CATSKILLS Magazine - Winter 2024

HONORING SOJOURNER TRUTH MORNINGS IN ARKVILLE CATSKILLS REPRESENT! SPOTTING THE SIGNS OF CLIMATE CHANGE

WINTER 2024

CONTENTS WHAT’S NEW AT THE CATSKILL CENTER

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FEATURED ARTIST: NATALIE WARGIN

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HONORING SOJOURNER TRUTH: A Q&A WITH DR. CESI DAVIDSON

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MEET MORNINGS CAFE IN ARKVILLE

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CATSKILLS ADVOCACY IN THE CAPITOL

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SPOTTING CLIMATE CHANGE WITH LONGTIME LOCALS

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ENDNOTE ENDNOTE

WINTER 2024

JEFF SENTERMAN Jeff grew up spending weekends in the mountains, and when he’s not steering the ship that is the Catskill Center, can often be found atop a local peak. His column, Endnote, appears in each issue. Jeff is the Executive Director of the Catskill Center.

COVER: DETAIL FROM 17 DEER (ACRYLIC ON CLAYBOARD, 2024). INSIDE COVER: PORCUPINES (ACRYLIC ON CLAYBOARD, 2022)

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CONTRIBUTORS

BRENT LERASH Brent is the Catskill Center’s Communications Coordinator.

A filmmaker with a background in natural history and conservation, Brent has worked in more than fifty countries, but is still in awe of the beauty and diversity surrounding us in the Catskill Mountains.

LISSA HARRIS Lissa is a local freelance reporter, a volunteer firefighter, and a seventh-generation Catskills resident who moved away but was compelled to come back. She designed and laid out this issue of the magazine.

TRACY RACZEK Tracy Raczek is a climate policy expert dedicated to multilateral processes and sustainability practices of companies, foundations, and civil society. Born in Apalachin, she spent most of her life west of NY. She and her husband returned to New York 20 years ago and divide days between NYC and their off-the-grid cabin in the Catskills.

ABOUT US: Since 1969, the Catskill Center has protected and fostered the environmental, cultural, and economic well-being of 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.

Become a member at: catskillcenter.org/membership

43355 Route 28, Arkville, NY 12406 | cccd@catskillcenter.org | 845.586.2611

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WHAT’S NEW AT THE CATSKILL CENTER

SARAH DIMAGGIO, DEVELOPMENT ASSOCIATE

Welcome to our new staff member!

Sarah joined the Catskill Center in 2024, eager to make a meaningful impact in the environmental field after previously working in higher

We’re excited to welcome Sarah DiMaggio to the Catskill Center team

education. She is passionate about environmental conservation

as our new Development Associate. Sarah brings with her a strong

and justice, believing that we are all connected through our shared

passion for environmental conservation and justice, along with a diverse

environments and we must work together to make a difference.

background in academia. Her commitment to the environment aligns seamlessly with the Catskill Center’s mission to protect and preserve the

Sarah is an avid climber and hiker and since coming to the

natural and cultural heritage of the region. Sarah’s enthusiasm and fresh

Catskills, has also taken up biking as a new way to experience and

perspective make her a fantastic addition to our growing team.

appreciate the beauty of the region. She earned her PhD in Philosophy from Vanderbilt University in 2022 before teaching courses on environmental philosophy and climate justice at Sarah Lawrence College for two years. She is excited to bring this experience to the Catskill Center and grateful to be able to call New York home.

As a climber, hiker, and now a biker in the Catskills, Sarah is eager to deepen her connection to the region while applying her knowledge and experience to further our work. With her commitment to fostering meaningful connections between people and the environment, we are confident that Sarah will play a key role in advancing our mission and strengthening our community’s engagement with the Catskills.

We are thrilled to have her on board and look forward to many great things to come!

Have a question about development at the Catskill Center?

Contact Sarah: sdimaggio@catskillcenter.org.

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FEATURED ARTIST: NATALIE WARGIN

Natalie Wargin is a nature and landscape painter based in Cottekill, New York. Her paintings are narratives, each telling a story of the Hudson Valley landscape, focusing especially on the birds and animals that cross her path daily.

Following a move from Chicago to upstate New York, she discovered a completely different and surprising environment. Concrete and highrises gave way to woodland and farmland and mountains. The connection Natalie feels to her new home has taught her to open her eyes and connect. She also concedes the influence of her dog. Tilly stops to sniff, Natalie pauses a moment to look around.

"I paint what I see. I paint what I love. The Hudson Valley landscape and the birds and animals I encounter everyday. My house, my dog. And I write about each painting, telling the tale of what I’ve painted and perhaps guiding the viewer to see details that might be overlooked."

TOP: SMOKE FAZE (ACRYLIC ON CLAYBOARD, 2022). BOTTOM: THE LETTER (ACRYLIC ON CLAYBOARD, 2022).

PREVIOUS PAGE: THREE BEARS (ACRYLIC ON CLAYBOARD, 2024).

Natalie has a degree in Communications Design from the University of Illinois. She had a graphic design studio in Chicago for over twenty-five years, working with both corporate and non-profit clients, designing for product and print. She began painting in 2013 and began exhibiting her work in 2017 in local and national shows.

Find Natalie’s work on her website at www.nataliewargin.com or see work in progress on Instagram @nataliewargin2.0. You can also see her work in person at the Roxbury Art Center from November 2 through January 11, 2025.

Read Natalie’s stories at www.nataliewargin.com/blog.

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HONORING SOJOURNER TRUTH AND AFRICAN CONTRIBUTIONS TO THE CATSKILLS LEGACY

An interview with Dr. Cesi Davidson Dr. Cesi Davidson is a playwright, scholar, and speech language pathologist. In 2021, she began on a journey of memorializing the contributions of Africans and their descendants to the region through the Commemorative Bricks Project at the Catskills Visitor Center, beginning with Sojourner Truth. Here she discusses her journey and her vision.

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A: Sojourner Truth has been a part of my consciousness since I first learned to read. My parents encouraged pride in our cultural heritage while recognizing our brotherhood with people of all ethnicities. Although Sojourner Truth wasn’t mentioned in the textbooks at the time, I was fortunate to have some teachers who infused Black history into the curriculum. I have a body of work on Sojourner Truth’s legacy which includes five plays, essays, and lecture notes. The first play was commissioned by Urban Stages in New York City and toured in libraries, schools, and stages for about five years. I’ve continued to write plays that have been presented in public spaces. Raw Truth, Tall as a Tree, Raw Truth: Family Tribute, Mijn Kudde (My Flock),and It’s a New Day Isabella.

Each play embraces specific aspects of Sojourner Truth’s life and her legacy. Raw Truth: Family Tribute was presented at the Walkway Over the Hudson in 2022. I was recognized by the Ulster County Legislature with a Pride of Ulster County proclamation for this work.

It’s a New Day Isabella was recently presented in Port Ewen at the site of the young Sojourner Truth statue. Mijn Kudde-My Flock, will be published early in 2025. I’m always making new discoveries and continuing the writing.

Q: Can you share how the idea for the Sojourner Truth Memorial Brick Project came about? What inspired you to take the lead on this initiative?

A: Whenever I came to visit, I admired the commemorative walk.

I thought it was a beautiful way to honor people we respected Q: What is your personal connection to the Catskills, and how has

and who contributed to the region. I noticed that the Catskill

this region shaped your artistic or personal journey?

Visitor Center didn’t have any representations of Africans or their

A: Like most people who choose to live in this region, I treasure and I’m grateful for the beauty, wildlife, and terrain of the Catskills. I’m inspired by and renewed by nature. I’ve authored five anthologies of

descendants in any form. It’s sometimes important to have a physical representation of history to spark the interest of others. I could be the fire starter for that spark.

plays: Articulation, Fricatives, Bilabials, Stop Plosive, and America

Q: Why did you choose the Catskills Visitor Center as the location

Acirema. All the books have stories with plants, or animals given

for this memorial? What significance does this place hold in

human characteristics.

Sojourner Truth’s life and your own work?

Q: How did you first become interested in Sojourner Truth’s life and

A: I didn’t go looking. I was led here.

legacy and what has been your journey so far?

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Q: In what ways do you feel memorializing Sojourner Truth and her allies here in Ulster County can impact visitors and the local community?

A: To my knowledge, this is the only place in the region where Sojourner Truth and her known family members are memorialized in one place. The people of the Hudson Valley have a shared history that includes Indigenous, Black, and white people. We should embrace that history and allow that history to inform us how we can thrive together.

The bricks here focus on individuals who assisted Sojourner Truth’s first walk to freedom with her infant Sophia in the fall of 1826. At that time, she identified herself as Isabella, the name given to her by her parents Mau-Mau Bett (Elizabeth) and Bomefree (James). Sojourner Truth self-emancipated from enslaver John Dumont. He refused to keep his promise to free her one year prior to the legalized end of slavery in New York state July 4, 1827. Levi Roe was the first person she encountered for help. He guided her to Isaac & Maria Van Wagenen.

She lived with these good Samaritans as a free woman and assumed their last name.

Q: Sojourner Truth’s journey from enslavement to becoming an activist is remarkable. What aspects of her story do you feel are most important for people to remember, especially in today’s context?

A: Sojourner Truth was an activist before she was acknowledged, recognized and celebrated. Her dying of natural causes - not being murdered - her survival, our individual survival, is activism. Too often we look at achievements only and we neglect to remember the character that facilitated that achievement. All her life is important.

My current research focuses on her African heritage, childhood, family life, and transformation into womanhood.

Q: What role do you see this memorial playing in the broader landscape of education and remembrance, particularly regarding Black history in the region?

A: Let’s speak of American history and the continuing myths that enslavement was limited in New York State and not as cruel as the institution as that practiced in the southern United States. Let the memorial remind us that cruelty has no place in this nation. Let’s be reminded that freedom is an ideal we must work for daily. Let’s remember that our treasured Catskills has been supported by many people. People are the greatest natural resource.

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Q: How does this project fit within the larger narrative of honoring underrepresented historical figures in the Catskills and Ulster County?

A: There are so many voices to be uncovered and honored. The bricks here are only a beginning. For example, there is a brick here now for Robert S. Duncanson (1821-1872). He was a landscape painter of the Hudson River school of art. Now that we acknowledge that he was inspired by the beauty of the Hudson Valley and that his work achieved international acclaim, how do we use that information? How can we learn from the garden journal entries of James F. Brown (1793-1868) who is also honored here? He wrote about his relationships with plants and included notes about becoming free from enslavement.

Q: What do you hope visitors take away from their experience when they see the memorial? What lasting impact do you want this to have on the community and those who visit the Catskills Visitor Center?

A: A brick by itself is just a name. Perhaps it may represent an individual you may or may not know. My vision is that that brick project will increase education, understanding, and insightful conversation.

This reach can happen with programming including performance art, podcasts, and live lectures. The possibilities are endless. The goal is community outreach that builds community brick by brick.

For more information on Dr. Davidson’s work, visit: www.articulationny. com.

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BLAZING A NEW KIND OF TRAIL

CATSKILLS VISITOR CENTER BRICK WALKWAY I WOULD LIKE TO PURCHASE A 4X8 BRICK FOR $250 I WOULD LIKE TO PURCHASE AN 8X8 BRICK FOR $500 NAME: PHONE: EMAIL: PLEASE ENGRAVE MY BRICK AS FOLLOWS: 4X8 BRICK - 3 LINES WITH MAXIMUM 18 CHARACTERS PER LINE

8X8 BRICK - 6 LINES WITH MAXIMUM 18 CHARACTERS PER LINE

WALKWAY AT CATSKILLS VISITOR CENTER HONORS LOCAL INDIVIDUALS, BUSINESSES, AND ORGANIZATIONS

ANY SYMBOL IS CONSIDERED ONE SPACE. ALL TEXT WILL BE CENTERED. TEXT IS SUBJECT TO STAFF REVIEW AND APPROVAL.

The staff of the Congressmen Maurice D. Hinchey Catskills Visitor Center has begun lining the front walkway with bricks sponsored by local donors, businesses, and organizations, engraved with customized messages that honor the people,

ORDER BY MAIL: MAIL IN THIS FORM WITH YOUR CHECK, PAYABLE TO CATSKILLS VISITOR CENTER, PO BOX 231, MOUNT TREMPER, NY 12457.

traditions, and rich history of the Catskills. A limited number of 4x8” and 8x8” bricks are still available - see details on the following page. Brick sponsorships are greatly appreciated to help support the Catskill Center in maintaining and operating the Catskills Visitor Center.

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ORDER ONLINE:

CATSKILLSVISITORCENTER.ORG/DONATE FOR MORE INFORMATION, CALL THE CVC AT 845-688-3369

THANK YOU BUSINESS MEMBERS! We would like to recognize these businesses for their generosity. When you do business with them, you support the Catskill Center and the entire region.

WINTER HOURS DECEMBER 1 – MARCH 31 Open Fri.-Mon. | 9:30 AM–4:00 PM

Seasonal hours are for the Catskills Visitor Center building, where our knowledgeable staff can assist you with area information. The grounds are open to the public every day during daylight hours.

BUSINESS LEADERS ($5,000+) CATSKILL WATERSHED CORPORATION CLEAN PATH NY MARGARETVILLE TELEPHONE CO. BUSINESS PARTNERS ($1,000+)

BANK OF GREENE COUNTY FOXFIRE MOUNTAIN HOUSE JILL C. SMITH PHOTOGRAPHY KINSHIP PHOTO LAMONT ENGINEERS, PC LVDV OPERATIONS, INC. NATIVE ROGUE MEDIA LLC BUSINESS FRIENDS ($500+) CAMP CATSKILL

www.catskillsvisitorcenter.org

HIKE ON GUIDES

SAFECO ALARM SYSTEMS, INC.

CATSKILL MOUNTAIN QUILTER GUILD HOTEL LILIEN

SILVER HOLLOW AUDIO

CENTRAL HUDSON GAS & ELECTRIC INSIDE THE LINE: THE CATSKILL

SULLIVAN COUNTY VISITORS

CORP.

MOUNTAINS PODCAST

CONE ZERO CERAMICS SCHOOL

LABELLA ASSOCIATES

DEER MOUNTAIN INN

MID HUDSON VALLEY FEDERAL

EMINENCE ROAD FARM WINERY ERICKSON’S AUTOMOTIVE, INC.

5096 NY–28, Mount Tremper, NY

PARKS PROJECT PLATTE CLOVE COMMUNITY SLUITER AGENCY, INC. SPOTTED DOG VENTURES LLC STONE AND SAWYER THE ASHOKAN CENTER WEST KILL BREWING

ASSOCIATION THE RUNNING KIND

CREDIT UNION PEEKAMOOSE RESTAURANT

BUSINESS STEWARDS ($250+) ADAMS FAIRACRE FARMS

ESCAPE HOSPITALITY

ALPINE ENDEAVORS

GINGER WORKS - HIGH MEADOW

AUGUSTINE NURSERY

CATSKILLS

PLATTEKILL MOUNTAIN SKI CENTER & BIKE PARK PRICE CHOPPER

CATSKILL HERITAGE REALTY

HANNAFORD

SCHWARTZBERT & KENYON PLLC

CESI WRITES BY CECELIA DAVIDSON

HATCHET OUTDOOR SUPPLY CO.

STEWART’S SHOPS CORPORATION

COUNTRY HOME SECURITY

HUDSON VALLEY APPRAISAL CORP.

THE NEVERSINK ASSOCIATION

DESIGNS BY DEBORAH

O’CONNOR FARM FLOWERS

WOODSTOCK FIELD TO VASE

EASTERN MOUNTAIN SPORTS -

OTTO & FRIENDS

WOODSTOCK WINES & LIQUORS

ALBANY

PKBROWN WOODWORKING

BUSINESS MEMBERS ($100+) ALCHEMY FARMHOUSE

LAURELSIDE 1 LLC

BELLEAYRE

MOUNTAIN’S BOUNTY LLC

CLOVE & CREEK

PANCHO VILLAS

DANDELION RESTAIURANT AT EAST

PEPACTON STUDIO

SOYUZIVKA HERITAGE CENTER

F5

PHOENICIA LODGE

SPOTIFY

FIRST BLOOM CORNER STORE

RAIL EXPLORERS PHOENICIA

STRICKLAND HOLLOW

GLOBAL FOUNDRIES

RESTAINO DESIGN -LANDSCAPE

ZEN MOUNTAIN MONASTERY, INC.

GOOGLE LAUGHING GUT KOMBUCHA

ARCHITECTURE P.C.

BROKERS SHAWANGUNK VALLEY CONSERVANCY

ZONE4 LANDSCAPES

RYAN & RYAN INSURANCE

For more information visit catskillcenter. org/businessmembership 18

WINTER 2024

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MORNINGS CAFE

Just one year ago, Mornings Cafe and Market opened its doors in Arkville, New York, bringing Korean cafe culture to the heart of the Catskills. Founded by Christina Kim and her husband Eric, the cafe has quickly become a local favorite, known for its warm atmosphere, creative dishes, and unique marketplace.

For Christina, the inspiration behind Mornings was rooted in a connection to both her heritage and community. "We dreamed of bringing Korean cafe culture to this beautiful town and building a gathering place for the community we love so much," she explains. Drawn to Arkville by its charm and the potential of their spacious building, Christina and Eric saw an opportunity to create a space that would complement the hamlet’s other long-established businesses like the Caboose, Union Grove Brewstillery, and the Delaware and Ulster Railroad.

With a background as a Creative Director, Christina embraced the chance to design every detail of Mornings, from the logo to the menu. The dishes reflect her family’s South Korean roots, combining traditional flavors with

ARKVILLE FINDS A NEW FAVORITE 20

WINTER 2024

approachable presentations. Bowls inspired by everyday meals at Christina’s table—like bulgogi, rice, and vegetable side dishes—offer a taste of

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Korean home cooking. Their pastries also delight with an unexpected twist,

As Mornings celebrates its first anniversary, Christina and Eric are excited

tapping into memorable flavors from Christina’s childhood.

for what’s to come. They plan to host more community events, collaborate with local creators, and continue evolving their menu with the seasons.

The market at Mornings is similarly a whimsical extension of Christina’s

This winter, visitors can look forward to warming up with new hot noodle

personal taste. Shoppers find an eclectic selection of gourmet groceries,

soups and seasonal lattes like Salted Maple Cinnamon.

playful novelty items, and Korean skincare. Ube pancake mix, unique popcorn flavors, and quirky candles like the Tinned Fish Candle have quickly become favorites.

Since its soft opening on October 2, 2023, Mornings Cafe and Market has grown into a vibrant gathering space, thanks to the support of the Arkville community. "We’re so thankful to everyone who’s popped their head in, tried a coffee, or had a meal here," Christina says. "We feel so grateful to have found a footing in the community."

Listening to customers has been a priority in this first year. The Kims have made adjustments while staying true to their vision, like tweaking the menu to offer more seasonal dishes and adding new specialty drinks. As they adapt, their connection with the community continues to deepen.

Reflecting on the journey, Christina’s pride in Mornings shines through.

She credits the community and her family—especially her mother Aekyung, the cafe’s baker, and Eric’s mother, Young Ha, their "recipe guru"—for making it all possible.

In just one year, Mornings Cafe and Market has become more than a place to eat and shop—it’s become a cornerstone of Arkville, bridging cultures and creating new connections in the Catskills.

To find more information about upcoming events and seasonal menu items, visit www.cafemornings.com.

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about long meetings and legislative sessions—it’s about creating a future where the Catskills continue to thrive for generations.

In the 2024/2025 New York State budget, the Catskill Center’s advocacy helped secure a record-breaking $10 million for the Catskill and Adirondack Forest Preserves. This funding will support stewardship efforts to maintain the integrity and resilience of our trails, enhance visitor services at the Catskills Visitor Center (CVC), and advance scientific research in the region.

With a $2 million increase from the previous year, this budget reflects

ADVOCACY IN ACTION:

growing recognition of the Catskills’ value as both a natural and community resource.

These wins don’t happen overnight. They’re the result of persistent work and strong partnerships. As co-chair of the Forest Preserve Advocates alongside the Adirondack Mountain Club, the Catskill Center helped lead the charge for this historic funding.

One major outcome of this increased support is an additional $50,000 for

BRINGING THE CATSKILLS TO THE CAPITOL

the Catskills Visitor Center. This funding boost allows the CVC to expand services, welcoming even more visitors and deepening their connection to the region. As the only official visitor center for the Catskill Park, the CVC serves as a gateway to the Catskills—a place where people come to learn, plan their adventures, and discover a new appreciation for the region’s natural and cultural history.

Another key win is increased funding for the Catskill Stewards Program.

Our dedicated Stewards are a vital presence at busy trailheads and outdoor hotspots across the Catskills, promoting safe and responsible recreation.

Advocacy isn’t just about politics—it’s about shaping what’s possible for

The $50,000 boost in this year’s budget supports the expansion of their

the places we love. By securing critical support, the Catskill Center ensures

work, ensuring that as more people discover the beauty of the Catskills,

that both our lands and communities continue to thrive, today and for

they’re equipped with the knowledge to respect and preserve it.

years to come.

The Catskill Center’s advocacy also secured an $80,000 increase for the The Catskill Center’s mission to protect and preserve the Catskills goes

Cary Institute’s Catskill Science Collaborative. This support enables crucial

beyond trails and visitor centers. A significant part of this work takes place

research and environmental monitoring, providing the data needed to

in Albany, where our team advocates tirelessly for policy and funding that

address emerging challenges like invasive species and climate change. It’s

support the region’s lands, waters, and communities. This work isn’t just

an investment in understanding and protecting the Catskills’ future.

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RENT WINTER GEAR AT THE CATSKILLS VISITOR CENTER

Beyond individual projects, the Catskill Center’s efforts in Albany play a role in state-wide initiatives. This year’s budget included continued funding for Clean Water Infrastructure, Climate Smart Communities, Smart Growth, and Connect Kids grants. These victories reflect the Catskill Center’s broader mission to advocate not just for the Catskills, but for all New Yorkers who benefit from clean water, healthy forests, and access to outdoor spaces.

While this year’s achievements are significant, the work is far from over.

The Catskill Center will continue advocating in Albany, growing its partnerships, and pushing for the investments needed to sustain both the natural landscape and the people who call this region home. From funding for new focused on a brighter future for the Catskills.

Forgot your trekking poles? Didn’t expect an icy ascent to the mountaintop?

Learn how you can help support our efforts at:

The Catskills Visitor Center has you covered with winter gear essentials ready for rent!

trail projects to enhancing scientific research, the Catskill Center remains

www.catskillcenter.org/support.

Choose from trail crampons, snowshoes, trekking poles, and more.

Stop by the Catskills Visitor Center at 5096 NY-28 in Mount Tremper or visit www.catskillsvisitorcenter.org/rentals for a full list of gear and pricing.

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THE WOODS WATCH: SPOTTING CLIMATE CHANGE IN THE CATSKILLS WITH LONGTIME LOCALS

By Tracy Raczek 28

WINTER 2024

Cracks in the sedimentary shale of the Catskills have birthed hundreds of hillside springs that trickle and surge depending on the season, slope and rainfall. On walks through the forest it is a powerful temptation to creep towards the gurgling call of these springs. To leave the forest’s deep, dry shadows and charge into the direct sunlight of these miniature bogs. But I resign to step my boot backwards again to not disturb the delicate ecosystem.

HIKEFORTHECATSKILLS.COM

I have spent decades serving the environment and sorting through climate solutions, spending many years in the woods of the mid and western United States. But I am a relative newcomer to the Catskills. And so, to better understand these hills and the Catskill ecosystems, I rely not only on science but on good-natured neighbors to reveal their phenological observations—seasonal patterns that only locals know: the first snow each winter, the first ramps of spring, and which tree typically buds before another.

My neighbor Gianni was the first person to mention maples ailing in our area. He and his wife, Angela, walk the forest daily. Each of them often reverently recites a tree’s species as they pass. Gianni—a consummate woodworker who has painstakingly crafted trees into art, furniture, and a home—is a retired cell biologist who emphatically claims to be a pure empiricist. Yet he will fawn over a gall as if it were a newborn. And he will extol a tree’s unique qualities as if it were his very own—and very perfect— grandchild. His voice sometimes cracks, distraught, when he speaks of the maples’ ailments in a hilltop grove he visits regularly.

I now notice these maples struggling on our land. The maples’ crowns are increasingly barren of leaves and paltrier each spring, as if pelted by a recent hail that never came. Their roots seem somehow disconnected from the underworld. But these maples are not unique. Many maple species— from northern Wisconsin to Maine—are declining due to the warming climate. Heavier rainfalls and warmer shoulder seasons stress the trees.

Less snowpack in winter exposes the roots to cold snaps. And although some maple species will fare better than others, with sugar maples faring worse of all, their overall domain is expected to recede northward as the decades and warming continue.

Ash trees are faring no better. The emerald ash borer—on a steady march through the mid-Atlantic and now in 36 states—is projected to forever PHOTO COURTESY OF JENNY FLAVIN change the understory and autumn palette of eastern forests. In lockstep with invasive bark beetles of the Western US and Canada these insects are surviving warming winters without the steady deep freezes of past years and are, combined, killing tens of millions of acres of trees each year.

Hikers, hunters, sugar-makers and so many others bear witness to this demolition.

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This includes Mary, who after decades in the Catskills, knows these woods well. When she was younger she rode her Icelandic pony atop the cliff above our cabin and, until last year, often rode the rolling roads of our county in her horse-drawn two-wheeled carriage, with hands gnarled like the branches of an old apple tree from years of holding the reins.

When she stopped to visit, and I stood below her, she appeared fused to her horse-drawn carriage like a centaur and frequently fell into a trance with local knowledge and folklore cascading down—of the disappearing blueberry bushes on the ridgetop; of the well run dry near the abandoned stone foundation; and of the birds singing for berries that she hopes will surround the soggy green meadows for years after she is gone. Whenever our paths cross, I steel myself to remember as much as possible—for my next ramble up to the ridgetop in search of any remaining blueberry bushes. On my way to the ridge, I will pull out invasive plants as best I can, disturb the least I can, and pay careful attention to signs of change.

Credit: A version of this article originally appeared in Appalachia, Volume 73.

Tracy Raczek is a climate policy expert dedicated to multilateral processes and sustainability practices of companies, foundations, and civil society. Born in Apalachin, she spent most of her life west of NY. She and her husband returned to New York 20 years ago and divide days between NYC and their off-the-grid cabin in the Catskills.

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

Catskillcenter.org/membership Or complete this form and mail to:

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

10% DISCOUNT on purchases at the Catskills Visitor Center and all Catskill Center facilities with presentation of member card.

CATSKILL CENTER P.O. BOX 504 ARKVILLE, NY 12406 NAME ADDRESS CITY STATE PHONE EMAIL

MEMBERSHIP LEVEL $35 ­— Individual $50 ­— Dual / Family $25 ­— Senior/Student $100 ­— Partnering member $250 ­— Benefactor $500 ­— Leadership Circle $1,000 ­— President’s Circle

MEMBER-ONLY INVITATIONS to special events, activities, and opportunities.

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 a Catskill Center cling sticker.

WINTER 2024

LEAVE A LASTING LEGACY IN THE CATSKILLS Planning for the future means safeguarding what matters most. With an estate plan, you can ensure the well-being of your loved ones, protect cherished possessions, and continue supporting the places you love—like the Catskills.

By including the Catskill Center in your plans, you help secure our work to protect and preserve this unique region for generations to come.

Ask your financial advisor about the many tax benefits of planned gifts

AMOUNT

when you consult with them on including the Catskill Center in your estate

CARD #

and make your commitment to the Catskills a lasting legacy.

EXPIRATION CVC

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ZIP

Learn more at catskillcenter.org/plannedgiving.

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and local organizations through these efforts. We have created and supported dozens of collaborative efforts across the region, including our leadership of the Catskill Park Coalition and the Catskill Park Advisory Committee.

We welcome more than a hundred thousand visitors annually at the Catskills Visitor Center and through our Catskill Stewards Program. We welcome them to the Catskills, offer a sense of place, and provide them

ENDNOTE - THE POWER OF PLACE

with the knowledge and tools to responsibly enjoy this beautiful region.

When it comes to protection, we own and manage two public preserves,

The Catskills are truly a magical place, something that I am constantly

oversee more than a thousand acres of conservation easements, protect

reminded of when I’m in the mountains and when I’m away. Whether it’s

creekside lands to enhance water quality, and protect the Catskills from

seeing the northern lights dance above the peaks, or hearing a story from

invasive plant and animal species that threaten our forests and our waters.

someone about what the Catskills means to them when I’m well away from the mountains, the Catskills mean something to everyone who has ever

But all of this takes resources and lots of hard work by the dedicated staff

been here, even if only for a day.

of the Catskill Center. That’s where you come in! By supporting the Catskill Center, you are the future of the Catskills, ensuring we continue to protect

Whether it’s hiking, skiing, paddling, enjoying a local beer, visiting a

and enrich our region.

festival, walking a main street, or a hundred other activities, once you are in the Catskills, the Catskills are inside of you. It’s that special magic of the

In this season of giving, please support the Catskill Center. Every dollar you

mountains that now more than 55 years ago brought together the founders

give unlocks $20 more dollars of investment through grants, foundations,

of the Catskill Center and created, still to this day, the only regional

and government contracts. None of that investment happens though

organization dedicated to protecting the sense of place that the Catskills

without you, as your donation and ongoing support is key to unlocking all

offers. We understand that the Catskills are the mountains, the forests, the

of our efforts to protect and enrich the Catskills.

waters, the people, and the communities. That interrelationship of so many natural and human factors is what drives the uniqueness of this place and is why the ongoing mission of the Catskill Center to protect and enrich the environmental, cultural, and economic resources of the Catskills is so important.

JEFF SENTERMAN That work takes many forms, but we focus on three major areas. We

Catskill Center Executive Director

collaborate and advocate, we inspire, and we protect.

Today at the Catskill Center we are the leading organization advocating for this region in Albany and in the last three years have brought tens of millions of dollars to the Catskill Park, Forest Preserve, local communities,

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WINTER 2024

CATSKILL CENTER

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WINTER 2024

delivered directly to Catskill Center members.

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