Climate Smart group looks at wetlands, floodplains
About 25 community members gathered on the Harlem Valley Rail Trail north of Millerton on Sunday, Sept. 12, for a guided wetlands and floodplains walk with Julie Hart from the Dutchess Land Conservancy and Amanda Cabanillas from Housatonic Valley Association. Photo submitted

Climate Smart group looks at wetlands, floodplains

MILLERTON — Shedding a light on how the ongoing climate crisis and the record rainfall from Hurricane Ida have impacted local natural resources, Climate Smart Millerton invited residents to learn more about the importance of protecting local wetlands and floodplains with a special Wetlands Weekend on Saturday, Sept. 11, through Sunday, Sept. 12.

The weekend kicked off on Saturday at 4 p.m. with a virtual Zoom workshop, “Wetlands, Floodplains and Global Warming Forum,” moderated by Tom Parrett, editor of the Climate Smart Millerton website. It examined the role wetlands and floodplains play in the local ecosystem and why they should be protected.

The first to speak was Gretchen Stevens, director of Hudsonia’s Biodiversity Resources Center. Stevens said Hudsonia had completed a town-wide habitat map a few years ago with an accompanying report describing the area’s habitats and their ecological importance; the plants and animals of conservation concern; and recommendations for conservation. 

Considering how broad the term “wetlands” is, she said there are many kinds of wetlands in northeastern landscapes — fens, vernal pools, wet meadows, marshes and acidic bogs — as well as many subdivisions of those kinds of wetlands. 

Local wetlands

Exhibiting a map of the different wetlands found in the Millerton-North East region, she described each wetlands’ characteristics and role as a habitat for wildlife and plant species.

Along with supporting a great variety of animal and plant species, Stevens highlighted the ways in which small and isolated wetlands are every bit as important ecologically as large wetlands and those connected to lakes and streams, from restoring floodwaters and recharging groundwater to exporting organisms to other habitats and retaining and transforming nutrients, metals and other toxins. 

However, unlike the larger wetlands, most of the smaller wetlands are unprotected by state and federal laws. If they’re going to be protected, she said it must be done at the local level, whether by local legislation or local landowners.

The importance of floodplains

As watershed conservation director of the Housatonic Valley Association (HVA), Michael Jastremski delivered an overview of the function and ecological services provided by floodplains. Jastremski explained prioritizing floodplain restoration and protection is critical as well as taking action over the actions that can be controlled at the local level to reduce flood risk.

As Dutchess Land Conservancy’s Senior Manager of Stewardship & Education, Julie Hart talked about where wetlands come from, adding land changes over time and talking about what causes those changes. She started with the Ice Age and moved into the 1800s. 

Ecosystem services

Talking about why wetlands should be protected, Hart outlined ecosystem services — a term she referred to as “What does the land do for you?” — and the different ways people can think about ecosystem services.

As a visual demonstration of these resources and their place in the local region, community members were invited to take part in a guided wetlands and floodplains walk with Hart the next morning. 

Walking along the new section of the Harlem Valley Rail Trail north of Millerton, North East town Supervisor Chris Kennan said the walk drew about 25 people who came to see the wetlands and floodplains in person, understand the role they play in sequestering water and observe how they change when the area receives a big rainfall.

Latest News

Bobbie C. Palmer

LAKEVILLE ­— Bobbie C. Palmer, born in Lakeville on Jan. 13, 1948, passed away peacefully on March 4, 2024. He is survived by his loving wife, Marva J. Palmer, son Marc (Sandra) Palmer, daughter Erica (Fleming) Wilson, two grandchildren, Andrew Yost and Ciara Wilson, and two great grandchildren. He was predeceased by his parents Walter and Francis Palmer and four brothers; Henry Palmer, William Palmer, John Palmer and Walter Palmer Jr.

He leaves behind a legacy of love, kindness, and laughter that will be cherished by his family and those closest to him.

Keep ReadingShow less
Roe Jan Library to host seed-starting seminar

Roeliff Jansen Community Library, in partnership with the Cornell Cooperative Extension of Columbia and Greene counties, is sponsoring a series of three “Back to Nature” seminars conducted by Master Gardener volunteers.

The first offering in the series, “Seed Starting Essentials & Seed Swap,” will take place Sunday, March 17, from 1 to 3 p.m. at the library and will be presented by Maureen Mooney, a retired nurse who has been a Master Gardener as part of the Columbia and Greene counties volunteer organization for 12 years.

Keep ReadingShow less
30th annual Pine Plains FFA Toy Show and Auction

The Pine Plains FFA will present its 30th annual Toy Show and Auction Saturday, March 16, from 9 a.m. to 2 p.m. at Stissing Mountain Junior/Senior High School, 2829 Church St.

The event will include children’s activities and door prizes, plus a pedal tractor pull starting at noon with prizes awarded. The auction, which is limited to approximately 100 quality items, will begin at 2 p.m. Consignments and donations are welcome. Vendor tables are available for $20 and show tables are free.

Keep ReadingShow less
Pomona Grange to hold penny social

Dutchess County Pomona Grange No. 32 will hold its annual penny social Saturday, March 16, at the Stanford Grange Hall, 6043 Route 82.

Doors will open at 5:30 p.m. and calling will begin at 7 p.m. Included will be a penny table, a dollar table, homemade baked goods, theme baskets donated by Dutchess County granges, and door prizes. Refreshments will be sold by Grange youth.
For more information, contact Marilyn Brands at 845-223-5717 or Melissa Traver at 845-891-9779.