From The Forest

Hot Weather Hiking With Paul Misko

Paul Misko is the Founder of a hiking club -- the Catskill 4000 Club -- and has spent quite a bit of time since childhood hiking around Woodland Valley and the Slide Mountain Wilderness area. When Paul isn't busy traipsing around the woods, he can be found giving various historical talks on Tanneries in the Catskills and Naturalist John Burroughs.

Playing In The Woods With Mike Porter

Mike Porter is all about the woods.

When he's not in the woods - among many other things - he's serving as the Board President of the Catskill Forest Association. Mike is the proud new owner of a new sawmill at his woodlot in Andes. We'll be talking with Mike about his 17 acre woodlot, and a variety of forest topics that Mike, and indeed many other landowners, are involved in.

Forest Types & Forest Products Of The Northeast With Gary Mead

Nearly all the wood products we use on a daily basis do not come from local sources here in the Catskills. Many products originate from somewhere in the northeast region of North America. Tonight we'll discuss with Gary Mead the many forest types surrounding us and what products might come from them.

All Things Plants With Marguerite Uhlmann-Bower

Tonight, we will be talking about all things plants with Marguerite Uhlmann-Bower of Plant Pioneers. Marguerite is the co-founder and director of Plant Pioneers, an RN, and a Clinical Herbalist.

Marguerite's work invites people and students to become interested in plants through hands-on, outdoor Nature experiences (see WeedsLeavesSeedsShoots.com) that bridge traditional herbal medicines, science, and phenomena for an earth based path. In recent years, her outdoor explorations have included additional tools that connect humans to plants.

Plant Pioneers is a multi-disciplinary group of plant enthusiasts dedicated to raising awareness about inter-connected mutual relationships with all living systems. They are a resource in sharing basic-human plant harmonious solutions, and offer projects and programs that are ecologically principled, educationally interactive and technologically oriented toward environmental stewardship and the treatment of Nature with the utmost of respect and integrity.

Author: CFA Staff

Honey Bee Herbs With Kelley Edkins

Kelley Edkins (consultant) is the owner of HoneybeeHerbs.com, a Beekeeper, Master Herbalist, Master Gardener and Stoneworker.

Kelley has been cultivating medicinal herbs, native plants, and endangered species for more than two decades in the Catskill Mountains of New York. Her organic farm, Honeybee Herbs, focuses on plants that provide food for honeybees, as well as plants that are endangered species. She sells the herbal and honeybee produce from her farm and gardens at local farmer’s markets and festivals in the Catskill Mountains. Past projects include: Driving the movement for the first DEC managed compost facility site in New York State, The Bee Green Community Garden. Her community service continued with driving the movement to stop a landfill expansion in her hometown.

Kelley has provided years of volunteer teaching and workshops on compost and gardening for the school systems and community organizations in the local area. Countless garden installations and large scale stone projects, have provided years of a deep connection with the Earth that is both genuine and benevolent. Most important to Kelley is her connection with her honeybees, their conservation drives both the content of her gardens and indeed her very existence.

Author: CFA Staff

Questioning The Invasive Species Paradigm With Jono Neiger

A few weeks ago, FROM THE FOREST interviewed University of Delaware's Doug Tallamy who discussed the harmful impacts of non-native plants on native insects and the environment. On this weeks show, we will interview Jono Neiger who brings a different perspective surrounding invasive species.

"Concern about invasive species has permeated our society to a point where almost no one doubts that these species are 'taking over', causing widespread harm, and should be eradicated." Although he believes the all-out fight against invasive species is well-intentioned, Mr. Neiger will explore his skepticism surrounding invasion biology’s broad assertions and desire a deeper look at the reality and the science behind the rhetoric.

Jono Neiger worked as a restoration biologist with the Nature Conservancy for several years, establishing riparian forest on the floodplain of the Sacramento River in California. Jono is an ecologist/land manager/landscape designer, teaches permaculture design at the Conway School of Landscape Design, and operates a design and implementation firm, Regenerative Design Group in Greenfield, MA.

Turkeys & Turkey Hunting with John & Nick

Co-Host John MacNaught & Catskill Forest Association's Forest Program Technician Nick Masucci will discuss turkeys & turkey hunting this week. We'll get into the biology, habitat requirements, behavior, and pursuit of North America's most pursued (or hunted) game bird.

The Birches With Gary Mead

Every third Wednesday of the month we invite Gary Mead on the show to talk about a tree growing in our Catskill Mountains. Gary is the local owner of Fruitful Furnishings Sawmill and Gary Mead Gallery in Margaretville, NY. Be sure to stop by his showroom and sawmill for an awesome look into the process of turning logs into lumber, or the process of turning logs into stunning pieces of wooden furniture. On tonight's show, we'll be discussing the birches - yellow, paper, black, and grey.

Mountain Top Arboretum with Marc Wolf

Mountain Top Arboretum is a public garden in the Catskill Mountains dedicated to displaying and managing native plant communities of the northeastern US, in addition to curating its collection of cold-hardy native and exotic trees. Marc Wolf is Mountain Top Arboretum's Executive Director

Hunting For Lost Apple Trees With David Benscoter

Retired from the F.B.I. & US Treasury where he once investigated into the affairs of politicians & tax evaders, David Benscoter now uses his detective work to hunt down lost apple tree varieties. Although David hails from the state of Washington, it is a North American story about the loss of thousands of heirloom varieties across rural America. David will discuss some of the old varieties he has resurrected in Washington as well as how we might do the same in the Catskill Mountains.

Black Walnut With Gary Mead

Every third Wednesday of the month we invite Gary Mead on the show to talk about a tree growing in our Catskill Mountains. Gary is the local owner of Fruitful Furnishings Sawmill and Gary Mead Gallery in Margaretville, NY. Tonight's show we will discuss Black Walnut and all this amazing tree has to offer. Did you know you can tap this tree for syrup, too? We hear it tastes great!

The Importance Of Native Species With Doug Tallamy

Professor Tallamy will discuss the reasons why native species provide more ecological services and benefits in comparison to introduced species.

Doug Tallamy is a professor in the Department of Entomology and Wildlife Ecology at the University of Delaware, where he has authored eighty research articles and has taught Insect Taxonomy, Behavioral Ecology, Humans and Nature, and other courses for thirty-two years. Chief among his research goals is to better understand the many ways insects interact with plants and how such interactions determine the diversity of animal communities.

Maple Sugaring With Duane LaFever

Duane LaFever is a 3rd Generation Maple Producer in Delaware County. His Grandfather--Ben--began making syrup as early as the 1920s, while his father continued making the sweet stuff in the 1970s. We'll ask Duane about changes in the maple industry as well as how the 2018 Maple Season is shaping up.

Horticultural Myths With WSU's Linda Chalker-Scott

Washington State University Associate Professor & Extension Specialist--Linda Chalker-Scott--will discuss HORTICULTURAL MYTHS. "Myths" covered will include: 1) Native Plant Superiority; 2) Tree Staking; 3) Wound Dressing; 4) Chlorox Clippers

Other topics will cover the importance of using wood mulch for tree planting and health as well as mycorrhizae too. If we have time, we'll ask about other "myths."

Black Cherry With Gary Mead 3 21 2018

Every third Wednesday of the month we invite Gary Mead on the show to talk about a tree growing in our Catskill Mountains. Gary is the local owner of Fruitful Furnishings Sawmill and Gary Mead Gallery in Margaretville, NY. Tonight's show we will discuss the black cherry tree.

Beaver Deceivers With Skip Lisle

Skip Lisle created BEAVER DECEIVERS INTERNATIONAL (BDI) in 2001 in Grafton, Vermont. BDI uses non-lethal methods to mitigate beaver damage to property that Skip claims is longer lasting, saves the client money, while preserving beaver populations that greatly enhance ecological & habitat services. We'll see what this is all about

Hazardous Trees

Recent heavy snowfall & wind has left a wake of fallen branches, twisted-off trees, & up-rooted trees causing downed power-lines, damaged property & homes. We'll discuss how to identify a "hazardous tree" & what you might be able to do about it.

Meet Catskill Logger Frank Parslow

Frank Parslow is a local logger out of West Shokan, Ulster County who gets around quite a bit logging these hills. We'll pick Frank's mind about what it's like to be a Logger in these Catskill Mountains.

Beechnut With Gary Mead

Every third Wednesday of the month we invite Gary Mead on the show to talk about a tree growing in our Catskill Mountains. Gary is the local owner of Fruitful Furnishings Sawmill and Gary Mead Gallery in Margaretville, NY. Tonight's show we will discuss American Beech, or Beech nut as many people call it.

Three Guys Talkin\' Maple

Catskill Forest Association's President--Mike Porter--will discuss his experiences in making the tree sugary stuff from maple trees along with Ryan & John. Ryan has been making syrup since 2007 & John taps over a 1,000 trees for selling sap to a producer down the road. Mike & John are both dabbling in making syrup from other tree species too - birch and sycamore.

Modern Wood Heating For Catskill Communities with Forester Collin Miller

Forester Collin Miller describes how wood heating can be used to fire up Catskill Communities. Heat is a big cost each winter, yet the Catskills are full of "woody biomass" that could be used for community-scale heating.

Things To Do In Winter With Paul Misko

Paul Misko is the Founder of a local hiking club--The Catskill 4000 Club. Paul grew up traipsing around Woodland Valley & has learned about how to be prepared for winter, among other things. We'll see what Paul has been up to this winter.

A Catskill Logger's Perspective With Larry Schaefer

If you've been to Deposit, NY, then you might know the Schaefers; they are some hard-working people who literally make a living from the land. Larry Schaefer owns a sawmill, bluestone quarry, logging outfit, and a farm in Delaware County. We'll try to gain Larry's perspective on logging in particular, but also running a rural-based business in upstate NY in general.

Tree Roots With Gary Mead

Fruitful Furnishings's Sawmill Owner--Gary Mead-- discusses some interesting attributes & unique qualities of TREE ROOTS.

Apple Tree Pruning & Grafting

Ryan & John discuss the basics about restoring overgrown apple trees & the benefits of grafting apple trees too.

Environmental Consulting With North Country Ecological Services

Thomas M. Ward is the Vice-President of North Country Ecological Services. He conducts biological surveys in various terrestrial & aquatic habitats. He has experience performing environmental site assessments on industrial, commercial & residential properties throughout the United States, soil & water sampling & analysis, & wetlands investigation.

Bowhunting Black Bears with Joel Riotto

Christmas Trees With Gary Mead

Fruitful Furnishings Sawmill Owner--Gary Mead--discusses Christmas Trees & more.

Quality Deer Management With Kip Adams

Quality Deer Management Association's Kip Adams defines "quality deer management."

Mushrooms With Catskill Fungi's John Michelotti

Catskill Fungi's--John Michelotti--discusses mushrooms; both medicinal, edible, & more.

Young Forest Initiative With QDMA's Tim Russell

Tim Russell is with the Quality Deer Management Association & is their Young Forest Specialist. Tim will discuss the importance of young forests for deer, wildlife, & more.

Coyotes & Bark Beetles

Coyotes are often blamed for reducing deer populations, while bark beetles for killing trees. But are they the root cause?

Where Have All The Birds Gone

CFA's President--Mike Porter--discusses the recent "disappearance" of some of our forest birds around the bird feeder & more.

Sassafras With Gary Mead

Fruitful Furnishings Sawmill Owner--Gary Mead--discusses the unique properties of the sassafras tree.

Golden Eagle Project With Peg DiBenedetto

Peg DiBenedetto discusses the "Golden Eagle Project." Peg volunteers with the Delaware-Otsego Audubon Society, West Virginia University & NYS DEC to track & monitor Golden Eagles in these Catskill Mountains. Golden Eagles in the Catskills?! Yep, that's right.

America Before Columbus With Professor Andrew Isenberg

Temple University's Andrew Isenberg discusses "America Before Columbus." We'll ask Mr. Isenberg about what our forests might have "looked like" back then & how humans, flora and fauna fared together.

Eastern Cottonwood With Gary Mead

Fruitful Furnishings Sawmill Owner--Gary Mead--discusses the unique attributes of the eastern cottonwood tree.

Wildlife Management

Julia Priolo (student @ SUNY Cobleskill) discusses wildlife management; its history, definition, methodology, and management in the Catskills & beyond.

Archery Season Begins

Ryan, John, & Matt discuss their experiences surrounding bow hunting.

Forest History Society

The Forest History Society (FHS) is a nonprofit educational institution located in Durham, North Carolina. FHS links the past to the future by identifying, collecting, preserving, interpreting, & disseminating information on the history of interactions between people, forests, & their related resources -- timber, water, soil, forage, fish & wildlife, recreation, & scenic or spiritual values.

Our guest from the Forest History Society will be James Lewis; their staff historian.

Beechnut With Gary Mead

Fruitful Furnishings Sawmill Owner--Gary Mead--discusses the unique traits of the beechnut tree (or American beech).

Crop Tree Management

John & Ryan discuss "crop tree management" or how to decide which tree to cut & which to leave behind for better growth.

Gettting Ready For Fall Foliage

Mulberry

The mulberry tree; one of the most under-rated fruit trees!

Forestry In The Catskills With Forester Bernie Braun

Bernie Braun has been practicing Forestry for over 30 years throughout the Catskill Mountains & beyond.

Tree Nuts With Gary Mead

Fruitful Furnishings Sawmill Owner--Gary Mead--discusses trees in the Catskills that provide "nuts." Hickory, oak, walnut & more.

Forest Bird Species with Audubon NY

Recording of Audubon NY's Suzanne Treyger's presentation @ the 2017 Forest Festival on how to improve habitat for forest birds.

Why Are Oaks Disappearing With Ryan McEwan

University of Dayton's--Ryan McEwan--discusses why oak trees are disappearing from the eastern forest. Ryan is an Associate Professor of Ecology.

Catskill Forest Owner Frank Winkler

Guest speaker--Frank Winkler--discusses being a Forest Owner in these Catskill Mountains. Frank is a Board Member of both the Catskill Forest Association, NY Forest Owners Association, Council of Forest Resource Organizations, & the Watershed Agricultural Council's Forestry Program. He was born & raised on a dairy farm in Andes, Delaware County & currently resides on this same property today.

My First Tree Book, Sweet Sap By Gary Mead

Fruitful Furnishings Sawmill Owner--Gary Mead--discusses his new childrens' book: "My First Tree Book, Sweet Sap."

Author: CFA Staff