Below are a few ideas about joining together with your
neighbors to have a positive impact on your watershed community.
You will also find information about existing programs specifically
developed to assist Catskill residents, towns and teachers with
living and working in such a unique, resource-rich area of the
country.
Get involved in your community
Public events like meetings, hearings and workshops provide a
great opportunity for streamside landowners to ask questions,
express concerns and generally learn about stream stewardship
activities. Local agencies host many public events every year
and welcome input from residents and community members. As a watershed
resident, you are encouraged to get involved with protecting the
beautiful natural environment that we all share. Check out our
calendar for upcoming events
in your area.
Explore Stream Management Plans
Many of the Stream Management Plans developed for Catskills streams
collaboratively by municipal leaders, regional resource managers
and landowners describe the current condition of the stream and
surrounding vegetation throughout the watersheds they cover. These
Plans also make recommendations for protecting healthy sections
of stream and for restoring the stability of those sections that
are at risk. These Plans provide guidance for landowners and local
communities on how to manage Catskills streams in accord with
the unique conditions found here. Click here
to see if a Plan has been developed for the watershed in which
you live or work.
Join a watershed association
Watershed associations are fun and effective ways to address neighborhood
concerns and implement solutions. These associations range in
formality from housing paid staff and recognized 501(c)3 nonprofit
status to volunteers that simply gather annually for stream clean-ups.
Here are numerous links to various watershed associations throughout
the northeast U.S. And to learn specifically about an association
based on tributary to the Esopus Creek, the Broadstreet Hollow
Landowners Association, click here.
Several national programs and organizations exist to assist with
watershed association formation.
Check into existing watershed stewardship programs
Many programs already exist for assisting streamside landowners
monetarily and in-kind with stewardship activities. One place
to learn about these opportunities is through the Catskill Watershed Corporation (CWC), which has
programs in septic rehabilitation, stormwater retrofits, local
technical assistance, education, and economic development. Forest
landowners may be eligible for assistance through Watershed
Agricultural Council’s (WAC’s) Forestry Program or
through the Catskill Forest Association. Agricultural
landowners may be eligible to participate in WAC’s Whole
Farm Planning Program. The Catskill Center for Conservation &
Development and CWC have several workshops and programs for watershed teachers.
A Guide created by the Watershed Environmental Education Alliance lists education facilities and resources. Programs also exist for Catskill towns
and landowners.
Links and Resources
Click on the links below for more information:
Stream Management Planning
Watershed Associations
Other Programs
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