Endnote
The Catskills are ready for the
with the employment of seven
renewal of spring. Although the
stewards, as opposed to last year’s
past year has been a challenging
four, stationed at the increasingly
time for everyone, no one could
populated Peekamoose Blue Hole,
have prepared us for the way in
Kaaterskill Falls, and Platte Clove
which the pandemic urged people
Preserve.
to reconnect with nature. In 2020 our stewards greeted more than
In addition to these locations,
70,000 visitors to the Catskill Park.
one of these seven stewards will
In a time of fear, uncertainty, and
fulfill the brand-new position of
monotony, people turned to the
Ridge Runner – a highly qualified
refuge of the Catskill region.
individual
who
will
take
on
With
visitors
stewarding popular backcountry
comes an increase in the Catskill
locations throughout the Catskill
Center’s responsibility to protect
Forest Preserve. The Ridge Runner
our natural resources. Last year’s
will be a vital addition to the
massive upturn in hikers only
Catskill Center’s team by providing
reinforced the importance of the
even more coverage for the Catskill
Catskill Stewards Program for the
Park and the opportunity to interact
health and safety of everyone and
with thousands of hikers across
every acre.
Therefore, this year
the region. The Catskill Center
will see the growth of the program
is excited to further implement
30
an
increase
in
2021 SENSE OF PLACE
PHOTO: HEATHER PHELPS-LIPTON
the immense responsibility of
