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