Are you an intern or early career professional working in the environmental field? Join the Catskill Center and the Catskill Regional Invasive Species Partnership (CRISP) for an afternoon of connection, career exploration, and skill-building in the heart of the Catskills.
Ever wondered what those bright yellow irises or feathery plants clogging up waterways are? Join the Catskill Center’s CRISP Aquatic Invasive Species Manager, Sarah Coney, and the Otsego County Conservation Association to “sus” out aquatic invaders along the Susquehanna River.
Join CRISP, the Otsego County Conservation Association (OCCA), and the Canadarago Lake Improvement Association (CLIA) for a hands-on day on the water to survey for and remove invasive water chestnut.
Join the Catskill Center’s Catskill Regional Invasive Species Partnership (CRISP), the Otsego County Conservation Association (OCCA), and the Capital Region PRISM for our second annual Frogbit pull to celebrate NY Invasive Species Awareness Wee
From pulling invasive species to restoring native habitat, this season has been powered by community. Join us on the Ashokan Rail Trail as we celebrate the final day of our Learn & Pull Volunteer Series.
The mud on your boots can make a bigger mess than you think. Join us on the Ashokan Rail Trail as we explore how everyday movement through the landscape can unintentionally spread invasive species.
Seeing chewed leaves and wondering what’s happening in the forest? Join us on the Ashokan Rail Trail to take a closer look at spongy moth activity in the Catskills and what it really means for our forests.
One small misidentification can make a big difference on the landscape. Join us on the Ashokan Rail Trail to learn how to spot invasive plants hiding in plain sight and remove them from our treasured landscape.
Join us on the Ashokan Rail Trail as we continue our Learn & Pull Volunteer Series, exploring how invasive species are prioritized for management through the Catskill Regional Invasive Species Partnership (CRISP) tier system.
The forests around us are changing. Join us on the Ashokan Rail Trail to learn how to better observe those changes and understand how we can respond through thoughtful, climate-informed stewardship.
Join us on the Ashokan Rail Trail for another Learn & Pull Volunteer Series with DEP Forester Tom Foulkrod, exploring how white-tailed deer are shaping our forests and influencing the spread of invasive species.
Join us on the Ashokan Rail Trail to kick off our Learn & Pull Volunteer Series!
We’ll be stepping back in time to explore how the forest composition along the Ashokan Reservoir has evolved over time and how its working history impacts the landscape we steward today.
Date: Sunday, March 29, 2026
Time: 9:00 AM - 1:00 PM
Location: 3045 NY-28, Shokan, NY 12481
Diving into the different eras of the reservoir’s past, from its agricultural history to the former Ulster & Delaware Railroad corridor, we’ll uncover the ways in which humans have changed the ecosystem and how invasive species are now accelerating that change.
After our educational hour, we’ll walk to our worksite approximately 1/10 of a mile from the Shokan Station parking lot. Here, we’ll review tool safety, invasive species identification, and best removal practices for our target species.
This will be a hands-on session at an off-trail work area, pulling invasive species such as common buckthorn, multifora rose, and bittersweet. This habitat restoration work will provide space for 120 native saplings to be planted later in the season.
Frequent breaks are encouraged, water and snacks will be provided, and all volunteers should dress for work in areas that may contain poison ivy, brambles, or ticks.
Please be sure to have all volunteer forms filled out prior to arrival. There will be physical copies on site if needed, but only a limited amount.
Join the Catskill Regional Invasive Species Partnership (CRISP) for our upcoming Partners Virtual Meeting on March 26th at 1:00 PM. We’re pleased to welcome the North American Invasive Species Management Association (NAISMA) as our featured presenter.
This session will highlight NAISMA’s Certified Weed Free Products Program, an important initiative focused on limiting the spread of invasive plant species through the movement of materials such as forage, hay, mulch, gravel, and compost.
Participants will learn about the establishment of weed free programs, certification requirements, and the standards and training needed to support implementation. This is a great opportunity for land managers, conservation professionals, and partners to explore how they can participate in and benefit from the program.
Please register to learn more about the Certified Weed Free Products Program and how you might participate.
Have you ever spotted a Tree of Heaven or Spotted Lanternfly and thought, “Someone should really do something about that!” — now you can be that someone!
Join the Catskill Center Catskill Regional Invasive Species Partnership (CRISP) at the Catskills Visitor Center on Saturday, November 15th from 1 pm to 2:30 pm for a hands-on training and become part of the solution.
Now that you've completed the iMapInvasives training and already have an IMapInvasives account, join the Catskill Center Catskill Regional Invasive Species Partnership (CRISP) at the Catskills Visitor Center on Saturday, November 15th from 1 pm to 2:30 pm for a hands-on training and become part of the solution.
You’ll learn how to identify invasive species, use the iMapInvasives app to report sightings, and help scientists and CRISP target high-priority areas for protection across the Catskills. Your contributions through the app are crucial and make it easier for them to find the hot spots of invasive species.
During this session you'll learn how to log data on iMap Invasives, what pictures to upload, and how to ID species through a guided walk led by John Thompson, the Catskill Center CRISP director, around the Catskills Visitor Center.
Please be sure to have your iMapInvasives account set up prior to this training session.
If you haven't already signed up for the first session to learn how to set up your IMap Invasives account, click this link for more details.
Help stop the spread! Learn how to log invasive species you spot out on trails, during errands, or even in your own backyard! Whether you’ve got an eagle eye for invaders or have only heard of the Spotted Lanternfly, this training is for you. All skill levels are welcome!
Join the Catskill Center Catskill Regional Invasive Species Partnership (CRISP) on Zoom for training and become part of the solution. You’ll learn how to identify invasive species, use the iMapInvasives app to report sightings, and help scientists and CRISP target high-priority areas for protection across the Catskills. Your contributions through the app are crucial and make it easier for them to find the hot spots of invasive species.
We will go through the sign-up process, how to log invasive species you find, and what pictures to log, as well as go through some of the common species you may encounter and how to ID them.
This session will be held from 6:30 pm to 7:30 pm, Friday, November 14th. You will receive a Zoom link 24 hours before the event.
Once you've completed this class, you can sign up and join our part two class on Saturday, November 15th from 1:00-2:30 PM. During day two you'll learn how to ID species through a guided walk led by John Thompson, the Catskill Center CRISP director, around the Catskills Visitor Center. Click here to sign up!
Please follow this link to start setting up your account beforehand. If you encounter any login issues, we can troubleshoot at the start of the session, or you can email us beforehand.
Join the Catskill Center’s CRISP Aquatic Invasive Species Manager, Sarah Coney, at the Ethel B. Crawford Library in Monticello for an in-person meeting on Aquatic Invasive Species (AIS)—the hidden threat to Catskills waters. Learn which species are making waves, why they matter, and most importantly, what YOU can do to help stop their spread.
Don’t miss this chance to protect the Catskills’ waters and wildlife—knowledge is the first line of defense!
Join us for an engaging, hands-on event to learn how to identify and prevent the spread of invasive species in the CRISP region!
Led by John Thompson, Director of the Catskill Center’s CRISP program, this interactive session will introduce you to key invasive species and how to use the iMapInvasives mobile app to report sightings and monitor spread. Then we’ll head outdoors for a field session to put your new skills into action to identify and report observations of invasives at the Schoharie River Center.
This free training is provided by Catskill Regional Invasive Species Partnership in collaboration with the Schoharie River Center and the Waterfall Center for Bioregional Learning.
Join us for the CRISP Partner Meeting at the Catskill Center!
Come connect with fellow conservation leaders, land managers, and invasive species experts for a dynamic in-person gathering at the Catskill Center in Arkville. We’ll dive into the latest updates on regional invasive species efforts, explore ongoing projects, and collaborate on key initiatives to protect the Catskills.
Join the Catskill Center’s Catskill Regional Invasive Species Partnership (CRISP) on August 19th from 9:00 am - 12:00 pm, for a hands-on Invasive species removal day! You will be trained on how to identify common invasive plants, the current best practices in removing them, and the impact these species have on our native ecosystems by CRISP Director, John Thompson.
Earlier this summer, volunteers planted 150 native trees to expand on last year's efforts to restore native habitat along the Ashokan Rail Trail! Now it’s our goal to improve native species diversity in the area to give these young trees the best chance at survival. CRISP volunteers have been managing invasive barberry, bittersweet, buckthorn, and multiflora rose, which can outcompete the native plants. With your help, we’ll continue this work to ensure the newly planted saplings continue to thrive!
This is a very hands-on and often physically demanding event. We will be working off the trail in dense patches of poison ivy, thorn bushes, and old farm debris, as well as working with heavy tools such as pickmatics, loppers, and shovels. We ask that you take these factors into consideration when signing up for this event and wear the proper clothing and shoes. We recommend rubber or waterproof boots, long sleeves, and pants. We also highly recommend using bug spray and sunscreen, as we may be working in broad light gaps and there are many ticks in the area. We will have bug spray and one extra pair of rubber boots on hand if anyone needs.
Water and snack bars will be provided. There will be a safety demonstration on how to properly use the tools we will be working with.
We will meet at the Ashokan Station trailhead at 9:00 am, have a quick orientation, and walk 5 minutes down the trail to the worksite. We will be working until 12:00pm, but you are free to leave earlier if needed.
Ever wondered what those bright yellow iris’ or feathery looking plants that clogs up waterways are?
Well, join the Catskill Center’s CRISP Aquatic Invasive Species Manager, Sarah Coney, and the Otsego County Conservation Association to ‘Sus’ out invaders in the Susquehanna River. We’ll focus on invasive plant and animal species found in the Susquehanna River, how they were introduced, how they impact the environment (and us!), and how to ID them, all while enjoying a leisurely three mile paddle down the Susquehanna. This stretch of river is slow, meandering, and friendly to most levels of boating experience—just keep in mind it covers 3 miles.
Participants are asked to bring their own watercraft (Cleaned, Drained, and Dried!) and should plan to be on the river for about three hours. We encourage participants to bring water, snacks, sunscreen, and whatever else you need to stay safe and have a good time on the water!
If you do not have your own watercraft, visit Canoe & Kayak Rentals and Sales in Portlandville or call (607-286-7349) for information on renting one.
The paddle will start at the DEC Crumhorn Fishing Access site in Maryland, NY, and end at the DEC Portlandville Fishing Access Site in Portlandville, NY. We are unable to provide transportation from the DEC Portlandville Fishing Access Site back to the DEC Crumhorn Fishing Access site, so please be sure you have planned for this.
We’ve planted over 150 native trees along the Ashokan Rail Trail—now it’s time to help them thrive! Join us on August 4th for a hands-on volunteer workday at the Ashokan Rail Trail where we’ll tackle invasive species that threaten their survival.
Working alongside the Catskill Regional Invasive Species Partnership Director, John Thompson, you’ll learn how to ID invasive plants, remove them, and document them through IMapInvasives. Our hopes are to tackle removing the invasive plants such as Barberry, Bittersweet, and Multiflora Rose that are taking away key nutrients, sunlight, and water that our native plants need to survive.
This is a very hands-on and sometimes physically demanding event. We will be working in an area off the trail with dense patches of poison ivy, thorn bushes, and old farm debris that can make it hazardous, as well as working with heavy tools such as pickmatics, loppers, and shovels. We ask that you take these factors into consideration when signing up for this event and wear the proper clothing and shoes. We recommend rubber or waterproof boots, long sleeves, and pants. We also HIGHLY recommend using bug spray and sunscreen, as there are many ticks in the area we are working in. We will have bug spray and one extra pair of rubber boots on hand if anyone needs.
Water, snack bars will be provided. There will be a safety demonstration on how to properly use the tools we will be working with.
We will meet at the Ashokan Station trailhead at 9 am, have a quick orientation, and walk 5 minutes down the trail to the worksite. We will be working till 12 pm, but feel free to leave earlier if needed.
Join us for an engaging, hands-on event to learn how to identify and prevent the spread of invasive species in the Catskills!
Led by John Thompson, Director of the Catskill Center’s CRISP program, this interactive session will introduce you to key invasive species and how to use the iMapInvasives mobile app to report sightings and monitor spread. Then we’ll head outdoors for a field session to put your new skills into action.
Dress for the weather and be prepared to explore the woods—we’ll be getting up close with the plants we’re working to protect our forests from!
Join us on July 22nd, 2025, from 9 am - 12 pm at the Shokan Station Trailhead of the Ashokan Rail Trail for a hands-on volunteer day! Learn how to use ImapInvasives, I.D. plants, and help pull invasive plants from the area we’ve been planting native trees in! John Thompson, Director of the Catskill Regional Invasive Species Partnership, will be there to lead the IMapInvasive and plant I.D.
Your efforts will create space for the native trees to grow and thrive without having their sunlight, nutrients, and water taken by invasive species such as Multiflora Rose, Barberry, Bittersweet, and so much more! By the end of the workday, you’ll leave with a deeper understanding of local plant species and the knowledge that your work has made a real impact.
There will be a quick 3-minute walk to the site, but for the most part, we will be working in tall grass, where poison ivy and thorn bushes grow. Please dress appropriately; no open-toed shoes, specifically sandals, flip flops, or Crocs. We suggest bringing sunscreen, bug spray, water, lunch, or a snack. Granola bars will be available as well. There are portable restrooms at the trailhead and ample parking.
Given how the weather has been lately, you will receive an email about whether the event will still be on or not due to inclement weather the day prior by 5 pm.
Are you an intern or early career professional working in the environmental field? Join the Catskill Center and the Catskill Regional Invasive Species Partnership (CRISP) for an afternoon of connection, career exploration, and skill-building in the heart of the Catskills.
Kick off the event with a bring-your-own picnic lunch mixer, then dive into presentations, workshops, a career Q&A panel, and networking opportunities with professionals from environmental organizations and agencies across the region. Learn about job paths, improve your resume and interview skills, and discover what it takes to build a meaningful career in environmental conservation.
Whether you're just getting started or exploring your next step, this event is designed to help you grow your network and your future in the field.
This is a free event, but please be sure to register.
What invasive plants and forest pests are threatening the health of our local ecosystems? Join John Thompson, Director of the Catskill Center’s Catskill Regional Invasive Species Partnership (CRISP), for an eye-opening talk on the invasive species spreading through our community.
Learn how to identify both common and lesser-known invasive species, understand their impact on our environment, and discover practical ways you can help stop their spread and protect the Catskills you love.
June 15th is the last Volunteer Day for the Ashokan Rail Trail Habitat Restoration! Come out and help the Catskill Regional Invasive Species Partnership team plant native saplings!
Whether it’s your first time or third time volunteering, or you’re a seasoned volunteer, your time and effort will get us one step closer to our goal of planting over 100 trees and removing over a ¼ acre of invasive species in this season alone! Providing food, home, and healthy habitats for both humans and wildlife, we wouldn’t have made this difference without you, thank you!
Join us on June 15th, from 9 am to 12 pm at the Ashokan Station Trailhead. Let’s make this season's last planting the best one yet!
There will be training on iMapInvasives, as well as proper tool use, removal and planting methods, and more before we head to the work site. We will be providing and using tools such as loppers, pick mattocks, hand trowels, etc.
There will be a quick 3-minute walk to the site, but for the most part, we will be working in tall grass, where poison ivy and thorn bushes grow. Please dress appropriately; no open-toed shoes, specifically sandals, flip flops, or Crocs. We suggest bringing sunscreen, bug spray, water, lunch, or a snack. Granola bars will be available as well. There are portable restrooms at the trailhead and ample parking.
Important: If possible, please fill out the waivers linked on Civic Champs before the event. There will also be printouts available, but we want you to have ample time to have training and plant instead of doing paperwork. We suggest you have them filled out prior to the event.
Celebrate NY Invasive Species Awareness Week by volunteering with the Catskill Center’s CRISP program, the Otsego County Conservation Association (OCCA), and the Capital Region PRISM to pull invasive European Frogbit (Hydrocharis morsus-ranae) at Weaver and Summit Lakes.
Frogbit has been found in several waterbodies in the Upper Susquehanna, just north of Otsego Lake and has been spreading rapidly in the past few years. We need your help keeping the public launches clear of frogbit and open for recreation while also helping to reduce the spread of this invasive.
We recommend participants bring their own watercrafts, however, we will have extra kayaks and waders to provide for those who need. Bring plenty of water and prepare to get muddy!
It's the second-to-last Volunteer Day for the Ashokan Rail Trail Habitat Restoration! Come out and help the Catskill Regional Invasive Species Partnership team plant native saplings! Last year, our volunteers planted 180 trees and removed half an acre of invasive species, and we hope to do more with your help!
Join us on June 12th, from 9 am to 12 pm at the Ashokan Station Trailhead. Let’s make a difference together!
There will be training on iMapInvasives, as well as proper tool use, removal and planting methods, and more before we head to the work site. We will be providing and using tools such as loppers, pick mattocks, hand trowels, etc.
There will be a quick 3-minute walk to the site, but for the most part, we will be working in tall grass, where poison ivy and thorn bushes grow. Please dress appropriately; no open-toed shoes, specifically sandals, flip flops, or Crocs. We suggest bringing sunscreen, bug spray, water, lunch, or a snack. Granola bars will be available as well. There are portable restrooms at the trailhead and ample parking.
Important: Please be sure to fill out all waivers prior to the event, cell reception can be spotty, and we do not want to turn you away if you’re unable to sign them on location.
Join the Catskill Regional Invasive Species Partnership (CRISP) and NYC DEP foresters for a guided, 1-mile walk along the Ashokan Rail Trail to explore innovative forest restoration projects in action.
Learn how experts are tackling invasive species, deer pressure, and emerging threats like beech leaf disease. You'll visit a deer exclosure experiment, hear about a planned slash wall, and discover proactive strategies you can apply to your own land. Plus, get an update on local volunteer efforts to restore areas impacted by emerald ash borer.
Participants should wear sturdy footwear, long pants and sleeves, insect protection, and bring plenty of water.
Join the partners of the Catskill Regional Invasive Species Partnership (CRISP) for an in-person summer meeting at the Catskills Visitor Center. We'll share updates on invasive species management efforts across the region, discuss ongoing projects, and connect on key strategies for the season ahead.
The meeting will also include a preview of the afternoon’s Ashokan Forestry Walk, giving attendees a chance to explore practical, on-the-ground forest management techniques.
June is National Great Outdoors Month—what better way to celebrate than by giving back to the land you love?! Join the Catskills Regional Invasive Species Partnership (CRISP) on the Ashokan Rail Trail to help restore the native habitat, learn about invasive species, and plant trees like Red Maple and Swamp White Oak. Discover how invasives impact the scenic vistas and viewpoints you enjoy on trails like these—and how you can make a difference with every sapling you plant.
Join us on June 8th, from 9 am-12 pm at the Ashokan Station trailhead where we will be continuing our effort of planting native trees to help restore the habitat along the Ashokan Rail Trail which has been overrun with invasive species.
There will be training on iMapInvasives, as well as proper tool use, removal and planting methods, and more before we head to the work site. We will be providing and using tools such as loppers, pick mattocks, hand trowels, etc.
There will be a quick 3-minute walk to the site, but for the most part, we will be working in tall grass, where poison ivy and thorn bushes grow. Please dress appropriately; no open-toed shoes, specifically sandals, flip flops, or Crocs. We suggest bringing sunscreen, bug spray, water, lunch, or a snack. Granola bars will be available as well. There are portable restrooms at the trailhead and ample parking.
Important: Please be sure to fill out all waivers prior to the event, cell reception can be spotty, and we do not want to turn you away if you’re unable to sign them on location.
Join the Catskill Regional Invasive Species Partnership (CRISP) for a guided walk along the new Nature Preserve Pathway at the Catskill Water Discovery Center!
On this educational tour, CRISP Terrestrial Invasive Species Manager Dan Snider-Nerp will lead a short presentation followed by an engaging walk through the preserve, highlighting the impact of riparian invasive plants on native ecosystems. You'll learn how to identify key invasive species, understand their ecological effects, and explore best practices for managing them—both at home and in the field.
We’ll also discuss the Discovery Center’s ongoing stewardship efforts and how the community can play a role in protecting the Catskills' rich natural resources.
Advance registration is required, with a $10 suggested donation
Join us on June 7th from 9 AM to 12 PM at the Ashokan Station Trailhead to plant native tree saplings from Catskill Native Nursery. We will be planting Black Gum, Red Maple and Swamp White Oak, all native trees to the Catskills that bring unique benefits to the Ashokan Rail Trail.
Black Gum has flowers that honey bees love to visit, Red Maple absorbs CO2 due to its rapid growth rate, and Swamp White Oak provides an abundance of acorns as food for the local wildlife. Each tree you plant has an impact. Help us plant as many as we can this season!
There will be training on iMapInvasives, as well as proper tool use, removal and planting methods, and more. We will be providing and using tools such as loppers, pick mattocks, hand trowels, etc.
There will be a quick 3-minute walk to the site, but for the most part, we will be working in tall grass, where poison ivy and thorn bushes grow. Please dress appropriately; no open-toed shoes, specifically sandals, flip flops, or Crocs. We suggest bringing sunscreen, bug spray, water, lunch, or a snack. Granola bars will be available as well. There are portable restrooms at the trailhead and ample parking.
Please be sure to fill out all waivers prior to the event. Cell service can be spotty, and we may have to turn you away if you don’t sign the waivers ahead of time.
