Press Release from the Beczak Environmental Education Center
Join us around a cozy fire this winter for a series of talks about the beautiful Hudson River at the Beczak Environmental Education Center at 35 Alexander St., Yonkers, NY 10701. Co-sponsored by: Hudson River Boat and Yacht Club Association and the Yonkers Paddling & Rowing Club.
About the series, Bob Walters, President of the Beczak Environmental Education Center, said, “In the tradition of the great environmentalist Pete Seeger, this series of talks is designed to teach us about the Hudson River and make us aware of its great beauty and the importance of the river to all of us.” The series of talks this winter at the Beczak Center includes:
*”Hudson Riverkeeper Patrol” with Patrol Boat Captain John Lipscomb
Saturday, January 14th – 2:00 PM
Captain John Lipscomb of the R.Ian Fletcher travels approximately 6,000 nautical miles on the Hudson from March through December conducting regular pollution patrols, providing support for scientific studies, and running Riverkeeper’s Water Quality Testing Program. John’s work has made the Hudson River safer and cleaner for all of us.
*”Kayaking Cold Water Survival Workshop” with Phil Giller
Saturday, January 21st – 10:00 AM, also on Zoom
Phil Giller is one of The Yonkers Paddling @ Rowing Club’s instructors with expertise in preventing and surviving hypothermia as well as cold water rescue. The historic YPRC boathouse is located next to Beczak on the Hudson at 19 Alexander St., Yonkers, NY 10701.
*Historic Yonkers/Alpine Ferry Talk” with Eric Nelsen
Saturday, February 4th – 2:00 PM
Eric Nelsen, a Historic Interpreter at the Palisades Interstate Park in New Jersey, takes us back in time to learn about the historic ferry route between Yonkers, New York and Alpine, New Jersey. Learn about the boats, the crews, the passengers, and the commerce that connected the Palisades to Yonkers.
*”Hudson River Oysters: Past, Present, and Future” with Kevin Horbatiuk
Saturday, February 18th – 12:00 PM
Kevin Horbatiuk is the Oyster Research Station Ambassador with Billion Oyster Project; Volunteer, City Island Oyster Reef, and former Commodore Yonkers Paddling & Rowing Club.
*Hudson River Pilots Association” with Paul Chevalier
Saturday, February 25th – 2:00 PM
Started in 1958, the Hudson River Pilots Association are both Federally and State licensed pilots employed to safely and efficiently guide vessels to the ports along the Hudson River. The State of New York relies on the Hudson River Pilots Association to be the front line in the effort to protect the river environment and maintain safe commerce to all the ports along the river.
There is free parking and light refreshments.
The Beczak Environmental Education Center has for the last 35 years provided hands-on educational experiences about the unique Hudson River estuary ecological, cultural, and historical aspect as well as climate resiliency and justice.
