VISIT US AT THE DELAWARE COUNTY FAIR!

CATCH US AT A FARMERS' MARKET

We're hitting the road this summer to connect with our community and grow the Pure Catskills network. Visit us at the following markets listed below to say hello, learn about membership, and see how we support local farms and businesses.

Find us at:

• July 22: Delhi
• August 8: Pakatakan
• August 9: Roscoe
• August 26: Delhi

We’d love to chat and welcome new faces to the Pure Catskills community!

FORESTRY STEWARDSHIP ON DEP LANDS

The WAC Forestry Program is polling contractors to learn about their experience and interest in doing forest stewardship work on NYC DEP land. Proposed work includes invasive plant control, forest stand improvement, tree planting, protection, and maintenance, deer fencing, slash walls, controlled burns, and improved forest roads and trails. The survey will help us to better understand contractor availability and/or willingness to diversify their businesses based on this proposed work. WAC will use survey responses to build a contractor mailing list, sortable by area of expertise, which will be used when soliciting project bids. If you are a contractor and you’d like to fill out a survey, contact WAC Forestry Research and Evaluation Specialist Kris Brown (kbrown@nycwatershed.org; 607-865-7790 x112) and he will mail or email you one based on your preference.

Alex Mozes, Watershed Forester

"I graduated from SUNY ESF with a Bachelor's in Natural Resources Management in 2021. Over the last four years I have worked in consulting forestry with an emphasis on invasive species management. In my free time I enjoy traveling. Some of my favorite places I have had the opportunity to visit have been Japan, Ireland, and Switzerland (where I learned to ski!). I also have enjoyed learning some woodworking techniques (live edge table epoxy pours, charcuterie board making, etc) over the last two years."

Justin Seelaus, East of Hudson Agricultural Program Manager

"Originally a Montgomery County native from the suburbs of Philadelphia, I grew up spending much of my youth in the hills and mountains of Pennsylvania as an Eagle Scout. Though I didn't grow up on a farm, my early love for the outdoors led me to earn my bachelor’s degree in Agronomy and Environmental Sciences from Delaware Valley College. While in college, I officially launched my agricultural career and quickly accelerated in the field, going on to manage several certified organic farms across Pennsylvania and New York. Additionally, in 2017, my wife and I started our own multi-species pastured livestock operation, Wild Lea Farm out of Hyde Park NY, using sustainable techniques like management-intensive grazing to focus on animal welfare and ecological health.

For the past six years, I worked at Muscoot Farm with the Westchester County Parks Department. In that role, I supervised daily operations, demonstrated sustainable farming techniques, handled agricultural planning, and loved connecting with local landowners and visitors to promote the vital role of farming in our communities. I am truly honored to join WAC as their EOH Agricultural Program Manager as it is an organization with such a strong legacy of supporting agriculture, protecting water quality, and fostering partnerships throughout the New York City Watershed. In this role, I look forward to working closely with farmers, landowners, conservation professionals, and community stakeholders to advance programs that support the long-term viability of agriculture while protecting the natural resources that are vital to our region. I’m thrilled to be part of this community and look forward to connecting, collaborating, and growing together!"

"Brookside Farm in Prattsville earlier this summer. It captures their recently transitioned beef herd along with his WAC Barnyard and Hydrant Best Management Practices (BMPs). This shows how farms can transition from dairy to beef operations and still find relevant uses for their already existing BMPs." — Tristin Tait, Whole Farm Planner

"Students build water filters out of natural materials along the Cross River during a Watershed Forestry Field Trip this spring." —Tyler Van Fleet, East of Hudson Forestry Program Coordinator