From The Forest

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).

Materials Used to Build a Longhouse 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 longhouses.

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.

Assessing Pesticide Hazard & Risk: Glyphosate, A Case Study with Dan Wixted

On this week's show we'll be talking to Cornell Cooperative Extension's--Dan Wixted about assessing pesticide hazard and risk. We'll use glyphosate as an example since it's the most commonly used forestry herbicide for controlling interfering plants. Glyphosate is the active ingredient in the commercially well-known label "Roundup." We'll also discuss hazards and risks surrounding alternatives to pesticides and how that might influence "Integrated Pest Management."

Dan is a Extension Support Specialist with Cornell Cooperative Extension's Pesticide Safety Education Program (PSEP). At PSEP, Dan is tasked with: Pesticide applicator training manuals Ordering applicator training manuals and Cornell Crop and Pest Management Guidelines Health and environmental effects of glyphosate (e.g., Roundup) General pesticide safety and use (e.g., regulations, reading a label, exposure concerns)

Aerial Forest Spraying with Chuck Webber

Gypsy moth cyclically damage oak trees, while forest tent caterpillar can wreak havoc on sugar maple. If you have many acres of these trees and can't risk defoliation damage, Chuck Webber is your guy.

Chuck has been providing aerial spraying services for over 30 years. He and his wife Felicia are based in Columbia County and provide both aerial and ground crews to suppress a variety of forest pests. We'll get Chuck's take on this unique service.

Backyard Maple Syrup Production

It may seem early to start talking about maple season, but colder weather is upon us and it's never too early to start preparing. On this week's show, CFA's Education Forester Zahra Bellucci & Board President Mike Porter will discuss Backyard Maple Syrup Production - another service included in CFA's new Forest Farming Program. We'll cover all the basics from identifying maple trees, best practices for tapping, getting your firewood ready for the sugarin' season, ways to set up an at-home evaporator, and more.

Zahra Bellucci is CFA's Education Forester & administers & implements their FOREST FARMING PROGRAM which includes (1) Backyard Maple Syrup Production; (2) Shiitake Mushroom Log Inoculation; & (3) Wild-Simulated Ginseng Cultivation.

Mike Porter is the President of the Catskill Forest Association. He is a lifelong resident of the Catskill Mountains and has extensive experience running his own "backyard" maple syrup operation, with lots of wisdom to offer.

Kousa dogwood 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 unique kousa dogwood tree and why you might want one near you.

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.

Old & Emerging Diseases of American Beech

On this week's show we'll be covering the American beech tree (Fagus grandifolia). We'll cover the basics of this tree, its importance to both humans and wildlife, as well as both old and--unfortunately--new diseases wreaking havoc on this already ravaged tree.  

Fishing, Climate Change, & New Regulations on Esopus with Ed Ostapczuk

On this week's show we'll talk to Ed Ostapczuk, who many consider to be "the face & voice of the Esopus River." It's no secret that Ed loves to fish and has been at it for quite some time. We'll get Ed's view on trout fishing in the Catskills, impacts to fish and their habitat, new regulations, & more.

Ed Ostapczuk is a master fly tyer and member of the Catskill Fly Tyers Guild, Ed has written numerous articles, essays, columns, and even a few books. In 1991, Trophy Trout Streams of the Northeast was published and included a chapter on the Esopus written by Ed Ostapczuk. In 2012 he wrote Ramblings of a Charmed Circle Flyfisher, recounting his fly-fishing adventures. In 2022, he wrote a second book titled The Wanderings of a Mountain Fly Fisher.   Ed is a chapter officer of the Ashokan-Pepacton chapter of TU. He also regularly contributes to conversations with the DEC and DEP.

Ryan’s Walk in the Woods (2023)

Each fall I take a small camping trip to the "High Peaks" of the Catskill Mountains. I've been doing this since 2004; Time sure is flying by. We'll discuss some notable things seen, heard, and felt, while out in the woods last week. 

Trees for Framing & Lumber 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 how to select different tree species for both timber-framing & lumber.

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.

Wild Simulated Ginseng Cultivation with Education Forester Zahra Bellucci

On this week's show, CFA's Education Forester--Zahra Bellucci--will discuss how to grow wild-simulated ginseng. We'll introduce this amazing plant by covering some of the basics and then go into how you might perpetuate it on your land. Wild ginseng is highly sought after in the marketplace for its medicinal attributes. Deer and other herbivores also like it, making this plant rare in the forest. Why not improve its abundance by planting it?

Zahra Bellucci is CFA's Education Forester & administers & implements their FOREST FARMING PROGRAM which includes (1) Backyard Maple Syrup Production; (2) Shiitake Mushroom Log Inoculation; & (3) Wild-Simulated Ginseng Cultivation.

Zahra joined the Catskill Forest Association team as Education Forester in May 2022. She is originally from Rochester, NY but has spent several years living in the Catskill and Hudson Valley regions working in sustainable agriculture. She assists in the implementation of CFA’s programs and works to administer and develop the forestry education services offered by CFA to members and the local community. She received her Associate of Applied Science in Forest Technology in May 2022 from the SUNY College of Environmental Science and Forestry’s Ranger School.

Keeping the Pinelands with NJ Forester Bob Williams

On this week's show we'll talk to Forester Bob Williams about "Keeping the Pinelands" in New Jersey. Recently Bob appeared on PBS discussing the NJ Pinelands. "In the 20th century, the once vast forests of the New Jersey Pine Barrens were vanishing. In 1979, a controversial ban on over-development became law, saving over a million acres. But today, the Pinelands face new threats from climate change and fire suppression. To help these forests survive, people are using new ways to manage them. Collaborating with nature is the key to Keeping the Pinelands." We'll get Bob's perspective on the Pinelands in NJ, something that might share similarities with the Forest Preserve in New York State.

Bob Williams is the owner and founder of Pine Creek Forestry LLC. Bob graduated with an Associate's degree in forestry in 1972 from Centralia College and a Bachelor's Degree in Forestry from Rutgers University, New Brunswick in 1975. Bob has 43 years experience in the field of forestry. His experience includes working for the Washington State Department of Natural Resources, the US Forest Service in Alaska and Washington, and Scott Paper Company as a logging engineer. Since 1985, Bob has worked as a consulting forester in New Jersey working with both private and public landowners to achieve management and stewardship goals for natural resources. In addition to consulting work, Bob has authorized many forestry activities, as well as newsletters put out by various forestry organizations.

Trees that No One Wants

On this week's show we'll discuss "low-grade" trees or "trees that no one wants." We'll define & decipher low-grade from high-grade trees and how forest markets--or the lack thereof--impacts our forests today and tomorrow.

Mindset of an Emergent Hunter

For many people, hunting is a tradition passed down through family ties - kids are introduced to the lifestyle and gain a passion for hunting at a young age. It's becoming more and more common to hear about hunters that have found the passion later in life, though. We will speak to the latest emergent hunter, CFA's Education Arborist Zane Lawyer, about what sparked him to take up the sport, where he is at in his journey, and where his goals lie with becoming an "adult-onset hunter".

Willow 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 willow 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.

Biocontrol for Emerald Ash Borer with Forester Collin Miller

On this week's show we'll discuss something uplifting & positive surrounding ash trees. As many of you know, ash trees are being devastated by the Emerald Ash Borer (EAB). Currently, the only control is chemically-based to save a few sentimental trees mostly in the arboricultural-sphere near one's home. However, few are aware that biological controls are in place to hopefully control this pest long-term.

Collin Miller is a Forester with the NYC DEP and also a "Cooperator" or "Partner" with the USDA Animal & Plant Health Inspection Service (APHIS) to help release biocontrols--or in this case parasitoid wasps--to kill emerald ash borer larvae. Hopefully, it looks promising; We'll see what Collin has to say.

Collin Miller, CF® is Watershed Forester for the Bureau of Water Supply at the New York City Department of Environmental Protection, a position he’s held for nearly seven years. Located in their regional office in Downsville, NY, he works with other foresters to steward City-owned forestlands primarily in Delaware County. Collin is also a CFA member and manages his family woodlot for multiple uses at his home in South Kortright.

Forestry Check-In_August 2023

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

Yellow Poplar 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 tulip poplar 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.

All About Dogwood

On this week's show, we'll cover the various dogwood trees that might be found in & near the Catskill Mountains. Some are native, and some are planted as ornamentals. Dogwood is often overlooked since it is naturally a mid or understory tree. However, it can offer a wide variety of benefits, especially near the home.