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Public and K-12 Programs
From hands-on children's programs to art exhibits, the Beacon Institute for Rivers and Estuaries offers a wide range of programs for all ages.
Water Ecology Center Offerings
Water Ecology Center and Visitor Center
(845)838-1600
Winter Visitor Open Hours:
10 a.m. - 2 p.m.
Wednesday, Saturday Sunday
Other times by appointment.
Email Brigette Walsh: bwalsh@clarkson.edu
Please call Beacon Campus at (845)838-1600 for assistance.
For more information about our Public Programs or to schedule a K-12 program, email Brigette Walsh, Assistant Director of Environmental Programs at bwalsh@clarkson.edu.
Hudson STEAM
The Hudson STEAM program aims to connect students of all ages to the Hudson River Valley. Through in-class workshops and field trips to Dennings Point State Park, students get the opportunity to learn about the dynamic watershed of the Hudson River. Our state of the art Water Ecology Center and an experienced education staff foster experiential learning at its best. Students participate in activities such as seining, water quality testing, fish identification, and ecosystem explorations right at the Hudson River's shoreline.
Walk & Talks
Led by Clarkson's Beacon Institute environmental staff and regional experts, our Walk & Talks are informative and engaging naturalist trail walks around Dennings Point.
Park Visitor's Center & Public Programs
Clarkson University's Water Ecology Center (WEC) is located in Dennings Point State Park, in the heart of the city of Beacon's active Hudson River waterfront. The WEC is also a Public Visitor's Center and is located near the entrance to the Dennings Point State Park's public walking trail.
Live Animal Programs, Walk & Talks, and other special events are all hosted at the WEC.
The WEC building and exhibits are open to the public and staffed by educators from Clarkson University's Beacon Institute for Rivers and Estuaries. Stay tuned for Fall 2021 hours.
Volunteering at the Beacon Institute
For those looking to offer their time and talent to the Beacon Institute, we welcome volunteers to assist with our ongoing activities such as community science projects and other outreach programming. To learn more about volunteer opportunities, email Brigette Walsh at bwalsh@clarkson.edu
Park Cleanup
Beacon Institute for Rivers and Estuaries hosts an annual volunteer day for local community members to get involved in keeping Dennings Point State Park clean for our visitors and wildlife.
Summer Programs
Summer 2024
Hudson River Ecology and Environmental Science
1-week Intensive Summer Program Open to High School and College students in grades 11-14 with an interest in environmental science.
Gain field and lab experience in hands-on Environmental Science at Clarkson’s beautiful Beacon campus in a 70-acre state park preserve on the Hudson River in Beacon, NY