Long Running Hudson Valley Nature Center Makes a Change

I hope you are like me and the places you enjoyed visiting as a child are still in business so you can make new memories with your family. Growing up I went on many a field trip to the Hudson Highlands Museum.

As I have mentioned in the past, it was the first place I ever saw an owl. He was fascinating and kickstarted my love of nature and Hudson Valley wildlife. In the decades since I made my first visit, I am confident that the museum is still inspiring children to get involved with nature.

Why is the Hudson Highlands Nature Museum in Cornwall Changing its Name

Hudson Highlands Nature Museum via Facebook winter

Last week the Hudson Highlands Nature Museum (HHNM) announced that the will be going through a name change. Starting in January 2024 they will be referred to as the Hudson Highland Nature Center. Executive Director Jessica Oliveri shared the reason for the change on the center's Facebook page.

The new name better represents the varied array of hands-on, experiential education programs that helps people establish a meaningful connection to the natural world (Hudson Highlands Nature Museum via Facebook)

Hudson Highlands Nature Museum via Facebook

They have planned an opening weekend for the newly named center on January 6th and 7th, 2024 at the Wildlife Education Center in Cornwall, New York.

What is the Hudson Highlands Nature Museum

The HHNM is a nonprofit (501c3) nature center whose focus is on Nature Education and Nature Play. They have Hudson Valley wildlife in their care that visitors can see in person. Plus nature spaces and programs that encourage learning for all ages.

Where is the Hudson Highlands Nature Museum

The Wildlife Education Center at 25 Boulevard in Cornwall-on-Hudson, New York is the original location. That is the center I visited as a kid on school outings. They also have the Outdoor Discovery Center at 120 Muser Drive in Cornwall whose entrance is on Angola Road. The third location is the Mountain Lake Park Campus in Warwick, New York which is home to the new Young Naturalist Preschool.

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Some of the Animals You Can Find in the Woods in the Hudson Valley

Hudson Valley Wildlife Gallery

The Hudson Valley is full of wildlife. Here are just a few of our furry, slithery, and feather friends that might frequent your backyard. Please reach out and let us know which creature we may have left off the list.

Gallery Credit: Paty Quyn

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Because the regulation of exotic animals is left to states, some organizations, including The Humane Society of the United States, advocate for federal, standardized legislation that would ban owning large cats, bears, primates, and large poisonous snakes as pets.

Read on to see which pets are banned in your home state, as well as across the nation.

Gallery Credit: Elena Kadvany