2026 Bedford Field Notes
Bedford Field Notes is an educational speaker series dedicated to exploring nature in and around Bedford, New York—from birds, pollinators, and forests to land stewardship and the systems that sustain life in our region.
Following the success of our 2025 launch, with three sold out sessions, we are pleased to announce our 2026 season:
Wednesday, April 15: Birds
Thursday, May 7: Forests
Wednesday, June 3: Bugs
Join us for a new season of engaging, community-centered conversations about the natural world around us. The series is presented by Mianus River Gorge, in partnership with the Bedford Historical Society, Bedford Garden Club, and Rusticus Garden Club.
2026 Program
The rivers and streams that crisscross Bedford—including the pristine Mianus River running through the Bedford Village Historic District—and the lands around them, are brimming with life. Some of it is visible to the naked eye, yet mysteries abound both above and below the ground. Come learn all about the distinctive ecology of Bedford, in the company of friends and neighbors.
Moderated by “CBS Sunday Morning” correspondent David Pogue, Bedford Field Notes will feature nationally acclaimed speakers—including Dr. Andrew Farnsworth of the Cornell Lab of Ornithology (Birds - April 15), forester and bestselling author Ethan Tapper (Forests - May 7), and entomologist and curator Dr. Jessica Ware of the American Museum of Natural History (Bugs - June 3)—along with distinguished local experts, in a series of insightful conversations.
Read about our 2025 season here.
Birds: April 15
Forests: May 7
Bugs: June 3
About Mianus River Gorge
Protecting irreplaceable natural habitats for our community, wildlife, and future generations.
Mianus River Gorge (MRG) has long been a leader in land conservation and stewardship, education, and community engagement. The first land project of The Nature Conservancy, it was designated as America’s first National Natural Landmark by the US Department of the Interior. Today, MRG is an independent 501(c)(3) that protects and manages over 1,200 acres in the Mianus River Watershed, conducts ambitious ecological research, and offers innovative hands-on, environmental education programs for high school, undergraduate, and graduate students. MRG is a living laboratory that is a beloved resource to the community and a training ground for the next generation of ecological scientists.
The MRG preserve is open seasonally with seven miles of scenic, challenging, and well-tended hiking trails and outdoor exhibits. It provides habitat for hundreds of species of animals, plants, fungi, and microbes in the soil and water. Flowing through the preserve is the 22-mile Mianus River, a unique treasure in the region that is a source of clean drinking water for more than 130,000 people.
