Morgan Duke Conservation Society

03/13/2026

01/12/2026

Nothing is sweeter than helping to make the world a better place! Thank you to Stewart's Shops for your part in making the world we share a little sweeter! 🍦

12/28/2025

🌿 Volunteer Opportunities for the 2026 Season 🌿

The Morgan Duke Conservation Society will be opening volunteer applications for the 2026 volunteering season in mid January.

We are currently seeking additional volunteers for spring, summer, and long term opportunities at the following locations:

🌲 Hudson River Recreation Area in the Adirondacks, New York

🌲 Saranac Lakes Wild Forest in the Adirondacks, New York

🏞️ Great Smoky Mountains National Park in Tennessee and North Carolina

🦆 Bashakill Wildlife Management Area in Orange County, New York

⛰️ Minnewaska State Park Preserve in Ulster County, New York

If you are interested in giving back to the community and making a meaningful impact, we encourage you to apply.

More information will be shared soon. Please stay tuned.

12/25/2025

12/02/2025

🌲💚 Happy Giving Tuesday! 💚🌲
Today is a day dedicated to giving back — and the Morgan Duke Conservation Society is raising funds to support our growing conservation and stewardship programs across the Catskills, Adirondacks, Ulster County, and other natural areas throughout New York State.

Your support helps us:
• Maintain and protect forests, river corridors, and public lands
• Coordinate volunteer cleanups and trail stewardship
• Support wildfire prevention outreach and education
• Plant trees and enhance habitat restoration efforts
• Provide community programs that promote environmental awareness
• Assist with conservation projects in partnership with state and local agencies

Every contribution — big or small — helps us continue this mission.

🌿 HOW TO DONATE
PayPal:
https://www.paypal.com/donate/?hosted_button_id=YMPPB7WSF7AQQ

Zelle:
Send to [email protected]

(Please include your First & Last Name and email address in the memo line.)

Thank you for supporting conservation and helping us keep New York’s wild places clean, protected, and thriving for future generations.
Happy Giving Tuesday! 🌎💚

11/27/2025

10/01/2025

https://www.facebook.com/share/r/1GTEodETeK/?mibextid=wwXIfr

09/27/2025

Day of Remembrance: Honoring Mary Walker
September 27, 2025

Today we pause to remember and celebrate the life of Mary Walker, who served as the Director of Community Outreach for the Morgan Duke Conservation Society. Mary was more than a conservationist. She was a passionate voice for protecting the natural beauty and ecological value of the Hudson River Special Management Area, known lovingly by so many as Buttermilk and Bear Slides.

Mary passed away on September 27, 2023, after courageously battling small cell lung cancer. Though she is no longer with us, her strength, compassion, and dedication continue to guide and inspire us every day.

Mary’s commitment went far beyond her official role. She fought tirelessly to encourage the State to strengthen protections for the Hudson River Special Management Area. Her vision was rooted in a deep respect for nature, community, and the future. These were values she lived out in every project, every conversation, and every act of stewardship.

During her many camping trips in the Hudson River Special Management Area, Mary could often be found alongside James, visiting local businesses in the Town of Lake Luzerne, sharing the mission of the organization, and educating others about the importance of trees and what they do for the environment, for the community, and for future generations.

Her passion, kindness, and determination touched everyone she met. Mary Walker helped shape the heart of the Morgan Duke Conservation Society, and her legacy continues to inspire all of us who carry her mission forward.

We truly miss her every day, and we honor her by continuing the work she loved, protecting, preserving, and educating others about the natural treasures of New York’s wild places.

Thank you, Mary, for everything. Your spirit lives on in every tree we protect, every trail we clean, and every person we inspire.

09/20/2025

Morgan Duke Conservation Society Congratulates Volunteers Jim and Anne for 100 Hours of Service

The Morgan Duke Conservation Society is proud to recognize and congratulate two dedicated volunteers, Jim and Anne, for reaching the milestone of 100 hours of volunteer service. Their commitment, passion, and hard work have made a meaningful difference in protecting and caring for the Hudson River Special Management Area in Lake Luzerne, New York.

Jim and Anne now join a distinguished group of volunteers who have reached this achievement, becoming the 4th and 5th individuals in the organization’s history to contribute more than 100 service hours. Their ongoing dedication reflects the very spirit of stewardship and conservation that defines our mission.

Over the course of their service, Jim and Anne have participated in cleanups, engaged with visitors, and helped ensure that the Hudson River Special Management Area remains a safe, clean, and welcoming place for the public. Their efforts directly support the preservation of wildlife habitat, the protection of natural resources, and the promotion of responsible outdoor recreation.

We extend our heartfelt congratulations to Jim and Anne for this remarkable accomplishment. Their milestone is a reminder of the incredible impact volunteers have on conservation efforts and the legacy they leave for future generations.

The Morgan Duke Conservation Society sincerely thanks Jim and Anne for their dedication, time, and passion for protecting New York’s natural resources. We celebrate this milestone with gratitude and pride.

09/16/2025

As President of the Morgan Duke Conservation Society, I am deeply saddened by the passing of Robert Redford. He was not only a remarkable actor and filmmaker but also a dedicated conservationist whose work has inspired countless people, including myself.

For decades, Robert Redford used his platform to advocate for the protection of our natural world. He worked with the Natural Resources Defense Council, championed the preservation of wild places in Utah and Alaska, and raised awareness about climate change long before it was a global conversation. Through The Redford Center, he showed how the power of storytelling can move people to take action in defense of the earth.

His commitment to conservation was deeply personal. He lived it, he loved the land, and he never stopped fighting for it. His example reminds us that protecting the places we cherish is not only a cause but a responsibility.

Robert Redford leaves behind a legacy that extends far beyond the screen. His voice for the environment, his vision for a more sustainable future, and his passion for protecting the natural world will continue to inspire us for generations to come. On behalf of the Morgan Duke Conservation Society, I extend our deepest condolences to his family, friends, and all who were touched by his life and work.

08/27/2025