In This Issue: What We Learned at Ravensbeard; Wilderness First Aid Training; Stream Stewards Program Begins; Chainsaw Stewards Wanted; Volunteer of the Month: Rob Kaplan

What We Learned at Ravensbeard

On May 23, twelve attendees visited Ravensbeard Wildlife Center to learn how the organization rehabilitates birds of prey and other wild animals before returning them to their natural habitats. Led by Ravensbeard's Jessica Solomon, the group toured the center’s grounds in Saugerties, which include outdoor enclosures, a prey-testing area, and indoor recovery spaces for critically injured animals and vulnerable fledglings.

One of the most impressive parts of the visit was the large flight cage, where several black vultures soared back and forth during their “flight tests,” an important step in determining whether a bird is strong enough to survive in the wild again. Attendees also met several permanent resident animals that cannot be released due to injuries or physical conditions that would make life in the wild unsafe. When suitable, these animals become educational ambassadors, or “ed birds,” (education birds) helping connect the public to wildlife at community events like the recent Earth Week opening at the Woodstock Public Library District, where WLC hosted the Watershed Wonders youth exhibit.

Along the way, participants learned countless fascinating details about local wildlife. Jessica pointed out useful tips for identifying birds; for example, ravens have curved beaks while crows’ beaks are straighter, a distinction she joked makes ravens look more distinguished.

The undeniable stars of the tour, however, were two baby vultures, soft and downy and surprisingly calm around people. Because these vultures naturally nest on cliff ledges, the chicks showed little interest in wandering from their safe perch and even allowed attendees to gently hold and cuddle them. Perhaps the only creature that inspired even more collective “awws” was a tiny Virginia rail chick, no larger than a kiwi fruit.

Ravensbeard Wildlife Center is an extraordinary local organization dedicated to wildlife care and education. In 2017, Ellen Kalish received a Ginsberg Award from the Woodstock Land Conservancy in recognition of her remarkable dedication to wildlife rehabilitation and environmental stewardship.

If you'd like to support their work, Ravensbeard's Third Annual Fundraising Gala takes place on June 18 at the Ashokan Center. Learn more and support Ravensbeard →

Wilderness First Aid Training

Miranda and Melissa have recently completed their Wilderness First Aid certification through the Trailbound Project. During their two-day immersive course, they learned to prepare for and respond to medical emergencies in remote locations, including how to carry an injured person out of the woods, splinting, wound care, and managing heat and cold emergencies (including the technique affectionately known as the "hypothermia burrito"). We hope they never need to use any of it. But knowing that our team is trained and ready if something ever does happen on the trail is a very good thing.

Interested in getting certified yourself? Learn more about TrailBound Project →

Stream Stewards Program Begins

On the weekend of June 6 and 7, the Stream Stewards Program officially kicked off. This new program is a pilot partnership between the Town of Woodstock through its Drinking Water Source Protection Program, Beth Reichheld and Jennifer Zackin as part of the ongoing Mapping the Sawkill project, and supported by the Woodstock Land Conservancy. Fifteen dedicated stewards will meet throughout with Mark Vian, river ecologist and community planner, and Telly Olsen, fluvial geomorphologist, to learn to "read" the condition of the Sawkill Creek in favor of advocating for its care and protection. Along the way, they will gather community assessments, perform simple water testing, and receive unique training in stream monitoring. June 6 began with a classroom component at the Woodstock Land Conservancy office, where participants were introduced to the fundamentals of stream science and mapping.

Stewards learned key concepts including hydrology and hydraulics, fluvial geomorphology, LiDAR imaging, and other tools used to understand and document stream systems. We also took time to look through the 2007 Sawkill Creek Assessment. As participants examined these existing maps, Stream Steward (and Zena Cornfield Steward) Muriel Stallworth was able to locate her home within the study area, offering her a new perspective on how stream scientists observe and interpret the landscape right outside her door. Much of the Woodstock area lost power on the 6th, including us at the WLC offices, luckily right at the end of the day. Next, on June 7, the group headed into the creek to observe a section of the Sawkill along New Keefe Hollow Road. There, participants began putting their new vocabulary into practice, identifying stream features and processes in real time. Stewards sketched the stream before and after the workshop to model how our experience of waterways changes through learning. During their first field session along the Sawkill, stewards were treated to a special sighting: a river otter! A sure sign of a healthy, functioning waterway. This program will continue through the summer. We look forward to updating the community on new realizations and opportunities for hands-on restoration through riparian plantings and advocacy.

Chainsaw Stewards Wanted!

Chainsaw Stewards play a vital role in keeping WLC's preserves safe and accessible. Unlike site-based stewards who visit specific preserves regularly, Chainsaw Stewards are called upon as needed: to clear fallen trees, address storm damage, maintain trails, and support special stewardship projects across our properties.

This year we're especially looking for experienced chainsaw users to help build the fourth trail at Israel Wittman Sanctuary. Volunteers should be comfortable operating a chainsaw; certifications or formal training are a plus but not required. WLC provides chainsaws, personal protective equipment, and staff guidance—a WLC staff member is always present during stewardship activities.

Interested? Contact miranda@woodstocklandconservancy.org to learn more.

Volunteer of the Month: Rob Kaplan

Rob has lived in Woodstock for 32 years and is a dedicated steward at Israel Wittman Sanctuary—you may have just spotted him above with a chainsaw. We caught up with him this month.

What's your favorite WLC preserve? IWS or Sloan Gorge—they're both lovely. I tend to enjoy a variety of terrain on a hike, and any verticality is always a plus. The geology at Sloan is very interesting. IWS has enough trail for decent amounts of exercise, especially if you do several of the trails linked up.

When do you feel most in tune with nature? I enjoy the quiet and solitude of the outdoors. I usually try to hike when it's not crowded and spend a lot of time looking at flora and fauna as I go. Hiking through the four seasons creates completely different experiences. I'm also fortunate to have a very quiet screened porch surrounded by trees—usually amazingly peaceful. I like exploring totally new places too, so I enjoy traveling to different trailheads all over.

Any environmental wisdom to share? As spelunkers we were taught to leave nothing but footprints. That could apply to a lot of things in life. It's important to teach having a low impact on the world and to maintain proper etiquette when hiking where others may be. Looking at the way some people treat the environment today, especially at viral locations...it makes good sense to take any chance to spread this gospel to the next generation.

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