
White sheets, tightly stretched, ultraviolet lamps glowing, and the rustling sound of wings moving through the darkness will form part of the scene during Peekskill’s first edition of Mothapalooza. On Monday, July 21, the Peekskill Conservation Advisory Council (CAC) will transform the parking lot beside the Veterans Memorial Pool in Depew Park into a live research station for the event, scheduled from 8:30 p.m. to 10 p.m. The event coincides with National Moth Week, a global initiative engaging communities in documenting species and recording observations in scientific databases such as iNaturalist.
The CAC, established in 2011 to advise municipal authorities on environmental matters, obtained the city’s approval in early June to carry out this nighttime event. Volunteers and local naturalists will set up light stations, a method widely used by entomologists to attract moths and facilitate their identification. In this setting, participants will photograph and record the moths that approach, thus contributing valuable data for monitoring species distribution and protecting biodiversity.
The event will be highly practical and interactive for those interested in insects. Organizers will guide attendees in identifying species common to the Hudson Valley and will provide instructions for uploading photographs and data to iNaturalist, a citizen science platform that enables users to document and share wildlife records with researchers. Such data support ongoing scientific analysis.

According to municipal documents, the CAC indicated that the idea for Mothapalooza originated from a student volunteer eager to link local conservation efforts with National Moth Week, celebrated in more than 80 countries. The activity seeks to be not only an educational session but also a practical exercise in citizen science. Participants will receive training to create a sort of field journal that will contribute to studies on species diversity, habitat changes, and the effects of light pollution.
Attendees are advised to wear light-colored, long-sleeved clothing, a precaution endorsed by National Moth Week and the United States Forest Service to reduce the attraction of biting insects and to facilitate the observation of moths that may land on clothing. Additionally, it is recommended to bring insect repellent, as well as a flashlight or headlamp to document observations. Peekskill’s Mothapalooza will be free and open to all ages.
The CAC recommends that those interested contact [email protected] for more information or to confirm their participation. In case of rain, the event will be rescheduled for Tuesday, July 22, at the same time.