Catskill Center

06/18/2026

It’s turtle crossing season!

June is peak nesting season for many of the turtles that call the Catskills home. As females leave ponds, wetlands, and lakes in search of suitable nesting sites, road crossings become more common and more dangerous.

If you find a turtle in the road and can safely help it across, always move it in the direction its head was facing. Turning them around, even in the direction of more suitable habitat, only increases the chances they’ll try to cross the road again.

At the Catskill Center, protecting wildlife means protecting the habitats they depend on. Through land stewardship, habitat restoration, and conservation advocacy, we work to support the large, connected landscapes that allow wildlife to move safely between feeding, breeding, and nesting areas.

And remember, a little extra awareness behind the wheel this season can help keep turtles safe!

06/17/2026

The Catskill Center’s Catskill Stewards are back on the trails.

Before heading out to some of the Catskills’ busiest destinations, this year’s Steward team completed extensive training in wilderness first aid, Leave No Trace™ principles, invasive species identification, visitor engagement, and more.

From helping hikers prepare for a safe day outdoors to protecting sensitive natural resources, Stewards play an important role in caring for the places we all enjoy. If you see a Steward on the trail this season, be sure to say hello and take advantage of the knowledge and resources they have to share.

Learn more about the Catskill Stewards at catskillcenter.org/stewards

06/16/2026

Help shape the future of our public spaces.

The Catskill Center has released a new strategic plan for three of its anchor properties: the Catskills Visitor Center, Platte Clove Preserve, and Thorn Preserve.

These sites welcome thousands of visitors each year and serve as important gateways to the Catskills. The plan outlines a long-term vision to improve visitor services, increase stewardship, expand access, and create stronger connections between these destinations and the communities that surround them.

Now, we want to hear from you.

Whether you’re a local resident, a frequent visitor, or someone who has only stopped by once, your feedback will help guide future improvements and ensure these places continue to serve both the land and the people who care about it.

The community survey is open through July 10.

Review the plan and take the survey at https://www.catskillcenter.org/news/anchors

The Catskill Center recently completed its Strategic Plan for three of its key public sites: Platte Clove Preserve, Thorn Preserve, and the Catskills Visitor Center. We would love to hear what you think about the proposed priorities for each of these well-loved places. Please take the time to review

06/15/2026

NY Invasive Species Awareness Week (NYISAW) may be over, but the work continues.

We were encouraged by the engagement we saw throughout the week as more people learned about the impacts invasive species have on the Catskills.

Addressing invasive species is a critical part of the Catskill Center’s broader work to protect the forests, waterways, wildlife, and communities that sustain a healthy and resilient Catskills.

Hear why invasive species remain one of the region’s greatest conservation challenges as Catskill Regional Invasive Species Partnership Director John Thompson joins Tim Bruno on Radio Catskill.

Listen to the full conversation at https://wjffradio.org/invasive-species-threaten-catskills-forests-waterways-and-you-can-help/

Local News

06/12/2026

Catskill Park Trail Conditions for the weekend of June 12, 13, and 14.

Near-record temperatures are headed to the Catskills this weekend, with a heat advisory in effect Friday. Friday starts with partly cloudy skies, with rain and potentially severe thunderstorms developing later in the day. Temperatures will soar to near record-highs, making it feel more like midsummer than early June. Saturday brings a pleasant change with mostly sunny skies, while Sunday wraps up the weekend with partly cloudy skies early with increasing clouds and showers developing later in the day.

Spring and early summer are nesting seasons for many ground and low-nesting birds, including bobolinks, dark-eyed Juncos, and other songbirds. Their nests can be difficult to spot and are often hidden along trail edges or in low vegetation. Be sure to stay on designated trails, keep dogs leashed, and give nesting or distressed birds plenty of space.

This week’s trail conditions are sponsored by Campmor. When you join the Catskill Center as a member, you will receive 15% off your purchase at checkout in their store.

⛈️Friday: Partly cloudy with afternoon showers or thunderstorms. Potential for severe thunderstorms. High near 88°F, low 59°F.

☀️Saturday: Sunny skies. High near 82°F, low 61°F.

🌦️Sunday: Partly cloudy early followed by increasing clouds with showers developing later in the day. High 81°F, low 55°F.

🔗 To learn more about this week’s trail conditions, visit catskillstrailconditions.com.

📸 Tag us in your Catskills hikes!

06/12/2026

Experience the story of the water that connects the Catskills to millions of New Yorkers.

Join us during Get Outdoors & Get Together Day for ‘The City That Drinks the Mountain Sky Part II,’ a special performance by Arm-of-the-Sea Theater that traces the journey of New York City’s drinking water from Catskill forests to city taps while exploring the challenges of protecting this vital resource for future generations.

🗓️ Saturday, June 13, 2026
🕛 12:00 PM
📍 Catskills Visitor Center

This 55-minute performance is free and open to all ages. After the show, stick around and enjoy the rest of Get Outdoors & Get Together Day with archery, nature-inspired art activities, birding programs, lawn games, and more.

This show is made possible with funds from the Catskill Watershed Corporation in partnership with the New York City Department of Environmental Protection.

06/11/2026

Just 25 more trees to go!

Since the start of spring, volunteers have helped plant 95 native trees along the Ashokan Rail Trail to restore habitat, strengthen ecological connections, and support a more resilient Catskills landscape. Now, we’re making one final push to get the last 25 trees in the ground.

🗓️ Saturday, June 13, 2026
🕘 9:00 AM – 1:00 PM
📍 Shokan Station Trailhead

Join Catskill Center and Catskill Regional Invasive Species Partnership staff for our final “Learn & Plant” volunteer session of the season and help complete this community-driven restoration effort.

Closing out NY Invasive Species Awareness Week (NYISAW), we’ll plant native trees, clear invasive species, and contribute to the longterm health and resilience of the Catskills.

Learn more and register at catskillcenter.org/getinvolved

06/10/2026

The sooner an invasive species is detected, the greater the opportunity to limit its spread.

That’s why early detection and rapid response are such important tools in protecting the Catskills. Once an invasive plant or pest becomes established across a landscape, management becomes increasingly difficult and resource-intensive. The result can be lasting impacts to forests, waterways, wildlife habitat, and recreation areas.

Through the Catskill Regional Invasive Species Partnership, the Catskill Center works across the region to detect new populations, coordinate response efforts, and slow the spread of invasive species before they become more widespread.

This NY Invasive Species Awareness Week (NYISAW), remember: learning to identify invasive species and reporting what you find can help protect the places we all care about.

Share your observations at www.nyimapinvasives.org.

06/09/2026

Take a little piece of the Catskills home with you!

The Catskills Visitor Center Shop is stocked with new summer inventory, including gifts, souvenirs, apparel, and locally inspired offerings that celebrate the Catskills.

Stop by the Catskills Visitor Center or visit shop.catskillsvisitorcenter.org to find the perfect item to remind you of your time in the mountains.

06/05/2026

Catskill Park Trail Conditions for the weekend of June 5, 6, and 7.

We’re kicking off the weekend in the Catskills with a stretch of warm temps Friday and Saturday with rain showers and thunderstorms possible, then turning cooler and cloudier Sunday with rain continuing. We start the weekend on Friday with mainly sunny skies with a few afternoon clouds. Partly cloudy skies Saturday morning become overcast with thunderstorms developing later in the day. Wrapping up the weekend, clouds continue Sunday with occasional rain showers throughout the day. With temps warming up, be sure to hydrate frequently, and watch for heat illness symptoms. Lookout for dizziness, headache, nausea, fatigue, or confusion. If you notice any of these symptoms, stop hiking, rest and hydrate to help you cool down.

This week’s trail conditions are sponsored by the Trailbound Project. When you join the Catskill Center as a member, you will receive 15% off their events and workshops.

☀️Friday: Except for a few afternoon clouds, mainly sunny. High near 85°F, low 63°F.

⛈️Saturday: Partly cloudy skies during the morning hours. Thunderstorms likely in the afternoon. Potential for severe thunderstorms. High near 82°F, low 61°F.

🌦️Sunday: Partly cloudy in the morning. Increasing clouds with periods of showers later in the day. High 75°F, low 54°F.

🔗 To learn more about this week’s trail conditions, visit catskillstrailconditions.com.

Looking for outdoor gear to rent? Stop by our Visitor Center or check out rentals online at catskillsvisitorcenter.org/rentals!

Thanks for hiking responsibly and helping protect the Catskills!

📸 Tag us in your Catskills hikes!