Hudson Highland Land Trust Funds New Haldane Field Studies Program

The first group of ninth- and tenth-grade Haldane biology students take a close look at the Hudson River environment at Little Stony Point as part of a November 7 field study funded by an anonymous donation to the Hudson Highlands Land Trust. Sometimes being anonymous can pay dividends. In this case the beneficiaries are students at Haldane High School who get to explore some of the region's most significant natural areas thanks to an anonymous donor who contributed $45,000 to the Hudson Highlands Land Trust (HHLT) which in turn is using the money to fund a new local environmental field studies program.

The first field study in the new program took place on November 7, 2008 and saw students explore two very different environments: the brackish open waters of the Hudson River at Little Stony Point just north of Cold Spring and the small, fresh-water Indian Brook, located above Constitution Marsh. Most of the students who participated were tenth-grade biology students along with a small number of ninth grade students.

Pete Salmansohn, an educator at National Audubon Society's Constitution Marsh, coordinates the new program. He beamed as he watched students nearly knee-deep in the waters of Indian Brook. Field studies "Unleash the natural sense of wonder and just give students the opportunity to be kids, to experience the joy of discovery. We really don't have to do much - just provide the tools" Salmansohn explained.

Earlier that morning, Richard Anderson, a naturalist at Constitution Marsh and Little Stony Point, instructed students in the art of seine netting as they attempted to gather samples of aquatic life in the Hudson River. They weren't disappointed. Their catch included largemouth bass, striped bass, sunfish, darters and blue-claw crabs. Students also tested the Hudson's waters for salinity, oxygen, temperature, PH and carbon dioxide levels.

Lee Posniack, a tenth-grade biology teacher at Haldane, is using the field study to enhance the Living Environment curriculum mandated by the New York State Department of Education. "It's one thing to be in class," Posniack said, "but Haldane students have this great resource that makes it real. As a teacher that's what you strive for." In the spring, his colleague Mark Patinella will lead a similar field study that will look at the same two environments and compare seasonal differences.

Educators weren't alone in their praise for the program. "I love it!" exclaimed Jessica Gore, a ninth-grade biology student, as she waded through the chilly autumn waters of Indian Brook. Her rubber boot boots had done a less-than-perfect job of keeping her dry but Gore didn't seem to mind. "It's great to find out more about what's around you. Just to see how pretty the fish are - you kind of assume they are all mud brown," she said. "This is so much fun. Text books can be really dull!" Gore concluded.

The field studies program is being carried out through a four-way partnership that includes the Hudson Highland Land Trust, Haldane Central School District, Little Stony Point Citizens' Association and the National Audubon Society's Constitution Marsh Nature Center.

"Engaging children in studying…their natural surroundings could not be more important for the future of the Highlands" commented Andy Chmar, Executive Director of the Hudson Highlands Land Trust. Chmar commented that American children are increasingly out-of-touch with the natural world and that teachers and administrators are being encouraged to think "out of the box" in developing field studies that get students outside where they can actually experience the diverse natural resources found in the Hudson Highlands. "This grant will help the Haldane schools to expand their outdoor education programs in new and creative ways" he added.

The anonymously donated funds will be used over a three-year period. Chmar indicated that HHLT's hope is that if the program is embraced by the students, faculty and the community, the Haldane Central School District will eventually take over funding.