From The Forest

Bogs in the Catskills with Dr. Michael Kudish

On this week's show, we'll be talking about bogs in the Catskills with Dr. Michael Kudish. Dr. Kudish uses bogs to decipher forest history going back thousands of years!

Michael Kudish received his Ph.D. at the New York State College of Environmental Science and Forestry at Syracuse. In 2000, Purple Mountain Press published The Catskill Forest: A History. As a professor emeritus in the Division of Forestry at Paul Smith's College, he has also written four books on the vegetation of the Adirondacks, including Adirondack Upland Flora and a number of articles on forest history of both the Catskills and Adirondacks. As a railroad historian, he has written volumes on the subject of railroads in the Adirondacks and the Catskills.

Cougar Recovery in the Northeast with Chris Spatz

On this week's show we'll be talking about the history, status, and recovery of mountain lions with Chris Spatz. Chris is the former President of the Cougar Rewilding Foundation that seeks to bring cougars back to the northeast. 

All About Ravens

The raven (Corvus corax) reminds me of my campsite in the mountains. I hear them often throughout the day uttering a variety of "vocalizations" from the nearby cliffsides where they reside.

On this week's show we'll discuss this bird that often gets confused with its look-alike, the crow. Both birds share the prize though for being one of the smartest birds in the world.

Black Locust with Gary Mead

Every Third Wednesday we have Wood Artist, Gary Mead on the show to discuss a native tree, or something else forest-related. This month we'll be discussing the black locust tree.

Gary is the former owner of Fruitful Furnishings Sawmill & current owner of Gary Mead Gallery in Margaretville, Delaware County. He was born & raised on a dairy farm in New Kingston, Town of Middletown, Delaware County.

Archery Season Begins

October 1st marked the Opening Day of Archery Season for hunting deer and bear. We'll discuss how we think this year will shape up, what we're seeing, and why and how we bow hunt.

Bear Maple Sparkling Ginseng Elixir with Brian Bethke

On this Wednesday's radio show we'll be talking to Brian Bethke, Founder & CEO of Bear Maple Sparkling Ginseng Elixir. Brian has taken 2 of our favorite Catskill Mountain ingredients--ginseng & maple sap--and made a super delicious and nutritious drink. We'll see how he came to developing Bear Maple and how it's going.

In 2020, in the heart of the pandemic, Bear Maple founder and CEO Brian Bethke and his family moved to the Catskill Mountains of upstate New York. On their daily outings, he and his daughter discovered maple trees and ginseng growing in the wild. A serial entrepreneur and lifelong learner, Brian set off on a journey of discovery and a deep dive into the voluminous research documenting the functionality of ginseng as well as maple water. He combined the two in a beverage and Bear Maple was born. The Bear Maple team set out to be the first to bring hydroponically grown ginseng to the beverage market in an adaptogenic, sparkling elixir. Bear Maple’s mission is to craft innovative, functional beverages that help nourish both the body and mind while fostering a sustainable future for the planet. Its functional sparkling ginseng beverages are crafted with high-quality ginseng, naturally sweetened with maple water, and are caffeine free. Bear Maple is 1% for the Planet certified, and the company donates 1% of its annual sales directly to vetted environmental partners. For more information visit drinkbearmaple.com, follow us on Instagram or LinkedIn, or email info@drinkbearmaple.com.

How Wind Shapes Northeast Forests

In the northeast, wind is the dominant natural disturbance factor that influences the size, density, and age class of trees in the forest. In this week's show, we will discuss how wind affects individual trees, how it impacts forest structure, which species depend on it for pollination, and what you can do for your property after a high wind event.

Forestry Check-In_September 2024

Normally, each first Wednesday of the month, Catskill Forest Association's Field Staff 'check-in’ to discuss what they've been up to around and in the forests of the Catskill Mountains.

Catskill Forest Association includes 4 field staff members: Ryan Trapani — Director of Forest Services John MacNaught — Forest Program Manager Zane Lawyer — Education Arborist Zahra Bellucci — Education Forester

The Dangers of Asbestos Forest Thinking with Andrew Vander Yacht

Many of us have heard about fire in the forest out west or somewhere else other than the northeast. The northeastern forest has been labeled the "Asbestos Forest" or one that doesn't include fire. But, has this always been the case? What positive role can fire play in New York State's forest? Andrew Vander Yacht will explain the historical role of fire in New York and how it might be used today.

Dr. Andrew (Andy) L. Vander Yacht is an Assistant Professor of Applied Forest and Fire Ecology in the Department of Sustainable Resources Management at SUNY ESF. He teaches silviculture, fire ecology and management, and forest management for wildlife. Broadly, his research program seeks to: 1) understand how disturbance, particularly fire, affects the structure, composition, health, and resiliency of temperate forested ecosystems, and 2) how this knowledge can inform modern forest management. Specifically, he works to advance silvicultural practices in NY and beyond as he explores historical disturbances in forests, plant-soil-fire feedbacks, forest carbon management, fuel ecology, pyric herbivory, the restoration of disturbance-dependent biodiversity, and fire effects on ticks and tick-borne disease. Before SUNY ESF, Andy earned a B.S. in Biology at Hope College (Holland, MI), M.S. (Wildlife Science) and Ph.D. (Natural Resources) degrees from The University of Tennessee, and worked 4 years at Michigan State University.

State Trees of the USA with Gary Mead--Part 7

Every Third Wednesday we have Wood Artist, Gary Mead on the show to discuss a native tree, or something else forest-related. This month we'll again be discussing some of the official state trees of the US since we didn't finish last time around.

Gary is the former owner of Fruitful Furnishings Sawmill & current owner of Gary Mead Gallery in Margaretville, Delaware County. He was born & raised on a dairy farm in New Kingston, Town of Middletown, Delaware County.

From Wildland to Woodland--How the Tanning Industry Changed a Valley

Last week's show covered "Bark Tanning in the Catskills." We'll continue the conversation on this most significant mountain industry with Paul Misko. Paul's talk will focus on a particular area of the Catskills—Woodland Valley, located in the Town of Shandaken, Ulster County.

 

Paul Misko has been hiking in the Catskills since childhood. Over the years he has learned much about the Catskill forest, and the human history within it. Though his main focus is Woodland Valley, near Phoenicia, he has done research throughout the whole Catskill region.

In 2009 he founded the Catskill 4000 Club, a small hiking group which focuses on history themed hikes and events. He has written articles for Kaatskill Life, and the Catskill Mountain Region Guide. He regularly gives talks on Catskill history, American history, and John Burroughs. He shares his research both in person, and on WIOX radio's "From the Forest."

Bark Tanning in the Catskills

On this week's show, we'll be discussing the Catskill Mountain's first industry--the Tannery Industry, of the 19th Century. Tanneries of the Catskills were "vegetable-based" or used bark of hemlock trees to tan cowskins into leather. Many of our hamlets today trace back their roots to this industry that required hemlock trees, cold running water, and animal hides.

American Plum--A Fruitful Opportunity

On this week's show we'll be discussing America's wild plum tree or American plum (Prunus americana). American plum may present a fruitful opportunity for the Catskills; it's one tough tree.

Metal Detecting the Past in the Woods with Don Wyckoff

On this week's show, we'll be discussing how Don Wyckoff metal detects in the woods and how he deciphers the past from this art.

Don Wyckoff is a Motivational Speaker at Motivational Empowerment. He is also the Director of Community Relations at the Catskill Center for Independence. Don is the host of the "Empower Hour" on WIOX ROXBURY 91.3 FM that follows after our radio show--"From the Forest."

Forestry Check-In

Forestry Check-In 2024-07-11       Catskill Forest Association's Field Staff 'check-in’ to discuss what they've been up to around and in the forests of the Catskill Mountains.   Catskill Forest Association includes 4 field staff members: Ryan Trapani — Director of Forest Services John MacNaught — Forest Program Manager Zane Lawyer — Education Arborist Zahra Bellucci — Education Forester

Off Grid & Into the Woods of Vermont with Elisabeth Mazzelli

Elisabeth Mazzilli has been living off grid in Vermont for the last 25 years on 104 acres in a forest that is a series of beaver swamps and low ridges. We'll get her perspective on how she lives "from the forest." 

Forestry Check-In

Normally, each first Wednesday of the month, Catskill Forest Association's Field Staff 'check-in’ to discuss what they've been up to around and in the forests of the Catskill Mountains.

Catskill Forest Association includes 4 field staff members: Ryan Trapani — Director of Forest Services John MacNaught — Forest Program Manager Zane Lawyer — Education Arborist Zahra Bellucci — Education Forester

The Role of Fire for Forest Resiliency with Jed Meunier

On this week's show will talk to Jed Meunier about the important role fire can play in the forest. Jed—like his great-Grandfather and well-known Conservationist Aldo Leopold—sought fire in the forest in restoration projects and to meet ecological needs. Jed will discuss how fire was historically important, its more recent fall-out as a tool in forest management and conservation, and its importance and practice today. 

Jed Meunier is an ecologist and research scientist within the Wisconsin Department of Natural Resources, Division of Forestry. Jed has expertise in disturbance ecology which translates well into management issues whether that is harvest of wildlife or timber, understanding natural disturbance like fire, or the use of fire to meet particular management objectives. His dissertation research was on fire ecology in northern Mexico investigating spatial and temporal aspects of fire in relation to climate and land-use. Jed received his M.S. in the wildlife ecology department at the University of Wisconsin-Madison, one of the first of its kind in the country started by his great-grandfather Aldo Leopold. Jed considers himself lucky to spend his time asking questions and through applied research to assist in the management of our many treasures.

State Trees of the USA with Gary Mead (Part 5)

Every Third Wednesday we have Wood Artist, Gary Mead on the show to discuss a native tree, or something else forest-related. This month we'll again be discussing some of the official state trees of the US since we didn't finish last time around.

Gary is the former owner of Fruitful Furnishings Sawmill & current owner of Gary Mead Gallery in Margaretville, Delaware County. He was born & raised on a dairy farm in New Kingston, Town of Middletown, Delaware County.

All About Morels & Other Edible Mushrooms

On this week's show, we'll be talking about the elusive morel mushroom--what they are, where and when they grow, and tips on how to find them and eat them! We'll also touch on some of the other edible mushrooms on offer in the forest for the remainder of the year.

Embracing Disruption--The New Model for North American Conservation with John Conolly

On this week's show we'll contrast "preservation" with "conservation" with CFA member--John Conolly. John will discuss his perspective on conservation going forward, or "disruptive conservation."

John Conolly has been a member of the Catskill Forest Association since 2019. John and his family have taken advantage of several CFA programs as they attempt to appropriately manage a 60+ acre parcel in the Catskills. John grew up in a classic late 70’s rust belt town about an hour north of Chicago. His father had been a 4H Champion in his youth and was raised on a small family farm in Illinois. His mother grew up spending time in the woods with her Grandfather on a family farm in Michigan. His parents were often pressed to recount these experiences at bedtime and in doing so instilled a strong desire to explore the natural world.  A graduate of the Art Institute of Chicago, John is also an accomplished sailor and an expert on all things commodities.  John is a hunter and gatherer, a fly fisherman, and a proud champion of an ethical approach to conservation. Chairman of the environmental committee for a local elementary school, John is keen on helping children observe the natural world that surrounds them. His many undertakings include chairing an annual earth week “Extravaganza!”, founding a wildlife photography exhibition, and hosting a gold star family retreat.  He co-chairs the stream committee for a historic Catskills fly fishing club and is a major supporter of the Aldo Leopold Foundation in Baraboo, Wisconsin. John’s favorite role is being the father of two, the husband of one and the guy who feeds the puppy.

Native Americans, Fire, & Oak with Stephen Tulowiecki

On this week's show, Stephen Tulowiecki from SUNY Geneseo will discuss his research and findings on Native Americans and their impacts on forests in New York State.

Stephen J. Tulowiecki is an Associate Professor of Geography & Sustainability Studies at SUNY Geneseo. He teaches courses in geographic information systems, statistics, and mountain geography. His research interests are in forest ecosystems of the eastern US, including varied topics such as Native American land-use impacts upon past forests of the eastern US, and the past and present distribution of rare and interesting tree species such as the American chestnut and pawpaw.

Wilderness & the Human Role

The concept of “wilderness” has changed throughout history, and can influence the way we relate to the natural world. Zane Lawyer, CFA Education Arborist, will give a talk on the evolving meaning of wilderness and its significance for the future of the Catskill region.

Zane was hired full-time June 2020 as a Forest Program Technician. He assists the Forest Program Manager to develop, coordinate, and implement CFA’s programs and services. Zane also helps in the development and creation of field and written content for CFA programs, events, and newsletter. Zane is an ISA Certified Arborist and received his Bachelor of Science degree in Forest Health with minors in Applied Statistics and Environmental Writing and Philosophy in May of 2016 from the SUNY College of Environmental Science and Forestry.

State Trees of the USA with Gary Mead (Part 4)

Every Third Wednesday we have Wood Artist, Gary Mead on the show to discuss a native tree, or something else forest-related. This month we'll again be discussing some of the official state trees of the US since we didn't finish last time around.

Gary is the former owner of Fruitful Furnishings Sawmill & current owner of Gary Mead Gallery in Margaretville, Delaware County. He was born & raised on a dairy farm in New Kingston, Town of Middletown, Delaware County.

Gypsy Moth & Other Tent Caterpillars

Perhaps you've been inundated by tiny caterpillars recently. On this week's show we'll discuss the gypsy moth outbreak that is occurring in parts of the Catskills as well as other tent caterpillars too.

Forestry Check-In

Normally, each first Wednesday of the month, Catskill Forest Association's Field Staff 'check-in’ to discuss what they've been up to around and in the forests of the Catskill Mountains.

Catskill Forest Association includes 4 field staff members: Ryan Trapani — Director of Forest Services John MacNaught — Forest Program Manager Zane Lawyer — Education Arborist Zahra Bellucci — Education Forester

Engaging Forest Landowners in the Northeast

Who owns the forest in the northeast? What are their values, preferences, and motivations? How can natural resource managers better engage with them to foster more vibrant forests? In this week's show we'll be using TELE's information and data to see who owns the forestland in New York State and how they relate to what we see in the Catskill Mountains.

"Tools for Engaging Landowners Effectively (TELE) was started in 2008 as a collaboration of the Sustaining Family Forests Initiative, the Center for Nonprofit Strategies, and the Family Forest Research Center. It was initially housed at the Yale School of Forestry and Environmental Studies, and then at the University of Massachusetts at Amherst.  The TELE program developed out of the need to translate landowner research, especially data from the National Woodland Owner Survey, into a practical methodology for designing landowner outreach programs."

State Trees of the USA with Gary Mead_Part 3

Every Third Wednesday we have Wood Artist, Gary Mead on the show to discuss a native tree, or something else forest-related. This month we'll again be discussing some of the official state trees of the US since we didn't finish last time around.

Gary is the former owner of Fruitful Furnishings Sawmill & current owner of Gary Mead Gallery in Margaretville, Delaware County. He was born & raised on a dairy farm in New Kingston, Town of Middletown, Delaware County.

Making Maple Syrup for the First Time with Chip Beck

On this week's show we'll be talking to a member of the Catskill Forest Association about their first-time making maple syrup.

Chip Beck lives in Ulster County and has 55 taps. Now that the season is over, we'll get a report from him on how it went.

Forestry Check-In

Normally, each first Wednesday of the month, Catskill Forest Association's Field Staff 'check-in’ to discuss what they've been up to around and in the forests of the Catskill Mountains.

Catskill Forest Association includes 4 field staff members: Ryan Trapani -- Director of Forest Services John MacNaught -- Forest Program Manager Zane Lawyer -- Education Arborist Zahra Bellucci -- Education Forester

Aldo Leopold & the Importance of Conservation with Steve Swenson

On this week's show, we'll be talking about "conservation" with the Aldo Leopold Foundation's  (ALF) Steve Swenson. Aldo Leopold is considered to be the "Father of wildlife ecology and modern conservation." We'll see how the ALF defines conservation in today's environment.   The Mission of the ALF is "to foster a land ethic through the legacy of Aldo Leopold. Inspired by his profound vision, they seek to cultivate an understanding and appreciation of their relationship with the environment on all levels, be it individuals or entire communities.”

About Steve Swenson Steve Swenson for over 20 years, has been advancing the ethical relationship between people and land through tangible conservation initiatives. As Program Director, he oversees the foundation’s marketing, communications, facilities, education and outreach, and land stewardship staffs. Steve’s coordination and facilitation of staff’s time and talents focus on the foundation’s ambition to grow budget and impact.   His role oversees the preservation and protection of Aldo Leopold’s historic Shack, a National Historic Landmark and the conservation ambition and impact achieved on surrounding lands through the 4,000-acre Leopold-Pines Conservation Area.    Regionally, Steve coordinates a public-private partnership called My Wisconsin Woods. Through continuous improvement of outreach methods, My Wisconsin Woods inspires land care among woodland owners. For this project and others, Steve authored regionalized handbooks titled My Healthy Woods, written specifically for inexperienced landowners. These award-winning handbooks have reached over 40,000 landowners collectively owning 6 million acres in Arkansas, Minnesota, New Jersey, Iowa, and Wisconsin. Steve holds a B.S. degree in Environmental Science from University of Wisconsin-Green Bay and a M.S. in Ecology from Ohio State University.

State Trees of the USA with Gary Mead_Part 2

Every Third Wednesday we have Wood Artist, Gary Mead on the show to discuss a native tree, or something else forest-related. This month we'll again be discussing some of the official state trees of the US since we didn't finish last time around.

Gary is the former owner of Fruitful Furnishings Sawmill & current owner of Gary Mead Gallery in Margaretville, Delaware County. He was born & raised on a dairy farm in New Kingston, Town of Middletown, Delaware County.

Forestry Check-In

Normally, each first Wednesday of the month, Catskill Forest Association's Field Staff 'check-in’ to discuss what they've been up to around and in the forests of the Catskill Mountains.

Catskill Forest Association includes 4 field staff members: Ryan Trapani -- Director of Forest Services John MacNaught -- Forest Program Manager Zane Lawyer -- Education Arborist Zahra Bellucci -- Education Forester

Forest Management with Birds in Mind with Audubon NY's Claire Mann

On this week's show we'll be interviewing Claire Mann of Audubon New York. Claire is their Forest Program Senior Associate where she engages in education and outreach for both landowners and conservation partners in improving forest habitat for birds.

The Audubon Society's Mission is “To protect birds & the places they need today & tomorrow. Audubon works throughout the Americas using science, advocacy, education, and on-the-ground conservation.” Claire Mann attended The State University of New York College Environmental Science and Forestry (SUNY ESF) where she earned a Bachelor of Science in Environmental Biology. Claire has extensive experience in forestry and natural resource management. After many years of working for the US Forest Service Claire has joined Audubon where she focuses on improving forest bird habitat in New York State.

Omer Stewart's Forgotten Fires

On this week's show we'll discuss Omer Stewart's "Forgotten Fires: Native Americans & the Transient Wilderness." According to Author M. R. O'Connor ("Ignition: Lighting Fires in a Burning World"), "Omer particularly regretted that his own peers—Anthropologists—ignored evidence that Indigenous people were powerful agents who had transformed the physical world.” I feel this book sorely needs to be read in a time when many of us have truly forgotten or misunderstand the importance of fire in the landscape.

Omer Stewart lived from 1908 to 1991. He was a Cultural Anthropologist & Author at the University of Colorado at Boulder where he retired in 1973. Omer Stewart was well-known for defending Native American land claims and advocating for tribal legal use of peyote.

State Trees of the USA with Gary Mead

Every Third Wednesday we have Wood Artist, Gary Mead on the show to discuss a native tree, or something else forest-related. This month we'll be discussing some of the official state trees of the US.

Gary is the former owner of Fruitful Furnishings Sawmill & current owner of Gary Mead Gallery in Margaretville, Delaware County. He was born & raised on a dairy farm in New Kingston, Town of Middletown, Delaware County.

Backyard Maple Sugaring

On this Wednesday's show, we'll discuss the ins & outs of Backyard Maple Sugaring. Perhaps you'd like to try your hand at making sugar from trees. The photo shows an abnormally sweet batch of sap from 2013. At 4%, this sap is twice as sweet as most. About 20 gallons of 4% sap will boil down to 1 gallon of syrup. Normally, it's more like 42 to 1.  

Forestry Check-In

Normally, each first Wednesday of the month, Catskill Forest Association's Field Staff 'check-in’ to discuss what they've been up to around and in the forests of the Catskill Mountains.

Catskill Forest Association includes 4 field staff members: Ryan Trapani -- Director of Forest Services John MacNaught -- Forest Program Manager Zane Lawyer -- Education Arborist Zahra Bellucci -- Education Forester

Working in the Woods with Tyler Evans

On this week's show, we'll talk to one of CFA's members--Tyler Evans. Tyler offers a perspective from a landowner's point of view and someone who takes a hand's-on approach to managing his forest. Some topics include wildlife, plant propagation for his new nursery, firewood, crop tree release, apple tree pruning, timber harvesting, and timber stand improvement.

Tyler grew up in Otego on 13 acres until 10 years old before moving to Oneonta. He and his brother were always outside playing or small game hunting and fishing. Tyler enlisted in the Marine Corps in 2008 and served 4 years active duty. In 2013, he moved to NYC to finish his education and start a career until 2020. In 2021, he bought 162 acres in Walton, where he really jumped into managing the forest and working on the property.

Wood Heating with Whole Systems Design's Ben Falk

On this week's show, we'll talk to Ben Falk from Whole Systems Design in Vermont about burning fuelwood. Ben will discuss his trial and error with his 4th generation wood heating system, providing an integrated and complete home heating solution meeting cooking, baking, and most crucially--hot water needs. Ben will also discuss why he burns in 2024, air quality issues, heat conservation, dealing with the stove pipe & ventilation, maintenance, burning tips, and wood preparation.

 

Ben developed Whole Systems Design, LLC as a land-based response to biological and cultural extinction and the increasing separation between people and elemental things. Life as a designer, builder, ecologist, tree-tender, and backcountry traveler continually informs Ben’s integrative approach to developing landscapes and buildings. His home landscape and the WSD studio site in Vermont's Mad River Valley serve as a proving ground for the regenerative land developments featured in the projects of Whole Systems Design.

Ben studied architecture and landscape architecture at the graduate level and holds a master’s degree in land-use planning and design. He has conducted more than 650 site development and land inspection consultations across the US and abroad, and has facilitated dozens of courses on property selection, permaculture design, and resilient systems. He has given keynote addresses and presented dozens of workshops at venues ranging from Bioneers to the Omega Institute. Ben is the author of the award-winning book The Resilient Farm and Homestead (Chelsea Green, 2013) and serves as an Advisory Council for the international regeneration group Ecosystem Restoration Camps.

Birch with Gary Mead

Every Third Wednesday we have Wood Artist, Gary Mead on the show to discuss a native tree, or something else forest-related. This month we'll be discussing birch trees (i.e. yellow, black, paper, gray, & mountain paper).

Gary is the former owner of Fruitful Furnishings Sawmill & current owner of Gary Mead Gallery in Margaretville, Delaware County. He was born & raised on a dairy farm in New Kingston, Town of Middletown, Delaware County.

Early Black Bear Hunting Post-Kill with Nate Loda

In November we had Nate Loda on the show to discuss his early black bear hunting trip in the Catskills back in September. In that show, we made it to the point where Nate killed his bear. In this show, we'll discuss everything that occurred once the bear was down--from packing out to eating and more.

Nathan Loda is an American realist oil painter. Loda received an MFA degree from George Mason University in 2015 and a BFA in painting from Shepherd University in Shepherdstown, WV in 2011.  Loda lives and works in a little town called Homer, in central New York. He paints full time in his home studio. His wife and three little girls are his constant muses and their dog Blaze is his closest friend.

Ignition with Author M.R. O’Connor

On this week's show we'll talk to M.R. O'Connor who authored the book--"Ignition: Lighting Fires in a Burning World." In order to write this book, Maura took a "hands-on" approach for sure when she became a wildlife firefighter to gain more experience surrounding fire. Her book details both historical fire culture in America as well as how fire is suppressed, prescribed to restore habitats, and perceived by the general public today. Her experience with fire in the forest seems to bring to light or question our role as humans in the environment today. Should be interesting.

About M.R. O'Connor: M. R. O’Connor is a journalist who writes about the politics and ethics of science, technology and conservation. Her work has appeared online in The Atavist, Slate, Foreign Policy, The New Yorker, Nautilus, UnDark and Harper’s.  Her first book, Resurrection Science: Conservation, De-Extinction and the Precarious Future of Wild Things (St. Martin’s Press, 2015) and was one of Library Journal and Amazon’s Best Books of The Year. Her second book, Wayfinding: The Science and Mystery of How Humans Navigate the World (St. Martin’s Press, 2019) is an exploration of navigation traditions, neuroscience, and the diversity of human relationships to space, time and memory. Its writing was supported by the Alfred P. Sloan’s Program for the Public Understanding of Science, Technology, & Economics. She recently wrote a book called Ignition (September 2023, Bold Type Books) on fire ecology and prescribed burning, for which she became certified as a wildland firefighter. In 2008/2009, O’Connor was a reporter for The Sunday Times, an English-language newspaper in Colombo, Sri Lanka. Her investigative reporting on topics like disappearances in Sri Lanka’s civil war, global agriculture trade in Haiti, and American development enterprises in Afghanistan have been funded by institutions such as the Pulitzer Center on Crisis Reporting, The Phillips Foundation, and The Nation Institute’s Investigative Fund. For a long time, she made her bread and butter as a stringer covering crime, courts, and breaking news in New York City for publications such as The Wall Street Journal and New York Post, and covered the criminal justice beat for the online investigative site The New York World.  She is a graduate of Columbia University’s Graduate School of Journalism and was a 2016/17 Knight Science Journalism Fellow at MIT. She lives in Brooklyn, NY with her partner, the screenwriter Bryan Parker, and their two sons.

Fishing on the East Branch Delaware with Peter Marx

On this week's show we'll be talking to avid trout fisherman--Peter Marx--about fishing on the East Branch Delaware. Peter is a member of the Ashokan-Pepacton chapter of Trout Unlimited and has been fishing on the East Branch for decades. We may also delve into questions surrounding legislation and policy pertaining to the Delaware Watershed on the federal level; Peter is the Federal Affairs Contractor for the Choose Clean Water Coalition on the Chesapeake and the Coalition for the Delaware Watershed.

Peter is a contractor who assists the Choose Clean Water Coalition with Federal affairs, working with both Congress and the Administration. Peter spent more than 20 years at EPA, in both the Chesapeake Bay Program Office and at EPA Headquarters in Washington. Peter was a staff member on the former Committee on Merchant Marine and Fisheries in the U.S. House of Representatives for four years, and helped author several pieces of coastal legislation that became law. He also spent a few years at the Northeast-Midwest Institute in Washington, D.C. working with Congress on regional ecosystem issues, including the Chesapeake Bay watershed. Peter earned a master's degree in Geography and Marine Affairs from the University of Rhode Island. Peter lives on Broad Creek, a tributary to the South River and Chesapeake Bay near Annapolis, MD, and also has a cabin on Batavia Kill near Denver, New York, in the Delaware River watershed. He fishes in both places as often as he can.

Materials Used to Build a Tipi with Gary Mead

Every Third Wednesday we have Wood Artist, Gary Mead on the show to discuss a native tree, or something else forest-related. This month we'll be discussing Gary's recent interest in building Native American tipis.

Gary is the former owner of Fruitful Furnishings Sawmill & current owner of Gary Mead Gallery in Margaretville, Delaware County. He was born & raised on a dairy farm in New Kingston, Town of Middletown, Delaware County.

Robson’s Christmas Trees_Part 2

On this week's show, we'll talk to Gary Robson, owner of Robson's Christmas Trees in Bovina, Delaware County. We'll get his perspective on growing these trees from start to finish.

Robson's Christmas Trees offers a variety of species and sizes. At Robson's, you can enjoy an outing to pick Christmas trees at their choose-and-cut farm.  They have: 5–10-foot Fraser, concolor, grand, balsam fir and blue spruce trees, wreaths, kissing balls and center pieces. Open Fri-Sun, Thanksgiving to the first or second week in December. Call to make sure they're open.

Robson’s Christmas Trees_Part 1

Unfortunately, this show was recorded over 2 segments. You'll have to "fast-forward" into the 1st segment to listen to show.   On this week's show, we'll talk to Gary Robson, owner of Robson's Christmas Trees in Bovina, Delaware County. We'll get his perspective on growing these trees from start to finish.

Robson's Christmas Trees offers a variety of species and sizes. At Robson's, you can enjoy an outing to pick Christmas trees at their choose-and-cut farm.  They have: 5–10-foot Fraser, concolor, grand, balsam fir and blue spruce trees, wreaths, kissing balls and center pieces. Open Fri-Sun, Thanksgiving to the first or second week in December. Call to make sure they're open.

Forestry Check-In

Every so often we try and make time to check in with the field staff here at the Catskill Forest Association to see just what’s going on in the forests of these Catskill Mountains. This Wednesday John, Zahra, and Zane will be chatting about what they’ve seen in the woods on the job, as well as on their own time. I, John, will be mentioning the abundance of stone laid sap arches I’ve come across this year. I know where about a half dozen or so remain stacked up in the hills beneath the sugar maples that once fed their boiling pans.

Early Bear Hunting with Nate Loda

Back in September while on my annual short 3-Day camping trip, I was bushwacking through the woods on a compass bearing and saw a human outline through the trees wearing some orange. This is when I met Nate Loda taking advantage of the early bear hunting season. I learned that he was hunting bear for the first time in the area. I was just surprised to see anyone while squeaking through the trees off-trail. I learned afterwards that Nate succeeded in getting a bear when he emailed me later on. We'll talk to Nate about his take on the Early Bear Hunting Season in the Catskills.

Nathan Loda is an American realist oil painter. Loda received a MFA degree George Mason University in 2015 and a BFA in painting from Shepherd University in Shepherdstown, WV in 2011.  Loda lives and works in a little town called Homer, in central New York. He paints full time in his home studio. His wife and three little girls are his constant muses and their dog Blaze is his closest friend. You can visit his art at www.nathanloda.com

One Nature with Bryan Quinn

On this week's show, we'll be talking to Bryan Quinn, Founder of One Nature. One Nature is "a small interdisciplinary team of artists, applied ecologists, botanists, scientists, and planners capable of stewarding client projects from initial visioning and research through construction and into long-term land stewardship." They are located in Beacon, NY and serve the Hudson Valley Region and parts of the Catskill Mountains too.

Bryan Quinn is an artist who has worked for over two decades directly with land, plants, animals and people to create earthworks that engage viewers with the wonder of ecological systems. Quinn, who is also a respected applied ecologist, considers mountains, rivers, ecosystems, and other types of living landscapes to have inherent rights independent of human use. Technically trained in restoration ecology, environmental philosophy and ecological design, his vision is a world where our development activities improve the environment, rather than destroy it. He is the founder and principal of One Nature (since 2005) and co-founder of O.N. Engineering (2018).