2020 Schoharie Watershed Summit (Canceled)

Please note that this event has been canceled. Thank you!

2020 Schoharie Watershed Summit
Saturday, May 2^nd, 2020
9:00am-2:30pm

Windham Mountain Resort
19 Resort Drive
Windham, NY 12496

The 14^th annual Schoharie Watershed Summit is focused on Invasive Species in the Schoharie Reservoir Watershed. This year's morning presentations will teach the audience about invasive species common to this region, what species to be on the lookout for, and the invasive species management work that is currently being done in the region. Morning presentations include:

What’s bugging our forests? Impacts of invasive pests on the functioning of Catskill forests
Dr. Gary Lovett (Cary Institute of Ecosystem Studies)
The Catskills are one of the areas of the country hardest-hit by invasive forest pests. In this presentation, Dr. Lovett will discuss how these pests are likely to change the tree species composition of Catskill forests, and how that will affect the forest ecosystem functions that we depend on, such as storing carbon and protecting water quality. Dr. Lovett will also discuss why so many forest pests get into our country and what we can do about it.

Two Current Threats to Water Quality: Hemlock Woolly Adelgid and Emerald Ash Borer
Dr. Mark Whitmore (Cornell University—New York State Hemlock Initiative)
Invasive insect pests are impacting the forest ecosystems in our region, which could lead to changes in water quality in the Schoharie Basin. The hemlock woolly adelgid (HWA) is a small, aphid-like insect that is native to Asia. HWA has killed untold millions of trees from Georgia to Nova Scotia and has been gradually killing hemlocks in the Catskills. Hemlocks often grow along streams or other wet areas, providing shade for the water below, and the loss of those trees can have consequences on the water systems, impacting many species including native brook trout. The emerald ash borer (EAB) is a green beetle that is also native to Asia. EAB infests and kills native North American ash trees by burrowing under the bark and choking off the trees’ food supply as well as destroying the outer foliage.

CRISP 2020 View of the Horizon: Invasive Species to Look for this Year
John Thompson (Catskill Regional Invasive Species Partnership)
Invasive species threaten the ecology, economy and our health in the Schoharie watershed. Learn what invasive plant and animals are spreading towards our area and those invasives just coming into the watershed. Find out what you can do to report these new threats and help to slow their spread.

Afternoon workshops may count towards municipal credits. Attendees interested in attending afternoon workshops should make their selection during registration. This year, attendees will have the option to choose TWO workshops from the three choices. Each workshop will be one hour in duration. Workshop options include:

1. Management Techniques for Common Invasive Plants in the Catskills
Dan Snider (Catskill Regional Invasive Species Partnership)
Dan Snider, Field Projects Manager for the Catskill Regional Invasive Species Partnership, will discuss best management practices for common terrestrial invasive plants, including Japanese knotweed, Japanese barberry, Oriental bittersweet and more. He will also cover useful invasive species management resources such as iMap Invasives and the IPMDAT.

2. Forests, Meadows, Ledges, and Streams: Using Natural Resource Information for Local Planning and Conservation
Gretchen Stevens (Hudsonia)
The Greene County Natural Resource Inventory, published in 2019, describes important and unusual resources, and their services to the people of the county. The presentation will show how to use the NRI to identify and prioritize features of local importance, and to inform planning, policy-making, and reviews of land development projects.

3. Special Use Permits
Christopher Eastman (New York State Department of State’s Local Government Training Program)
Some uses require additional review and should be granted permission only if the application meets certain conditions. These special uses include gas stations, dog kennels, and uses with drive-through windows. The special use permit is also used for development in environmentally sensitive zones with overlays such as for wetlands, steep slopes, and along scenic ridgelines. Scenarios in which the special use permit tool is most helpful will be discussed, along with rules local boards must follow for reviewing and approving applications for special use permits.

This FREE event will take place at the Windham Mountain Resort on Saturday, May 2^nd, 2020 from 9:00am-2:30pm. Come early! Doors open at 8:00am for sign-ins and morning refreshments. All registered attendees will receive free morning refreshments and lunch (please indicate if you are staying for the buffet lunch during registration).

This program is for all water resource stakeholders, including municipal officials, planners, engineers, watershed managers, regulators, and property owners. Afternoon workshops may count towards municipal credits for planning and zoning board members. This summit is a forum to bring diverse interests together to learn from one another and to network as we seek to understand each other's roles in this living watershed.

Registrations are required by Friday, April 17^th, 2020. For more details, or help with registration, contact This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it. or 518-622-3620.