UPCOMING EVENTS
May is Schoharie Watershed Month!
Schoharie Watershed Month (SWM) is our annual, month-long celebration of the waterways that flow across the Schoharie Reservoir Basin, as well as the 315 square miles of land that feed them!
All land on Earth is part of a watershed. How we choose to connect with and use that land impacts the health of the water and overall ecosystem. To that end, the SWM programs offer a diverse range of experiences that share a more holistic understanding of the role we all play in the resilience of our living resources.
This year's offerings include:
- May 1 - May 31: The Schoharie Reservoir Watershed BioBlitz
- Wednesdays: The Watershed Wednesdays Webinar Series
- May 11: Catskill Mountain Nature Walk
- May 24: Schoharie Reservoir Kayaking Adventure
- May 31: The Mountain Top BioBlitz Celebration
We hope you'll join us!
Have a great idea for an event? Send it to This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it.!
All events are FREE and made possible through partnership between GCSWCD & DEP.
The Watershed Wednesdays Webinar Series returns on April 30th! Join us at 6PM on Wednesdays through the month of May.
This year’s lineup includes:
- Session 1, April 30 Rescheduled for June 4: A Streamside Guide to Catskill Mountain Geology with Dany Davis, NYC Department of Environmental Protection
Explore the geologic history of the Catskill Mountains! What can we learn about the geology of the Catskills through investigating Catskill streams? We will talk about the science and art of "reading the landscape", dip our toes into the ancient stream history of the bedrock geology, ponder how the mountains were made, spend a few minutes with the legacy of the most recent ice age, and wrap up by highlighting how you can learn about all of this by spending time exploring. Click here to register for Session 1.
- Session 2, May 7: An Interactive Chat About Drought in New York State with Sylvia Reeves, National Integrated Drought Information System
Explore the impacts of drought across energy, human health, and the economic sectors. Learn how the National Integrated Drought Information System (NIDIS) supports drought resilience across the country. Click here to register for Session 2.
- Session 3, May 14: How Biodiversity Protects Us from Infectious Diseases with Dr. Felicia Keesing, Bard College
Learn how biodiversity protects us from diseases shared between humans and other animals, the so-called zoonotic diseases. Keesing will explain why one of the best ways to prevent future pandemics is to protect biodiversity. Click here to register for Session 3.
- Session 4, May 21: Sustaining a Brook Trout Stronghold: Initiatives in the Upper Schoharie with Steven Swenson, New York State Department of Environmental Conservation
Trout possess remarkable upstream migration abilities, crucial for their life cycle and ecosystem health. Learn about the abilities of trout to move and under what circumstances their movement typically occur. We’ll also showcase finished and ongoing conservations projects aimed at restoring Brook Trout populations by addressing barriers to migration and enhancing aquatic habitat. Click here to register for Session 4.
- Session 5, May 28: The “Deep Time” History of the Schoharie Watershed with Dr. Chuck Ver Straeten, New York State Museum
The geology of the Schoharie Watershed, from Indian Head Mountain, along the Devils Path, to its junction with the Mohawk River, records Earth and Life history from ~450 to ~380 million years ago. Shallow water seas, to lands with some of Earth’s oldest fossil forests and animal life! Though covered extensively by soils and modern forests, much of the deep history of the Schoharie Watershed can be “read” across its mountains, valleys, hills, and flatlands. Click here to register for Session 5.
All land on Earth is part of a watershed, and the way we choose to use that land directly impacts the quality of our water.
The topics in this series offer a diverse range of information to help participants gain a more holistic understanding of Earth’s processes, ecological functions, and the vital role each of us plays in maintaining a healthy environment.The Watershed Wednesdays Webinar Series is offered as part of Schoharie Watershed Month (May) – a month-long series of events that celebrate and raise awareness of the waterways that flow across the Schoharie Basin, as well as the 315 square miles of land that feed them.
All Schoharie Watershed Month events are free and made possible through partnership between GCSWCD and NYCDEP.
Join us on Sunday, May 11th (Mother’s Day!) for a Catskill Mountain nature walk on the grounds of West Kill Brewing. The walk will be led by Wild Hudson Valley and participants will have the opportunity to learn all about wild native plants in springtime and their importance to Northeastern Native Peoples. Afterward, take in the beautiful views of the Spruceton Valley and join us for casual discussion in the West Kill Brewing outdoor seating area.
Radish + Fern will also be on site, so you can grab a bite and relax - make a day of it!
Click here to register.
Celebrate Schoharie Watershed Month on the Reservoir! We'll provide the steam-cleaned kayaks and paddles, and life jackets. A DEP Access Permit is required for participation. Space is limited!
This program is offered through a partnership between GCSWCD and Screaming Eagle Outdoor Adventures and is made possible by funding from the Stream Management Implementation Program.
Click here to register.
This festive and educational day will help add to the Schoharie Reservoir Watershed BioBlitz data collection project on iNaturalist. BioBlitzes are an excellent way to connect with your environment and community while generating useful data for science and conservation, AND they’re fun for the whole family! No registration required.
