Catskills Mag / 2019 Issue 3

AMERICA’S FIRST WILDERNESS

BE ALERT IT’S HUNTING SEASON

INVASIVE GARDENING AS ECOLOGICAL POLLUTION DOT’S APPLE CAKE HOW A WATER BOTTLE CAN AID IN CONSERVATION

CATSKILLCENTER 1969 -2019

ISSUE 3 2019

CONTENTS 3

AT THE ERPF GALLERY

4

CONTRIBUTORS

7

INVASIVE GARDENING

11

SOCIETY PAGE

12

BUSINESS SPONSORS

14

OLD APPLE COLORING PAGE

17

SNAPSHOT

18

HOW A WATER BOTTLE CAN AID IN CONSERVATION

22

BE ALERT! IT’S HUNTING SEASON

24

UPPER ESOPUS FIRE TOWER

26

DOT’S APPLE CAKE

30

ENDNOTE

Cover Photo: Heather Phelps-Lipton

ERPF GALLERY 43355 Route 28 Arkville, NY Mon-Fri 9:30am - 4:30pm

Selected photos and outakes from the 2019 Catskill Center publication,

NATURAL RESOURCES: 50 STEWARDS OF THE CATSKILLS

AT THE

ERPF GALLERY CATSKILL CENTER

3

CONTRIBUTORS 2019 ISSUE 3

JEFF SENTERMAN Jeff is a Catskill native and when he’s not steering the ship that is the Catskill Center, can often be found atop a local peak.

Jeff contributed his regular column, "Endnote", and is the Executive Director of the Catskill Center.

HEATHER PHELPS-LIPTON Heather edits and contributes to the magazine. She’s also the Catskill Center’s Director of Communications and planted this year’s garlic bed by the light of a hurricane lamp.

KELLI HUGGINS Kelli is an educator, historian, and native Catskillite. She experimented with and contemporized an old family recipe — Dot’s Apple Cake. Kelli is a Visitor Experience Coordinator at the Catskills Visitor Center.

WILL LYTLE aka Thorneater Comics Will is a Catskills native comic artist and illustrator. Deeply influenced by the natural environment of the Catskills, Will tries to capture the form of magic they inspire.

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2019 ISSUE 3

OLIVIA BERNARD Olivia’s been in the Catskills for much of her life and can often be found hiking or nerding out about Leave No Trace principles. She has a deep background in outdoor education and conservation and is a Visitor Experience Coordinator at the Catskills Visitor Center.

MICHEAL TESSLER Michael Tessler contracted with the Catskill Center for 20182019 to use eDNA to survey for early detection of invasive species in the Catskill Regional Invasive Species Partnership (CRISP) region.

J ESS J . K ÄTH E Jess has toiled in a multitude of greenhouses, earned a degree in Environmental Geography from SUNY New Paltz, and just finished a season with CRISP on the Invasive Strike Force.

Deeply interested in human impacts via invasive species introduction, she is devoted to the Catskill Region.

DAN SNIDER Dan is a hiker, a paddler, and a board game aficionado. He’s also the Field Projects Manager of the Catskill Regional Invasive Species Partnership.

ABOUT US: Since 1969, the Catskill Center has protected and

43355 State Highway 28

fostered the environmental, cultural and economic well-being of

Arkville, NY 12406

the Catskill region. Our mission is to ensure a bright future for the Catskills by preserving our environment, expanding our economy and celebrating our culture.

845.586.2611

Become a member at: catskillcenter.org/membership

cccd@catskillcenter.org

CATSKILL CENTER

5

JAPANESE BARBERRY

JESS J.KÄTH E

INVASIVE GARDENING

AS ECOLOGICAL POLLUTION AN EXPERT EXPLAINS WHY IT’S IMPORTANT TO ‘KNOW BEFORE YOU GROW’ We had been walking the roads and trails, surveying campsites, and admiring scenery for five or six hours when we reached the day-use area at North Lake.

Searching for terrestrial invasive species has become second nature as I’ve scoured landscapes with the Catskill Center’s Invasive Species Strike Team and seeing a native ecosystem flourish, even under the pressure of consistent seasonal tourism, made it a truly enjoyable day. The trail led to the asphalt, which led to a mowed picnic area peppered with birches surrounded by laurel. At the base of each birch we noticed a messy shrub adorned with hundreds of tiny crimson bead-like fruits.

Upon closer examination, we affirmed a familiar target species, Japanese barberry, which had been planted intentionally between the picnic tables, and had begun to spread into the treeline among the laurels. Woefully, we unpacked our data collection instruments, wondering how many of the tiny brilliant red berries had CATSKILL CENTER

7

been already distributed into the

out. This places the responsibility of

pristine forest.

prevention in the hands of gardeners, a community that is often removed from

An invasive species is one that is

the scientific aspect of what a garden

introduced to a region where it would

can be. Aestheticism is an enjoyable,

not normally grow. With no natural

and profitable aspect of gardening, but

competitors, it is able to overtake other

when invasive species are introduced

organisms in the ecosystem and it has a

to the garden setting, it teeters on

high tolerance for a range of conditions.

ecological pollution.

Barberry and other familiar non-native species are purposely introduced by the landscaping industry.. Although legislation has restricted the sale of some invasive species, cultivars of barberry (Berberis thunbergii) are still available for purchase.

Before I became involved in the study of invasive species, I worked in garden centers where these nonnatives were some of our bestsellers.

Myrtle or pachysandra made a quaint groundcover, border privet and burning bush could be used as a fast-growing hedge for gardeners seeking privacy. It was not until I found myself swinging a brushcutter into a thicket of burning bush at a removal site that I began to see the harm in my recommendations.

In plain terms, the big name garden centers don’t make the legislation or ethics of conservation a high priority. There will always be burning bush available to those who seek it 8

2019 ISSUE 3

AN INVASIVE SPECIES IS ONE THAT IS INTRODUCED TO A REGION WHERE IT WOULD NOT NORMALLY GROW, SO IT IS ABLE TO OVERTAKE OTHER ORGANISMS IN THE ECOSYSTEM WITH NO NATURAL COMPETITORS, AND A TOLERANCE FOR A RANGE OF CONDITIONS. Plant Wise NY is a publication designed by the Cornell Cooperative Extension and NYS PRISMs to inform gardeners of this issue, using the slogan "Know Before You Grow." 1 Plant Wise includes recommendations for look-alike native substitutes

for

common

invasive

landscape plants, such as swapping big

bluestem

(Andropogon gerardii)

for Chinese silver grass (Miscanthus sinensis),

virgin’s

bower

(Clematis

BURNING BUSH

virginiana) for sweet autumn clematis

you can see a vast sea of phragmites"

(Clematis terniflora),

highbush

or "On your left, observe a woodland

blueberry (Vaccinium corymbosum),

or

area completely engulfed in oriental

for burning bush (Euonymus alatus).

bittersweet."

A visually similar blueprint can be

when wreaths were traditionally made

carried out with these native species,

from bittersweet, no one suspected such

effectively averting the ecological

a biological backlash; it was merely a

harm that results in $35 billion

pleasant embellishment around the

damage and treatment expenses per

home. But once you catch a glimpse of

year in the U.S.

the skeletal leafless forests beneath the

1

During the Victorian era

lush blankets of invasive vines that line When I encounter someone who

the roads, you might think twice about

expresses doubt on the invasives

purchasing a plant with an alias like

issue, I challenge them to glance

"ground-cover." They’re cover, indeed;

at the roadsides the next time they

invasives have been shown to spread

find themselves a passenger on the

over one million acres of wildlife habitat

thruway. I often give satirical "invasive

per year.

tours" while driving: "And on your right CATSKILL CENTER

9

Gardening is a terrific way to spend

From one plant lover to another, I hope

time outdoors, but the responsibility

the choice to Know Before You Grow

of manipulating a green space is

resonates thoroughly with all those

not one to take lightly. It is more

who encounter the initiative, so that

than likely that the non-native

the Catskill Region herself can continue

landscape installations I’ve been

to show us how she gardens, birches,

involved with in the past will outlive

laurels, and all.

me significantly, and will spread

- JJK

into the forest that I revere so greatly as a resident of the Catskill region.

1

PLANT WISE: KNOW BEFORE YOU GROW IS A GARDENER’S TIP SHEET PUBLISHED BY

THE NYSDEC TO HELP NEW YORKERS RECOGNIZE AND AVOID GARDENING WITH PLANTS THAT CAN BECOME INVASIVE. READ + DOWNLOAD PLANT WISE AT BITLY.PLANTWISE

Wifi.

Guidance.

Garb.

Maps.

Snacks.

Restrooms.

Events.

Books.

Hikes.

Treasures.

Firetower.

5096 Route 28 Mount Tremper, NY 12457 845-688-3369 catskillsvisitorcenter.org 10

2019 ISSUE 3

PHOTOS BY: HEATHER PHELPS-LIPTON

The evening of September 21st in the Catskills was by all accounts marvelous — one of those lit by a light so crisp it seems almost supernatural.

At the Union Grove Distillery, we gathered and

celebrated 50 years of Catskill Center. See more at bit.ly/2019FallGala CATSKILL CENTER

11

BUSINESS SPONSORS HELP MAKE US POSSIBLE

SCHWARTZBERG & KENYON, PLLC

12  

2019 ISSUE 3

CRISP COORDINATOR, JOHN THOMPSON AND CATSKILL CENTER STEWARDS RESTORE A RIPARIAN BUFFER AT THORN PRESERVE

YOUR LEGACY

THE FUTURE OF THE CATSKILLS Planned Giving.

Secure the health of the Catskills for generations. catskillcenter.org/plannedgiving

A WILL LYTL E C O L O R I N G P A G E

Notice

a

chipmunk

among

the

undergrowth, and a chickadee and a titmouse in the branches of the tree.

The flowering natives below are goldenrod,

white

lowries aster.

14  

2019 ISSUE 3

snakeroot,

and

Your tax-deductible donation supports healthy ecosystems and vibrant communities throughout the Catskill region.

CATSKILLCENTER 1969 -2019

Become a Member Individual ($35) Dual / Family ($50) Senior/Student ($25) BENEFITS INCLUDE SUBSCRIPTION to the Catskill Center’s quarterly Catskills magazine with news from the Catskill Center and across the Catskill Region.

10% DISCOUNT on purchases at the Maurice D. Hinchey Catskills Visitor Center, all Catskill Center facilities and Campmor in Paramus, NJ with presentation of member card.

MEMBER ONLY INVITATIONS to the Annual Gathering, lectures and special events.

MEMBER PROGRAM SERIES ACCESS TO THE CATSKILL CENTER ARCHIVES at the Erpf Center in Arkville. Please contact the Catskill Center to schedule an appointment.

MEMBER PACKAGE Members receive a membership package in the mail, including a member card and Catskill Center cling sticker.

Catskillcenter.org/membership Or complete this form and mail to: CATSKILL CENTER P.O. BOX 504 ARKVILLE, NY 12406 NAME ADDRESS CITY STATE

EMAIL

MEMBERSHIP LEVEL $35 ­— Individual $50 ­— Dual / Family $25 ­— Senior/Student $100 ­— Partnering member $250 ­— Benefactor $500 ­— Leadership Circle $1000 ­— President’s Circle

AMOUNT CARD # EXPIRATION SECURITY #

16

2019 ISSUE 3

ZIP

PHONE

Member Snapshot LEIGH MELANDER, PHD PARTNER, SPILLIAN "When I was considering moving to the Catskills from California fifteen years ago, I came across the Catskill Center’s website.

Finding an organization that saw conservation and development as interwoven ideas rather than in direct competition (since the 1970s - years before most people were thinking this way!) was one of the reasons I knew we could thrive here.

CCCD is unique, both in its reach as the one truly regional Catskills organization, and in its continued sense of vision about how we can make these mountains sing.

And I will always be grateful for CCCD’s willingness to take on Catskill Trout Tales, which Spillian birthed as an experiment in grassroots regional tourism in 2018, and breathe life into it as an ongoing, Catskills-wide invitation for people to come and explore the area not just as tourists, but as stewards. "”

CATSKILL CENTER

17

MICHAEL TESSL E R

HOW A WATER BOTTLE CAN AID CONSERVATION FINDING AQUATIC ANIMALS IS HARD. IN A SINGLE POND, IT CAN BE DIFFICULT TO SPOT ANYTHING WRIGGLING, HOPPING, OR SWIMMING

D IN Animals are great at hiding. Plants too can be surprisingly difficult to find in any given pond. Even if a plant is obvious, once you have spotted it you might have to take a canoe to find it in another part of the pond or go for a swim if it is living deep in the water.

With enough experience, we can become experts on certain organisms and learn to efficiently find likely habitat for a particular frog or flower. Anglers use this prolonged learning to better catch fish. Scientists use it to survey for particular organisms. For instance, if trying to keep an endangered species alive, it is important to know how many individuals are in the remaining populations. Additionally, if trying to deal with invasive species, it is typically easiest to put effort into early detection to prevent rapid spread.

CATSKILL CENTER

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Unfortunately, populations

more are

species

decreasing,

(think pollen grains), defecate (all

or

animals make regular deposits), or

are even becoming endangered,

simply lose cells (we are constantly

while evermore invasive species

shedding skin).

are becoming problematic. It has accordingly become paramount to

Using

come up with faster ways to survey

techniques,

for

plants,

this

of

molecular

environmental

other

DNA, or eDNA, can be used to survey for many organisms all in

enough scientists or naturalists

one sequencing run. For studying

to effectively survey broad areas

aquatic life, researchers typically

for dozens, if not hundreds, of

collect a water bottle, filter it,

species. Therefore, scientists have

extract DNA from the filter, and then

been putting a lot of effort into

sequence the DNA to determine

applying new technologies towards

what organisms are present in or

conservation efforts. These efforts

around their survey area. Instead of

may involve using drones to scout

surveying for a few plants or animals

longer distances at faster speeds

at a time, DNA can be assessed for

or, as I will discuss here, using DNA

numerous species all at once.

there

and

variety

aren’t

organisms;

animals,

a

simply

found in the environment.

Typically we think about DNA coming from tissue samples, maybe from a blood sample taken at a doctor’s office, or found at a crime scene.

However, as DNA sequencing has increased in power, it has become easier to sequence DNA directly from the environment. The DNA can come from living cells of microscopic organisms, like bacteria living in a soil sample or tiny algae in a water column. It can also come from larger organisms when they reproduce

20

2019 ISSUE 3

MORE SPECIES POPULATIONS ARE DECREASING, OR ARE EVEN BECOMING ENDANGERED, WHILE EVERMORE INVASIVE SPECIES ARE BECOMING PROBLEMATIC For the past two years, my colleague Seth Cunningham and I have been using this eDNA technique to survey numerous sites in New York State (particularly the Catskills), thanks

PHOTOS: DAN SNIDER

in large part to funding from the

extremely

complementary

Catskill Regional Invasive Species

traditional physical surveys, can

Partnership. The work has helped to

be done efficiently across broad

detect new sites for invasive species

areas, and undoubtedly will become

(specifically aquatic plants) that are

an

both well established and relatively

for people trying to learn about

new to this area. Equally exciting

the environment and protect the

is that our use of this method has

organisms in it.

increasingly

standard

with

tool

detected species of conservation concern, such as American eels in

-MT

the Hudson River.

MICHAEL TESSLER CONTRACTED WITH Like any new technique, there are

THE CATSKILL CENTER FOR 2018-2019

unique sets of challenges. For

TO USE EDNA TO SURVEY FOR EARLY

instance, a plant or animal may have

DETECTION OF INVASIVE SPECIES IN THE

detectable DNA far downstream

CRISP REGION. CRISP (CATSKILL REGIONAL

from where it was actually living.

INVASIVE SPECIES PARTNERSHIP) IS A

Still, the method appears to be

PROGRAM OF THE CATSKILL CENTER. CATSKILL CENTER

21

JEFF SENT E R M A N

BE ALERT IT’S HUNTING SEASON + FALL WEATHER CHANGES CAN BE TRICKY JEFF SENT E R M A N

DOGS (AS WELL AS THEIR Deer hunting season is open in the Catskill Park now until early

BLAZE ORANGE WHEN THEY

December, starting with bow

ARE IN THE WOODS DURING

season (Oct - Nov 15) and moving

HUNTING SEASON AND

into rifle season (Nov 16 - Dec 8).

There are also hunting seasons

SHOULD ALWAYS REMAIN

for turkeys, bears, bobcats, and

UNDER YOUR CONTROL TO

other small mammals.

AVOID BEING MISTAKEN

Hikers, walkers, and anyone GET A “CATSKILLS” KNITTED HAT IN BLAZE ORANGE (OR BLACK) AT BIT.LY/CATSKILLSKNITTEDHAT

HUMANS) SHOULD WEAR

FOR A HUNTER’S TARGET

planning on being in the woods, must be aware of the hunting regulations in the area where they are recreating. Be sure to always wear blaze orange during hunting seasons to reduce the risk of any incidents.

Don’t forget to protect your pets, too!

Dogs should also be wearing blaze orange when they are in the woods with you during hunting seasons and should always remain under your control to avoid being mistaken for a hunter’s target.

Anyone who recreates in the woods during the fall hunting season should check the New York State Department of Environmental Conservation at www.dec.ny.gov/outdoor/65231.html for further details on the various hunting seasons, their geographic areas, and

comprehensive information.

In addition to preparing yourself for hunting season, November weather can be unpredictable as well. Always plan ahead and be prepared for the possibilities of weather, which can change dramatically between the Hudson Valley and Catskill summits, especially in the fall. A light rain at low elevations can often be freezing rain or snow at higher elevations. Wetness and dampness can quickly escalate to hypothermia as it becomes more difficult to stay warm. To enjoy your outdoor adventures in the Catskill Mountains - whatever the season check the weather in advance, and pack the proper gear and clothing!

-JS CATSKILL CENTER

23

Here at the Catskills Visitor Center (CVC),

The tower was rebuilt, galvanized to

we’re excited to have the newly restored

prevent rusting, given a fresh coat of

Upper Esopus Fire Tower open on our

silver paint, and the stairs were enclosed

trails. Discovered in Venice, Florida

with safety caging. A space in the wall of

by the New York State Department of

the tower where an air conditioner once

Environmental Conservation (NYSDEC)

lived (Florida!) was patched up for its

and Davana Fire Tower Restoration,

new home in the much cooler Catskill

the fire tower was disassembled and

Mountains. On Thursday, October 3rd

shipped north (over 1,200 miles) to New

the ribbon was cut in proper celebratory

York.

fashion and the tower was opened for visitors.

The

Upper

Esopus Fire

Tower

is a short, flat

walk

(less than a quarter of a mile)

from

the

main

CVC parking area.

Throughout the Catskills, five historic fire

towers

still

stand

that

were

once used for monitoring

OLIVIA BERN A R D

forest

fires.

As

recently

as

1989,

seasonal

NYSDEC observers would hike up to

Schoharie Valley. It can be accessed by

those towers and stay for several days

car (or by hiking if you prefer) and is

in the backcountry.

well worth a visit.

Balsam Lake Fire Tower is in the

As we move into the winter and early

western Catskills; Hunter Fire Tower in

spring, the cabs at the very top of

the northern part of the Park; Overlook

each tower will be closed. With the

Fire Tower to the east; Mount Tremper

right gear, you can hike to the towers

Fire Tower in the Central Catskills; and

year-round and enjoy the views by

Red Hill Fire Tower in the southwest

climbing just below the top. From May

region. Depending on which one you

through October, the fire tower cabs

take, the hikes to these fire towers

are open and staffed by Catskill Center

range from just under three miles to

volunteers on weekends and holidays.

eight. Although these towers are no

These volunteers help maintain the

longer used for tracking fires, their

towers and provide interpretation of the

purpose today is to give hikers a greater

area.

perspective of the Catskill Park and perhaps spark a desire to protect our

The five original Catskill Park fire towers

unique environment.

were able to be restored and rebuilt with the efforts of organizations like

This year the original five towers are

Catskill Center and the NYSDEC. Please

part of a Five Fire Tower Challenge that

consider donating to the Catskill Fire

the state put together for Catskills

Tower Project to keep volunteer efforts

hikers. From now through the end of

running and funded! The volunteer

December, hikers can take their picture

application and more information

at the bottom of each tower and send

about the Catskill Fire Tower Project can

in those photos as proof that they

be found here: http://catskillcenter.org/

completed the five rigorous hikes for a

fire-tower-project, and we hope you’ll

set of commemorative pins.

visit the Upper Esopus Fire Tower at the Catskills Visitor Center, 5096 State

A sixth fire tower, Mt. Utsayantha, is

Route 28, Mt. Tremper, NY 12457.

located just outside Catskill Park’s boundary line. The tower stands above

- OB

the town of Stamford, NY and offers a terrific view of the Catskills and the CATSKILL CENTER

25

Vintage Recipe

DOT’S APPLE CAKE DID YOU GO APPLE PICKING THIS FALL? DO YOU HAVE AN APPLE TREE ON YOUR PROPERTY THAT PROVIDED A GENEROUS BOUNTY THIS YEAR? IF SO, YOU MIGHT BE WONDERING WHAT YOU SHOULD DO WITH ALL OF YOUR EXTRA HARVEST. APPLE PIES ARE GREAT, BUT WHAT ELSE CAN YOU DO WITH APPLES?

PHOTOS: HEATHER PHELPS-LIPTON

KELLI HUG G I N S Apple cake is my apple recipe of

Dot’s (original) Apple Cake

choice. My mom Sharon got this

2 cups chopped apples

apple cake recipe decades ago from

1 cup sugar

a woman named Dot, a neighbor

1 1/2 cups flour

in West Kill. Dot’s Apple Cake has

2/3 cup vegetable oil

everything you want from a cozy fall

1 egg

recipe: a dense, rich cake flavored

1/2 cup raisins

with cinnamon, vanilla, and a heap

1 tsp baking soda

of chopped apples. It’s the kind of

1 tsp cinnamon

cake that makes you want to spend

1 tsp salt

a lazy afternoon curled up with a

1 tsp vanilla extract

blanket, a cup of tea, a good book, and a slice (or two).

Mix apples, sugar, oil, egg, raisins, and vanilla. Combine dry ingredients in a separate bowl and mix well. Add dry ingredients to the apple mixture and mix well. Bake at 375 degrees for 30 minutes in an ungreased 8x8 inch pan.

CATSKILL CENTER

27

As great as Dot’s original recipe is, my

Like my mom’s alterations, you can

family lightens it up most of the time

also tailor this recipe to your tastes.

when we make it now. My mom has

Personally, I don’t prefer raisins in this

modified the recipe with her handwritten

cake and leave them out when I make it.

substitutions and annotations on our

If you like walnuts in your cakes, those

copy of Dot’s recipe. The new version cuts

would be a good addition. To make it

some of the sugar and oil, but retains

vegan, use a flax egg replacer (1 tbsp

much of the richness of the original and

ground flax + 3 tbsp water) instead of the

is slightly less dense.

egg.

28

2019 ISSUE 3

2 cups chopped apples 1/2 cup sugar 1 cup flour 1/2 cup quick-cooking oats

Dot’s Apple Cake 2.0

1/3 cup vegetable oil 1/2 cup unsweetened applesauce 1 egg 1/2 cup raisins 1 tsp baking soda 1 tsp cinnamon 1 tsp salt 1 tsp vanilla extract Mix apples, sugar, oil, applesauce, egg, raisins, and vanilla. Combine dry ingredients in a separate bowl and mix well. Add dry ingredients to the apple mixture and mix well. Bake at 375 degrees for 25-30 minutes in an ungreased 8x8 inch pan.

The longevity and variations of Dot’s cake speak to the joy of sharing recipes with the people in your life. In addition to wanting to preserve some of our local baking history, I also write these articles to share some of my favorite recipes with you. I’m always thrilled to hear when you’ve tried one of the recipes we’ve put in the magazine.

-KH #dotsapplecake

Endnote There’s a takeaway my partner shared

We might not always agree on the

from his Appalachian Trail thru-hike

specific steps to get there, but there is

(a thru-hike is a long distance trail

great power in the community created

hiked end to end with continuous

as we support each other to achieve a

footsteps in one direction) that really

common goal.

sticks with me: every member of his group recognized that they were all in

Taking the time to really see each

the thru-hike together. Reaching the

other and recognize the value that we

end was an individual achievement,

each bring to the table – no matter

but the path to success was only

who we are or where we come from - is

possible with the generosity and care

key. It can be easy to allow perceived

of each hiker along the way.

differences to divide us and become groups of "us" and "them," but this is

Whether it was an extra granola bar

counterproductive to the good sought

when someone was hungry, a hand up

by most.

after a fall, or encouraging words after a tough day, thru-hikers function as a

Such disconnect became real for me

community based on a collective goal

while involved in recent conversations

and leave the individualities that are

around improvements that had been

so often traditionally divisive at the

made to a local trail to protect the

start of the trail.

surrounding natural resources and make the trail safer. While most

Granted, a 2,000 mile thru-hike is

involved in the exchange agreed that

quite different from the everyday in

Catskill trails need to be improved

the Catskills, but isn’t that the kind

and

of community that we should want

"improvement" can seem like too

to cultivate? Be it the protection of

much or too little to others. However,

our Catskill Mountains, the continued

some of the discussion I observed

viability of communities or any

wasn’t about working towards the

number of other efforts where we

greater good; instead, it became an

agree on the endpoint, there are many

opportunity for individuals to divide,

collective goals here in the Catskills.

insult, and otherwise dismiss the

30

2019 ISSUE 3

maintained,

one

person’s

TAKING THE TIME TO REALLY SEE EACH OTHER AND RECOGNIZE THE VALUE THAT WE EACH BRING TO THE TABLE – NO MATTER WHO WE ARE OR WHERE WE COME FROM - IS KEY views of others.

We must recognize the ties that bind us and work to strengthen them for the betterment of our Catskills.

I am committed to making a positive collective impact by

finding common threads that we all Who was right in that conversation

support as a group, no matter who we

is not what’s important. Rather

are as individuals.

than focusing on a collective goal of improved trails and protection of resources, a group of individuals who all love the Catskills and cherish

Jeff Senterman

hiking in our beautiful mountains were torn down by each other. The focus had narrowed on the divisions within our own community and we left a conversation about improving our natural environment worse off than when we began.

The Catskill Center’s efforts to find common ground on many of our region’s issues is vital. We must celebrate our differences and harness the strength found in diversity.

The Catskills knitted hat (as seen on the cover and here on Jeff) is

JEFF SENTERMAN is the Executive

available in blaze orange or black

Director of the Catskill Center.

at the Catskills Visitor Center or at bit.ly/catskillsknittedhat CATSKILL CENTER

31

2019 ISSUE 3

Delivered directly to Catskill Center members. Read it and pass it along!

A periodical celebrating New York State’s glorious Catskills.

PO Box 504 43355 State Highway 28 Arkville, NY 12406

The Catskill Center for Conservation & Development