Catskill Center / Summer 2018

CATSKILLCENTER SUMMER 2018 TAKING ACTION AT THE BLUE HOLE SWIM THE CATSKILLS SILVER FLY RELEASE THE LIGHTING OF THE FIRETOWERS 10(+1) AWESOME SPOTS TO BIRD IN THE CATSKILLS SUMMER AT THE CATSKILL INTERPRETIVE CENTERCATSKILL BIRDS COLORING PAGE AT THE ERPF GALLERY THE BIOLOGICAL LEGACY OF OUR CATSKILL FORESTS

A NOTE FROM OUR EXECUTIVE DIRECTOR Summer in the Catskills is a magical

We have great restaurants, new

time -- whether you are enjoying a hike,

breweries and distilleries, farm fresh

tubing down the Esopus, searching for

food and more. There’s a little of

the elusive Bicknell’s Thrush on our

everything for everyone here in the

highest mountains or enjoying a drive

Catskills.

on our scenic byways while listening to an audio tour, everything seems better in the summer! The Catskills offer almost limitless recreational opportunities along with amazing cultural and historical destinations.

2 SUMMER 2018

Personally, it’s also my favorite time of the year to enjoy the trails of the Catskills! It is important though to understand that the Catskills are not a limitless resource.

When we enjoy the Catskills, no matter

That’s why we at the Catskill Center

what we do, we make an impact on the

work hard to bring diverse visitors

area. For hikers it’s as simple as the

to the region, give them the tools

mud that sticks to your boots or an

to responsibly enjoy the Catskill

errant candy bar wrapper left behind.

Park and inspire in them a love

For places like the Peekamoose

and appreciation for the natural

Blue Hole, it’s thousands of visitors

and cultural history that make the

stressing a fragile ecosystem. In a

Catskills so unique and important. It

community, it’s the dollars that you

is not easy, but it is something that

spend at a locally owned business

we must work on in order to protect

spreading through and supporting

the natural resources of the Catskills

that community. We try to look at

while ensuring we continue to bring in

that big picture and how we balance

visitors who help to sustain our local

welcoming visitors to the region while

economies and communities.

protecting what makes the mountains so beautiful and important.

Ultimately

it

is

our

collective

responsibility to ensure the continued

We often hear how a place is "loved

protection of the Catskills and viability

to death" and can see how overuse

of the communities of the region. The

in an area can negatively impact the

Catskill Park is unique in that we are

natural areas that people want to

a mix of public and private lands –

visit. As part of anything that we do,

wilderness and communities – and

we want to make sure we are able to

we need to ensure the protection and

welcome more visitors, who spend

sustainability of both aspects of the

more money in the region, and who

Park! #LoveItToLife

visit and enjoy our important places, all without harming those places! We want to make sure our visitors help invest and regenerate our natural areas – we want to love the Catskills to life!

Jeff Senterman CATSKILLCENTER 3

CONTENTS 2 A LETTER FROM JEFF 5 TAKING ACTION AT THE BLUE HOLE 11 SWIM THE CATSKILLS 14 SILVER FLY RELEASE 16 THE LIGHTING OF THE FIRETOWERS 20 CATSKILL BIRDS COLORING PAGE 21 SUMMER AT THE CIC 22 10(+1) AWESOME SPOTS FOR BIRDING IN THE CATSKILLS 26 AT THE ERPF GALLERY 28 THE BIOLOGICAL LEGACY OF OUR CATSKILL FORESTS 32 WATCHING OVER THE LAND 34 CATSKILL SCENIC BYWAY

TAKING ACTION AT THE BLUE HOLE The Peekamoose Blue Hole is a gem of the northeast. Lined by shale ledges 3-5’ in height, the wild geologic formation is an exquisite frontcountry basin in a remote Catskills location. Cool 55 degree spring-fed water keeps the ‘hole’ a stunning blue color. Recent fame has exponentially increased visitation and the resulting impact is severe.

CATSKILLCENTER 5

I

n a busy summer weekend,

MOVING FORWARD. The Catskill

anywhere from 600-2000 people

Center, in coordination with local

visit the Peekamoose Corridor.

and

national

partners,

The three-quarter acre footprint

the

Rondout

Neversink

including Stream

of the Blue Hole has been impacted

Program, New York State Department

with soil erosion, trampled vegetation,

of

litter, food waste, human waste, pet

NYCDEP, Adirondack Mountain Club,

waste, sound pollution, social trails,

and the Leave No Trace Center for

and wildlife impacts.

Outdoor Ethics is working to start a

HOW DID WE GET HERE? The Peekamoose Blue Hole wasn’t always this way. Pre-2014, trash and litter

Environmental

new stewardship program for the Blue Hole.

Beginning Memorial Day weekend,

were a rarity and

easily

picked up by local visitors.

Over the past three

years

Conservation,

visitors of the Blue

AMID SO MUCH DIALOGUE OF AN AREA BEING OVERUSED, THE REAL QUESTION IS — WHAT DO WE DO ABOUT IT?

however,

Hole

will

interact

with stewards, who will be stationed at the

trailhead.

stewards

will

The be

present to educate

social media, news outlets, and

the public about best practices to

internet guides have boasted about

enjoy the Blue Hole responsibly, while

the pristine and picturesque beauty

helping to make sure that all visitors

of this place, causing people to flock

of the area are able to enjoy a relaxing

to the narrow corridor.

experience. The Blue Hole is public

The Blue Hole is a hot topic among concerned locals and conservation organizations, and it’s easy for one to become overwhelmed with what feels like an overpowering issue.

6 SUMMER 2018

land, open for everyone to enjoy, but visitors may not understand the full consequence of leaving litter or trampling new trails in backcountry lands.

This big-picture thinking has proven

successful models from across the

effective across the country. The High

nation, the Peekamoose Blue Hole

Peaks of the Adirondacks, the White

Steward Program is designed to

Mountains of New Hampshire, and

best meet the needs of the Catskills.

national parks such as Grand Canyon

Additionally, the Catskill Center is

and Acadia all have stewards who

working

help visitors minimize their impact

online travel blogs, and the media to

on these pristine areas. Here in the

spread the ‘Leave No Trace’ message

with

local

stakeholders,

to a wider audience.

GET INVOLVED

.

Programs like this are most successful when everyone works together to protect the beautiful places where we live, work,

and

play.

The

easiest way to support the

Peekamoose

Blue

Hole Steward Program is via your Catskill Center membership. Secondly, you can volunteer at catskillcenter.org/jobopportunities and help our Catskills, the Catskill Center seeks to promote a leave-no-trace culture, which

preserves

the

wilderness

stewards

protect

this vital resource.

- Andy Mossey

experience for current and future generations of visitors. Building upon CATSKILLCENTER 7

TIPS FOR A NO IMPACT PEEKAMOOSE BLUE HOLE VISIT VISIT DURING OFF-PEAK TIMES, SUCH AS MON-FRI OR MORNING HOURS. WALK ON DESIGNATED TRAILS OR BARE ROCKS TO PREVENT FURTHER EROSION AND ALLOW PLANTS TO REGROW CARRY-IN AND CARRY-OUT EVERYTHING BROUGHT TO THE AREA - INCLUDING FOOD SCRAPS TO AVOID PARKING CITATIONS, PARK ONLY IN DESIGNATED AREAS ALONG THE ROAD NO FIRES, PORTABLE SPEAKERS, OR GLASS CONTAINERS ARE PERMITTED AT THE BLUE HOLE

8 SUMMER 2018

CATSKILLCENTER 9

CONTRIBUTORS JEFF SENTERMAN

EXECUTIVE DIRECTOR

HEATHER PHELPS-LIPTON

DIRECTOR OF COMMUNICATIONS

MICHAEL DRILLINGER LAND TRUST MANAGER

JOHN THOMPSON

CRISP COORDINATOR

ANDY MOSSEY

PEEKAMOOSE BLUE HOLE STEWARD

2018

SUMMER SINCE 1969, THE CATSKILL CENTER HAS PROTECTED AND FOSTERED THE ENVIRONMENTAL, CULTURAL AND ECONOMIC WELL-BEING OF THE CATSKILL REGION COVER PHOTO: HEATHER PHELPS-LIPTON

SWIMMING IS PERMITTED IN THE LAKES, PONDS AND STREAMS OF THE CATSKILL FOREST PRESERVE Some sites are not controlled and there is no lifeguard, so you swim at your own risk, such as:

SWIM THE CATSKILLS There is a controlled beach with lifeguards at NORTH SOUTH LAKE

CAMPGROUND where day-use is permitted for a fee.

ONTEORA LAKE , off Route 28

County Route 18

towards Kingston, has great access

Haines Falls, NY 12436

and good fishing opportunities. The

https://www.dec.ny.gov/outdoor/24487.html

shoreline is undeveloped and has a fairly steep drop-off. Onteora lake is really popular with folks that like to kayak and have a small boat for fishing. https://www.dec.ny.gov/outdoor/58904.html

LAKE MINNEWASKA STATE PARK PRESERVE is situated on the dramatic Shawangunk Mountain ridge, which rises more than 2,000 feet above sea level and is surrounded by rugged, rocky

Swimming at ECHO LAKE requires

terrain. The park features numerous

a hike up Overlook Mountain.

waterfalls, three crystalline sky lakes,

http://www.catskillmountaineer.com/IH-

dense hardwood forests, incising

overlook.html

sheer cliffs and ledges opening to

A hike is also required to access

beautiful views, clear streams cut

BISCUIT BROOK off Route 42

into valleys.

towards Claryville.

5281 Route 44-55

https://www.bushsmarts.com/blogs/

Kerhonkson, NY 12446

news/34747205-biscuit-brook

https://parks.ny.gov/parks/127/details.aspx

CATSKILLCENTER 11

LAKE AWOSTING is also at Minnewaska State Park. Hike in required, lifeguards on duty. Day-use fee or empire pass needed.

5281 Route 44-55 Kerhonkson, NY 12446 https://parks.ny.gov/parks/127/details.aspx

BELLEAYRE BEACH at Pine Hill Lake offers a ton of fun activities for the entire family. And they have life guards.

33 Friendship Manor Road Pine Hill, NY 12465 www.belleayre.com

At

MONGAUP POND CAMPGROUND, right outside of Livingston Manor, swimming is only permitted when a lifeguard is on duty.

231 Mongaup Pond Road Livingston Manor, NY 12758 www.dec.ny.gov/outdoor/24484.html

And there’s supervised swimming at

LAKE SUPERIOR STATE PARK Dr Duggan Rd Bethel, NY 12720 www.yelp.com/biz/lake-superior-state-parkbethel

12 SUMMER 2018

CATSKILLCENTER 13

WORKING TO S AV E C AT S K I L L HEMLOCKS FROM H E M L O C K W O O L LY ADELGID, THE H E M LO C K I N I T I AT I V E INTRODUCES S I LV E R F L I E S I N A CONTROLLED RELEASE. 14 SUMMER 2018

A new friend in the rally to

infested hemlock branches

save New York’s hemlocks

wrapped in fine mesh bags. The

arrived on Overlook Mountain in

bags help to establish an initial

Woodstock this May — the silver

persistent population of the silver

fly. The New York State Hemlock

flies. The hope is that the silver

Initiative, with partners at the

flies will spread in the area after

Catskill Center for Conservation

the bags are taken down, moving

and Development and the

into other HWA-infested areas in

New York State Department of

the state.

Environmental Conservation, released Leucopis spp. silver flies

These released flies feed

on hemlock trees on Overlook

specifically on hemlock woolly

Mountain. The health of these

adelgid, coming to New York

trees is at risk due to an invasive

from the Pacific Northwest where

insect from Japan, the hemlock

they are native predators of

woolly adelgid (HWA).

HWA. These newcomers are an important next step in preserving

The NYS Hemlock Initiative is

the New York hemlock forests in

releasing these flies onto heavily-

our landscape.

CATSKILLCENTER 15

THE LIGHTING OF THE FIRE TOWERS SEPTEMBER 1 / 9PM Share your fire tower adventures

Learn more at the Catskill Center’s

— tag your photos with

Fire Tower Project at

#CatskillsFireTower and

catskillcenter.org/fire-tower-project

#CatskillCenter

16 SUMMER 2018

was up Hunter Mountain. Everyone on the hike heard the Bicknell’s Thrush, and 3 hikers saw 4 individual birds. Other conference visitors to the mountain got to ride the Hunter Mountain Ski Bowl’s chair lift.

Next year’s Taking Flight will be coupled with the New York State Ornithological Association’s annual

TAKING FLIGHT 2018 WAS A SMASH! WE HAD THE LARGEST NUMBER OF BIRDERS ATTEND AND WE CERTAINLY SAW WAY MORE BIRDS.

meeting. This means many more

This year’s total bird count was 106!

The conference will be held in the fall

opportunities for field trips around the Catskills and the Hudson Valley, as well as a variety of technical, general and beginners workshops. of 2019 - check the Catskill Center’s

Taking

Flight

2018’s

theme

was

website starting next year for more

Warblers, and we were fortunate

info and see more photos of this year’s

enough to have the authors of The

event at Catskillcenter.org/blog.

Warbler Guide, Tom Stephenson and Scott Whittle lead workshops and

-Michael Drillinger

walks, sign copies of their book, and give an awesome keynote talk about their new birdsong app project.

We featured yet another Catskill destination this year by basing the conference at the Emerson Resort.

Strategically

located

on

the

the

Esopus Creek and along the Route 28 Scenic Byway. The Emerson provided on-site opportunities to view a variety of birds, and was close to the several off-site field trips. These trips included night walks at the Catskill Interpretive Center where owls were heard, and trips up Hunter Mountain. Once again we offered a dawn hike in search of the Bicknell’s Thrush. This year the hike CATSKILLCENTER 17

Become A Member This extraordinary, four-part educational program series is reserved exclusively for Catskill Center members

CATS KI LLC E N TE R 2 0 18

EXCLUSIVE MEMBER PROGRAM SERIE S

18 SUMMER 2018

JULY AVENUE OF CHANGE—THE INFLUEN CE OF THE HUDSON VALLEY ON THE CATSKILL FORESTS MICHAEL KUDISH MARGARETVILLE, NEW YORK

AUGUST RENEWABLE ENERGY AT HANFORD MILLS A BEHIND-THE-SCENES LOOK AT THE RESTORATION AND OPERATION OF THE MILL’S RENEWABLE POWER GENERATION EAST MEREDITH, NEW YORK

SEPTEMBER THE BIOLOGICAL INHERITANCE OF CATSKILL FORESTS: BURIAL GROUNDS AND HUMAN TRACES ON THE LANDSCAPE JOHN THOMPSON MARGARETVILLE, NEW YORK

OCTOBER FALL COLORS PHOTOGRAPHY WORKSHOP / ON LOCATION FRANCIS X. DRISCOLL TANNERSVILLE, NEW YORK

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

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

Member Benefits Individual ($35) Family ($50) Senior/Student ($25)

CATSKILL CENTER P.O. BOX 504, ROUTE 28 ARKVILLE, NY 12406 NAME

FREE SUBSCRIPTION to the Catskill Center’s quarterly newsletter with news from the Catskill Center and across the Catskill Region.

ADDRESS

10% DISCOUNT on purchases at the Maurice D. Hinchey Catskill Interpretive Center and all Catskill Center facilities with presentation of member card.

EMAIL

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

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.

CITY STATE

ZIP

PHONE

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

AMOUNT CARD # EXPIRATION SECURITY #

CATSKILLCENTER 19

COLORING PAGE CREATED BY WILLOW LYTLE

CATSKILL INTERPRETIVE CENTER SUMMER SCHEDULE JUNE 14 – AUGUST 30 11:00AM - 12:00PM .

NATURE CLUB

JULY 13 7 – 8:30 PM TO BE FOREVER WILD Join

Weekly outdoor adventures for kids of all ages. Make a nature journal, track wildlife, identify stream "monsters" and more! Every Thursday.

Director David Becker, his film crew and surprise guests for a screening of this Catskills-based film.

JUNE 23 10AM – 4PM 3RD ANNUAL CATSKILL MOUNTAINS BOOK FESTIVAL Celebrate the past, present and future of writing in the Catskills.

Enjoy author readings and panels, storytelling and music performances, make books and share your own stories. Activities for all ages.

JUNE 28 12:30 – 2:30PM + AUGUST 11 3 - 5PM STREAM HEALTH Explore the Esopus Creek ecosystem, identify macroinvertebrates and determine if the stream is healthy.

JULY 21 10AM – 2PM PLEIN AIR ARTISTS PICNIC Live music, nature writing workshop, and plein air art making. Bring a picnic and spend the day! All ages. Part of the Shandaken Art Studio Tour.

JULY 28 10AM – 2PM SUMMER OPEN HOUSE Learn about opportunities to explore the Catskills with NYSOGA member guides.

AUGUST 9 6:30PM HOPE ON THE HUDSON

JULY 7 4:30 - 6:30PM

Filmmaker Jon Bowermaster will screen three of his brand-new films on the Hudson River: City on the Water, Restoring the Clearwater, and Seeds of Hope.

Water Wise: Marguerite UhlmannBower, Wild Foods Forager, leads a walk on how to be water wise. Preregistration requested.

SEPTEMBER 1 10AM – 3PM FAMILY DAY Bring a picnic and enjoy hands-on activities, forest adventures + more.

5096 ROUTE 28 MOUNT TREMPER, NY 12457 CATSKILLCENTER 21

MAURICE D. HINCHEY CATSKILL INTERPRETIVE CENTER The visitor center for the

redpolls foraging in the alders. Best

Catskill Park is also a prime birding

About 12 miles long, fills two large

time to bird: Spring, Winter (JBNHS)

ASHOKAN RESERVOIR

destination with a variety of habitats.

basins n the towns of Olive and

Finches, bluebirds and sparrows

Hurley. Bald Eagles can be seen

inhabit the lawn and meadows; Bald

year round and a pair of Eagles has

Eagles, Ospreys, Mergansers, and

nested near the southern end of the

Kingfishers are common along the

dividing weir since 1999. Passerines

Esopus Creek; Sharp-shinned Hawks

forage in the winter and nest in the

and Barred Owls prowl the hardwood

summer in the wooded areas around

forests; all while the wet woodland

the aeration basin. In Winter, as

understories make for excellent

long as there is open water, loons,

Warbler habitat for breeding birds

grebes, ducks and gulls are present.

and migrants alike. While you’re

Walking and biking are permitted

there, learn about the Catskill Park,

on the East Dyke and on Monument

rent a fishing pole, or jump into a fun

Road along the West Basin. Parking

and educational program! Best time

is available at three sites along CR

to bird: All Seasons.

28A: at the Aeration basin, the "frying

KENNETH L. WILSON STATE PARK & CAMPGROUND Surrounded by

pan" at the east end of the Dyke,

beautiful mountains and panoramic views it is a popular camping destination. The "off" season is the best time for a birder to visit the park; the walking is easy and good habitat is accessible on the paved camping loops and maintained trails that follow the meandering Little Beaver Kill. The park is known for resident Ruffed Grouse and breeding Alder Flycatchers, but can also be an exciting location during spring

and the west end of Monument Rd. Access to the shore and the water is limited to individuals with fishing licenses and permits. All other access is prohibited. The Reservoir is closely monitored by guards from the NYC Department of Environmental Protection, and visitors must remain only in the areas permitted by the NYCDEP. Best time to bird: All Seasons. (JBNHS)

SLIDE MOUNTAIN WILDERNESS At 4,180ft, Slide Mountain is the Catskills’ highest

migration when many birds will feed

peak and the site of the original

on aquatic born insects near the

discovery of Bicknell’s Thrush. The

beaver impoundment. In flight years,

peak is reached via a moderately

winter finches are likely, especially

22 SUMMER 2018

difficult 2.8-mile foot trail. At higher elevations there is an extensive balsam fir-red spruce boreal forest where Bicknell’s Thrush, Blackpoll Warbler, White-throated Sparrow, and Yellow-bellied Flycatcher nest.

The lower elevation deciduous forest hosts numerous species of breeding thrushes, warblers, woodpeckers, and Scarlet Tanager, Winter Wren, and Yellow-bellied Sapsucker. Crossbills, Pine Grosbeaks, and rarely Boreal Chickadee are potential winter invasion species. Best time to bird: Spring, Summer, Winter (JBNHS)

10+1 Hot Spots

BIRDING IN THE CATSKILLS

for

from the Upper Cherrytown Road trailhead or the Trails End Road trail head. Both are in the town of Kerhonkson. Look for Black-throated Blue Warbler, Ruffed Grouse, Hooded Warbler, Yellow-bellied Sapsucker, Scarlet Tanager, Veery, and Acadian

PLATTE CLOVE PRESERVE

Flycatcher.

One of the Catskill Center’s two public

BALSAM LAKE MOUNTAIN The mountain peak

preserves, the Platte Clove Preserve is 212 acres that include hemlock forests, an amazing waterfall, and access to the Devil’s Path and other Catskill park trails. The Preserve is located on Platte Clove Road 6 miles from Tannersville and just up from Saugerties. Be sure to park in the DEC parking area as Town of Hunter police will ticket vehicles parked on

is at 3730 feet and there is a firetower at the summit. The trailhead parking area is at the end of Beaverkill Road in the town of Hardenburg. The birds you may see include Bicknell’s Thrush, Swainson’s Thrush, Canada Warbler, Purple Finch, and Magnolia Warbler.

the road. Bird species you are likely

THORN PRESERVE

to find include Blackburnian Warbler,

The Thorn Preserve is one of two

Winter Wren, Louisiana Waterthrush,

public preserves owned by the

and Northern Parula.

Catskill Center. Thorn is 62 acres

VERNOOY KILL STATE FOREST Vernooy Kill Falls is the site of the oldest grist mill in Ulster County. All that remains of Cornellis Vernooy’s 1702 grist mill is a single massive stone wall. Access is either

of mostly open meadow with mowed paths around the fields. It is located at 55 John Joy Road in Woodstock. Birds that have been seen there include Bobolink, Cliff Swallow, Eastern Kingbird, Blue-gray Gnatcatcher, and Baltimore Oriole.

CATSKILLCENTER 23

SLOAN GORGE PRESERVE The gorge was formed at the end of the last ice age by melting glaciers.

Yellowthroats. Eastern Bluebirds, Baltimore Orioles, catbirds and others also can be found along the way.

The loop trail includes an informative

At the end of the 0.9 mile rail section,

and self-guided geology walk, an

a spur trail climbs another 2.2 miles

old quarry, and other interesting

up a forested mountainside where

features. The parking area is

typical Catskill woodland birds such

located on Stoll Road in the town of

as Scarlet Tanagers, Rose-breasted

Woodstock. Species you may find

Grosbeaks,

include Ovenbird, Scarlet Tanager,

Thrushes, Ovenbirds, Black-throated

Winter Wren, Black-and-White

Blue Warblers, Broad-winged Hawks,

Warbler, Brown Creeper, and Ruby-

and Blue-headed Vireos nest.

Wood

and

Hermit

crowned Kinglet.

HUNTER MOUNTAIN At 4046 ft., Hunter Mountain is the second highest peak in the Catskills.

There is a fire tower at the top of the mountain. There are various approaches including two trailheads on Route 214. Look and listen for Swainson’s Thrush, Bicknell’s Thrush, Yellow-bellied Flycatcher, Magnolia Warbler, Blackpoll Warbler, Red-breasted Nuthatch, and Whitethroated Sparrow.

THE ANDES RAIL TRAIL begins at a 1900s station presently undergoing renovation. The flat railroad grade is cut into the side of a valley that allows views of the village and farmland below. The overgrown pastures and wood edges provide habitat for a variety of birds in spring and summer, including Yellow and Chestnut-sided Warblers, American Redstarts and Common

24 SUMMER 2018

Best time to bird: Spring and summer.

If you would like to try any of these hikes, we recommend you stop at the Catskill Interpretive Center. Our knowledgeable staff will supply you with maps and directions.

Wifi. Guidance. Maps.

Sculpture Trail. Snacks.

Restrooms. Events.

Books. Hikes. Treasures.

CAtskill Interpretive Center 5096 Route 28 Mount Tremper, NY 12457 845-688-3369 / catskillinterpretivecenter.org

CATSKILLCENTER 25

IN THE ERPF GALLERY

6.30 - 8.11

WALKING THE WATERSHED Liz Mogel 6.30 / Reception + Artist’s talk / 2-4pm

Liz Mogel spent the past two years learning about the Catskill communities that provide New York City with water.

8.18 - 9.29

Walking the Watershed explores the relationship between the communities water system.

CATSKILL MOUNTAIN 5.4 - 6.16at either end of the

QUILTERS HALL OF FAME

STICKS, STONES AND BONES SHOW Sculpture by John Byer 8.18 / Reception / 2-4pm 5.12 / Reception / 6-8pm

26 SUMMER 2018

10.6 - 11.10

6.30 / Reception + Artist’s talk / 2-4pm

8.18 - 9.29

CATSKILL MOUNTAIN QUILTERS HALL OF FAME STICKS, STONES AND BONES SHOW 5.4 - 6.16

Sculpture by John Byer

5.12 / Reception / 6-8pm

8.18 / Reception / 2-4pm

This annual exhibit highlights the work of one Catskill Mountain Quilters Hall of Fame (CMQHOF) member.

10.6 - 11.10

The CMQHOF is dedicated to preserving the history of quilting in the Catskill Mountains, as well asINSPIRED promoting BY theTHE evolving and complex LAND artistry expressed in quilting. It was conceived as a tribute to honor Art created by Conservation quilters in the area who have shown dedication to the art of quilting.

Easement Land Owners 5.4 - 6.16 10.6/ Reception / 2-4pm

ERPF GALLERY

STICKS, STONES AND BONES Sculpture by John Byer

43355 ROUTE 28 ARKVILLE, NEW YORK Monday - Friday 9:30am - 4:30pm

Monday10am – Friday Saturday - 2pm

9:30am – 4:30 pm Saturday 10am – 2pm

CATSKILLCENTER 27

MONUMENTS AND TRACES THE BIOLOGICAL LEGACY OF OUR CATSKILL FORESTS

A

s we walk through tracts

stands were left uncut.

of mature forests in the

cleared the land, settlers grew some

Catskills, it’s difficult to

vegetables

and

raised

After they livestock.

imagine that this land has

This land was not good for farming,

a long history of human use, but upon

soils were thin and poor. Residents

careful examination, there are many

of the Catskills had to be extremely

traces of past use that remain in

resourceful in providing for their

this wild landscape. Today’s Catskill

families. The areas most intensively

forests exist as a biological legacy

used for farming were the areas of

of the people that came before us

best soils, along floodplains of major

and that narrative remains in our

streams. Areas of steeper slopes and

landscape today.

thinner soils were settled later. These

Most valleys in the Catskills were settled by Europeans in the late 1700’s through early 1800’s, with even later settlement of more remote areas.

The forests were first harvested for lumber, fuelwood, and eastern hemlocks (Tsuga canadensis) were cut to harvest their bark for the tanning industry.

28 SUMMER 2018

Very few forest

lands made for such poor farming that they were abandoned as soon as a better opportunity was available.

The timing of most of the land clearing and agriculture stretched from the 1850’s to about 1930. Much of what is now northern hardwood forest at lower elevations, became established after farm abandonment in the early 20th Century.

Much

of

the

activities

of

our

predecessors were ephemeral, but traces persist as stone walls, woods roads, cellar holes, and current forest plants.

Apple (Malus pumila) trees

may indicate an old orchard. Lilacs (Syringa

vulgaris)

and

daffodils

(Narcissus spp.) that were planted around a farmer’s house may still

to some of the farmers who tapped those same trees for their sap).

Wolf trees that once grew in a hay field are now surrounded by trees that are just as tall. Maybe you admire its large crown, or maybe you walk by without any thought that it differs from the surrounding trees.

provided maple syrup to their owners,

A WOLF TREE IS A TREE THAT WAS OPEN GROWN, IS LARGECANOPIED AND STANDS ALONE, LIKE A WOLF

have grown into large-boled shaggy-

An

barked trees. The stub of a broken

feature in today’s forests is stone

branch might now shelter a family of

wall.

fishers (fishers were extirpated from

of our woodlots and forested areas.

the Catskills by the early Twentieth

These stone walls were originally

Century and may have been unknown

constructed at the edges of cultivated

flower in the spring and ornamental Japanese barberry (Berberis vulgaris) may now form a dense thicket around the remnants of a cellar hole. Sugar maples (Acer saccharum), that once lined the edge of a plowed field and

easily

noticeable

man-made

Stone walls crisscross many

CATSKILLCENTER 29

fields and around livestock pastures.

Thoreau

Each rock was extricated and carried,

adequate monument to honor those

pulled, pushed, or dragged by human

people, but perhaps those organized

or domesticated beast to the edge

stones, now covered by mosses and

of the field to build the wall.

lichens, are monument enough.

It is

estimated that in New York State and New England, more than 250,000 miles of stone walls were built by 1871.

That’s a long enough wall to encircle the earth’s equator ten times! Thoreau wrote in his journal in 1850 about the builders of these walls, "How can their works be so visible and themselves so transient?"

30 SUMMER 2018

suggested

building

an

As Catskill farming declined, the majority

of

abandoned

fields

succeeded to sugar maple, birch (Betula spp.) and white pine (Pinus strobus), but human attempts were also made to augment nature’s reforestation efforts. During the Great Depression, the Civilian Conservation

JOHN THOMPSON WILL LEAD AN ENCORE OF HIS "THE BIOLOGICAL INHERITANCE OF CATSKILL FORESTS: BURIAL GROUNDS AND HUMAN TRACES ON THE LANDSCAPE" WALK THIS SEPTEMBER AS AN OFFERING FROM THE 2018 CATSKILL CENTER MEMBER PROGRAM SERIES Corps planted row-upon-row of red

Reflect on the effort required to

pine (Pinus resinosa) and Norway

harvest the trees and move so much

spruce (Picea abies). Mature trees,

stone.

that are still growing today, are the

of our Catskills forest. In a mere

result of these plantings of nearly a

century, old agricultural fields have

century ago.

returned to stand as one the largest

Today, as you hike through your favorite

woods

of

sugar

maple,

American beech (Fagus grandifolia), yellow birch (Betula alleghaniensis) and black cherry (Prunus serotina), think about what all of this would have been like when it was cleared.

And consider the resiliency

areas of unfragmented forest in the Northeastern United States.

The

forests are still changing today, and it is only through appreciating this biological legacy that we will be able to best protect the forests into the future. — John Thompson CATSKILLCENTER 31

WATCHING OVER THE LAND KEEPING THE PROMISE The Catskill Center owns two nature preserves; the Thorn Preserve in Woodstock, and the Platte Clove Preserve in Hunter; the land on which the Catskill Interpretive Center stands; and a collection of conservation easements — 17 properties in total — that comprise a land trust.

All of the conservation easements are beautiful properties and well represent the habitats we most love and cherish about the Catskills.

Two of the Catskill Center’s easements, the Esopus Bend Nature Preserve in Saugerties

and the Round Top Mountain (between Roxbury and Prattsville) are open to the public.

A conservation easement represents the development rights to a parcel of land. Land owners agree to give up these rights in order to keep their lands forever in a natural state.

A land trust like the Catskill Center holds these conservation easements in perpetuity. Part of our obligations as holder of conservation easements is to check on the condition of these properties – a task called monitoring - and we

IMAGINE THAT YOUR OFFICE IS IN THE MIDDLE OF THE WOODS WITH VIEW PERIOD OF TIME EACH YEAR, THAT IS WERE YOU WILL FIND SOME CATSKI LAND WE HAVE PROMISED TO KEEP UNDEVELOPED. A CONSERVATION EASEMENT IS A LEGAL AGREEMENT BETWEEN A LAND OWNER AND A LAND TRUST. In order to understand a

In order to protect certain conservation

Conservation Easement it is useful

land by either selling or donating a

to know first what is a Land Trust. The

conservation easement to a land trust.

Pennsylvania Land Trust Association

A conservation easement is given in

says, "Simply stated, a land trust is a

perpetuity, that is, forever. Thereafter,

charitable organization that acquires

the conservation easement runs with

land or conservation easements, or

the property no matter to whom it is

that stewards land or easements, for

sold nor how it is divided.

conservation purposes".

32 SUMMER 2018

values associated with a parcel of land, a land owner willingly gives up their rights to develop that parcel of

monitor both the conservation easements and the land we own, at least once a year.

Monitoring property involves getting out into the woods and walking the property lines. A monitor confirms that the land remains undeveloped, is not encroached upon by neighbors and that there is no evidence of any unpermitted activity. An unauthorized structure could be a violation, as is harvesting timber without an approved forest management plan.

Anything a neighbor does across the land boundary line is considered encroachment, such as extending a fence line, building a structure, or cutting trees. We also keep an eye out for signs of unauthorized hunting or illegal dumping of any kind. Happily, violations are very rare. Most of the time,

we walk out of the woods we may pick up a little trash, but more often than not we will have observed signs of wildlife, such as fisher tracks or the call of pileated woodpecker.

There is great joy in discovering the spring ephemeral flowers or coming upon a new beaver lodge. Annual monitoring is one of the best parts of being a land trust.

This year, the Catskill Center is applying for national accreditation, meaning we must meet a higher standard of ethics and operations. The first phases of our application is due this June and all of our easements and properties needed to be monitored before the end May. The staff of the Catskill Center shared the load and that goal was accomplished with ease!

EWS OF MOUNTAINS, STREAMS, FIELDS, AND FORESTS. FOR A CERTAIN KILL CENTER STAFF MEMBERS AS WE CHECK OUT THE STATE OF THE Why would a land owner willingly

conservation easement. While the tax

give up their rights? Conservation

breaks are nice incentives, they are

easements are not for any old piece

usually not the driving motivation for

of land. The land must have some

giving a conservation easement.

natural, historic, or scenic value that is important enough to conserve into

If you own a sizable tract of land

the future. A land owner who feels

that you think may have significant

connected to the property strongly

conservation values and you want

enough to protect it beyond their

to protect that land forever, please

lifetime is willing to make this kind of

contact the Catskill Center for more

a commitment. There are also various

information.

tax benefits associated with giving a

- Michael Drillinger CATSKILLCENTER 33

the Catskills Scenic Byway

The experience of driving the beautiful Catskill Scenic Byway just deepened with the addition of narration.

From the Askokan Reservoir (the eastmost end of the tour), to the charming town of Andes, 56-miles of Route 28 is now enriched with an hour and a half of stories of nature, adventures and history via the TravelStorys app.

GET IT FROM THE APPLE AND GOOGLE APP STORES AND AT TRAVELSTORYS.COM. LOOK FOR "CATKILL SCENIC BYWAY" Note: Much of Route 28 has spotty (at best!) reception; be certain to download the tour before you start rolling.

And have a wonderful time!

TRAVELSTORYS AUDIO TOUR 34 SUMMER 2018

CATSKILLCENTER.ORG/ BEQUESTSANDWILLS

Planned Giving #leavealegacy CATSKILLCENTER 35

Summer 2018

The Catskill Center for Conservation & Development PO Box 504 43355 State Highway 28 Arkville, NY 12406

NON-PROFIT.ORG U.S.POSTAGE PAID CRST.NET 12550