following the film there will be a Q & A with the filmmakers, Pegi and Melvin.

THURSDAY

Tracking: Reading the Stories in the Earth

We have been tracking as long as we’ve been human. Some anthropologists and neuroscientists propose that tracking is what has allowed our brains to develop into the immensely complex logical and creative tools they are today. We’ll begin with some clear print identification and move into tracking of situations, moments in time, and even ourselves. 1 mile, easy pace, all are welcome

Tomahawk Throwing

We’ll learn the fundamentals of safe and effective tomahawk throwing and how to adapt to changing conditions. Don’t be fooled—this skill is an effective tool for enhanced brain wiring and concentration, attributes that help us in all aspects of our lives.

*Note: Ages 13 and up. Closed-toe shoes required. All participants must go through a 15 minute safety protocol at the beginning of the session. This cannot be repeated if missed.

Songlines: Freedom of the Wanderer – The Art of Aidless Navigation

Our ancestors required no modern technology to travel through varied terrain and could always find their way home. With the elements of nature as our guides we’ll learn how to navigate effectively without map, compass, or electronics.

The Future of our Climate with Alexander Heffner and Ken Kimmell

Join PBS host Alexander Heffner and Ken Kimmell, president of the Union of Concerned Scientists, for a conversation on climate change. Afterward, Alexander Heffner will be signing copies of his new coauthored book, A Documentary History of the United States, which can be purchased on Amazon.com.

MEET THE PROGRAM LEADERS

Michael Ridolfo

Michael Ridolfo is the Mohonk Mountain House naturalist. After 20 years of rock climbing, ice climbing, mountain biking, skiing, winter mountaineering, nature photography, writing, and music, he began practicing the art of tracking, wilderness survival, and the native mentoring model. This journey has evolved into teaching children and adults how to deepen their relationship with the natural world. In 1999, he founded Wilderness Mind, a school dedicated to preserving the ancient arts of tracking and nature awareness.

Lynn Bogan

Lynn Bogan is the Environmental Stewardship Coordinator with New York State Parks. Lynn received her Bachelors of Science from SUNY Environmental Science and Forestry, and her Masters of Science in Biodiversity, Conservation, and Policy from SUNY Albany. She has worked with reptiles and amphibians throughout her career and focuses on on-the-ground conservation and stewardship of native biodiversity. Lynn lives outside of Albany, NY with her husband, son, and their dog.

Dr. Dan Bogan

Dr. Dan Bogan is an Assistant Professor at Siena. He earned his doctorate in Wildlife Science from the Department of Natural Resources at Cornell University. Dan’s research investigates the ecology of wildlife, particularly carnivores, to understand how animals are responding to changing environments. Gaining this information helps to understand human-wildlife interactions to reduce the potential for conflicts and to conserve wildlife.

Alexander Heffner

Alexander Heffner is host of “The Open Mind” on PBS, a weekly excursion into the world of ideas, across science, technology, politics, the arts and all realms of civic life. His work has been profiled by Variety, The Washington Post, Los Angeles Times, The Philadelphia Inquirer, New Hampshire Magazine and on CNN, C-SPAN, NY1, HuffPost Live and BBC, among other media outlets. His essays, reviews and op-eds have appeared in Reuters, RealClearPolitics, Fortune, The New York Times, Newsday, The Wall Street Journal, The Boston Globe, and The Root, among other publications. He is the coauthor of the book, A Documentary History of the United States, which can be purchased on Amazon.com

Ken Kimmell

Ken Kimmell is president of the Union of Concerned Scientists, a leading science-based nonprofit that combines the knowledge and influence of the scientific community with the passion of concerned citizens to build a healthy planet and a safer world. Mr. Kimmell has more than 30 years of experience in government, environmental policy, and advocacy. He is a national advocate for clean energy and transportation policies and a driving force behind UCS’s “Power Ahead” campaign to build a large and diverse group of clean energy leadership states.

Pegi Vail

Pegi Vail (Director/Producer) is an anthropologist and filmmaker at the Center for Media, Culture, and History at NYU. Pegi teaches documentary production through the Program in Culture and Media in the Department of Anthropology at NYU. She is a former Fulbright scholar, has previously taught at Columbia University and lectured on travel study tours with the Columbia Alumni Travel Study Program, Smithsonian, and National Geographic. As a curator, she collaborates with colleagues at NYC arts and cultural institutions such as the National Museum of the American Indian, Museum of Natural History, MoMA, and through organizations such as the The Moth, the storytelling collective she was a founding board member and curator for. Vail is a sustainable travel consultant who additionally serves as a judge for National Geographic’s World Legacy Awards. Most recently, she was the cultural advisor and APP co-writer for Felix & Paul Studios’ “Nomads” virtual reality (VR) series for Oculus / Samsung / Facebook.

Melvin Estrella

Melvin Estrella (Director of Photography/Producer) has worked in numerous capacities within the independent film arena as well as within commercial, television, and non-profit production. Clients have included ESPN (It’s the Shoes), Filmlance Sweden (The Last Contract), Daniel Fridell (Beneath the Surface), Galavision, 3rd Edge Communications, Hock Films, House Films, Make a Wish, and TV-One. Melvin shot and produced the documentary, The Dodgers Sym-Phony and is the director of photography on the documentary-in-progress Wall Street in the Black. His short film, Firebird, premiered at Jazz at Lincoln Center during the New York Indian Film Festival. Melvin was on the founding board for The Moth.

Please check back for an updated schedule 3 months prior to the event.

Preview last year’s schedule:

MONDAY

Program Introduction: The Value of Reconnecting with the Natural World

During this brief gathering we’ll learn about the legacy our ancestors gifted to us in the forms of tracking and awareness, survival skills, and complex and effective social structures. We’ll have a nature display to evoke questions and conversation. This will be educational and fun for the entire family.

TUESDAY

Fox Walk: The Way of our Ancestors

Learn how moving efficiently through the natural world helps to pattern our brains for expanded awareness and our bodies for balance, agility, and strength. Shifting from an urban or suburban gait to our ancestral gait makes us instantly quieter in the woods and enables a more intimate perspective into the natural world. By learning to expand all of our senses to their fullest potential, we are able to see more wildlife and discern more subtle patterns. 1 mile, easy pace, all are welcome.

The Art of Shelter: Survival Priority Number One

Participants will build a primitive shelter for time and test it for waterproofness. Good Clean Fun!

Tomahawk Throwing

We’ll learn the fundamentals of safe and effective tomahawk throwing and how to adapt to changing conditions. Don’t be fooled—this skill is an effective tool for enhanced brain wiring and concentration, attributes that help us in all aspects of our lives.

*Note: Ages 13 and up. Closed-toe shoes required. All participants must go through a 15 minute safety protocol at the beginning of the session. This cannot be repeated if missed.

The Natural History of the Shawangunk Ridge

Join Plant Ecologist Dr. Jackie Schnurr for this engaging lecture on the history of this iconic mountain range and the creation of its field guide.

WEDNESDAY

Wildflower Walk with Plant Ecologist Dr. Jackie Schnurr

Join Dr. Schnurr in discovering native wildflowers throughout the grounds of the Mountain House, and dig deeper to learn about the factors that determine why plants grow where they do. This nature walk will observe patterns in the plant community and look to discover the processes that cause them.

Geology Walk with Dr. Brian Hough

The Shawangunk Mountains formed as a result of several tectonic collisions followed by periods of erosion that lasted for a billion years. Come take a walk through time as we observe some of the key evidence that reveals the geologic history (both rock and fossil) of the region, including the source of the famous conglomerates, the fossil record, and the influence of mile-thick glaciers.

Tool-Making and Camp Skills

Here we’ll learn the fundamentals to craft spoons, bowls, cordage, clothing, water-boiling methods, survival teas, tools, and more from the landscape.

Live Entertainment: TBD

Night Hike to Copes Lookout

Moving deftly and silently and tapping into our night vision. Be on the lookout for creatures and events of the night—owls, insects, coyotes, stars, and satellites. We’ll tap into our deep sensory awareness to take in as much information as possible. Approximately 1 mile, all are welcome.

THURSDAY

The Five Voices of the Birds

Do birds really talk? Consider that birds have been on the planet for approximately eighty million years and that they possess enhanced vocal and auditory apparatus. Surely these adaptations have allowed them to remain a viable life form, and their complex vocabularies have been instrumental in this success. Here we will learn not only who is vocalizing but reach into the question of why, and, just as important, what this can teach us about ourselves and our relations with the natural world. 1 mile, easy pace, all are welcome.

The Art of Primitive Fire-Making: The Science and Alchemy of Fire-by-Friction

Fire is an essential element for our long-term survival. The ability to make fire with only materials found at hand is a skill that our ancestors possessed for thousands of generations. While it is challenging at first, the rewards are many, as it gives us the freedom to know that we can create a fire in most circumstances and apply this vital element for heat, cooking, light, tool-making, preparing medicines, purifying water, and so much more. Participants will learn one method of fire-by-friction and apply their new-found knowledge on their own bow-drill kit. 1 mile, easy pace, all are welcome.

The Gift of Trees— Our Great Benefactors

Trees provide everything we need to live—oxygen, food, shelter, fire, tools, and more. They fix nutrients in and cool the soil, prevent erosion, bank carbon dioxide, and so much more. In every indigenous tradition, the trees are metaphors, a template, for how humans should live—close to the earth, rooted in our homeland, growing straight and tall, always reaching higher, adapting to the changing seasons, supporting each other, and living in balance with other species. On this casual walk through the forest we’ll cover approximately 20-25 species of tree, learn how they grow and where, and learn their uses and their teaching role in native lore. 2 miles, easy pace, all are welcome.

Live Entertainment: TBD

FRIDAY

Tracking: Reading the Stories in the Earth

We have been tracking as long as we’ve been human. Some anthropologists and neuroscientists propose that tracking is what has allowed our brains to develop into the immensely complex logical and creative tools they are today. Like reading the morning paper, we’ll observe forest and field looking for animal tracks and signs. 1 mile. Easy pace.

PROGRAM LEADERS

Michael Ridolfo
Michael Ridolfo is the Mohonk Mountain House naturalist. After 20 years of rock climbing, ice climbing, mountain biking, skiing, winter mountaineering, nature photography, writing, and music, he began practicing the art of tracking, wilderness survival, and the native mentoring model. This journey has evolved into teaching children and adults how to deepen their relationship with the natural world. In 1999, he founded Wilderness Mind, a school dedicated to preserving the ancient arts of tracking and nature awareness.

Dr. Jackie Schnurr
Dr. Jackie Schnurr is a Professor of Biology and Environmental Science at Wells College, a small liberal arts college located in the Finger Lakes region of New York. She has been working with plants for over 25 years, and her research mostly looks at the roles that biotic factors, such as small mammals, and abiotic factors, such as light and nutrients, have on dictating plant distributions.

Dr. Brian Hough
Dr. Brian Hough is an Assistant Professor at SUNY Oswego. He specializes in reading the Earth’s sedimentary rock record and using it to explain interactions between tectonics and climate change. He is currently working on new ways to reconstruct past Earth surface elevations, which will help geologists understand how the landscape has changed through time. His research has taken him to the central Rockies, Alaska, and the Tibetan Plateau in search of evidence for paleoclimate and paleoelevation reconstructions.