DEC Documentary Wins New York Emmy Award
The Nature of Nature, a 30-minute film on Hudson Valley biodiversity, earned recognition in the Environmental Science category at the 69th Annual New York Emmy Awards.
Updated on Nov. 4, 2026 in Documentary
The DEC documentary film The Nature of Nature: Biodiversity in the Hudson Valley received an award in the Environmental Science - Long Form Content category at the 69th Annual New York Emmy Awards on October 10. The film premiered November 20, 2025, at the Rosendale Theatre in Ulster County.
Why it matters
The award recognizes a state-produced film that showcases the variety of life in the Hudson Valley, from high elevation forests to freshwater tidal wetlands along the Hudson estuary. The film is also being used to draw residents into community screenings across the region this fall.
The documentary runs 30 minutes and premiered November 20, 2025, to a sold-out audience at the Rosendale Theatre in Ulster County. The source does not report how many films competed in the category or how many people have viewed the film online.
The players
New York State Department of Environmental Conservation (DEC)
The state agency responsible for protecting New York's air, land and water, which produced the film through its Hudson River Estuary Program.
Laura deNey
The director of the film, working with Flicker Filmworks.
The details
The film was produced by Laura Heady of DEC's Hudson River Estuary Program and directed by Laura deNey of Flicker Filmworks in collaboration with Cornell University's College of Agriculture and Life Sciences. It features interviews with Hudson Valley biologists and conservationists, photos from local photographers, and locations identified in the Hudson River Estuary Wildlife and Habitat Conservation Framework.
Timeline
November 20, 2025: Film premieres at the Rosendale Theatre in Ulster County.
October 10: Film receives an award at the 69th Annual New York Emmy Awards.
October 17: Film makes its European premiere at the London Nature Films Festival.
November 4, 2026, 6 p.m.: Screening at the Paramount Theatre in Middletown.
Documentary Context
The film is part of DEC's Hudson River Estuary Program's habitat research, which it draws on for its focus on the significant biodiversity areas identified in the Hudson River Estuary Wildlife and Habitat Conservation Framework. It extends that work from technical reports into a public-facing film.
The full film is available on DEC's YouTube Channel with Spanish subtitles, so viewers can watch it online at no cost. Residents can also attend community screenings across the Hudson Valley this fall.
The takeaway
The film shows that the Hudson Valley's wetlands and forests support a wide range of species, and residents can see that biodiversity for themselves through the free online release. Community screenings this fall offer a chance to learn more about the region's habitats in person.
What happens next
The film will screen at the Paramount Theatre in Middletown on November 4, 2026, at 6 p.m., and at the Congers Community Center in Rockland County on November 6, 2026, at 7 p.m.
Further reading
Explore more documentary coverage from across New York.
More information
Read the full DEC press release on the Emmy award.
Source note: This article includes information reported by Department of Environmental Conservation.
