From The Forest

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 trees we've lost--or are losing--over the years--American chestnut, American elm, American beech, white ash, and hemlock. Gary is the former owner of Fruitful Furnishings Sawmill & current owner of Gary Mead Gallery in Margaretv...

On this week's show we'll be talking to Eli Arnow on how deer are impacting New York State's forests and their possible solutions. Eli Arnow is a land steward and environmental advocate serving as chair of the Forest Health Task Force at Partners for Climate Action. He has a Master's degree from SUNY ESF in Environmental Science with a concentration in ecological restoration and lives in southern...

Occasionally, each 1st Wednesday, we like to "talk shop" with field staff of Catskill Forest Association on what's going on in the forest. We'll introduce new Staff members that you may not have met yet--Giovanna D'Angelo & John Unverzagt.   CFA Field Staff Ryan Trapani, Director of Forest Services Zane Lawyer, Forest Program Manager Giovanna D'Angelo, Education Forester John Unverzagt, Educat...

On this week's show we'll be talking to Twisted Tree Farm's Akiva Silver. Twisted Tree Farm is "dedicated to growing healthy trees, food, and family." They specialize in "low maintenance fruit & nut trees, berry bushes, and useful perennials." Maybe some of these make sense in your backyard. "Akiva Silver owns and operates Twisted Tree Farm, a homestead, nut orchard, and nursery located in Spe...

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 history of sawmilling and logging. 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 Middl...

Spring is right around the corner and that means that the clock is ticking for when buds pop and flowers bloom. Join Zane and Mike as they talk about the science of phenology, or the timing of periodic biological events on plants and animals. They’ll discuss why phenology is important, what influences these seasonal and cyclical changes, how these cycles are shifting, and how anyone can become a p...

On this week's show we'll be discussing wood heat with the Alliance for Green Heat's (AGH) John Ackerly. AGH "seeks to promote modern wood & pellet heating systems as a low carbon, sustainable & affordable energy solution."  President John oversees the group's policies and programs and partnerships with other stakeholders in the residential renewable energy and energy efficiency community....

On this week's show we'll be talking to Bill Edwards--Co-Owner of Star Tree Wildfire Protection (STWP). STWP provides Services that includes: Consulting, Prescribed Fire, Prescribed Burn Plan Writing, Fire Line & Fuel Break Construction, Project Management, and more. The demand in New York State seems to be increasing for prescribed fire. Private outfits like STWP make it happen.   "Star Tree...

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 hemlock 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 Coun...

On this week's show we'll be discussing Thomas Molnar's optimistic work at Rutgers University on hazelnut. Hazelnut has been devastated by Eastern Filbert Blight, making it difficult to grow in the eastern US. Tom is seeking to bring hazelnut back east as an opportunity for backyarders, hobbyists, and orchards. Thomas Molnar received his PhD from Rutgers University in 2006. He is currently an Asso...

We spoke to Jesse back in November about his leather tanning business in Montgomery, Orange County--Pergamena--Parchments & Leather. The Meyer family has been tanning leather for 474 years! On this 2nd show with Jesse, we'll get more into the industry and process side of things. Pergamena's connection to the forest is the chestnut bark they use to tan their leathers. In addition to livestock,...

On this week's show we'll be talking all about deer, deer management, and their conservation with National Deer Association's Matt Ross.  About NDA--"Re-forged on November 10, 2020, from the combined strengths of two deer organizations with 38 years of action, the National Deer Association is united for deer with a new vision to make an impact for conservation immediately and for future generation...

(The 1st half of this show can be found 15 minutes into Part 1)   On this week's show we'll be talking to Dr. Jane Lucas from the Cary Institute of Ecosystem Studies about the importance of soils in northeastern forests. Jane will cover soil composition, the role of microbial communities in soils, global change impacts on soil health, human influences and soil degradation, and what you can do to i...

(Unfortunately, you must "fast-forward" 15 minutes into this show to begin From the Forest.)   On this week's show we'll be talking to Dr. Jane Lucas from the Cary Institute of Ecosystem Studies about the importance of soils in northeastern forests. Jane will cover soil composition, the role of microbial communities in soils, global change impacts on soil health, human influences and soil degradat...

On this week's show we'll be talking to Nadia Steinzor about wolves. Nadia facilitates the recovery and protection of wolves throughout northeastern US and eastern Canada.  Nadia Steinzor is an environmental consultant with 25 years of experience in policy analysis, research, writing, and communications. She has developed and managed projects to investigate the oil and gas industry’s impact on the...

Last time we had Author M.R. O'Connor on the show, we discussed her book--"Ignition: Lighting Fires in a Burning World." On this week's show, we'll discuss her recent article in The New Yorker: "The Northeast is Becoming Fire Country." O'Connor's article was inspired by the abundance of forest fires last fall in the Northeast US.  About M.R. O'Connor: M. R. O’Connor is a journalist who writes abou...

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 ash 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.

We had Nate on the show last year to share his story of his first ever time bear hunting in the Catskills. He was successful and is now hooked! We will hear about his second year of hunting and what he's learned. 

This fall was abnormally dry here in the Catskills, resulting in an uptick in wildland fire activity. We will be discussing fire in the Catskills with NYS DEC Region 3 Forest Ranger, Erich Horn. Ranger Horn spent some time on the Peekamoose Fire last month and will give us some first hand accounts as well as discuss his role as a Forest Ranger to prevent and suppress forest fires in the region.

On this week's show we'll be talking to Jesse Meyer from Pergamena--Parchments & Leather. Pergamena is based out of Montgomery, Orange County and the Meyer family has been tanning leather for 474 years! Pergamena's connection to the forest is the chestnut bark they use to tan their leathers. In addition to livestock, they also will tan deerskins too. Jesse Meyer has worked in his family’s busi...

(2nd half of show) 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 maple tree, both red and sugar. 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...

(This show unfortunately is broken up over 2 parts. Just "fast-forward" towards the middle or so of Part 1 to hear the beginning) 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 maple tree, both red and sugar. Gary is the former owner of Fruitful Furnishings Sawmill & current owner o...

On this week's show we'll be discussing how "kids in the woods" has changed from the past. I know playing in the woods as a kid definitely had a great influence on my life as someone who plays and works in the woods today. 

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 o...

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.