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At the foot of the mountains along busy Rt 23, the Agroforestry
Research Center is well-located for attracting tourists, second
home owners (who frequently hold forested land), and other Catskills
visitors. It provides a "one stop shop" to demonstrate
the many values of the forest to large numbers of people. Distance
learning technology enables people to connect from around the
globe, which will become increasingly important as scientists,
landowners and policy makers tackle the complex land-use issues
facing forestry today.
The Center sponsors educational programs and research that focus on
enhancement and protection of forest resources while introducing
sustainable practices that enable forest owners to receive economic
benefits from their land. "Private landowners control the
large majority of New York’s 15.4 million acres of forested
land. As the average size of forested parcels decreases (from
44 acres in 1978 to approximately 17 acres today), there are more
landowners learning about the many tools they need to be good
forest stewards," commented Brazill.
Workshops will take place on a wide variety of forestry subjects,
from "How do I encourage the growth of a sweet sugar maple
in my forest?" to "How do I cultivate American Ginseng?"
Master Forest Owner Dave Turan of Stamford commented, "It
is the only place that I know where all the various parts of a
functioning forest ecosystem are viewed as a whole, and each is
attributed its due 'value.' Landowners who formerly may have focused
on timber sales to pay taxes might discover that value-added products
from the forest are an equally sustainable alternative."
In addition, the Agroforestry Resource Center houses a display
of wood products and sculptures created by fellow Watershed Forestry
Grant recipients. "Our goal with the exhibit is to help people
connect everyday objects they want and use forest sustainability–
so that there is still a healthy wood supply for the future,"
said Collin Miller, WAC’s Forestry Grants administrator.
At the grand opening of the Center area businesses displayed a
maple wood butcher block kitchen island from Catskill Craftsmen
(Stamford); decorative art pieces from Sculptural Furniture
(Andes); scroll saw work and wood identification display from
Schaefer Wood Products (Deposit); a maple table crafted
at Mountain Sun Workshop (Hunter), and a rustic twig-style
arbor and bench from Romancing the Woods (Woodstock).
To find out more about the Center and register for classes, contact
Extension Educator Marilyn Wyman at (518) 622-9820 or via e-mail
at mfw10@cornell.edu. mfw10@cornell.edu. |
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