The Nature of Nature: Biodiversity in the Hudson Valley film title card, a red eft on moss
Image: The Nature of Nature (Flicker Filmworks / NYSDEC Hudson River Estuary Program)

The Nature of Nature: Free Screenings in Troy and Kingston, and How to Watch Online

The Nature of Nature: Biodiversity in the Hudson Valley has two more free community screenings coming up, in Troy on November 14 and in Kingston on December 1. The 30-minute documentary from the New York State Department of Environmental Conservation (DEC) won a New York Emmy in October. We are excited that it highlights the work of Outdoor Promise and the Newburgh Sanctuary Healing Garden.

If you can get to a screening, go. If you can’t, the full film is free on YouTube, and you can watch it at the bottom of this page.

Troy: Saturday, November 14

  • When: Saturday, November 14, 2026, 7–9 PM
  • Where: The Sanctuary for Independent Media, 3361 6th Ave, Troy, NY 12180 (Rensselaer County)
  • Hosts: NATURE Lab and Riverkeeper

This is the end-of-season celebration for the Water Justice Lab and Media Lab. The program also includes a short video made by the Media Lab youth fellows and We Are Water, a film by Talking Rivers. A panel of local environmental advocates and researchers follows the films.

Troy details and registration

Kingston: Tuesday, December 1

  • When: Tuesday, December 1, 2026, 6–8:30 PM
  • Where: Restorative Justice & Community Empowerment Center, 733 Broadway, Kingston, NY 12401 (Ulster County)
  • Host: Kingston Land Trust
  • Cost: Free, with a $10 suggested donation. Please register.

This screening opens Kingston Land Trust’s winter film series. After the film there is a panel with local voices in conservation, including Laura Heady, who produced the film. Then the room breaks into small groups for a community conversation.

Kingston details and registration

Why go in person

Each screening is hosted by groups that work in that part of the valley. The panel and the conversation after the film are where you hear about the local projects going on around you. You also get to meet the people in your region who are doing the work.

About the film

The film follows the plants, animals and people of the Hudson Valley, from high-elevation forests to the freshwater tidal marshes along the Hudson River estuary. It was produced by Laura Heady of DEC’s Hudson River Estuary Program and directed by Laura deNey of Flicker Filmworks. In October it won a New York Emmy for Environmental Science, Long Form Content.

DEC lists future screenings on the Conservation and Land Use team website.

Watch the full film

The full film is on DEC’s YouTube channel, with Spanish subtitles.

This post is also available in: Español

Ronald Zorrilla
Ronald Zorrilla

Ronald Zorrilla is the founder and Executive Director of Outdoor Promise, a bilingual environmental justice nonprofit in Newburgh, NY, and chairs the New York Outdoor Recreation Coalition. He writes about Newburgh's water, air, trees and parks, and about getting people outdoors across the Hudson Valley and New York State.

Articles: 82

Newsletter Updates

Enter your email address below and subscribe to our newsletter