In this Issue: Snow Fleas are Hard at Work, DEC to Offer "A Decade of Progress on PFAS," Conversations in Conservation (Part 2), February Events to Engage You, WLC Presents to Town Board, and Bird of the Month

Springtails Quietly Help Ecosystem

Nicknamed "Snow Fleas," They Don't Bite

"Compassion, in which all ethics must take root, can only attain its full breadth and depth if it embraces all living creatures...."

- Albert Schweitzer

Think back to the mild winter days we were enjoying last week before the major weekend storm. You may have noticed what looked like pepper scattered across the surface of the snow. These tiny specks are snow fleas, a local nickname for springtails, which are not fleas at all and do not bite.

Springtails appear most often in late winter, when sunlight warms the snow just enough to bring them up from the soil and leaf litter below. Snow fleas use a forked, springlike appendage to catapult themselves into the air, giving them their name and making them briefly visible against the white landscape in woods, trails and backyards.

Far from being a problem, snow fleas play a quiet and beneficial role in forest ecosystems. They feed on decaying plant matter, fungi and microbes, helping break down organic material and recycle nutrients back into the soil. This process supports healthy forest floors, which in turn help absorb snowmelt and rainfall, protect water quality, and nourish the plants that anchor Hudson Valley landscapes. Their presence is a sign of living, active soil even in the depths of winter, reminding us that the ecological work of the land continues beneath the snow -- even the many inches of packed snow currently in our preserves.

Close up snow flea photo credit: Daniel Tompkins

DEC to Host "A Decade of Progress on PFAS"

Virtual Information Session Scheduled for Tomorrow

As part of a series of meetings exploring New York's efforts to address the threats of per- and polyfluoroalkyl substances (PFAS), the state's Department of Environmental Conservation is teaming up with the State Department of Health to host a virtual information session tomorrow at 2 p.m.

"A Decade of Progress on PFAS and Beyond" will be led by Craig Pettinger from the Office of Communication Services. Registration is free but required, so click here to learn about the new actions and resources DEC is discussing.

Conversations in Conservation Continues

Second Book Discussion Set for Feb. 26

The discussion was lively last Thursday as more than a dozen participants joined us for Conversations in Conservation, WLC's annual virtual book club.

This year's book is Drinkable Rivers by Li An Phoa, and we will be exploring the messages in the second half of the book Feb. 26. Even if you did not participate in the first discussion, we hope you'll join us for the final one.

The book is both memoir and a call to action, as Li An traces her journey from studying economics to founding an organization dedicated to protecting waterways. What started as a uniquely personal experience turned into a global project. Participants in the book discussion were really intrigued with Li An's discussion of how a nation's wealth should be judged not by its GDP or other economic factors but how it protects the life-giving water sources within its boundaries.

"I was taken by the conversation's turn to community activism," WLC staffer Miranda Javid said. "There were many creative ideas shared to get more of our community involved." Miranda moderated the discussion and created the reading guide for participants.

If you'd like a copy of Drinkable Rivers, visit The Golden Notebook and mention Conversations in Conservation for a discounted price, or check it out at the Woodstock Library.

The book discussion are fully virtual, and it starts at 6:30 p.m. Register for the link and the reading guide.

Engage with Our Partners

Local Events to Appeal to Diverse Interests

We are excited to share WLC events with you, but we're equally pleased to share events sponsored by partner organizations that might be of interest. February is going to be a busy month in Woodstock, so here are some dates to hold on your calendar.

Feb. 7 - The Repair Cafe returns to the Woodstock Community Center for the first of four 2026 dates. Sponsored by Woodstock NY Transitions, this free drop-in event offers repairs for household items that deserve a second chance. Rather than dispose of your favorite lamp, give away your coat that needs the lining restitched or throw away that stuffed animal that needs more stuffing, bring it to Repair Cafe. For more information, visit the website here. The Feb. 7 event is from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. at the Woodstock Community Center.

Feb. 22 - The Woodstock Pollinator Pathway tried twice to host a tea this month, but the weather had other plans. Going with the adage that the third time is the charm, join the WPP team Feb. 22 from 1-2 p.m. in the Community Room at the new Woodstock Library for a cozy discussion of activities and events planned for 2026. Find out more and register here.

Feb. 23 - "Local Choices for Natural Burials" is the second of four monthly events in the 14th annual Film & Discussion Series. If you've wondered about "green burials" -- also called called natural burials -- and what options are available in the Hudson Valley, mark this evening on your calendar. The Film & Discussion Series is hosted by Woodstock NY Transition, the Woodstock Jewish Congregation and WLC. For more information, click here.

WLC Presents to Town Board

New Leaders Concerned about Zena Development

Following a presentation by Andy Mossey, WLC's executive director and co-chair of the Stop Zena Development coalition, Woodstock's Town Board unanimously passed a resolution last week directing the Town Supervisor to express the town's concerns to the Town of Ulster's Planning Board "regarding the Zena Development project and supporting the Woodstock Planning Board's request for coordination."

The resolution, discussed before a standing room only crowd, also encouraged the Woodstock Planning Board to continue to coordinate with their colleagues in the Town of Ulster to "ensure all concerns regarding potential environmental impacts, emergency services burdens and infrastructure adequacy are properly evaluated and addressed during the SEQRA review process."

Andy was invited to update the Town Board on the history of the project, the current status of the proposals in both towns and the coalition's primary concerns. He summarized not only environmental issues but also safety concerns, questions about water resources, misleading information in the applications, incomplete studies and the need for public hearings. The proposed development stretches between the Town of Woodstock and the Town of Ulster. The developers have different proposals before the planning boards of the two towns.

The letter that was delivered to the Town of Ulster Planning Board and copied to the Town of Ulster Town Board, the Chair of the Woodstock Planning Board and Woodstock's Town Attorney can be read in its entirety here. If you'd like to know more about the Stop Zena Development coalition, please visit the website here.

Bird of the Month

Northern Saw-whet Owl

As we look forward to our "Birds of Prey Over Water" event at Ravensbeard Wildlife Center Feb. 7, we had to choose the Northern Saw-whet Owl as our Bird of the Month. This tiny owl may be small in stature, but it hunts prey like its larger cousins. Known for their quiet, reclusive ways, the Northern Saw-whet Owl is actually found across the United States in forests, especially those with mature trees.

Northern Saw-whet Owls enjoy a carnivorous diet of small mammals, small birds, beetles, grasshoppers and even other owls. They are quite recognizable due to their bright yellow eyes and their catlike face, and they may be spotted thanks to their high-pitched call. Some even speculate the owl got its name because its call sounds like a saw being sharpened on a whetting stone.

It may be challenging to see this tiny creature in the wild, but you can see the one pictured here at Ravensbeard events, so follow them on social media to see when you can get a closer look at this small owl with a big attitude!

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