Ashokan Watershed Stream Management Program

Catskill Environmental Monitoring and Research Conference

noreply@blogger.com (CCE Ulster County Ag Program) — Tue, 15 Mar 2011 20:09:00 +0000

The website for the Catskill Environmental Monitoring and Research Conference has been updated to include presentation abstracts, some of the presentations (where available), and useful links and contact information. An e-list is also available to help researchers and resource managers in the Watershed communicate.

www.ashokanstreams.org/research conference.html

FREE Raingardens for Stormwater Management Workshop to be held in Ashokan Watershed

noreply@blogger.com (CCE Ulster County Ag Program) — Tue, 08 Mar 2011 15:26:00 +0000

Raingardens look like regular flower gardens but function to capture and soak up rainwater from roofs and driveways before it becomes runoff. Cornell Cooperative Extension of Ulster County’s rain garden experts will teach participants what they need to know to get started with their own raingarden projects, from site selection to the choice of plants and maintenance. This FREE informative presentation will take place at St. Francis De Sales Catholic Church located at 109 Main Street in Phoenicia on Saturday, April 2 from 9:00am to 12:00pm. This presentation is for anyone interested in backyard storm water management, and Municipal Planners and Landscape Professionals are encouraged to attend. Pre-registration is required no later than Wednesday, March 30. No walk-ins please. For more information and to pre-register contact Dona Crawford or Teresa Rusinek at Cornell Cooperative Extension Ulster County by calling 845-340-3990 ext. 335 or emailing dm282@cornell.edu. A registration form can also be downloaded at www.cceulster.org under the Event Registration Forms section. This raingarden project is made possible by a grant funded by Cornell Cooperative Extension of Ulster County’s Ashokan Watershed Stream Management Program.

Annual Ashokan Watershed Conference “Flood Resiliency for Towns, Businesses and Landowners” Comes to Mount Tremper

noreply@blogger.com (CCE Ulster County Ag Program) — Tue, 08 Mar 2011 15:03:00 +0000

The partners of the Ashokan Watershed Stream Management Program, Cornell Cooperative Extension of Ulster County, Ulster County Soil and Water Conservation District, New York City Department of Environmental Protection will host the Second Annual “Ashokan Watershed Conference: “Flood Resiliency for Towns, Businesses and Landowners” on Saturday, April 9, 2011 from 9:00 am to 2:30 pm at the Emerson Resort and Spa located at 5340 Route 28, Mount Tremper, NY 12457. Conference agenda and registration forms are available online at www.ashokanstreams.org. The registration cost is $15 per person and includes lunch. Deadline for registration is Friday, March 25. For more information call 845-688-3047.

The conference is timely. In late 2010, two floods occurred within two months of each other in Ulster County, resulting in significant damage in local communities. The conference theme focuses on how communities can be more resilient when floods occur. “We can't always stop floods, but communities can take charge of planning wisely to limit damage and improve how communities recover,” said Michael Courtney, Watershed Educator for Cornell Cooperative Extension.

Featured speakers include Dan Zarrow, a meteorologist from the Northeast Regional Climate Center at Cornell University, who will present on increasing frequency of large rainstorms. Jim MacBroom, Senior Vice President of Milone and MacBroom, Inc. and professor at Yale University, will present on stream responses to increasing rainfall and how to plan for these changes. Staff from Delaware County Soil and Water Conservation District will share how they are working with local towns to address challenging flood problems.

Smaller breakout workshops in the afternoon are oriented specifically toward municipal officials or landowners and businesses. Among the workshops for municipal officials is a floodplain management workshop with Bill Nechamen, the State Floodplain Manager for the New York State Department of Environmental Conservation. For streamside land owners and businesses, a Streambank Erosion 101 workshop will be led by staff from the Ulster County Soil and Water Conservation District and Natural Resources Conservation Services.

See the full listing of the conference sessions and registration brochure online at www.ashokanstreams.org or contact Cornell Cooperative Extension at 845-688-3047.

Saugerties Photographer Wins Ashokan Watershed Photo Contest

noreply@blogger.com (CCE Ulster County Ag Program) — Tue, 08 Mar 2011 15:02:00 +0000

Audrey Steinburg of Saugerties was awarded first prize for her photograph of the Ashokan Reservoir at an opening reception held on December 4, 2010 at Cornell Cooperative Extension of Ulster County’s Education Center in Kingston. She received a $100 gift certificate from Artcraft photo.

This group show was a contest that took place in the Ashokan Watershed during Creek Week in September. Participants were asked to submit two photos taken within the watershed during that time.

Audrey is a longtime photographer and a member of the Art Society of Kingston. She said taking this photograph was a “gift of time and place”.

Carol Carboni took second place with her photo of Esopus Creek above the reservoir. The entire show can be seen at the CCEUC office located at 10 Westbrook Lane in Kingston, Monday through Friday from 8:30am to 5:00pm. The show will be on exhibit through December and then will travel to the Ellenville Regional Library for the month of January.

Cornell Cooperative Extension is seeking public input for improved recreational stream access in the Ashokan Watershed

noreply@blogger.com (CCE Ulster County Ag Program) — Tue, 08 Mar 2011 15:00:00 +0000

The Ashokan Watershed Stream Management Program is gathering the public’s input at three public sessions on where they would like to see improvements to recreational stream access in the Ashokan Watershed. Some ideas for improvement could be; improved parking areas, green infrastructure to manage stormwater runoff, benches along the stream, garbage cans or garbage pick-up, or wildlife habitat improvements. Maybe you would just like to see more signs along the road indicating where there is public stream access! If you cannot make it to any of the public outreach meetings or have a new idea, a map and survey can be found on our website www.ashokanstreams.org/streamaccess.html.

We are holding 3 public information gathering sessions in the towns of Shandaken, Woodstock, and Olive on the following dates, refreshments will be served.

Shandaken: March 8, 2011 from 5:00pm – 7:00pm

At the AWSMP Program Office

6375 State Rt. 28, Phoenicia NY

Olive: March 10, 2011 from 4:30pm – 7:00pm

At the Olive Free Library, in the Community Room

4033 Route 28A, West Shokan NY

Woodstock: March 18, 2011 from 5:30pm – 7:30pm

At the Woodstock Community Center

56 Rock City Rd, Woodstock NY

Everyone is encouraged to attend! If you have any questions about these upcoming events, please call the Ashokan Watershed Stream Management Program office at 845-688-3047.

Ashokan Photo Contest Exhibit December 4

noreply@blogger.com (Michael Courtney) — Wed, 01 Dec 2010 15:39:00 +0000

Cornell Cooperative Extension of Ulster County’s Ashokan Watershed Stream Management Program will host a photography exhibit featuring images taken in the Ashokan Watershed by various photographers during Ulster County Creek Week event which took place in September.

The opening reception is Saturday December 4, 2010 at Cornell Cooperative Extension Ulster County’s Education Center located at 10 Westbrook Lane in Kingston from 5:00pm to 7:00pm. There will be refreshments and live entertainment during the opening reception. This opening event is part of the City of Kingston’s First Saturday art walk.

The photos will be judged and prizes will be awarded that evening. A $100 gift certificate and a $50 voucher for custom framing courtesy of Artcraft Camera & Digital are amongst the prizes.

This event is part of a photo contest which took place during Ulster County Creek Week in September. Creek Week is a series of educational and recreational events that took place in the Ashokan Watershed which helped to raise awareness about local streams and water resources throughout Ulster County.

Call for Papers: Catskill Environmental Monitoring and Research Conference

noreply@blogger.com (CCE Ulster County Ag Program) — Tue, 24 Aug 2010 15:22:00 +0000

The Program Committee of the Catskill Environmental Monitoring and Research Conference is seeking topics for discussion, titles, and abstracts (300 word maximum) for a poster or verbal presentation (15-20 min talks) for the Catskill Environmental Monitoring and Research Conference to be held November 17-18 at Belleayre. Proposals should be forwarded to Elizabeth Higgins, of Cornell Cooperative Extension of Ulster County, at emh56@cornell.edu on or before October 15, 2010.

The Ashokan Watershed Stream Management Program (Cornell Cooperative Extension of Ulster County and the NYC Department of Environmental Protection Stream Management Program), NYS Department of Environmental Conservation, US Geological Survey, Cary Institute of Ecosystem Studies, New York City Department of Environmental Protection, and the Catskill Institute for the Environment are sponsoring this informal research forum. The purpose of this forum is to:

(1) update attendees on current research efforts within the Catskill Mountains related to

climate change
stream water quality
biodiversity
forest health, and
stream stability

(2) identify monitoring and research gaps; and

(3) stimulate discussion; and promote collaborative efforts that address present and future environmental issues within the region.

This meeting is intended mainly for researchers and resource managers working in the region, but we do not intend this meeting to be exclusive. Therefore, please forward this to others you think may be interested in attending or presenting. The conference website is: http://www.ashokanstreams.org/research%20conference.html .

Ashokan Watershed Implementation Fund Announces $298,390 in "Round 2" Funded Projects

noreply@blogger.com (CCE Ulster County Ag Program) — Tue, 24 Aug 2010 15:09:00 +0000

In July the Ashokan Watershed Stream Management Implementation Fund approved seven projects, totalling $298,390. They are as follows:

Master Gardener Program/Cornell Cooperative Extension of Ulster County ($5,000 - Mini Grant) “Rain Garden Project” To develop a rain garden within the Ashokan Watershed at a site where run-off would be likey to impact a stream. Offer training on raingarden installation and a public program and informational signage at demonstration site.
Town of Woodstock ($4,400 - Mini Grant) “Woodstock Watershed Education Project” For education, outreach, training and other forms in which to enhance understanding of why and how to implement stream stewardship principles in Woodstock. Special focus on issues relating to erosion, stormawter pollution and the Beaverkill.

United States Geological Survey (USGS) ($86,800 - Matching Grant) “Use of telemetry to assess potential effects of Schoharie Reservoir waters on trout populations in the Upper Esopus Creek.” The Shandaken Tunnel brings water from the Schoharie Reservoir to Esopus Creek which then flows to the Ashokan Reservoir. Tunnel flows are often turbid and speculated to cause adverse effects on fish and macroinvertebrates downstream of the portal. However, the also generally colder tunnel flows may provide beneficial thermal-refuge habitat for some resident species in the Esopus Creek. By studying the survival, growth, and behavior of individual trout in relationship to the portal, more data will be available to inform management decisions concerning portal releases, drinking water supplies, and fish resources in the watershed more ecologically sound.

USGS ($79,700- Matching Grant) “Quantitative assessment of fish, macroinvertebrate, and periphyton communities in the Upper Esopus Creek” In addition to the Shandaken Portal, several other issues may also disturb naturally occurring biotic communities and negatively affect water quality in the Upper Esopus ecosystem. This project will assess water quality impairment and quantify conditions and impacts on stream biota in the Upper Esopus watershed by sampling fish and habitat conditions at 20 study sites over several years.

USGS ($90,990 - Matching Grant) “Quantitative Assessment of Water Quality in the Upper Esopus Creek” Monitoring water chemistry, hydrology, suspended sediments, turbidity, and temperature at 13 sites in the Ashokan Watershed.

Cornell Cooperative Extension of Ulster County ($2,500 - Mini Grant ) “Cornell Local Roads Program Ditch and Culvert Class” To cover the cost of offering a 1 day ditch and culvert best management practice class for 30 local highway employees.
Town of Woodstock ($29,000 - Matching Grant) "Habitat Mapping for the Town of Woodstock" A project to identify and map ecologically significant habitats throughout the entire town.

Trout Unlimited Ashokan-Pepacton Chapter ($925 - Mini Grant) for the “Leaping Trout Art Project.” Trout Unlimited supplied 29 Catskill artists with an aluminum blank cut-out of a four foot leaping trout. The artists created amazing, unique works that are on display (summer/fall 2010)throughout our local community. The trout will be auctioned off in the fall (2010) to raise funds to support the efforts of Trout Unlimited. The project is intended to stimulate community awareness of the conservation issues facing the Esopus Creek and the Ashokan Watershed. See the project website for more information and images of the artwork: http://www.theleapingtrout.com/.

Ulster County Soil and Water Conservation District (UCSWCD) ($6,586 - 2 Mini Grants) “Rosgen Level 2 Training and Rosgen Level 3 Training” to send, Jake Wedemeyer, a staff-person with UCSWCD, to two courses taught by Dr. David Rosgen on natural channel stream design. This training will increase the level of expertise on stream management and restoration practices in Ulster County.

New York State Geological Survey ($38,037 - Matching Grant) “An Investigation of Glacial Geology and Applied Three Dimensional Geologic Mapping in Ulster County, NY.” If you saw what looked like drilling rigs in the Ashokan Watershed this summer, don’t panic. They were not drilling for gas, but were probably part of the study to develop three-dimensional glacial geologic maps within the Ashokan Watershed. This research will help improve our knowledge of geologic factors leading to turbidity in the watershed.

Stream Project in Woodland Valley Planned for this Fall.

noreply@blogger.com (CCE Ulster County Ag Program) — Tue, 24 Aug 2010 13:56:00 +0000

Failing Bank at Project Site

Ulster County Soil and Water Conservation District (UC SWCD) is coordinating the Woodland Valley near Fawn Hill stream project. Compete repair to the stream bank will be a cooperative team effort from NYC DEP, Ulster County Soil & Water Conservation District, USDA Natural Resources Conservation Service, Cornell Cooperative Extension of Ulster County and the Town of Shandaken.

The project consists of a stacked rock wall at the base of the hill, and a bio-engineered wall above it. This still leaves a fairly large section at the top of the slope that will be planted normally with trees, shrubs and grass. Our NRCS engineer modeled the 25yr, 50yr and 100yr floods to help determine the size requirements for the walls. Most likely, residents will only ever see the trees at the top of the road as they drive by. Also, we are working hard to ensure the pool at the base of the rock wall is not changed by our activities.

The failing bank is approx. 8 ft away from the road. Unfortunately, it is migrating towards the road. I believe the property owner, Ed Twerdack, and former highway supervisors have been keeping their eye on it over the years but it seems like it's time has come (see attached photo).

The funding for this project will come from the Ashokan Watershed Stream Management Program Implementation Fund (http://ashokanstreams.org/). Cornell Cooperative Extension maintains these funds and CCE has committed their support to this project. NYC DEP Stream Management Program is the ultimate funder for the Ashokan Watershed Stream Management Program and they have been supportive with assisting towns with their priority stream projects. UC SWCD, USDA NRCS and NYC DEP have all contributed technical expertise and matching staff support to this project.

For more information, contact Cory Ritz cory.ritz@ashokanstreams.org

Deadline for Grant Applications extended to August 30th.

noreply@blogger.com (CCE Ulster County Ag Program) — Tue, 24 Aug 2010 13:38:00 +0000

The deadline for grant applications to the Ashokan Watershed Stream Management Program Implementation Fund has been extended to August 30th. The next deadline for applications will be November 1, 2010. For more information, contact Elizabeth Higgins at emh56@cornell.edu. Application materials can be found on the program website www.ashokanstreams.org/grants.html.

AWSMP Announces Round 1 Funded Projects

noreply@blogger.com (CCE Ulster County Ag Program) — Tue, 24 Aug 2010 13:35:00 +0000

This spring, Cornell Cooperative Extension of Ulster County's Ashokan Watershed Stream Management Program funded eight projects through the Ashokan Watershed Stream Management Program Implementation Fund. Deadlines and applications are available on the program website at www.ashokanstreams.org/grants.html.

Catskill Center for Conservation and Development ($5,000 - Mini Grant) “Kiosk Panel Project” To provide support to a new kiosk developed by the Catskill Center in collaboration with architecture students from SUNY Delhi and the Route 28 Corridor Project. The kiosk is located in Boiceville on Route 28 at the proposed location of the Catskills Interpretive Center. The kiosk will provide visitors information about resources for recreation as well as the history and environment of the Catskills. One of the panels will feature the New York City Watershed Programs and the importance of stream management.

SUNY New Paltz ($5,000 - Mini Grant) “Rock Snot in Sick Rivers.” Dr. David Richardson, an assistant professor in the biology department at SUNY New Paltz is leading a group of undergraduate students from around the country on a summer research project on Didymo, an invasive algae species in the Esopus Creek. The students are part of a larger National Science Foundation Research Experince for Undergraduates (REU) Grant awarded to SUNY New Paltz that will be conducting a variety of research projects in the Ashokan Watershed over the next three years.

United States Geological Survey (USGS) ($8,273 - Matching Grant) “Use of telemetry to assess potential effects of Schoharie Reservoir waters on trout populations in the Upper Esopus Creek.” The Shandaken Tunnel brings water from the Schoharie Reservoir to Esopus Creek which then flows to the Ashokan Reservoir. Tunnel flows are often turbid and speculated to cause adverse effects on fish and macroinvertebrates downstream of the portal. However, the also generally colder tunnel flows may provide beneficial thermal-refuge habitat for some resident species in the Esopus Creek. By studying the survival, growth, and behavior of individual trout in relationship to the portal, more data will be available to inform management decisions concerning portal releases, drinking water supplies, and fish resources in the watershed more ecologically sound.

USGS ($27,080 - Matching Grant) “Quantitative Assessment of Water Quality in the Upper Esopus Creek” In addition to the Shandaken Portal, several other issues may also disturb naturally occurring biotic communities and negatively affect water quality in the Upper Esopus ecosystem. This project will assess water quality impairment and quantify conditions and impacts on stream biota in the Upper Esopus watershed by sampling fish and habitat conditions at 20 study sites over several years.

Cornell Cooperative Extension of Ulster County ($9,000 - Other) “Trimble for Watershed Communities” CCE Ulster has purchased a Trimble GPS unit that can be lent out to municipalities and organizations wishing to gather data for a project that is relevant to stream or watershed management. An application will soon be available on www.ashokanstreams.org or you can call Elizabeth Higgins at (845) 688-3047 to find out more.

Trout Unlimited Ashokan-Pepacton Chapter ($925 - Mini Grant) for the “Leaping Trout Art Project.” Trout Unlimited supplied 29 Catskill artists with an aluminum blank cut-out of a four foot leaping trout. The artists created amazing, unique works that are on display (summer/fall 2010)throughout our local community. The trout will be auctioned off in the fall (2010) to raise funds to support the efforts of Trout Unlimited. The project is intended to stimulate community awareness of the conservation issues facing the Esopus Creek and the Ashokan Watershed. See the project website for more information and images of the artwork: http://www.theleapingtrout.com/.

Ulster County Soil and Water Conservation District (UCSWCD) ($6,586 - 2 Mini Grants) “Rosgen Level 2 Training and Rosgen Level 3 Training” to send, Jake Wedemeyer, a staff-person with UCSWCD, to two courses taught by Dr. David Rosgen on natural channel stream design. This training will increase the level of expertise on stream management and restoration practices in Ulster County.

New York State Geological Survey ($38,037 - Matching Grant) “An Investigation of Glacial Geology and Applied Three Dimensional Geologic Mapping in Ulster County, NY.” If you saw what looked like drilling rigs in the Ashokan Watershed this summer, don’t panic. They were not drilling for gas, but were probably part of the study to develop three-dimensional glacial geologic maps within the Ashokan Watershed. This research will help improve our knowledge of geologic factors leading to turbidity in the watershed.

Catskill Environmental Monitoring & Research Conference

noreply@blogger.com (CCE Ulster County Ag Program) — Thu, 08 Jul 2010 16:57:00 +0000

The NYC DEP, Cornell Cooperative Extension of Ulster County, NYS DEC, USGS, Cary Institute for Ecosystem Studies and the Catskill Institute for the Environment are planning an informal research forum on the Catskills to be held on November 17th and 18th, at Belleayre Mountain Ski Center in Highmount, N.Y..

The purpose of this forum is to update attendees on current research efforts focused on the Catskills related to climate change, biodiversity, forest health, water quality and streams, identify monitoring and research gaps, stimulate discussion, and promote collaborative efforts that address present and future environmental issues within the Catskills region.

We request that you send us suggested topics for discussion and abstracts (1/2 page maximum) for any presentation (15-20 min talks - depending on the number of speakers or posters) that you might like to contribute before October 15, 2010. They can be sent to Liz Higgins at emh56@cornell.edu. No more than 12 presentations are planned for each day. Some additional activities will be planned for Wednesday afternoon and evening and part of Thursday afternoon will be kept open for general discussions and/or breakout meetings.

The forum is intended mainly for researchers and resource managers working in the region, but we do not intend this meeting to be exclusive. Therefore, please forward this to others you think may be interested in attending or presenting. More details will follow in September, including registration information, and lodging information; a final agenda will be sent to all in October. Thanks.

Deadline for Grant Applications is June 30th!

noreply@blogger.com (CCE Ulster County Ag Program) — Wed, 23 Jun 2010 16:48:00 +0000

The deadline for the summer round of Mini and Matching Grants for the Ashokan Watershed Stream Management Program is fast approaching.

All applications MUST be recieved by 5:00pm on June 30 to be considered at the July Advisory Council Meeting.

Applications will be reviewed again in the fall. The next deadline will be August 1.

For more information, and application forms go to http://www.ashokanstreams.org/implementation%20fund.html. Contact Elizabeth Higgins at emh56@cornell.edu or (845) 688-3047.

Geologists with the New York State Museum will be conducting scientific drilling in Esopus Valley and its tributary valleys during the week of June 28th.

noreply@blogger.com (CCE Ulster County Ag Program) — Wed, 23 Jun 2010 16:40:00 +0000

NY State Museum Scientists to Study Glacial Lakes in Esopus Valley

If you see people drilling holes in the Ashokan Watershed in June and July – don’t panic! Geologists with the New York State Museum will be conducting scientific drilling in Esopus Valley and its tributary valleys during the week of June 28th.

A primary goal of the research project, funded by the National Cooperative Geologic Mapping Program, is to map the location and thickness of clay deposits in the Esopus Creek watershed. The clay was deposited in large lakes dammed by glacial ice during the most recent retreat of the continental ice sheet from New York State between 20,000 and 12,000 years ago. During their existence, the glacial lake basins collected thick deposits of layered silt and clay that recorded information about climate change. Geologists hope to extract paleo-climate data from the drilling by determining the exact timing of the lakes' existence and ice retreat.

The second, and more pragmatic, reason for locating the clay deposits in Esopus Creek watershed is the fact that Esopus Creek water flows into the Ashokan Reservoir – one of the Catskill water supply reservoirs for New York City’s drinking water. Floods in the Esopus watershed have caused stream bank erosion and landslides that expose these lake clay sources which leads to increased turbidity in Esopus Creek.

The New York State Museum has coordinated this effort with the Ashokan Watershed Stream Management Program, a partnership of Cornell Cooperative Extension – Ulster County, Ulster County Soil and Water Conservation District, and NYC Department of Environmental Protection, given the importance of identifying the distribution of these potential turbidity sources in the Ashokan watershed. Knowing the location and extent of clay deposits will aid the Ashokan Watershed Stream Management Program’s proposed management strategies for improving the quality of New York City's drinking water.

Stream Stewards Training July 17

noreply@blogger.com (CCE Ulster County Ag Program) — Sat, 12 Jun 2010 01:47:00 +0000

Workshop for Stream Stewards, a primer on native plnts, stream processes and ecology. This is an outdoor training. 9-4:30. Call Michael Courtney at 688-3047 for more information.

Stream Clean-up Saturday June 12

noreply@blogger.com (CCE Ulster County Ag Program) — Sat, 12 Jun 2010 01:44:00 +0000

Come to the Esopus clean-up! Keep access points clean! Meet at our office at 9:30am 6375 Route 28 (About 5 minutes west of Phoenicia). Potluck BBQ to follow at our office. Bring sturdy shoes or boots, water bottle, sun protection, and dress for weather. Gloves and trash bags provided. Prizes for everyone and for most interesting trash items.

Join the Stream Stewards

noreply@blogger.com (Michael Courtney) — Thu, 06 May 2010 19:03:00 +0000

Do you enjoy being outdoors, helping the environment and meeting other like-minded people? Come Join the Ashokan Stream Stewards!

This program will involve interested full or part time residents of the Ashokan watershed in a myriad of important and beneficial activities. The purpose of the program is for volunteers to get involved in stream-based projects in the community as a way to visibly model positive stream stewardship practices and assist the Ashokan Watershed Stream Management Program in carrying out a wide range of community activities. Some of the opportunities available are: stream clean-ups, education, streamside plantings, stream monitoring, outreach to local communities, invasive species control, and organizing local events.

Our next events will be:

Sat., May 22, 10am - 12:30pm - Knotweed Pull Day

Sat., June 12, 9:30- 12:30pm - Stream Cleanup, with Potluck BBQ to follow

Sat., July 17 - Stream Stewards Training

Volunteers will participate in a one day training on various monitoring methods, invasive plant id and control, and learn about ways to protect this environment. More information will be announced as it becomes available.

To become a Stream Steward, please contact Dona Crawford at dm282@cornell.edu or 845-688-3047.

For more information about CCEUC community programs and events call 845-340-3990 or visit us online at www.cceulster.org or follow us on www.facebook.com

Employment Opportunity - Watershed Planning and Stream Assessment Educator

noreply@blogger.com (CCE Ulster County Ag Program) — Mon, 26 Apr 2010 15:06:00 +0000

Watershed Planning and Stream Assessment Educator (full-time, Ashokan Watershed Stream Management Program, Cornell Cooperative Extension of Ulster County) - Deadline May 14, or until filled.

Cornell Cooperative Extension of Ulster County (CCE) has an opening for a Watershed Planning and Stream Assessment Educator to work with the Ashokan Watershed Stream Management Program in Shandaken, NY. The Ashokan Watershed is one of the sources of drinking water for New York City in the Catskill Mountains. The project office is located in Shandaken, NY – approximately 30 miles west of Kingston. The project office is shared with staff from Ulster County Soil and Water Conservation District (UC SWCD) and New York City Department of Environmental Protection (NYC DEP). CCE Ulster County’s staff provide program coordination, education, outreach, and training programs for the Watershed Program under a contract from the NYC DEP.

Under the direction of the CCE Ashokan Watershed Program Coordinator, the Educator will be responsible for the following tasks:

(a) Taking stream assessment data from the field and incorporating it into stream management plans
(b) Incorporating stream management plans and other information, into a comprehensive Watershed Management Plan for the Ashokan Watershed,
(c) Developing fact sheets, webpages, and other materials to disseminate information on best management practices in the watershed,
(d) Developing training and education programs for municipal employees, contractors, and landowners, and
(e) Assisting Ashokan Watershed Program staff from CCE, Ulster County Soil and Water Conservation District, and New York City DEP with stream assessments.

Skills Needed: Excellent technical writing skills with experience in developing reports and recommendations for a variety of audiences that are based on research.

Significant experience using GIS software (ESRI ARC GIS 9 is preferred),

Knowledge of watershed management issues and practices and policies, with an emphasis on streams, floodplains, and riparian zones.

Able to communicate effectively to a wide range of stakeholders

Experience in collecting field data and in using GPS. Knowledge of geology, soils, plants or fluvial processes would be helpful. Must be willing and physically able to assist with field data collection in Catskill Mountain streams.

Knowledge of html and website design/management would be helpful.

Salary in 40’s (depending on qualifications). CCE provides a generous benefits package including health insurance and participation in the NYS Retirement Program.

Please submit a cover letter outlining experience and interest in the position, resume and CCE Application to:
Elizabeth Higgins
Cornell Cooperative Extension of Ulster County
10 Westbrook Lane
Kingston, NY 12401
(fax) (845) 340-3990 (attn: Liz Higgins)
(e-mail) emh56@cornell.edu (subject: Watershed Educator)

CCE Ulster County Provides Equal Employment Opportunities

Floodplains and Stormwater Awareness Conference May 1st

noreply@blogger.com (CCE Ulster County Ag Program) — Wed, 21 Apr 2010 12:13:00 +0000

Ashokan Watershed Conference

Floodplains and Stormwater Awareness

May 1, 2010 􀂊 9:00 am - 2:30 pm 􀂊 Belleayre Mountain

Registration Fee $15 (includes lunch). To register: (845) 340-3990 the registration form is available at http://www.ashokanstreams.org/ (under Annual Conference)

Municipal Training Credits Available Based on Local Town Approval

8:15 - 9:00 Registration and Morning Refreshments
9:00 - 11:45 Featured Presentations

Building Local Resources for Stream Management - Ashokan Watershed Stream Management Program
Why Care About Floodplains and Stormwater? - Barbara Kendall, Kendall Stormwater Services
Flooding Impacts in Ulster County - Art Snyder, Director Ulster County Emergency Management
Skit: “Dream Homes and Drainage Nightmares”

11:45 - 12:30 Lunch (provided)

12: 30 - 2:30 Concurrent Sessions (Select two or the Intro Course on Floodplain Management)

12:30-1:25

Municipal Floodplain Policies: Tools to Protect You and the Stream, Barbara Kendall, Kendall Stormwater Services
Slow It Down and Soak It In: Home Stormwater Protection, Teresa Rusinek, Commercial & Community Horticulture Educator,Cornell Cooperative Extension of Ulster County and Mark Masseo, Masseo Landscaping, Inc.

1:30-2:30

Cash for Communities: A Panel of Funders for Your Projects, Ashokan Watershed Stream Management Program, Catskill Watershed Corporation, State Emergency Management Office (SEMO), Natural Resources Conservation Service (NRCS), NYS Department of State

Driveways and Culverts: Best Practices, David Orr, Senior Engineer, Cornell Local Roads Program

12:30-2:30

National Flood Insurance Program: Introductory Course on Floodplain Management (Training Credits Available for Floodplain Managers/Code Enforcement Officers), Bill Nechamen, State Floodplain Manager, NYSDEC

Matching Grant Program - Round 2 Applications Due June 30

noreply@blogger.com (CCE Ulster County Ag Program) — Thu, 15 Apr 2010 07:43:00 +0000

Cornell Cooperative Extension of Ulster County’s Ashokan Watershed Stream Management Program is accepting applications for the 2010 Matching Grant Program. Information and applications are available on the Ashokan Watershed SMP Website www.ashokanstreams.org. Applications are accepted continuously, but are reviewed at quarterly advisory council meetings. The next Advisory Council meeting is scheduled for July 2010 and any applications to be considered for that meeting would need to be received by June 30. The next round of applications will be reviewed in September 2010.

The Matching Grants are specifically for programs and projects in the Ashokan Watershed that help to implement Ashokan Watershed Stream Management Plan recommendations. They provide up to 25% of the project cost or $100,000. Information about the Ashokan Watershed Stream Management Program and the Action Plan is available on-line at www.ashokanstreams.org or you can contact Elizabeth Higgins, Ashokan Watershed SMP Coordinator at (845) 688-3047 or by e-mail at emh56@cornell.edu.

The funding for these grants has been provided by the New York City Department of Environmental Protection through it’s Stream Management Program. CCE Ulster County is administering a total of $2 million in Stream Management Program Implementation Funds, of which $100,000 has been earmarked for the Mini Grants and $400,000 for the Matching Grants. The remaining funds will be used for stream restoration projects identified as priorities in the watershed, best management practice demonstrations and for cooperative research and monitoring projects. All funds for this program will be obligated by May 2012.

Mini Grant Program - Round 2 Applications Due June 30, 2010

noreply@blogger.com (CCE Ulster County Ag Program) — Thu, 15 Apr 2010 07:40:00 +0000

Cornell Cooperative Extension of Ulster County’s Ashokan Watershed Stream Management Program is accepting applications for the 2010 Mini Grant Programs. Information and applications are available on the Ashokan Watershed SMP Website www.ashokanstreams.org. Applications are accepted continuously, but are reviewed at quarterly advisory council meetings. The next Advisory Council meeting is scheduled for July 2010 and any applications to be considered for that meeting would need to be received by June 30. The next round of applications will be reviewed in September 2010.

The Mini Grants are specifically for programs and projects in the Ashokan Watershed that help to implement Ashokan Watershed Stream Management Plan recommendations, or increase the knowledge and skills that municipal employees, elected officials, and watershed residents have in managing land and infrastructure that is either adjacent to, or that otherwise impacts streams in the watershed. Eligible activities include: education programs, speaker fees, funds for training and professional development, research and monitoring projects, stream clean-ups, and other community activities and programs that increase and enhance public stream access. Mini Grants are for up to $5000. Information about the Ashokan Watershed Stream Management Program and the Action Plan is available on-line at www.ashokanstreams.org or you can contact Elizabeth Higgins, Ashokan Watershed SMP Coordinator at (845) 688-3047 or by e-mail at emh56@cornell.edu.

The funding for these grants has been provided by the New York City Department of Environmental Protection through it’s Stream Management Program. CCE Ulster County is administering a total of $2 million in Stream Management Program Implementation Funds, of which $100,000 has been earmarked for the Mini Grants and $400,000 for the Matching Grants. The remaining funds will be used for stream restoration projects identified as priorities in the watershed, best management practice demonstrations and for cooperative research and monitoring projects. All funds for this program will be obligated by May 2012.

New Flood Emergency Preparedness Guide Available

noreply@blogger.com (CCE Ulster County Ag Program) — Thu, 15 Apr 2010 07:28:00 +0000

During floods and other natural disasters, having a plan and supplies ready can make the difference between safety and life-threatening situations. You can also feel safer and more confident knowing what to do during an event. For example, having a common plan to find family members during a flood can be very reassuring.

CCE Ulster County's Ashokan Watershed Stream Management Program staff have developed a Flood Emergency Preparedness Guide. This 4-page publication tells you what to do before, during, and after a flood to help keep you and your family safe and to minimize damage to your property.

It is available on our website at www.ashokanstreams.org/publications.html.

Riparian Plantings and Streamside Management Talk with Francis Groeters of Catskill Native Nursery and Adam Doan, CSBI Coordinator, Ulster County SWCD

noreply@blogger.com (CCE Ulster County Ag Program) — Thu, 04 Mar 2010 19:04:00 +0000

For those of you who live by or near streams, March is a great time to start planning landscaping or gardening projects this spring.

Cornell Cooperative Extension of Ulster County’s Ashokan Watershed Stream Management Program is sponsoring a workshop about streamside native plants on Saturday, March 27 from 10:00 am to 12:30 pm. Francis Groeters of Catskill Native Nursery and Adam Doan from Ulster County Soil and Water Conservation District will talk about the importance of landscaping with native plants in the Catskills and how the Catskill Streams Buffer Initiative can help landowners in the Ashokan Watershed restore streamside vegetation. The event is free, but you must register by calling Colleen Griffin at Cooperative Extension at (845) 688-3047. The workshop will be at our field office at 6375 Route 28 in Shandaken (Location of former Black Bear Hollow Café).

Francis Groeters is the owner of Catskill Native Nursery in Kerhonkson. Before starting Catskill Native Nursery, he was an insect ecologist in academia with degrees from Williams College (Biology BA), the University of Iowa (Zoology MS) and the University of California at Davis (Zoology PhD). Francis will speak about the use of native plants and ecological partnerships these plants have with the animals and insects that live with them.

Adam Doan is the Coordinator for the Catskill Streams Buffer Initiative (CSBI) for Ulster County Soil and Water Conservation District, a partner in the Ashokan Watershed Stream Management Program. His work involves the protection, enhancement and restoration of critical riparian areas in the Ashokan Watershed using native species. His talk will touch on native alternatives to problem plants as well as explore the potential impact of climate change on native plants of the Catskill region. A brief overview of the CSBI program will be provided for landowners in the Ashokan Watershed.

Participants will learn how native plants fill important ecological niches, provide habitat for wildlife as well as prevent flood and erosion damage. Conservation of these plants is needed as some of our native plants are disappearing. Natives also are likely to do well for landscapers and gardeners since they are adapted to local conditions.

2010 Matching Grants and Mini Grants are Available

noreply@blogger.com (CCE Ulster County Ag Program) — Thu, 04 Mar 2010 12:26:00 +0000

Cornell Cooperative Extension of Ulster County’s Ashokan Watershed Stream Management Program is accepting applications for the 2010 Mini Grant and Matching Grant Programs. Information and applications are available on the Ashokan Watershed SMP Website www.ashokanstreams.org. Applications are accepted continuously, but are reviewed at quarterly advisory council meetings. The next Advisory Council meeting is scheduled for April 4, 2010 and any applications to be considered for that meeting would need to be received by March 22. The next round of applications will be reviewed in July 2010.

An information session is planned for March 9 from 5-7pm at the Ashokan Watershed Stream Management Program Office, 6375 Rt 28, Phoenicia, NY. Applications and information about the Ashokan Watershed Stream Management Program and the Action Plan are also available on-line at www.ashokanstreams.org or you can contact Elizabeth Higgins, Ashokan Watershed SMP Coordinator at (845) 688-3047 or by e-mail at emh56@cornell.edu.

The Mini Grants and Matching Grants are specifically for programs and projects in the Ashokan Watershed that help to implement Ashokan Watershed Stream Management Plan recommendations, or increase the knowledge and skills that municipal employees, elected officials, and watershed residents have in managing land and infrastructure that is either adjacent to, or that otherwise impacts streams in the watershed. Eligible activities include: education programs, speaker fees, funds for training and professional development, research and monitoring projects, aquatic and riparian habitat improvement, stream clean-ups, and other community activities and programs that increase and enhance public stream access. Mini Grants are for up to $5000. Matching Grants are for up to $100,000 or 25% of the project cost, whatever is less. The Matching Grants can be used to provide funds to enhance an existing project when the enhancement can be demonstrated to increase the project’s benefit to the Ashokan Watershed.

The funding for these grants has been provided by the New York City Department of Environmental Protection through it’s Stream Management Program. CCE Ulster County is administering a total of $2 million in Stream Management Program Implementation Funds, of which $100,000 has been earmarked for the Mini Grants and $400,000 for the Matching Grants. The remaining funds will be used for stream restoration projects identified as priorities in the watershed, best management practice demonstrations and for cooperative research and monitoring projects. All funds for this program will be obligated by May 2012.

Ashokan Watershed Conference Planned for May 1st

noreply@blogger.com (CCE Ulster County Ag Program) — Sat, 20 Feb 2010 15:07:00 +0000

Save the date! The first annual Ashokan Watershed Conference will be held on May 1st from 9:00 am to 2:30 pm at Belleayre Mountain. This year's theme is Floodplains and Stormwater Management. The conference is intended for town board members, planning board members, floodplain officers, streamside residents, contractors, real estate agents, and anyone interested in caring for local streams.

Check back frequently on our website for updated information, including registration information, speakers and schedules at http://www.ashokanstreams.org/annual%20conference.html