The Howland Cultural Center, located in Beacon, NY, opened an exhibit in January 2009 featuring photographs of the Hudson River as part of a celebration of the Quadracentennial celebration of Henry Hudson's voyage up the river after whom it was named.  The exhibit was a showcase for local artists - capturing both the natural beauty of the river landscape, and the people who frequent the shores.

Once you've spent time on a sailboat, the experience never leaves you. Wherever you are, you wonder what it's like on the vessel of your dreams.

Chris Kleinfelter's poem, "Chesapeake Mornings" captures the sense of sailing and a sense of place.

The arts have many incredible ways of synthesizing our cultural world. We can't help but be brought together to reexamine our position in society and history.

New artistic trends run parallel to new cultural trends. As we evaluate our relationships to the environment, Eco Art helps to improve an ecosystem while expressing an aesthetic statement.

Harmful pollution and global warming affect both the atmosphere and the ocean.  The oceans' ecosystems struggle to adapt to changes caused by human activity.  We are changing the amount of solar radiation, the composition of greenhouse gasses, and are  introducing harmful chemicals.

Coral reefs are especially vulnerable to changes in their environment.  When the microscopic organisms that make up coral are unable to adapt to changing conditions, they die, and turn a haunting white color.  This is a natural phenomenon called coral bleaching.  It can be seen after violent hurricanes.  But the rate at which it is occurring now is a clear indication that human activity is impacting our fragile environment.

Harmful pollution and global warming affect both the atmosphere and the ocean.  The oceans' ecosystems struggle to adapt to changes caused by human activity.  We are changing the amount of solar radiation, the composition of greenhouse gasses, and are  introducing harmful chemicals.

Coral reefs are especially vulnerable to changes in their environment.  When the microscopic organisms that make up coral are unable to adapt to changing conditions, they die, and turn a haunting white color.  This is a natural phenomenon called coral bleaching.  It can be seen after violent hurricanes.  But the rate at which it is occurring now is a clear indication that human activity is impacting our fragile environment.

British poet, John Masefield, had a skill for describing the adventurous lifestyle of sailors. "Sea Fever" is his most celebrated poem and is a favorite among sailors and poets alike. This audio piece captures the excitement of live recitation of poetry and was recorded around a campfire with friends.

The Hudson River has a rich place in American History and the industrial revolution. Pollopel Island, sometimes known as Bannerman's Castle, is a testament to the power a river has over people and vice versa.

We must do all we can to protect the river, and assure that it's future has as much potential and vitality as it's rich past.

"Going green" isn't just a fad - it can be a legitimate business move. The Howland Cultural Center thought so when they installed a geothermal heating and cooling system in 2008. The temperature system, which uses ground heat pumps deep into the earths surface, keeps the historic building warm in the winter and cool in summer.

Geothermal systems present a real alternative to using fossil fuels in homes and businesses, and provide real green-collar jobs when we need them most.

Continuing our series on Nature Deficit Disorder, Pediatrician David Fenner discusses the need to resist trends of the Western lifestyle that lead to obesity, diabetes, and emotional problems, for an active lifestyle that involves activity outdoors.