Species
Education
Our icons represent species native to the Hudson Valley area.
Dragonflies
The Hudson Valley is home to an extraordinary diversity of dragonflies and damselflies, more than almost anywhere else in the United States. Of the roughly 450 species found nationwide, 194 can be spotted right here, including 65 that are considered rare.
Karner Blue Butterfly
The Karner blue butterfly is a striking, iridescent species classified as endangered at both the federal level and in New York State. Once widespread across the Northeast, its range has dramatically declined due to habitat loss. Today, it survives in just a few rare pockets of the Hudson Valley, where conservation efforts are underway to protect its unique environment and support its recovery.
Blue spotted salamander
The blue-spotted salamander is listed as a species of special concern in New York State. Each spring, they migrate to vernal pools to breed. This is a dramatic seasonal event that underscores the ecological importance of these temporary wetlands. The Hudson Valley is also home to a rare, all-female hybrid population of blue-spotted and Jefferson salamanders. These fascinating amphibians use sperm from males of either species to trigger egg development, but they discard the male’s DNA, producing offspring that are essentially clones.
Turtles
The Hudson Valley is a vital haven for turtle biodiversity, ranking among the top four river drainages in the world for turtle species richness, according to the New York State DEC. Of the 11 turtle species found in the region, six are listed as endangered, threatened, or of special concern—largely due to habitat loss and fragmentation. Wetlands, slow-moving rivers, and forested uplands provide essential nesting and feeding grounds, but many of these habitats are shrinking. Protecting them is crucial not only for the survival of these ancient reptiles but for the health of the ecosystems they help sustain.