The Nature of Nature: Biodiversity in the Hudson Valley, a documentary film produced by the NYS Department of Environmental Conservation (DEC), has received a New York Emmy award in the category of Environmental Science – Long Form Content.
The film celebrates the variety of life in the Hudson Valley from high elevation forests to the globally rare freshwater tidal wetlands along the Hudson River Estuary.
The film explores significant biodiversity areas that were identified by DEC and Cornell University in the Hudson River Estuary Wildlife and Habitat Conservation Framework, and features interviews with Hudson Valley biologists and conservationists, and photos contributed by local photographers.
The Nature of Nature was produced by Laura Heady of DEC’s Hudson River Estuary Program and funded by the New York State Environmental Production Fund in partnership with the New England Interstate Water Pollution Control Commission (NEIWPCC).
Shot at locations throughout the Hudson Valley, the film was directed by Emmy-award winning Laura deNey from Flicker Filmworks in collaboration with Laura Heady from DEC and Cornell University’s College of Agriculture and Life Sciences.
The Nature of Nature premiered in November, 2025, to a sold-out audience at the Rosendale Theatre in Ulster County. The film made its European premiere as an official selection at the London Nature Films Festival.
The full film is available to view on DEC’s YouTube Channel and is available with Spanish subtitles. In addition, free community screenings are taking place across the estuary watershed this fall.
Upcoming screenings include:
November 4 at 6 pm, Paramount Theatre, Middletown, Orange County
Hosted by Orange County Land Trust
See the film on the historic Paramount’s big screen and join us for a lively panel discussion with regional and local experts. For more information on the Orange County Land Trust website.
November 6 at 7 pm, Congers Community Center, Congers, Rockland County
Hosted by Rockland Audubon Society
Join nature enthusiasts for a screening followed by a short presentation and discussion about Rockland County biodiversity and the county Natural Resources Inventory project. For more information on the Rockland Audubon Society website.
November 14 at 7 pm, The Sanctuary for Independent Media, Troy, Rensselaer County
Hosted by NATURE Lab and Riverkeeper
The Sanctuary’s end-of-season Water Justice Lab celebration will feature films on local ecology and environmental issues, including The Nature of Nature. For more information on The Sanctuary for Independent Media website.
December 1 at 6 pm, Restorative Justice & Community Empowerment Center, Kingston, Ulster County
Hosted by Kingston Land Trust
Kick off Kingston Land Trust’s winter film series with The Nature of Nature and stay for a panel discussion with local voices in conservation and a community dialogue. For more information on the Kingston Land Trust website.
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