Testimonials

In August 1999, Susan Bolitzer made a series of phone calls. Little did she know when Chris Olney of The Catskill Center took her call and listened to the story, that the conversation began a future partnership between The Catskill Center for Conservation & Development and the yet-to-be created Esopus Creek Conservancy (ECC). In the fall of 2002, with the help of The Catskill Center, negotiations to buy the property began. ECC was still "a fledgling group" not quite ready to go solo, and not yet incorporated as a non-profit organization. Once again, the Catskill Center was there to help.This time in the person of Tom Alworth who guided our negotiations and struggle, and with a wise and calm presence, took the lead, and agreed to have the Catskill Center purchase the property for the ECC. Tom placed in us the trust that gave ECC the courage to quickly incorporate as the Esopus Creek Conservancy, form a board of directors, adopt by-laws and acquire our non-profit status.

Having purchased the property for us in March of 2004, Tom and Chris have been there for us, initiating us into the world and work of land conservancy, including preservation issues, land management, trail development, and most important of all, the placing of a conservation easement on the property, now named Esopus Bend Nature Preserve.
- Susan Bolitzer, Esopus Creek Conservancy President

As a direct result of Helen Budrock's work, the Bethel Local Development Corporation (BLDC) was able to obtain a NYS Main Street grant in the amount of $200,000 and an additional grant of $35,000 under the Sullivan County BIG program. In a related effort, the Town of Bethel received a NYS Multi-Modal grant of $25,000. These grant applications would not have been successful without the planning seminars, the resulting documentation that Helen prepared, and her assistance in drafting the grant applications. These grants and the community support created through Helen's efforts promise to revitalize the commercial viability of the Kauneonga Lake community.
- Leon B. Smith, BLDC Manager

I just wanted to let you know how valuable my experience was at the Watershed Forestyr Institute for Teachers. I discovered how much educators have to share when placed together. It also put us in touch with Jessica Olenych and we were then selected to participate in Green Connections. We are having a great time writing to our Bronx buddies and had a great fieldtrip there. We are looking forward to planiting trees, releasing trout and doing Streamwatch when they come up here!
- Genevieve DeBoyace, 4th grade teacher at Windham-Ashland-Jewett Central School

© Copyright - The Catskill Center for Conservation and Development, Inc.  ·  A private, not-for-profit, membership-supported organization founded in
1969 to help build healthy ecosystems and vibrant communities within the 6,000 square-mile Catskill Mountain region of New York State.

PO Box 504 · Route 28
Arkville, NY 12406
(845) 586-2611

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