
Last week on the morning of October 3rd, the Ashokan Watershed Stream Management Program (AWSMP) hosted a fall foliage walk on the recently opened Ashokan Quarry Trail in Olivebridge, NY. AWSMP has a goal of hosting safe, socially distanced, in-person events if conditions allow. While it may have been a little early to experience the fall colors at their peak, there was perfect autumn weather and all ten participants had an excellent time.
The Ashokan Quarry Trail opened earlier this year and is an easy 2‑mile loop that can be completed and enjoyed by hikers of all ability levels. Key points of interest included the on-site quarry where stone used in the construction of the Ashokan Reservoir was harvested, an abandoned railroad grade and loading station, and a scenic vista where several local mountain peaks could be viewed. Along the route, AWSMP educators taught participants about watershed science, forest ecology, the history of the site and its importance in the construction of the Ashokan Reservoir.
AWSMP normally attends many community events and functions throughout the year in the Ashokan Watershed. However, due to the ongoing COVID-19 pandemic, many of those events have been cancelled or postponed. In an effort to keep in touch with our streamside landowners and everyone who enjoys and benefits from the Ashokan Watershed, AWSMP has shifted the majority of its education and outreach programming to an online format. AWSMP educators have posted a number educational videos to our YouTube page so be sure to check those out.
When New York entered Phase 4 of reopening earlier this year, AWSMP instituted several outdoor, socially distanced events. If conditions and public health directives allow, AWSMP hopes to have more of these types of events this winter as well as next spring and summer.
Please visit the AWSMP website for the most up-to-date listings of events (online and in-person) and stay in touch through our Facebook, Twitter, and Instagram accounts.