Wednesday Weekly 🌱

Wednesday Weekly

May 20, 2026

In this Issue: Vernal Fling 2026 in Pictures; Endangered Species Day and the Indiana Bat; Miranda Presents at the LTA Conference; Thank You to Upstate Jamboree; Beavers at Work; and WLC is Closed Monday for Memorial Day

Vernal Fling Recap

14 Years of Spring

“If people did not love one another, I really don't see what use there would be in having any spring.”

―Victor Hugo, Les Misérables

On Saturday, May 16, more than 150 guests gathered at White Feather Farm in Saugerties for the 14th annual Vernal Fling—WLC's unofficial kickoff to spring. Under sunny skies and the warmth of a perfect May afternoon, guests enjoyed food from Stone Soup Catering, drinks from Kingston Standard Brewing Co., West Kill Brewing, and Whitecliff Vineyard & Winery, stunning floral arrangements by Willa Koerner of Moon Rock Flowers in West Shokan, and hand-crafted yard games from Upstate Jamboree.

The highlight of the afternoon was the award ceremony, during which WLC introduced its inaugural Emerging Leader Award, presented to Zoe Keller, wildlife illustrator and tireless environmental advocate. The William R. Ginsberg Stewardship Award was presented to three generations of the Longyear family—Kathy, her son Matt and his wife Heather, and their children Jack and Josie, who were present on the day—whose 80-year-old farm on Schoonmaker Lane embodies the spirit of land stewardship that WLC exists to support. Andy Mossey also announced the upcoming fourth trail at Israel Wittman Sanctuary, expanding public access to one of the region's most remarkable wetland landscapes.

We are grateful to everyone who joined us, to our sponsors, our silent auction donors and bidders, and to the volunteers who made it all possible. Special thanks to White Feather Farm and Chris and Kris for welcoming us.

Endangered Species Day

The Bats in Our Backyard

May 15 is Endangered Species Day: a moment to recognize the species whose survival depends on the landscapes we protect.

The Indiana bat (Myotis sodalis) is federally endangered, threatened by habitat loss, disease, and human disturbance. These small insect-eating bats rely on mature forests, including oak-dominated ecosystems like those at Rock Oak Preserve in West Hurley, where trees like chestnut oaks provide critical foraging and roosting habitat. Indiana bats don't feed on acorns, but healthy oak forests support the rich insect populations that are their primary food source.

The decline of Indiana bats has been accelerated by the destruction of mature forests and by White-nose Syndrome, a fungal disease that devastates bat colonies during hibernation.

Protecting oaks and other mature trees is among the most direct ways to ensure their continued survival.

Rock Oak Preserve is one small piece of that habitat. We're glad it's protected.

[Visit Rock Oak Preserve on Basin Road in West Hurley, sunrise to sunset.]

Art Meets Ecology in Glens Falls

WLC at the Land Trust Alliance Conference

The annual Land Trust Alliance conference took place on May 12 and 13 in Glens Falls. This year, WLC’s Miranda Javid and Jennifer Zackin of Mapping the Sawkill presented “Art Meets Ecology: Creative Strategies for Engaging Community on Conserved Lands.” Miranda gave an overview of WLC’s approach to programming, highlighting collaborative projects with local artists such as Zaneta through Listening to Land and Zoe Keller through Zena Woods Biodiversity. In the second half of the talk, Jennifer Zackin presented Mapping the Sawkill, a series of workshops and an interactive exhibition happening later this year at WAAM.

Thank You, Upstate Jamboree!

Between bites and conversation, Vernal Fling guests made good use of the lawn games generously donated by Upstate Jamboree, a Kingston-based company that designs and builds elegant, handcrafted games from sustainably harvested wood sourced right here in the Catskills. From cornhole to giant chess, their pieces are functional works of art—and they kept the afternoon lively in the best possible way.

We're grateful for their support and encourage you to check them out for your next event.

Visit upstatejamboree.com.

Beaver Bites

Learn to Read the Signs

The future fourth trail at Israel Wittman Sanctuary passes by an active beaver lodge in a DEC-protected wetland pond—and it's given our stewardship team a front-row seat to one of nature's most industrious engineers.

Beavers shape waterways and forests with nothing but their teeth. The most visible sign of their work is the distinctive gnaw marks left on trees near ponds, streams, and lodges—angled cuts and stripped bark with a tapered, chisel-like shape created by their strong, ever-growing incisors. Look for fallen logs near water, sometimes toppled in a "V" shape, and small wood chips scattered at the base. Unlike the perfectly round holes made by woodpeckers or the clean straight cuts of a saw, beaver bites are rough and irregular: unmistakably wild.

The next time you're walking near a stream or wetland, take a closer look at the trees. You may be seeing evidence of a neighbor you've never met!

Office Closed for Memorial Day

The WLC office will be closed on Monday, May 26 in observance of Memorial Day. We will resume regular hours on Tuesday, May 27. Wishing everyone a safe and restful long weekend.

Support WLC

Your donations help us continue our work to protect and preserve open lands, forests, water resources, scenic areas and historic sites in Woodstock and the eastern Catskills.

With environmental groups large and small facing unique challenges, we need your support now more than ever. Every dollar makes a difference.

Support WLC today with a financial gift and consider adding us to your estate plan.

Our EIN number is 22-2950482.

2025 Environmental Organization - 1st Place

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