Reconnecting with the Natural World

The Value of Reconnecting with the Natural World

During this brief program introduction, 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.

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. 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.

Mammal Search

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

Environmental Stewardship Walk and Talk

Join an outdoor conversation about environmental stewardship – what it is and why it’s important for both the natural world and our own wellbeing.

Fox Walk – The Way of our Ancestors

Learn how moving efficiently in nature helps to pattern our brains for expanded awareness and our bodies for balance, agility, and strength. Shifting to our ancestral gait makes us instantly quieter in the woods and enables a more intimate perspective into the natural world. 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 us 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

The Geology of the Shawangunk Ridge

The Shawangunks 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 of the region, including the source of the famous conglomerates, the fossil record, and the influence of mile-thick glaciers.

Discovering Species Around You

Plant blindness has become a large problem in our society, with most people no longer able to tell the difference between oak and maple trees. Join Dr. Jackie Schnurr for a nature walk along Mohonk Lake, where we will discover the most common species that are flowering and learn to appreciate the identities of our plant neighbors.

Natural History Workshop

The Shawangunk Ridge, where the Mohonk Mountain House is located, is one of the most biodiverse places in the northeastern United States. Join Dr. Jackie Schnurr in this hands-on workshop to learn to identify the common species of plants, animals, fungi and lichens that surround us and to use our newfound skills to explore a section of Eagle Cliff Trail.

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 have 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. 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.

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. No flashlights or cellphones.

The Building Blocks of Fairy Gardens: Ferns, Mosses, and Lichens

On this walk around Lake Mohonk, we will observe those members of the plant and fungus kingdoms that are underappreciated and seldom observed: ferns, mosses, and lichens. When observed closely, there is a whole world that can be discovered. Learn how these simple plants and fungi are important to the ecosystem, and discover a new world right below your feet!