Catskill Mountainkeeper

06/05/2026

NEW YORK STATE COMMISSIONER CONGRATULATES STUDENTS PARTICIPATING AT THE 2026 NEW YORK STATE ENVIROTHON

New York State Envirothon Competition Winners from Ulster County’s The Mount Academy Will Compete at the International Competition in Starkville, Mississippi This Summer

2026 Competitions Focused on Non-Point Source Pollution Mitigation: It Begins at Home

New York State Agriculture Commissioner Richard A. Ball today congratulated the nearly 200 students that participated in the 2026 New York State Envirothon. Students from across the state traveled to SUNY Cortland on May 27-28 to participate in the two-day, hands-on environmental competition focused on topic areas such as: soils, forestry, wildlife, aquatics, and an emerging environmental issue: Non-Point Source Pollution Mitigation: It Begins at Home. ...
The team from The Mount Academy in Ulster County was named New York State Champion at the long-standing hands-on environmental competition, which challenges students on their knowledge of natural resource science, public speaking, and civic engagement. Red Creek Central School from Wayne County took second place and Chautauqua Lake Central School in Chautauqua County took third place.

The winning team from The Mount Academy will travel to the International NCF-Envirothon to represent New York State this summer at Mississippi State University in Starkville, Mississippi. Each member of the team received a scholarship, and the team will compete against other top teams from the United States, China, Singapore, and Canada. ...

06/05/2026

This is a HUGE victory and we are so happy to see this bill passed in both houses! Thank you so much to Assemblymember Kay and Senator Oberacker for championing this bill!👏👏

Yesterday, we passed bill A9411, which will give municipalities in Sullivan County that opt in, the freedom to create their own farmland preservation plans through the establishment of a community preservation fund, as is already the case in many of our neighboring counties.

“No Farms, No Food” is more than just a slogan, it’s a reality. I will continue to use my position to strengthen our farms and support our farmers.

Thank you to District 1 Legislator Matt McPhillips and chair of the Sullivan County Legislature Nadia Radjz with the Assistance of the Orange County Land Trust for advocating for this important legislation!

06/05/2026

Our friends at Parks & Trails New York have a great upcoming webinar on June 11th at noon about the economic impact of the Empire State Trail! More details are available at the registration link below:

Join Parks & Trails New York for a special webinar unveiling key findings from their landmark economic impact study of the Empire State Trail. Conducted in partnership with LaBella Associates and the Institute for Transportation Research and Education at North Carolina State University, this first-o...

06/04/2026

Want to feel a little better about the world today?

We can continue to be optimistic about the global energy transition to clean, renewable energy ... based on actual data.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=HgBTARXEfxU

This video, "The Perception Gap," looks at the hard market data behind electric vehicle adoption, the staggering growth of wind and solar, and the economic realities of the energy grid. More importantly, the video exposes the psychological playbook being used to manufacture doubt, stall policy, and keep the public in the dark.

The bottom line: the market has already decided. The energy revolution isn't a future fantasy. It is happening right now.

Why do most people misunderstand the reality of our global energy g...

06/02/2026

⏰ 3 more days. 7 bills. The 2026 NY legislative session closes June 4 — and critical protections for the Catskills and Hudson Valley are on the line. Clean air. Affordable energy. Less plastic waste. Local land protection.

Use our action tool to email your representatives TODAY before it's too late. 🔗 Link in the comments!

06/01/2026

Remember, it’s not the size of the group that counts, but the strength of their commitment and the clarity of their vision.

Together, we can champion sustainable practices, promote biodiversity, and ensure that future generations inherit a thriving planet. Change starts with you and the friends you inspire!

Happy Motivation Monday everyone:)

05/31/2026

We've identified 7 bills that matter most for the Catskills and Hudson Valley. Now we need YOU to tell your representatives to pass them and protect our air, water and the places we love!

Take action before June 4 — 🔗 Link in the comments!

05/28/2026

Did you know there are 7 bills that could transform the future of the Catskills and Hudson Valley — and they need to pass by June 4?

From stopping mega-warehouse pollution 🏭 to making rooftop solar easier to install ☀️ to protecting our land and water 💧 — these bills reflect the values our communities care about most. It takes 60 seconds to make your voice heard. Link below to email your representatives now!

05/27/2026

Happy Wildlife Wednesday fellow keepers! 🐦💚

Today we're excited to show off a truly spectacular creature, the Ruby-Throated Hummingbird!

Some interesting facts:
- The number of times a hummingbird’s wings beat is different from one species to another, and ranges from 720 to 5400 times per minute when hovering.
- A hummingbird’s wing beats take up so much energy, they spend the majority of their time resting on branches and twigs.
- A hummingbird weighs less than a nickel, on average.
- A hummingbird drinks nectar from hundreds of flowers, and eats thousands of tiny insects each day.

To attract these delightful visitors to your garden, consider planting native flowers like bee balm, trumpet honeysuckle, and cardinal flower.

Let's celebrate the incredible Ruby-Throated Hummingbird and appreciate their role in our local environment. Get out in the beautiful Catskills, enjoy the fresh air, and see if you can spot one of these elusive beauties!

05/25/2026

As summer kicks off, we're seeing a lot more dogs in the Catskills. Meet Too (top) and Sable (bottom), some of our four-legged locals! 🐾

From muddy trail adventures to front porch naps after a long day outside, Dogs of the Catskills celebrates the pups who make mountain life even better.

Got a Catskills dog we should feature next? Visit one of our steward tables at Beaverkill Covered Bridge, Big Pond, Alder Lake, or Crystal Lake Wild Forest and our stewards will snap a picture! 🐶