From The Forest

On this week's From the Forest radio show, we'll be discussing the "sustainability" of managing vegetation, the tools or methods used (i.e. livestock, chemicals, and mechanical), as well as future options like fire. 

Occasionally, we like to "talk shop" with field staff of Catskill Forest Association on what's going on in the forest. This week Zane, Jen, and Giovanna will dive into what they've been up to and what their plans are for Winter. CFA Field Staff Ryan Trapani, Director of Forest Services Zane Lawyer, Forest Program Manager Giovanna D'Angelo, Education Forester Jen Betz, Forest Technician

On this week's show we'll have 4th generation deer hunter--Jen Betz--on to discuss this important forest heritage in the Catskill Mountains. Jen was hired at the Catskill Forest Association (CFA) in August of 2025 and oversees their Legacy Tree Program and helps support their IT & business systems. Prior to this she served a short stint on the CFA Board of Directors, before taking a leave of a...

On this week's show, we'll be talking to Todd Heyn from the New York Farm Bureau about how they advocate for and promote farming & forestry in New York State. The mission of New York Farm Bureau is "Supporting today’s agricultural needs and creating member opportunities for tomorrow through advocacy and education."  Todd lives in East Meredith and has 120 acres that he manages himself. His bac...

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. 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.

On this week's show we'll be talking to Allyson Levy of Hortus Arboretum about all the plants they grow and educate others about near Stone Ridge, Ulster County. Allyson & Scott Serrano are co-Founders of Hortus Arboretum, which traces back to 2001. They are also co-Authors of their book, "Cold Hardy Fruits & Nuts." Mission "Located in the Mid-Hudson Valley countryside of Stone Ridge, New...

Recently, a reader of CFA's column--From the Forest--in the Shawangunk Journal asked what the forest would look like if humans didn't exist. We'll talk about what that forest might look like, the possible advantages and disadvantages too.

On this week's show, we'll be talking about the State of the Catskill Mountain's hiking trails and outdoor recreation with Peter Manning, Executive Director of the Catskill Mountain Club. The Catskill Mountain Club is a member-directed, not-for-profit organization formed to promote sustainable and safe outdoor recreation within the Catskill Park and on public lands throughout the Catskill Mountain...

On this week's show, we'll be talking to Jerry Michael--a prior member of NYFOA's Board of Directors--about "front-burner" and "back-burner" issues surrounding forest ownership and management. "The mission of the New York Forest Owners Association (NYFOA) is to promote sustainable forestry practices and improved stewardship on privately owned woodlands in New York State. NYFOA fulfills this critic...

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 cherry 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 C...

Occasionally, we like to "talk shop" with field staff of Catskill Forest Association on what's going on in the forest. We'll also introduce CFA's new Forest Technician--Jen Betz.     CFA Field Staff Ryan Trapani, Director of Forest Services Zane Lawyer, Forest Program Manager Giovanna D'Angelo, Education Forester Jen Betz, Forest Technician

On this weeks' show, we'll have "mushroom guy" & Owner of Catskill Fungi--John Michelotti along with CFA's Education Forester, Giovanna D'Angelo. We'll get into what being a beginning 'mushroomer' is like, what we've been seeing out in the woods fungi-wise, cultivation, fungi firsts, and more. Catskill Fungi is founded and cultivated by mycologist John Michelotti and friends. As former Preside...

On this week's show we'll be talking about "Oath Soil Life with Arborist Andrew Freeman. Oath Soil Life is "a product designed to restore and enhance the soil microbiome, which is crucial for healthy plant growth. It focuses on replenishing the microbial communities in degraded soils, thereby improving soil health and plant vitality." Owner and Operator Andrew Freeman has over 30 years of experien...

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 linden or basswood 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, Dela...

On this week's show, we'll be talking to Paul Steely from Parks & Trails New York. We'll see how New York State's vast network of parks and trails are doing. Mission: Parks & Trails New York works to expand, protect and promote a network of parks, trails, and open spaces throughout our state for use and enjoyment by all. Former Executive Director of Transportation Alternatives, an organiza...

It's been 5 years since we last talked to Mike Porter about what's on his mind pertaining to forest issues. We'll see what Mike has been up to: From firewood, birding, preparing for maple sugaring, outdoor education, changes in the forest & people's perspectives, and more.  Mike is a retired teacher from Margaretville Central School. He taught Earth Science, Environmental Science, Science Rese...

On this week's show we'll be talking to Taylor Moyer from the LandTrust Recreation Access Network. LandTrust is a 2-Way marketplace for "Connecting farmers, ranchers, and landowners to people that want to recreate in the outdoors." Choose an activity: Hunting, fishing, bird-watching, mushroom picking, camping, etc. LandTrust can then find a willing landowner throughout the US. Sounds like a great...

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 sycamore 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 Count...

Occasionally, we like to "talk shop" with field staff of Catskill Forest Association on what's going on in the forest. We'll also go into Ryan's recent 3-Day trip in the woods over the 4th of July weekend.   CFA Field Staff Ryan Trapani, Director of Forest Services Zane Lawyer, Forest Program Manager

On this week's show, we're grabbing a seat with Katie Grove, full-time artist, wild basket maker and soon-to-be author. We'll get into the unique challenges and delights the wild weaving process presents and discuss how active forest management intersects with the legacy craft that is basketry. How does a tree go from forest to basket? What kinds of plants can be utilized? Can basketry be another...

On this week's show we'll be discussing the role and responsibility of active forest management with Ethan Tapper - an internationally recognized forester, bestselling author, and content creator from Vermont.  Join us as we get into his book and all that active land management entails - reimagining what acts of compassion in the woods can look like, choosing imperfect action over the comfort of d...

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 hickory 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...

Occasionally, we like to "talk shop" with field staff of Catskill Forest Association on what's going on in the forest. We'll also go into Ryan's recent 3-Day trip in the woods over the 4th of July weekend.   CFA Field Staff Ryan Trapani, Director of Forest Services Zane Lawyer, Forest Program Manager Giovanna D'Angelo, Education Forester John Unverzagt, Education Arborist

On this week's show we'll be discussing American chestnut with Vasiliy Lakoba from the national organization--The American Chestnut Foundation (TACF). As many of you know, American chestnut has been made "functionally extinct" from the devastating chestnut blight brought in from Asia in the last century. We'll discuss how TACF plans to bring back the tree as well as their recent parting with SUNY...

On this Wednesday's show, we'll be talking to Nick Dietschler at the Hemlock Initiative to see how things are going with combatting the devastating hemlock woolly adelgid (HWA). HWA is an exotic insect that has wreaked havoc on the eastern US's hemlock trees beginning in the mid-1900s. Nick grew up in the Finger Lakes Region of New York, and moved to Ithaca in 2014. He received an Associates in Na...