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The Catskill Science Collaborative is offering three virtual lectures on how climate change is impacting the Catskill region. The Climate Change Series, to be held at 7PM EDT on September 29, October 15, and October 21, will explore hydrology, forests, birds, and invasive species. The virtual events are free and open to all; registration is required to access Zoom login information. 

Nine million New York City residents depend on the Catskills for drinking water. On September 29, climatologist Dr. Allan Frei of Hunter College will present a historical perspective on storms, floods, and droughts in the Catskills. Frei is collaborating with the New York City Department of Environmental Protection to evaluate the vulnerability of the city’s water supply in the face of climate change and other threats.

The Catskills are renowned for their forested mountain landscapes and rich bird life. On October 15, Dr. Jason Hill, an ecologist at the Vermont Center for Ecostudies, will discuss how climate change is predicted to shape northeastern forests over the next 200 years, with a focus on resident plants and wildlife. His talk will feature an in-depth look at the future of montane birds.

Will climate change create conditions that let invasive species thrive in the Catskills? On October 21, Carrie Brown-Lima, Director of the NY State Invasive Species Research Institute at Cornell University, will provide insight on how climate change may influence the spread of invasive plants and animals that threaten northeastern ecosystems. Special attention will be given to management implications. 

The Climate Change Series is part of the Catskill Science Collaborative’s efforts to share Catskill-relevant science with the community. Coordinator Jamie Deppen explains, “In the Catskills, tourism, forestry, and agriculture all require healthy and well-managed ecosystems. We want concerned citizens to understand how climate change will impact the region, so they can better advocate for its future.”

Supported in part by New York State’s Environmental Protection Fund, the Catskill Science Collaborative is coordinated by Cary Institute of Ecosystem Studies. Its goal is to help scientists and natural resource managers working in the Catskills exchange information across agencies and institutions, to share that information with the public, and to promote research on issues relevant to resource management. The goal: to advance science-based management and policy that protects natural resources in the Catskills.

You can register for Climate Change Series events at: www.caryinstitute.org/events

We invite you to support the Catskill Science Collaborative by making your gift today. Visit www.caryinstitute.org/donate-csc to learn more.