Watershed Agricultural Council Annual Report 2009 Online Supplement

Watershed Farm and Forest 2009 annual report

2009 Online Annual Report Supplement: Last Updated May 3, 2010

The 2009 Supplement contains additional financial and programmatic reports, data tables, photos and captions that did not appear in the printed 2009 WAC Annual Report. If you have questions, contact the Outreach Communications Department at (607) 865-7090, ext. 226.

Behind the Mission 2009 Committees and Members Executive Committee:

Easement Committee:

Forestry Committee:

Agricultural Committee:

Fred Huneke, Chair

Tom Hutson, Chair

Dan Palm, Chair

Dave Cammer, Chair

David Cammer, Vice Chair

Linda DeWitt

Robert Bishop

Ed Blouin, DEP

William Coleman

Darby Hartwell

David Cammer

William Coleman

Sally Fairbairn

Ken Heavey, DEP

Eric Dahlberg

Joe Eisele

Barbara Howard

Fred Huneke

Fred Huneke

Steve Fleming

Dan Palm

Dan Palm

John Riedl

Sally Fairbairn, Vice Chair

Larry Schaefer

Fred Huneke

EoH Committee:

Kenneth Smith

Heidi Pickett

Barbara Howard, Chair

John Schwartz, DEP

Dave Post

Dave Post John Schwartz, DEP Farm to Market Committee:

Ed Blouin, DEP

John Verhoeven, Chair

David Cammer

Governance Committee:

Ed Blouin, DEP

Kristen Carolla

Dan Palm, Chair

Nutrient Management Committee:

Sally Fairbairn

Michael Dignelli

William Coleman

Dave Post, Chair

Richard Giles

Paul Heller

Richard Giles

Ed Blouin, DEP

Fred Huneke

Fred Huneke

Barbara Howard

Chris DiBenedetto

Marianne Kiraly, CCE

Betsey Ryder

John Verhoeven

Joe Eisele

Steve Reed

Holley White

Rick Hold ridge Finance Committee:

Policy Committee:

Fred Huneke

Audit Committee:

William Coleman, Chair

John Verhoeven, Chair

Tom Hutson

Kenneth Smith, Chair

David Cammer

Joe Eisele

John Verhoeven

Linda DeWitt

Linda DeWitt

Sally Fairbairn

Tom Hutson

Joe Eisele

Fred Huneke

Outreach Committee:

Fred Huneke

John Schwartz, DEP

David Cammer

John Schwartz, DEP

Sally Fairbairn Barbara Howard Fred Huneke Tom Hutson

2009 Annual Report Corrections (print version):

Dan Palm

Page 2: Karl VonBerg, Watershed Forester

John Schwartz, DEP John Verhoeven

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2 0 0 9 W at e r s h e d A g r i c u lt u r a l C o u n c i l o n l i n e A n n u a l R e p o r t s u p p l e m e n t

2009 BOARD OF DIRECTORS

Tom Foulkrod, Watershed Forester

Catskill Center

Fred Huneke, Chair, Delaware

Jeffrey Graff, Easement Program Manager

Catskill Forest Association

Dave Cammer, Vice Chair, Schoharie

Dan Hadden, Engineering Specialist (EoH)

Catskill Mountain Foundation

William Coleman, Treasurer, Delaware

Amy Hawk, Contract and Grants Specialist

Catskill Mountainkeeper

Tom Donnelly, Delaware

Don Hebbard, Engineering Specialist

Catskill Invasive Species Partnership (CRISP)

Gail Hillriegel, Secretary, Ulster

Tim Hebbard, Engineering Specialist

Catskill Streams Buffer Initiative

Linda DeWitt, Delaware

Seth Hersh, Database Project Administrator

Catskill Watershed Corporation

Joe Eisele, Delaware

Heather Hilson, Forestry Outreach Specialist

Center for Agricultural Development &

Sally Fairbairn, Ulster

Jim Hilson, Senior Planner

Richard Giles, Delaware

Rick Hochulli, Engineering Specialist

Center for Woodlands Education

Darby Hartwell, Delaware

Andrew Hubbard, Watershed Forester (EoH)

Clearpool Education Center

Barbara Howard, Westchester

Gary Lamont, Land Conservation Specialist

Coalition of Watershed Towns

R. Thomas Hutson, Delaware

Brian LaTourette, Agricultural Program Manager

Common Ground Educational Consulting

Daniel Palm, Delaware

Amy Lieberman, Land Conservation Specialist

Cornell Cooperative Extension: Delaware, Dutchess,

Dave Post, Delaware

Phoebe Lindsay, Project Coordinator

Ken Smith, Delaware

Cheryl Marion, Administration Services Director

John Verhoeven, Greene

Cynthia McCarthy, Nutrient Management Specialist

Cornell University

John Schwartz, Section Chief, Bureau of Water Supply, on

Collin Miller, Wood Products Utilization & Marketing

Delaware County Board of Supervisors

behalf of Caswell Holloway, Commissioner, NYC DEP

Specialist

Entrepreneurship

Greene, Putnam, Schoharie, Sullivan, Ulster, Westchester Counties

Delaware County Dept. of Watershed Affairs

Ryan Naatz, Conservation Easement Specialist

Dutchess Land Conservancy

STAFF

Tom Pavlesich, Forestry Program Manager

Empire State Forest Products Association

Craig Cashman, Executive Director

Elaine Poulin, Agricultural Program Assistant Manager

Farm Catskills

Thomas Artale, Finance Director

Laura Reed, Executive AssistantForestry Program

Federated Conservationists of Westchester County

Lorinda Backus, Procurement Assistant

Linda Reed, Staff Accountant II

Food Systems of New York City

Amerigo Balzano, Engineering Specialist

Susanne Sahler, Conservation Planner (EoH)

Frost Valley YMCA

Marigrace Bellert, Executive Assistant (EoH)

James Samek, GIS Coordinator

Glynwood Center

Rob Birdsall, Land Conservation Stewardship Specialist

Susan Seymour, Executive AssistantEasement Program

Hilltop Hanover Farm & Environmental Center

Troy Bookhout, Easement Conservation Planner

Nate Townsend, Engineering Specialist

Hudson Valley Agricultural Partnership

Edna Boroden, Information Technology Specialist

Eric VanBenschoten, Engineering Specialist (EoH)

Just Food

Barbara Brown, WAC Accountant

Karl VonBerg, Watershed Forester

Land Trust Alliance

Andrew Cheung, Agricultural Engineer (EoH)

Dan Vredenburgh, Assistant Conservation Planner

Lower Hudson Coalition of Conservation Districts

Tara Collins, Communications Director

Muskoot Farm

Challey Comer, Farm To Market Manager

PARTNERS

New York City Dept. of Environmental Protection

Carrie Davis, Agricultural Program Coordinator (EoH)

Agroforestry Resource Center

NYFarm Link

Dan Deysenroth, Nutrient Management Specialist

American Farmland Trust

NY Farm Viability Institute

Leslie Deysenroth, Executive Assistant Agricultural

The Ashokan Center

NY Forest Owners Association

Program Dan Flaherty, Small Farms Coordinator

Bedford Audubon Society Bedford Riding Lanes Assn.

New York Logger Training, Inc.

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New York State

US Army Corps of Engineers

Brandon Dennis

David Mann

Dale Scott

• Dept. of Agriculture &

US Environmental Protection

Linda DeWitt

Cheryl P. Marion

Kenneth Smith

Chris DiBenedetto

Dave McFarland

Stamford Greenhouses

US Forest Service

Michael Dignelli

Patrick & Barbara McGraw

Stock Building Supply

US Geological Survey

James & Pat Doty

John & Nancy McShane

Sullivan County Planning

Ward Pound Ridge Reservation

Joe Eisele

Gary Mead

Waterkeeper

Sally Fairbairn

Collin A. Miller

Watershed Protection

Farmer’s Museum

Jason Miranda

& Partnership Council

Jerry & Jessica Farrell

National Bank of Delaware

Watershed Qualified

First Pioneer Farm Credit-

Markets • Dept. of Environmental Conservation • Dept. of Health • Office of the Governor • Soil & Water Conservation Committee NYC Watershed Environmental Education Alliance North Salem Open Land Foundation Putnam County Land Trust RC&D Council: Central, Hudson-Mohawk, Lower Hudson/Long Island, South Central Riverkeeper Scenic Hudson Soil and Water Conservation District: Delaware, Dutchess, Greene, Putnam, Schoharie, Sullivan, Ulster, Westchester Counties Stone Barns Center for Food & Agriculture SUNY College of Environmental Science and Forestry Teatown Lake Reservation The Nature Conservancy Tilly Foster Farm USDA Agricultural Research ServiceUSDA Farm Service AgencyUSDA Natural Resources Conservation Service

4 •

Agency

Consulting Foresters

Cobleskill

County

Department Sullivan County Visitors Association Sullivan Renaissance Thornwood Farm

Theresa O’Brien

John Thurgood

Daniel Flaherty

Thomas W. O’Brien

Tractor Supply Store

Steve Fleming

Jessica Olenych

John & Beth Verhoeven

2009 DONORS &

Fly Creek Cider Mill

Jeff Olsen

Karl VonBerg

SUPPORTERS

Diane Galusha

Dan Palm

Rick Weidenbach

Anonymous

Gerry Foundation

Thomas Pavlesich

Holley White

Baseball Hall of Fame

Handsome Brook Farm

Michelle Peters

Frank Wood, Esq.

Robert Bishop

Fred Hathaway

Heidi Pickett

John Blish

Amy & Gary Hawk

Dave Post

We apologize for any errors in

Brian Bower

Paul Heller

Elaine Poulin

the lists above and encourage

Edna Boroden

Gail Hillriegel

Lenny Prezorski

you to contact us with correc-

Steve Bott

Kim Holden

Price Chopper

tions by calling (607) 865-7790

Brewery Ommegang

Rick Holdridge

James Radomski

or by emailing info@nycwater-

Leon Brooks

Barbara Howard

Lisa Rainwater

shed.org.

Brooks’ House of BBQ

Andrew I. Hubbard

Karen Rauter

Tom Buel

Fred & Marilyn Huneke

Art Reed

C&C Feeds

Tom Hutson

Laura Reed

David & Peggy Cammer

iGive.com

Linda M. Reed

Kristen Carolla

Randy Kelly

Steve Reed

Catskill Craftsman

Mariann Kiraly

John Riedl

Clark Companies

Klinger Power Sports

Jake Rosa

Bill Coleman

Ian Lamont

Ruminant Health Services

Tara & John Collins

Jacob Lamont

Betsey Ryder

Challey Comer

Paul LaPierre

John Sauchuk

Karl Connell

Brian K. LaTourette

Adolph & Elaine Schaefer

Cooperstown Brewery Co.

Lucky Dog Farm

Larry Schaefer

Eric Dahlberg

Lutz Feed

Gregg & Cathy Schroeter

Carrie Davis

MAS Engineering

John Schwartz

Westchester Land Trust

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The 2010 Board of Directors, headed by

Council board members often meet with

Chairman Fred Huneke, includes:

legislators, nonprofit representatives and

(front row) Dave Post, Fred Huneke, William Coleman

regional advocates for clean water and the

(middle row) Ken Smith, Steve Reed, Dave Cammer, John Riedl,

environment. In November 2009, the Council

Sally Fairbairn, John Verhoeven (back row) Tom Donnelly, Darby Hartwell, Joe Eisele, John Schwartz (DEP), Linda DeWitt, Richard Giles

supported a SUNY-Ulster seminar, coordinated

by Catskill Watershed Corp. and the Water Discovery Center. The evening featured Dr.

(not pictured) Tom Hutson, Barbara Howard, Dan Palm

Robert Glennon, world-renowned author,

Thanks to Dan Palm who served as the Council’s Interim Executive Director, effective April 2009; Tom Donnelly filled his Board seat.

speaking on the global water crisis. Prior to his presentation, Glennon met with area water experts to discuss New York City Watershed water and policy. Pictured here (L-R) before the Ashokan Reservoir are Martie Gailes (Water Discovery Center), Alan Rosa (CWC), Dr. Robert Glennon, Fred Huneke (WAC) and Gary Gailes (WDC).

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Four-Year Financials

2009 Revenue: Program Services:

Whole Farm Planning –

BMP Implementation and Construction 4,373,983 Status Reviews and NMP 489,960

Farm to Market 429,046 Conservation Reserve Enhancement Program Croton System (East of Hudson) 737,145 Small Farms Program Sustainable Agricultural Education (Farm to Market) 348,214 Program Administration 1.549,380

Forestry 648,044 Easements 3,267,707 Research

Total Program Revenue 11,495,265

Other Revenue:

Federal Awards 669,924

Contributions 9,046

Foundation Grants

Interest 7,442 Economic Development and other Grants

Other 1,879 Gain or loss of sale of asset (1,082) Donated Services 427,148

Total Other Revenue

1,114,357

2008

2007

2006

721,942 3,361,457

837,857 3,567,673

$520,597 3,289,563

108,099 802,064 146,377 280,642 1,801,720 552,506 1,755,957 60,067

122,319 806,775 150,754 273,208 1,395,008 432,412 5,299,299 68,803

64,075 554,296 135,406 860,494 412,009 3,716,539 55,215

9,658,403

12,961,542

9,881,402

697,604

657,006

763,075

– 16,619 – 28,770 32,786 702,835

51,639 15,058 179,977 27,352 – 310,146

1,478,614

Total Program and Other Revenue Carried Forward $12,609,622 $11,137,017

Expenditures:

Whole Farm Planning 827,924

BMP Implementation and Construction 4,439,663 3,373,834 Status Reviews Revisions and NMP 492,199 Conservation Reserve Enhancement Program 108,406 Croton System 737,294 802,306 Small Farms Program 147,691 Program Administration 1.342,281 1,392,614

Forestry 1,205,628 1,076,204 Natural Resource Viability Education and Outreach 431,115 349,203 Easements 3,055,945 1,771,083 Research 101,266 Depreciation 138,005 146,557 Donated Services 427,148 702,835 Acquisition of Fixed Assets

$ 14,202,720

2,076,403 $11,957,805

828,211 3,545,377

520,597 3,289,983

122,319 830,772 151,399 1,223,409 1,046,685 – 338,424 5,336,113 88,291 117,765 310,146 (113)

64,075 633,780 135,406 850,589 925,138 317,977 0 3,711,571 253,123 101,817 1,174,100 (50,171)

12,269,278

10,799,923

13,938,798

11,927,985

Excess (Deficiency) of Revenues Over (Under) Expenditures 340,344

337,094

263,922

29,820

Net Assets, Beginning

1,496,237

1,159,143

895,221

865,401

Net Assets, Ending

$1,836,581

$1,496,237

$1,159,143

$895,221

6 •

Total Expenditures

1,241,178

42,819 7,673 78,431 10,305 0 1,174,100

*per independent auditors report and notes to financial statements.

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New York City Watershed Agricultural Program, Location of Participating Farms in the New York City Watershed 2009

Litchfield

WAP Farms

" ! " " ! "

Large Farm Large Farm - CREP Small Farm Small Farm - CREP Basins Reservoirs

Created: 20100415

WAC Watershed

GIS Data are approximate according to their scale and resolution. They may be subject to error. For informational purposes only.

Hudson River

Croton Dutchess Watershed

Ü

Chenango Otsego

Ü

Legend

"

"

"

"

"" """ "

"

"

" "" " " "

"

" "

Albany

Schoharie

" "

" " "

"

"

Catskill/Delaware Watershed

" " Chenango " "" "! """""" """"""" " " ! ! " " "" !" "" " !"" " " " " " " " " " ! " !!" " " " " """" "! ! " !" " " " "!" "" " ! " ! !" " ! " !" " " " " "" " ! " " " " " " !" " ! " " ! " ! """""" " "" " " !" ! " !" ! !"" ! " " ! "" " " " " " ! "" ! " " " "" " """ ! " ! ! ! " "" " " " " " "" " " ! " " ! ! " " " " "" "" " ! !" !" " " " " " " !" "" ! ! " " !" " " " !! " " " " "" " "" ! "" "" ! "" " " !" " "" " "" ! "" "" " " !"" " "" " " " ! " " ! " " " ! " " " " " " " " " " " ! " " " " " " " " " ! ! ! " "" "! " ! " " "" ! " " """ ! " " !" !" " " ! " " " " " " " Greene " " " " ! " " " ! " " ! " " !! ! !" " ! " ! " "" " "" ! " " " " ! "" ! " " " " "" ! "" " ! " ! ! " ! "" " " " " " " ! !" " "! " " " ! ! " ! " ! " ! "" " " "" " !" " ! " """"" ! " "" " ! " ! " "" " !" " ! ! " " " ! " ! " " " ! " " " " " ! ! " " " """ "" !" !""" " " "" ! " !" " ! " !" " Delaware " "" " ! !" " !"" " " ! ! " " " !" "" ! " "" " ! " " ! " " " " " " "" ! "! " ! ! !" """ " " "" "" " " " " " ! " " " "" " " " " " " " ! " " " " " !" " ! " " " " " ! " " ! " " " " " " "" " "" ! ! " ! " """ " " "" "" " ! " " " ! " " " " "" " " ! " " ! " " ! " "" " " " " " " " " " " "" " """ " " ! "" " "" " " " " Broome

! "

Sullivan

1:700,000 0 5

Putnam "

Fairfield

" " "

"

"

" " "

"" " " "

" " """ " "" " " " " " " " " "" " " " "

" "

" " "

" " "

"

"

" " " " "

" "

""

"

""" Westchester ""

"

" " "" " "" " ! " " " " " " "" " ! "

"

"

Ulster Rockland

Fairfield

1:350,000 10

20

30

40 Miles

Rockland 0 2 Orange

4

8

12

16 Miles

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Area under NYC Supported Programs, State Land, NYC Land in the New York City Watershed 2009

Reservoirs WAC Watershed WAP Area WAC Forestry NYC Owned Property NY State Land NY Land Owned Other

GIS Data are approximate according to their scale and resolution. They may be subject to error. For informational purposes only.

Hudson River

Chenango

Croton Dutchess Watershed

Ü

Chenango

Boyds Corner Reservoir

Albany

Schoharie

Catskill/Delaware Watershed

Litchfield

Basins

Created: 20100415

Otsego

Ü

Legend

Middle Branch Putnam Reservoir West Branch Lake Gleneida Reservoir Lake Gilead Kirk Lake

Schoharie Reservoir

Fairfield East Branch/ Bog Brook Reservoir

Croton Falls/ Diverting Reservoir Amawalk Reservoir

Greene

Titicus Reservoir

Muscoot Reservoir

Delaware New Croton Reservoir

Cross River Reservoir

Pepacton Reservoir

Cannonsville Reservoir Broome

Westchester

Ulster

Ashokan Reservoir Rockland

Sullivan

1:700,000 0 5

8 •

10

20

30

Neversink Reservoir

40 Miles

Roundout Reservoir

Fairfield

1:350,000 0 2 4 Orange

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Kensico Reservoir

8

12

16 Miles

Water Quality Stewardship Programs Agriculture Program

Water diversions, laneways and stream crossings, like this

You can find out more about the farm projects completed in the

project at a Croton Watershed

Watershed Agricultural Program 2009 Annual Report and 2010

farm, help reduce erosion

Workload. The Table of Contents is listed on page 2 and includes:

and sedimentation that affect water quality.

2009 Planning Goals & Accomplishments 2010 Planning Goals 2009 Accomplishments-Funding 2009 Accomplishments-BMPs Historical Implementation Program summaries: CREP Nutrient Management Farmer Education Farm to Market Project Profiles and Photos 2010 Projected Workload Before and after photos visually demonstrate the impact the Agricultural Program’s teamwork approach to planning, design and implementation and its impact have on the farmstead and water quality. For more comparison photos, review the Watershed Agricultural Program 2009 Annual Report and 2010 Workload.

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Over 200 farm families gathered for the Farmer Appreciation Picnic last October. The Tremperskill Boys (photo left) played a lively tune that kept the buffet line moving. To her surprise (photo lower left), Gail Hillriegel was presented with a plaque by Fred Huneke for her years of Board service. She graciously turned down the opportunity to speak before the group. Kids (and some adults) couldn’t get enough of the Hay Maze at Maple Shade Farm, Delhi (photo top right).

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Outreach More stories, participant highlights and programmatic details can be found in back issues of the semi-annual printed Watershed Farm & Forest and monthly online WAC eNews.

The Winter 2009 issue of Watershed Farm and Forest featured: International Visitors Learn From Watershed Farms Council Volunteers Honored at Participant Events “Buy Local” Month A Success!

Welcome Our New Executive Director

The Summer 2009 issue featured: Byebrook Farm and Cheese Forced Air Composting Dig It! Composting Workshop The Poopollution Solution Choosing a Forester

If you would like to receive our print newsletter and are receiving this annual report, you’re already on our mailing list!

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The 2009 WAC eNews, an electronic newsletter that arrives in your email inbox on the 1st of each month, features program participants, upcoming events, videos and other timely topics. If you are not receiving the eNews and would like to, send an email to taracollins@nycwatershed.org and note “ADD TO WAC EMAIL LIST” in the Subject Line.

The Watershed Agricultural Council partners with Cornell Cooperative Extensions, Soil & Water Conservation Districts, the USDA Natural Resources Conservation Service and numerous federal state, and local agencies to deliver its programs. Funding is provided by the New York City Department of Environmental Protection, USDA, U.S. Forest Service and other sources. Construction and professional services are also supplied by hundreds of people through various third-party contractors, small businesses and nonprofits. The Council’s continued success lies within these relationships and the collaborative effort put forth by all.

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Each year at the Delaware County Fair, the Council shares a tent with New York City Environmental Protection At Clean Sweep 2009 (photo above), the Council sponsored the safe disposal of pesticides and other hazardous wastes from 29 watershed farms. A record 406 participants redeemed over 90,000 pounds of hazardous materials — keeping over 450 drums of potentially water-polluting substances out of our water supply — making Clean Sweep 2009 the largest turnout ever! The event is coordinated annually by Delaware County Department of Public Works with staff assistance from the WAC and CCE-DC and funding from NYS DEC, NYC DEP, Delaware County and WAC. The 2010 Clean Sweep date and registration period will be announced at the Delaware County Fair, August 16 through 21.

(photo top right). This gives both agencies a chance to meet and talk with area residents, answer questions and address concerns. Various staff man the booth for six days in August; Communications Director Tara Collins, DEP liaison John Schwartz and Agricultural Program Assistant Manager Elaine Poulin (photo bottom right) were on hand to promote clean water and hand out slices of homemade pies during Monday’s Opening Reception.

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Every year, Bard College first-year graduate students visit Crystal Valley Farm in Halcott, Greene County, to see how watershed policy plays out in real life. Small Farms Coordinator Dan Flaherty and owners Chris and Judy DiBenedetto (photo, far right) provide a guided farm tour and explain the role of BMP’s like the farm’s covered barnyard, fencing, and rotational grazing and how each contributes into the water quality equation.

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Farm to Market Owner Jon Westergreen of Main Street Farm, a local foods grocery and eatery, loves being a Pure Catskills member so much so, he wants all the world to know. Over the summer, local artists from Cobalt Studios hand-painted the Cauliflower Lady logo as a full-color mural on the grocery’s exterior wall, creating a memorable icon and downtown landmark in Livingston Manor. “I have great respect for WAC’s efforts and the Pure Catskills brand,” notes Westergreen. “Both align very well with our mission to provide fresh, wholesome and minimally produced foods at great value.” The Main Street Farm is scheduled to open May 2010.

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Croton Watershed / East of Hudson “Instructors” at Snow Hill Farm manned stations and talked to NYC school children about beekeeping, chickens and eggs, farm machinery, beef cattle and water. Farm owner Laura O’Donohue (at left) coordinated the day’s educational topics; WAC Agricultural Program Coordinator Carrie Davis (fourth from left) and farm manager Chris Zedda (far right) helped round out the group of volunteers.

The majority of Farmer Education Program offerings is coordinated with Cornell Cooperative Extension of Delaware County. Additional on-farm educational and market-based workshops have been organized with the Center for Agricultural Development and Entrepreneurship, Farm Catskills, Delaware Highlands Conservancy, Sullivan Renaissance, Sullivan County Planning Department, the O’Connor Foundation, and SUNY-Delhi.

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In September, the East of Hudson Program hosted its first Farm Tour and Participant Recognition event at Chase Meadows Farm, North Salem. The day included tours of two Croton Watershed farms. Betsey Ryder of Ryder Organic Farms, in Brewster, talked about her farm’s whole farm plan and pending construction of a composting pad and laneway; DEP liaison Ed Blouin listens in (photo top left). The Ryder Farms’ before-after photos can be found online in the Agricultural Program’s 2009 Annual Report and 2010 Workload.

Snow Hill Farms owner Laura O’Donohue guided the group on a tour of her organic Angus operation in North Salem; WAC engineer Andy Cheung talked about the composting facility under construction (photo bottom left).

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The Council recognized past Board members for their commitment to the East of Hudson (EoH) Program and Croton Watershed farming community. Pictured (l-r): current EoH Program Chairperson Barbara Howard, Fred Huneke (current WAC Chairman), former board member Bill Murphy, former Program Chair Barbara Wilkens, Carrie Davis (Agricultural Program Coordinator) and former board member Paul Kammenstein. Not pictured: Annie Farrell

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Forestry

Education: • The Watershed Forestry Institute for Teachers provided training in the concepts of forest stewardship and water quality

Watershed Forest Management Planning: The Watershed Forest Management Planning Program resulted in

to 20 teachers from New York City (NYC) and the Catskill/Dela-

the development of 64 new forest stewardship plans encompass-

ware (Cat/Del) watershed. To date, 259 teachers have returned to

ing more than 10,200 acres. Since 1996, 800 plans have been com-

their classrooms and used the curriculum provided by the Insti-

pleted covering more than 140,000 acres. Practicing sound forest

tute to communicate these valuable concepts to their students.

management means cleaner water for downstream consumers.

• The Green Connections Program established partnerships beImplementation:

tween students and teachers from New York City and their coun-

• The BMP Implementation Program provided technical sup-

terparts in the Cat/Del watershed. More than 850 students and

port and financial assistance to loggers, landowners and forest-

from 12 different schools have benefited from this collaborative

ers, facilitating the stabilization of more than 60 miles of skid

approach to teaching the concepts of forest stewardship and

roads and trails. More than 2,000 water bars, 150,000 feet of re-

water quality in a classroom setting. To date, this program has

graded skid trail, 900 yards of gravel and numerous additional

introduced more than 2,600 students from 75 classrooms to the

BMP’s were used to stabilize these disturbed soils. During 2009,

role forests play in protecting water quality.

the WAC Forestry Program developed and implemented eight plans for crossing streams on active logging jobs within the wa-

• Watershed Forestry Bus Tours have enabled more than 865

tershed. By promoting the use of BMPs, forest management ac-

people from 18 environmental, municipal and school groups to

tivities will continue to be a negligible source of nonpoint source

participate in bus tours that visit the Croton and Cat/Del reser-

pollution. To date, more than 250 miles of skid roads and trails

voirs, timber harvesting operations, model forests, and other for-

have been stabilized through the BMP Implementation Program.

est-oriented sites. Bus tour itineraries are geared toward educating urban populations about the role forests play in providing clean

• During 2009, the Management Assistance Program provided

water. Since its inception, this program has funded 94 bus tours.

technical support and financial assistance to forest landowners to

These tours have enabled more than 4,200 people to visit the NYC

implement 58 forest stewardship projects. These projects ranged

watershed to learn about the role forests play in water quality.

from Timber Stand Improvement (TSI) to the creation of early succesional habitat for Species of Greatest Conservation Need such

• The Logger and Forester Training initiative organized more

as the American woodcock and chestnut-sided warbler. More than

than 14 workshops attended by more than 163watershed log-

540 acres of watershed forest were impacted through landowner

gers and foresters. The workshops focus on providing educa-

participation in the Management Assistance Program. Since its in-

tional opportunities where forestry professionals can gain a

ception in 2005, MAP has funded over 170 forest stewardship

better understanding of safety, silviculture, forest ecology, and

projects, impacting in excess of 1,540 acres of watershed forest.

water quality. Since its inception the Logger and Forester Training

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Participants from the 2009

initiative has implemented more than 230 workshops attended

Watershed Forestry Institute

by 2,000 loggers and foresters from the NYC watershed region.

for Teachers visit Pure Catskills member Mack Custom Woodworking in Shokan, NY. Here they are looking at a black walnut veneer and learning how it is made and then used in fine furnishings.

Research and Demonstration: • The Model Forest Program has established three model forests throughout the watershed region. These forests provide a model of forest stewardship to landowners, logger, foresters and the general public. The Model Forests hosted 39 education events attended by more than 1,100 people during 2009. An additional

Below, the Forestry Program

4,800 youths participated in environmental education program-

staff welcome loggers to the

ming sponsored by the Model Forest host organizations. Since

WAC-TLC (Trained Logger

the establishment of the first Model Forest in 1998, more than

Certified) booth at the

130 education events have be held at these venues. More than

Woodsmen Field Days, Boonville.

7,000 landowners, loggers, foresters and members of the general public have learned about sustainable forest stewardship and the protection of water quality through participation in these events.

Forest Products Utilization & Marketing: • The Forest Products Utilization and Marketing initiative worked in cooperation with five institutions within the Catskill region to explore the potential for the conversion to woody biomass heating systems. Institutions ranging from schools to hospitals to local wood products manufacturers received prefeasibility studies that identified a total annual energy savings of $304,000 across the facilities. In addition, the Catskill Woodnet website, Pure Catskills branding campaign and regional wood products directory continued to support wood-based industries in the NYC watershed region throughout 2009.

Croton Watershed Forest Management Planning: • The Watershed Forest Management Planning Program resulted in the development of 8 new forest stewardship plans within the Croton watershed encompassing more than 1,270 acres.

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Croton Watershed Implementation:

Forestry Program Manager

• The BMP Implementation Program provided technical sup-

Tom Pavlesich presented

port and financial assistance to loggers, landowners and forest-

former NYS DEC forestry

ers. Three BMP projects were completed in the Croton watershed region during 2009. The WAC Forestry Program developed and implemented 2 plans for crossing streams on active logging jobs within the watershed, loaned one portable skidder bridge and

conservationist Paul Trotta with the Karl Connell Award which recognizes an individual for their wisdom, guidance, and leadership in promoting forest

distributed five BMP free samples. By promoting the use of BMPs,

stewardship and protecting

forest management activities will continue to be a negligible

water quality.

source of nonpoint source pollution.

• During 2009, the Management Assistance Program provided technical support and financial assistance to forest landowners to implement 19 forest stewardship projects within the Croton watershed. These projects ranged from Timber Stand Improvement (TSI) to the eradication of invasive plants such as Tree-ofHeaven and Japanese Barberry. More than 88 acres of watershed forest were impacted through landowner participation in the Management Assistance Program.

Croton Watershed Research and Demonstration: • During 2009, the Model Forest Program sought to indentify a partner-host organization for a Model Forest site in the Croton watershed region. A Croton Watershed Model Forest will be an ongoing collaborative partnership between the Watershed Agricultural Council and a Model Forest Host. A potential Model Forest site is a forested location, typically of 100 acres or more that demonstrates sustainable forest management and Best Management Practices (BMP’s) that serve to protect water quality. Model Forests seek to educate forest landowners, loggers, foresters, municipal officials and the public about sustainable forest management and water quality in an outdoor classroom setting.

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Farmer Education Through the Farmer Education and Farm to Market Programs, the Council offers farmers hands-on opportunities and learning experiences that they can bring back to their farm. In October, through an SAE Pure Catskills grant, Stone & Thistle Farm hosted a “neighboring,” an informal gathering of sheep people to shear, eat and celebrate the shepherding lifestyle. Owner Tom Warren (photo at left) instructed a youngster on the proper handling of animals “larger than you.” Professional shearer Nancy Meyers (photo at right) put the finishing touches on the last of three fleeced sheep which she clipped in less than 15 minutes (total!). You can read more about this event in the online article, “The Neighboring.”

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Elizabeth Phillips of Faraway Farm demonstrated sheepherding techniques with dogs.

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