Catskills Magazine - Summer 2021 by Catskill Center

FIRST GROWTH FOREST

BACKYARD INVASIVE: JAPANESE KNOTWEED WHAT’S NEW AT THE BLUE HOLE THE WEST KORTRIGHT CENTRE

SUMMER 2021

CONTENTS 3

STAFF CONTRIBUTORS

WHAT’S NEW AT THE BLUE HOLE

JAPANESE KNOTWEED

THE WEST KORTRIGHT CENTRE

FIRST GROWTH FOREST

ART PAGE: MARISA SCHEINFELD

PROTECTING OUR REFUGE, OUR PARKS

VINTAGE RECIPE: RHUBARB STRAWBERRY PIE

SUMMER COMMUNITY SCIENCE

ENDNOTE

OUR FEATURED ARTIST: MARISA SCHEINFELD was born in Brooklyn, NY and raised in the Catskills. Her work is motivated by an interest in the landscape and its embedded histories, both apparent and hidden. In 2016 Cornell University Press released her first book entitled The Borscht Belt: Revisiting the Remains of America’s Jewish Vacationland. She is currently a Professor of Photography at SUNY Purchase and working on her second book. Visit www.marisascheinfeld.com for more information.

STAFF CONTRIBUTORS SUMMER 2021 JEFF SENTERMAN

Front Cover Image: Outdoor Pool, Rosemond Hotel by Marisa Scheinfeld. Inside Cover Photo by Jillian Scheinfeld.

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.

ALLISON DUNNE After a career in journalism, Allison joined the Catskill Center to tell stories in a different realm as the Communications Manager. She joined us just in time for this issue, and contributed the CRISP spotlight and Catskill Center updates.

KELLI HUGGINS Kelli is an educator, historian, and native Catskillite. For this issue, she baked up her family’s Rhubarb Strawberry Pie. Kelli is a Visitor Experience Coordinator at the Catskills Visitor Center. She also copy-edits the magazine.

SARAH MCGINNIS For this issue, Sarah test-baked rhubarb strawberry pies and handled the layout and graphic design work. Sarah is the Exhibit, Outreach and Marketing Coordinator for the Catskills Visitor Center.

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. CONTACT US: 43355 State Highway 28, Arkville, NY 12406 cccd@catskillcenter.org 845.586.2611

Become a member at: catskillcenter.org/membership SUMMER 2021

VISITING PEEKAMOOSE BLUE HOLE AND RONDOUT CREEK THIS SUMMER?

new regulations in place for the summer season that ends September 15. The rules are for visitors to the Peekamoose Blue Hole and nearby Rondout Creek area in the Sundown Wild Forest, town of Denning, Ulster County. The regulations expand the permit system to seven days a week. DEC says the regulations will help improve public safety and reduce environmental impacts in the area. "This expanded permit system for the Peekamoose Blue Hole and Rondout Creek area will both protect public safety and the environmental health of this unique and irreplaceable resource," said DEC Commissioner Basil Seggos. "To protect this special place for future generations of New Yorkers and promote more sustainable use at this location, the expanded permit system will help ensure an enjoyable experience for visitors." Permits are required for all visitors to the Peekamoose Blue Hole and the nearby corridor along the Rondout Creek, including campers, picnickers, hikers, and anglers. The Catskill Center’s Catskill Stewards Program 4

SUMMER 2021

PHOTO: CATSKILL STEWARD WITH VISITORS AT BLUE HOLE

The New York State Department of Environmental Conservation (DEC) has

BY HEATHER PHELPS-LIPTON/CATSKILL CENTER

THERE ARE NEW RULES — HERE’S WHAT YOU NEED TO KNOW:

operates in partnership with the DEC at the Peekamoose Blue Hole. "We appreciate the thoughtful and measured response to high-use in the Peekamoose Valley Corridor. The Catskill Center has been a close partner with the DEC since the inception of a permit system for the Blue Hole, staffing the area with our full-time Catskill stewards to help educate and inform visitors to the Blue Hole on how to recreate responsibly, and to help the DEC implement the permitting system,” said Catskill Center Executive Director Jeff Senterman. “We have an even stronger partnership this year, with more stewards on site, seven days a week, as we all work to ensure public access, while protecting the Catskill Park's unique natural resources." THE UPDATED REGULATIONS: Require visitors to obtain a permit for a $10 fee through Reserve America (www.reserveamerica.com); Permits must list the names of all members of the visiting party when making the reservation. Names can be changed up to one day in advance; Limit parking to designated parking areas only. Each permit will be linked to a vehicle, and the permit must be displayed on/in the vehicle; Prohibit alcohol and coolers larger than 12” in any dimension at the Blue Hole. Limited use will be allowed at nearby designated camping areas only; and Camping permits are now required to reserve primitive tent sites in the Lower, Middle, and Upper fields. Visit Reserve America’s website to make a reservation. The Blue Hole is open to the public from one half hour before sunrise to one half hour after sunset, except for designated camp sites nearby. The following activities and items are prohibited (with limited use allowed at the designated camping area only): Camping, all fires, portable generators, glass containers, radios and other audio devices. Visitors to the area are advised that parking along the shoulder of the road is prohibited by the town and is a tow-away zone. Visitors can find out more information on these and other destinations in the Catskills by visiting the Catskills Visitor Center at 5096 Route 28 in Mt. Tremper, NY, calling (845) 688 -3369, or visiting www.catskillsvisitorcenter.org. 5

SUMMER 2021

PROGRAM SPOTLIGHT: CRISP

THE CATSKILL REGIONAL INVASIVE SPECIES PARTNERSHIP WHAT YOU NEED TO KNOW ABOUT JAPANESE KNOTWEED Japanese Knotweed is a perennial shrub and an invasive species — when it takes hold, it takes several years to successfully address the invasion. If you’re cooling off near a stream, creek or river this summer, the pesky plant

Now found throughout the United States, Japanese knotweed arrived in the U.S. from Asia in the late 1800s as an ornamental plant. It does not have a root system so it does not hold soil like native plants. Instead, it grows via rhizomes— an underground horizontal stem that sends out roots and shoots. Knotweed can be found in a variety of habitats, but prefers forest edges, wetlands, and the banks of streams and rivers. Homeowners with creeks or streams near their property, beware, as any infestation upstream could spread downstream as bits of the plant break off, travel and re-establish themselves. Japanese knotweed, with its hollow stalk resembling bamboo and large heartshaped leaves, usually flowers in August (a long bunch of whitish flowers). It can grow to 15 feet, overshadowing native species, degrading water quality and eroding stream banks. Removing knotweed is a years-long process, and can involve a variety of methods, from applying herbicides to leaves and into stems by injection; digging and pulling (including all roots and runners); folding stems; and cutting, according to the New York Invasive Species Research Institute. Some methods can be combined, and the most effective application depends on the time of year and size of the growth.

SUMMER 2021

PHOTO: JAPANESE KNOTWEED STEM AND LEAVES, RONDOUT CREEK, NY, BY JOHN THOMPSON/CATSKILL CENTER

could well be nearby.

In 2019, the New York State Department of Environmental Conservation (DEC) awarded the Catskill Center a $63,000 grant to support a Catskills Strike Team. Working with the Catskill Regional Invasive Species Partnership staff, the Strike Team is mapping and managing invasive species across 17 sites throughout the region, including eight DEC campgrounds, the Maurice D. Hinchey Catskills Visitor Center, and the Catskill Center’s Thorn Preserve. (CRISP is a partnership hosted by the Catskill Center.) In 2020, the team mapped 8.3 acres of Japanese knotweed and controlled 2.7 acres. At Thorn Preserve, one treatment involves managing Japanese knotweed in combination with planting native trees to eventually shade out some of the knotweed while providing a streamside buffer. CRISP Coordinator John Thompson recommends that anyone considering managing Japanese knotweed develop a plan using “Managing Invasive Plants in Riparian Areas” (https://www.dec.ny.gov/docs/lands_forests_pdf/ tftismg17.pdf ); follow best management practices for treatments and disposal; and expect that this is a long-term project that may take years, especially if the plants are well established. Only use manual control methods (e.g. mowing) if you can commit to doing it multiple times per season, including at least two times per month in the growing season for at least three years. All parts of the plant should be collected and disposed of safely as plant parts can re-sprout when spread to new areas. If you do mow a patch of the plant, you should clean equipment before using it outside of the knotweed patch so that you do not spread plant parts. Herbicide control has been found to be effective. Ideally, spray in late August to September after the plant is in flower. Whatever control method you use, this will be a long-term project. Plan to continue controlling the knotweed plants for at least a few years for full control with annual monitoring for three more years, searching for new growth.

NEED HELP identifying a plant? Tag us on Instagram @CatskillCenter

SUMMER 2021

BUSINESS MEMBERS ALLENTOWN ANIMAL HOSPITAL

LAMONT ENGINEERS, PC

ALPINE ENDEAVORS

LAURELSIDE 3 LLC

BLAIR COLLECTIBLES

LVDV OPERATIONS, INC

BUGGED OUT

MANHATTAN COUNTRY SCHOOL FARM

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MARGARETVILLE TELEPHONE COMPANY

CATSKILL COLLECTIBLES

MARK LOETE PHOTOGRAPHY

CATSKILL REGION SURVEYING SERVICES

NEW YORK CENTRAL MUTUAL FIRE

CENTRAL CATSKILLS CHAMBER OF

INSURANCE COMPANY

COMMERCE

PART 2 EVENTS

CENTRAL HUDSON GAS & ELECTRIC

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CORP.

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CERES TECHNOLOGIES

SAFECO ALARM SYSTEMS, INC.

CHAZEN ENGINEERING, LAND

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SURVEYING & LANDSCAPE

SHUSTER ASSOCIATES

ARCHITECTURE CO., D.P.C.

SILVERHOLLOW AUDIO

COLUMBIA HOSPITAL

SLUITER AGENCY, INC.

COMMUNITY BANK N.A.

SPILLIAN

COSMIK ICE CREAM

SPOTTED DOG VENTURES, INC.

ERICKSON’S AUTOMOTIVE, INC.

SPRING GLEN MEADOWS, INC.

FLOWING SPIRIT HEALING

TIMOTHY TAYLOR GALLERY

FOXFIRE MOUNTAIN HOUSE

TUTHILLTOWN SPIRITS DISTILLERY

GREEN LABEL HOMES

VLY MOUNTAIN SPRING WATER, INC.

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HUDSON VALLEY ENGINEERING PC

WOODSTOCK CHIMES FUND

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Thank you for your support. 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. FOR MORE INFORMATION ON HOW TO BECOME A BUSINESS MEMBER, VISIT WWW.CATSKILLCENTER.ORG/BUSINESSMEMBERSHIP 8

SUMMER 2021

CATSKILLS C O M M U N I T Y F E A T U R E :

THE WEST KORTRIGHT CENTRE

Set in a bucolic rural valley in the northwestern Catskill Mountains of PHOTO: OUTDOOR CONCERT AT WEST KORTRIGHT CENTRE BY AMY HELFAND

New York State, The West Kortright Centre is a nonprofit organization

dedicated to excellence in the arts, featuring a diverse blend of worldclass concerts, workshops, art exhibits, and community events. The Scots-Irish who farmed this rich land built their church at a natural meeting place: the convergence of three roads with the old Catskill Turnpike. The elegant, classic structure, built in 1850, served them for 121 years. In 1971, the church closed its doors, its congregants leaving behind a rich legacy of spiritual and social service to the community. In 1975, the valley’s residents vowed to save the building, with its beautiful stained glass windows, kerosene chandeliers, and rich woodwork, and the church began its second life of service. Now a Historic Landmark, the Greek Revival structure became home to the West Kortright Centre.

SUMMER 2021

In the last twelve months, a lightning strike destroyed our steeple, hornets invaded our office, and a herd of goats seemingly took over the property - not to mention the fact that we were forced to dismantle our 2020 scheduled season in response to the pandemic. That said, I look back heartened and inspired by the way we adapted to the new normal. As artists and audience, it was the homes of our members that became our stage this past year. We live-streamed Afro-Caribbean band OKAN, hosted a virtual version of Shakespeare in the Valley, held a socially-distanced Garden Tour, organized a Drive-In Concert, and inaugurated our Member Spotlight Series on social media. Through it all, it was our community that opened their homes and made the West Kortright Centre larger than just a building. This building is resilient, but not without the people that support it. It has lasted 170 years, not because it has avoided lightning but because,

PHOTO: GOAT AT WEST KORTRIGHT CENTRE BY PATRICK BARNES

throughout generations, a community has seen its intrinsic value.

Winston Churchill said that ‘it is by art man gets nearest to the angels and farthest from the animals … It lights the path and links the thought of one generation with another.’ Although it’s nearly impossible to avoid the West Kortright Centre’s neighboring farm animals, we’re excited to lift spirits with a full season this summer, presented entirely outdoors in our pastoral valley. We hope you’ll join us. Patrick Barnes Executive Director West Kortright Centre

SUMMER 2021

CATSKILL CENTER

MICHAEL KU D I S H

12 MORE SQUARE MILES SOME ORIGINAL CATSKILLS FOREST STILL EXISTS - AND MORE HAS BEEN DISCOVERED RECENTLY - YOU JUST HAVE TO KNOW WHERE TO LOOK. Many folks have asked me what

provides inspiration for painters,

the original, or first growth,

poets,

forest of the Catskills looked

and other artists. It may also

like before the advent of Native

provide a spiritual experience.

photographers,

writers,

American burning and European settlement. I tell them to go and

In 2000, Purple Mountain Press

look. There’s plenty of it left. It’s

published my book entitled The

just a matter of recognizing it and

Catskill Forest: A History. In Chapter

knowing where to go.

20, I wrote that I had mapped 94.8 square miles of first growth forest

WHAT IS THE VALUE OF FIRST

in 37 separate parcels. That was

GROWTH?

21 years ago.

Why study first growth and why

care about it? My main reason is

There has been much fine-tuning

that it serves as a control of an

since.

outdoor

experiment,

include gains. Gains are of two

to which comparisons can be

types: First, areas that had not

made with forests that have been

been mapped at all previously

logged, barked, farmed, or burned

are now considered first growth.

by people. Another reason is that

Second, some gains have resulted

many folks are curious to see it

in a reinterpretation of a site’s

because it is relatively rare; it

history; what was thought to be

presents a great opportunity for

second growth in 2000 turns out

teaching and learning. Only about

to be first. Present measurements

seven or eight percent of both the

also include a few losses – areas

Catskills and the Adirondacks are

thought to be first growth in 2000

still in first growth. First growth

but now interpreted to be second

scientific

SUMMER 2021

Present

measurements

revised

coves. But on the summits and

figure is 107.3 square miles, an

ridgelines of the high peaks, the

increase of 13.2% over the 94.8. We

first growth is short-lived (125 to

now have more than 60 separate

150 years at most), deformed and

parcels, ranging in size from a

stunted. Conditions are tough up

tenth of a square mile up to the

there.

growth.

The

updated,

massive 35.3 square mile tract in STEVEN J. PARISIO’S MAP:

the southwestern Catskills.

Steven

has

been

also

Catskills Environmental Research

referred to as original, virgin, or

and Monitoring Conference since

primeval forest. It has never been

its beginnings in 2010. He asked

logged, barked, farmed, quarried,

me in early 2020 if I could update

or burned by people. In the April

my first growth maps for the

2008 issue of the Catskill Center

October 2020 conference. The

News, I wrote about first growth,

conference has been postponed

but

limited

to October 2022, giving me more

to the Dry Brook Watershed,

time to remap the tracts. The

immediately south of the Erpf

accompanying map was drafted

Center. My first article for Kaatskill

by Steven in the spring of 2020,

Life magazine, Winter 2008, was

using my map in The Catskill Forest:

on first growth, but the number

A History. In this article, Steven’s

of square miles at that time I had

map serves as a base map upon

estimated at about 100.

which I’ve made all the updates.

First-growth

MAP ON NEXT PAGE COURTESY OF MICHAEL KUDISH

Parisio

an organizer of the biannual

DEFINITION:

First

the

forest

article

growth

was

not

always

HIGHLIGHTS OF THE UPDATING:

synonymous with old growth.

1. The largest “find” of additional

Old growth signifies old trees,

first growth in Delaware County

without regard to origin. Old

is along the Pepacton Range

growth can be found in front of

south of the reservoir of the same

farmhouses or in village parks.

name. There are three parcels: one

Some first growth IS old growth

each on Cabot, Middle, and Mary

(150 to 300 years), especially

Smith

on middle slopes in protected

they total 2.36 additional square

SUMMER 2021

Mountains.

Combined,

SUMMER 2021

miles. In the summer 2013 issue

the

Balsam-Eagle-Big

of Kaatskill Life, I wrote on this

Tract to the south.

Indian

“find” in some detail. 5. About a dozen or so small 2. The Beaverkill Range’s first-

parcels

have

been

growth portion is far larger than

I had originally thought, with a

County, especially around high

major addition along its southerly

inaccessible ledges in the Towns

slopes above the headwaters of

of Roxbury and Stamford. These

Willowemoc Creek. The area more

parcels are mostly 0.1 to 0.2

than doubled from 7.0 square

square miles in size.

northeastern

located Delaware

miles to 15.5. 6. The west slopes of Stoppel Point 3. In a few instances, two tracts

have recently been determined

mapped as first growth in 2000

to be in first growth – about 0.5

have since been found to be a

square miles.

single tract, and the narrow swath of forest connecting them also in

The

Barkaboom

first growth. Thus, two tracts have

Tract adds 0.7 square miles of

been merged. For example, the

first growth. The gap in first

Beaverkill Range’s first growth is

growth around Winnisook Lake

continuous with that of the Mill

still exists. Had this area, at the

Brook Ridge-Big Indian range.

headwaters of the Esopus and

The connection is a narrow swath

West Branch Neversink, not been

of first growth at the head of Fall

logged, we’d have an immense

Brook, surrounding the Fall Brook

mass of original growth extending

lean-to.

from

the

Mountain

Slide-Peekamoose-

Panther region westward all the 4.

Another

merger

the

way over Big Indian, Doubletop,

Wildcat Range with the Slide-

Graham,

and

Balsam

Lake

Peekamoose-Panther Tract. The

Mountains to Mill Brook Ridge!

narrow swath connecting them

is located south of the Curtis-

ANY MORE TO BE DISCOVERED?

Ormsbee

third

Not much. If a fine-tuning of first

merger is the Belleayre Tract with

growth would be continued, I

Monument.

SUMMER 2021

would be surprised if someone found more than a few square miles. The Catskills have been quite carefully explored.

SHOW OFF YOUR CATSKILLS GEAR IN ACTION!

NOTE: As this issue of Catskills magazine was about to go to press, an additional first growth tract was found. The search is ongoing! The tract is on the north spur of Touch-me-not Mountain

Tag us on Facebook: @CatskillsVisitorCenter Or Instagram: @Catskills.Visitor.Center

in the Town of Andes, about 1.5 miles north-northeast of Little Pond State Campground. Initial estimates are 0.25 square mile, but more field work is required to

accurately

delineate

its

boundaries. About the author: Michael Kudish has dedicated his life to studying the history of the Catskill forest. What began as a dissertation at SUNY ESF in 1971 became one of the most comprehensive

natural

histories

of the Catskills ever written, The Catskill Forest: A History. Kudish is retired and living in Arkville, where he shares his home with his library, botanical laboratory, and herbarium of pressed plants.

Photo by Kelli Huggins/Catskill Center

Don’t have any CATSKILLS gear yet? Visit the Catskills Visitor Center in person or online to find hoodies, hats, mugs, key tags, and more! All purchases support the work of the Catskill Center. www.catskillsvisitorcenter.org

SUMMER 2021

ART PAGE: MARISA SCHEINFELD Tamarack Lodge, Greenfield Park, NY

SUMMER 2021

GENEVIEVE P F E I F F E R

PROTECTING OUR REFUGE, OUR PARKS May 15th marked the Catskill Forest

Henry David Thoreau set out for

Preserve’s 136th anniversary. This

Walden Pond, only a few years after

past year has been especially

his brother died. He ached from

noteworthy in the Park’s history.

watching desolated fields of clear-

The pandemic has left a mark on

cut stumps replace the forests.

us — our world has changed. But

The

the mark is not only on people; the

throughout the Northeast, where

land we walk on has felt the world

land was voraciously logged and

shift as well. More people have

the waterways heavily polluted. In

used state and national parks

the West, forest fires had created

than ever before. We have turned

a similar panic, and at one point

to nature for solace, excitement,

an entire town burned. As a result

reprieve. The outdoors have been

of those fires, the first federally-

the one place considered safe,

protected park in the world,

and many who had not previously

Yellowstone National Park, was

visited the Catskills fell in love

created. A few years later, New York

with the mountains this past year.

followed suit.

landscape

was

changing

May is a marker to remind us that this land has always been there for

Since its creation, people have

us, that its designation as a state

come to the Catskills for a myriad

park has kept it safe, and because

of reasons. The rivers, mountains,

we took care of this land, it can

and balsam-scented air revive us.

now take care of us.

People come to hike, fish, camp, hunt, cycle, swim, kayak or canoe,

The Catskill Forest Preserve was

bird watch, ice climb, ski, and

signed into law along with the

snowboard.

Adirondack Forest Preserve in

started in these mountains and

1885, after national and local

have brought us back again and

events brought people to question

again. Many people who thought

the lands’ use, and need for

they would simply come for

protection. This was 40 years after

SUMMER 2021

weekend

Many

friendships

eventually

bought

houses tucked away in mountain

Mountains, Yellowstone, or any

towns.

other — is a practical way to return your love. Find out about recent

The Catskills have seen us through

developments in the area, and

decade after decade of hard

support in ways you can. That

times. They were booming in the

might mean grabbing dinner at a

1840s, and again after the Great

local restaurant, sticking around

Depression. There were moments

for a performance at a local music

when they were forgotten, and

venue, participating in volunteer

then great revivals. It seems we

trail maintenance, or making

are in the midst of another revival,

a phone call to a government

during a time of desperation. This

representative

past year we needed something

oppose legislation that will affect

steady,

the area you’ve come to depend on.

something

seemingly

support

unchanging. We headed to the mountains, and yet the Catskills

A lot happens behind the scenes

have changed. There is more foot

to keep these parks clean and

traffic and more people taking

accessible. Celebrate your park by

part in outdoor recreation. As

learning about how it works, and

things return to “normal,” towns

stay curious. Maybe that curiosity

have changed as well.

will lead you somewhere else — it already led you to explore these

As this happens, one thing we can

mountains.

do is remember to respect and give back to the parks that have given

Genevieve Pfeiffer is a poet, herbalist,

so much to us in a year that altered

and teacher. She is the Assistant

every person’s life. This does not

Director at Anomaly. Her manuscript

have to be financial — there are

was a finalist for the Baltic Chapbook

many ways to maintain these

contest, and her work is forthcoming

parks, so that more people can fall

or has been published in About Place,

in love with these mountains over

Frost Meadow Review, Quail Bell

the next 100 years.

Magazine, Birdcoat Quarterly, Juked, and others. She oscillates between

Learning about your park — whether

NYC and the mountains, and you can

the Catskills, Adirondacks, Rocky

find her where there are trees.

SUMMER 2021

Vintage Recipe

RHUBARB STRAWBERRY PIE KE LLI HUGG I N S I’ve never considered myself to be

a lot of fresh rhubarb. In this flipped

good at making pastry. We have a

version of the classic strawberry

joke in our family that it’s a skill

rhubarb pie, the rhubarb is the main

that skips a generation: my mom,

attraction

a good pie baker, learned from her

accent note. Rhubarb is a tenacious

grandmother. Meanwhile, pies are

vegetable; if you’ve moved into a

not my grandmother’s forte. If you

home in this area, there’s a good

subscribe to family lore, that means

chance you will have inherited some

I am theoretically not in line to inherit

rhubarb on your property planted by a

this skill. And for the most part,

former resident many years ago.

and

strawberries

the

whether through nature or the power of suggestion, I do find pastry to be

While rhubarb is a great addition to a

fiddly and temperamental. I’m ok at

lot of desserts, there’s a reason it has

it, but it will probably never be my

historically been called “pie plant.”

best baking showcase.

Strip away the toxic leaves, and the

PHOTO BY KELLI HUGGINS/CATSKILL CENTER

remaining stalks are tart and soft

But you know what? That’s ok. If my

when cooked and make for a tasty pie

lattice work is always slightly askew

filling.

and my crust crimp is clumsy, it doesn’t stop the finished product

This recipe is the result of several

from tasting really good. If you’re new

generations of baking know-how, but

to pastry and pies, keep that in mind.

feel free to alter it to meet your needs.

Pies are pretty forgiving and leave a lot

For example, if you’ve got a trusty

more room for making modifications

pie crust recipe, use that! Have more

than other baked goods.

strawberries than rhubarb? That’s ok, too, just know that you’ll have to

Pie is also good for making use of what

adjust for the additional moisture

you have on hand. In this case, I had

strawberries bring by draining your

SUMMER 2021

CATSKILL CENTER

fruit and/or adding additional thickener. Once you have the basic techniques down, you’ll be set to experiment as much as you like.

RHUBARB STRAWBERRY PIE 5 cups rhubarb stalks, cut about 1/2 inch long 2 cups strawberries, sliced 1-1 1/2 cups sugar, plus 2 tablespoons for macerating 5 tbsp cornstarch 1 tbsp lemon juice cinnamon to taste 2 cups flour, sifted or spooned into measuring cup 1 tsp salt 2/3 cup vegetable shortening 5-6 tbsp cold water

Add the 2 tablespoons sugar to the rhubarb and strawberries. Let sit for about 30 minutes, until some of the juices are released. Drain the fruit and add lemon juice. In a separate bowl, combine cornstarch, cinnamon, and sugar. If you prefer your pie sweeter, use the higher amount of sugar (note: if you’re substituting more berries or other sweet fruit for some of the rhubarb, you might want to reduce the sugar). Add the sugar mixture to the fruit and combine. Combine flour and salt. Incorporate the shortening in the flour mixture until it resembles fine crumbs. Add water slowly until the dough is just combined into a soft ball. Don’t overwork it. Let chill in the refrigerator until ready to use. Makes two crusts for 9- 9 ½ inch pans. Add filling atop the bottom crust. Use the top crust to form a lattice or full crust (if making a full top crust, cut a couple of slits to release steam). Use foil to cover the outer crust for the first half of the bake to keep it from browning too much. Remove for the last half of the bake. I also recommend putting a baking sheet under your pie as it bakes to catch any overflowing juices which can make a real mess of your oven otherwise. Cook at 425 degrees for about an hour or until the crust is golden brown and the filling is bubbling. Let cool before serving. 24

SUMMER 2021

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Become a Member Individual ($35) Dual / Family ($50) Senior/Student ($25) BENEFITS INCLUDE: SUBSCRIPTION to the Catskill Center’s quarterly Catskills magazine with news from the Catskill Center and across the Catskill Region. 10% DISCOUNT on purchases at the Catskills Visitor Center, all Catskill Center facilities and Campmor in Paramus, NJ with presentation of member card.

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SUMMER COMMUNITY SCIENCE ANN PETERS

Passion and curiosity are the only requirements to be a citizen scientist passion to learn how to safely interact, help, and share in the experiences of collecting data on local plant and animal wildlife. In the past few years, environmental organizations have been changing the name Citizen Science to Community Science. It was thought that as ‘citizens’ of Earth, we could join together for the benefit of research and collaboration. But, what we are really doing is pulling together as a community, regardless of any official citizenship, for the specific research and collaboration of our area’s unique data, and supporting our local scientists and not-for-profits. While training with the Hudson River Estuary Program this spring, I learned that the Hudson Valley comprises only 13.5% of the land area in New York, yet contains nearly 85% of the bird, mammal, reptile, and amphibian species found in the state. The Hudson Valley and Catskills region is a very special area with many opportunities for community science. This summer, those include studies of both ticks and monarch butterflies.

SUMMER 2021

TICK BLITZ JUNE 13-19, 2021 Ticks and tick-borne illnesses are an enormous concern for outdoor enthusiasts in the Hudson Valley. Nicole Foley, a M.S. candidate of Vector Borne Disease Biology at Cornell University, is hosting a Hudson Valley Tick Blitz this summer to understand the northward expansion of new ticks in New York such as the Asian longhorned and the lone star tick. The study requires volunteers to complete a tick drag in grassy areas along forest edges. Collected ticks will be put into a vial and sent to a lab for testing and identification. For more information about this study: https://www. neregionalvectorcenter.com/new-york-state-tick-blitz

MONARCH BUTTERFLIES Monarch butterflies are one of the most widely recognized butterflies in the United States. Their unique orange and black patterns are a lovely sight in the Hudson Valley from July to October. Three generations of monarchs will enjoy the summer in our region before beginning their migration to Mexico in September/October. A popular community science activity is to raise monarchs and release them. But, helping the monarchs doesn’t need to be this involved and simpler actions may result in larger impacts. Since the 1990s, the eastern migratory population of monarchs has declined by more than 80%. The most recent count of monarchs at their overwintering location in Mexico showed a 26% decrease from last year’s count. These beautiful orange butterflies are losing their fight against pesticides and global climate change, and issues like habitat fragmentation during their migration are shortening their lifespan.

PHOTOS BY ANN PETERS

Here are five things you can do to help monarchs:

NO PESTICIDES! Stop the use of pesticides on your lawn and encourage your neighbors to go ‘au naturale’ as well. Pesticides are poisoning the plants monarchs eat and prevent milkweed, the only food source of caterpillars, from growing. SUMMER 2021

KEEP YOUR WEEDS! Learn how

identify

milkweed

and let it grow in your yard. If you see milkweed around local businesses and in your neighbors’ yards, encourage them to keep it growing all summer long! Milkweed is the only food source for monarch caterpillars. GROW A BUTTERFLY GARDEN: Monarch

caterpillars

eat

milkweed, but adult monarch butterflies enjoy many flowers, including different varieties of butterfly weed, butterfly bush, zinnias, joe pye-weed, etc. Plant a variety of these flowers in your garden without pesticides and create a safe haven for monarchs. REAR LOCAL MONARCHS: If you wish to raise monarchs in your classroom or at home, please do so using local caterpillars that you find. A recent study showed that caterpillars purchased through a kit did not experience strong navigation capabilities when migrating to Mexico. From July to September, check under the leaves of milkweed for small white eggs and caterpillars. For more information on rearing monarchs in your backyard, visit: https://www.saveourmonarchs.org/ PARTICIPATE IN MONARCH WATCH: Monarch Watch (https://monarchwatch.org/) is a national organization that manages an annual tagging program for monarch butterflies. Participants purchase tags for use on monarchs that migrate (only the fall generation) to Mexico. You can tag butterflies you rear or ones you catch using a butterfly net. Volunteers throughout the migration and in Mexico recover these tags and report the data to Monarch Watch. The 28

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organization then tracks where these monarchs came from and where they were seen. Unfortunately, only 1 out of 100 tags from eastern North America are found in Mexico. For more information on these data recovery rates: https://journeynorth.org/tm/monarch/tag_recovery_rates.html Helping the monarch butterfly is a great community science project to do with kids. From planting butterfly-friendly plants in your yard, searching milkweed for caterpillars, learning about the effects of pesticides on plants and insects, and studying a map and following their migration from New York to Mexico, there are many related activities to enjoy.

Ann Peters is an avid outdoor explorer, a Rover Scout and Otter Scout leader with the 91st Sojourners - BPSA, a homeschool mom to two kids, and a volunteer for the Catskill Center. This is part two of Ann’s series on community science in our local area.

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

YOUR LEGACY THE FUTURE OF THE CATSKILLS 29

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Ill-conceived

ill-informed.

kind of project. We understand that

No matter how you looked at the

and

hydroelectric power projects like

proposal to create a hydroelectric

this are necessary infrastructure

pumped storage facility, it was

as we move towards a more

hard to understand why Premium

sustainable and renewable energy

Energy Holdings proposed it in the

system. We are supportive of

first place. The company wanted

increasing renewable energy and

to generate hydroelectric power

the ability to store that energy. That

using the Ashokan Reservoir, and

said, there are places where the

build a new dam and reservoir. It

benefits of such a project would

quickly became apparent that the

outweigh the impacts, and there

company hadn’t done even the

are places, such as in the heart

bare minimum of due diligence.

of the Catskill Park, and on the

Company staff didn’t understand

terminal reservoir of the New York

that the Catskill Park consists of

City water supply system, where

state-owned Forest Preserve lands

the impacts simply overwhelm the

that are protected by the New York

benefits.

State Constitution. They didn’t understand that the Ashokan

While Premium Energy Holdings

Reservoir supplies clean drinking

had not done its homework, the

water to millions of New Yorkers.

tapestry of organizations, local governments,

Most

importantly,

concerned

didn’t

citizens that make up the Catskill

understand that the Catskill Park

Park had done theirs. By the time

and the New York City water supply

the Federal Energy Regulatory

are simply the wrong spots for this

Commission’s comment period

SUMMER 2021

they

and

PHOTO BY ANDY MOSSEY/CATSKILL CENTER

Endnote — The Ashokan Pumped Storage Project

THE CATSKILL PARK AND THE NEW YORK CITY WATER SUPPLY ARE SIMPLY THE WRONG SPOTS FOR THIS KIND OF PROJECT. had closed, there were more than

ignored when they first filed their

800 comments and upwards of

proposal, and that now they have a

two dozen requests to intervene.

much better understanding of the

Collectively, we spoke to the

Catskill Park and its resources, and

unique natural resources, the

why the project was inappropriate

protected status of our lands, the

from the start.

importance of our communities, the value of the New York City

While we celebrate the withdrawal

water supply, and why this was an

unsuitable location for a pumped

announcing the withdrawal stated

storage hydroelectric facility.

that the company might consider

this

other

proposal,

similar

the

proposals.

letter

The

When the Catskill Center was

company’s managing director said

founded in 1969, we were often

he would look at other reservoirs

the only voice, or one of a few,

in the Catskills and Delaware

speaking up for Catskills. Today,

systems as potential sites for a

we are humbled that so many

pumped

have joined us in understanding

facility. I’m hopeful that when they

and

expressing

the

storage

hydroelectric

special

work through actual due diligence

value and distinctiveness of our

on those locations, they’ll realize

beloved Catskill Park. The voices

that the Park, its communities, its

in support of balancing nature and

natural environments and the New

people drowned out the voice of

York City water supply are ill-fitting

imbalance.

for this type of project.

In the end, those hundreds of voices made a difference. Before FERC could issue a decision, Premium Energy

Holdings

withdrew

its

proposal from consideration. I like to think they learned about all the aspects they had so foolishly 31

SUMMER 2021

JEFF SENTERMAN Catskill Center Executive Director

SUMMER

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