Table of Content
1. SAVE THE HEART OF STERLING FOREST: Contact the Governor Now
2. Sterling Forest Conservation Day & Hike-a-thon Success
3. STEP BY STEP with Jacques D'Amboise ALONG THE APPALACHIAN TRAIL
4. STERLING FOREST PARK MASTER PLAN
5. Build The Link - Trail Volunteers Needed
6. Golden-winged Warbler Found in Abundance
7. STERLING FOREST SUMMER OUTINGS
8. STERLING FOREST STATE PARK SUMMER SCHEDULE
1. SAVE THE HEART OF STERLING FOREST
Contact the Governor Now
You and I are privileged to live near Sterling Forest 17,000 acres of largely undeveloped and roadless woodlands that is home to a wide diversity of wildlife. With your help, Sterling Forest Partnership, along with many other conservation-minded groups, worked hard to save the first 15,000 acres, and last winter, our board of directors reaffirmed our priority goal, to save the remaining 2,000 acres. Those 2,000 acres are the heart of Sterling Forest.
In May, the Sterling Forest Corporation presented yet another development proposal, for a 1,300-unit residential development in Sterling Forest. The Town of Tuxedo will make its final decision next year. Not by coincidence, the Palisades Interstate Park Commission and the Open Space Institute are again engaged in negotiations with the corporation to acquire part or all of these 2,000 acres as an addition to Sterling Forest State Park. This is our last chance to save the remainder of Sterling Forest! Should the negotiations fail, we will have to live with a new village of 3,000-4,000 people, two golf courses and a large commercial hub in the heart of the forest. Your help is needed again this summer and fall. We must reach Governor George Pataki NOW. Our message is simple: this is the heart of the forest, this is a critically important watershed, this is a connective corridor vital for wildlife, and it must be added to Sterling Forest State Park.
Governor Whitman of New Jersey and Governor Pataki both provided aggressive leadership to buy the first 15,000 acres and now is the time for them to again show they are leaders in forest preservation. In addition, the Town of Tuxedo, the other communities that are gateway to Sterling Forest, and those New Jersey communities whose drinking water originates in the Sterling Forest watershed of the Ramapo and Ringwood Rivers need to hear from us. They, too, must be urged to continue to ask New York and New Jersey Governors to once more play a role to save the heart of Sterling Forest.
Please write your own letter or sign and mail the enclosed sample letter today.
- Jan Hesbon, SFP Chairman
2. Sterling Forest Conservation Day & Hike-a-thon Success
The hiking weather couldn't have been better! With great hikes and a superbly prepared barbeque our 12th Annual Sterling Forest Conservation Day was another success.
Prize winners were: Lori Charkey for the most pledge dollars with $625 donated, won a $50 gift certificate compliments of Campmor. Our lucky hiker drawing winners were: 1st prize to Laura Ramsey who received a day pack provided by Ramsey Outdoor Stores, and 2nd prize winner Steve Ramos took home a $25 gift certificate from Outdoors of Chester.
Thanks to our volunteers and all of you hikers and Sterling Forest supporters who continue to make possible our work to preserve and protect Sterling Forest.
3. STEP BY STEP with Jacques D'Amboise ALONG THE APPALACHIAN TRAIL
8/17/98 Detour Directions to Arrow Park: Take rt 17 to its junction with Route 17M (north of Tuxedo). Turn left onto Rt 17M. At first traffic light, turn left onto Harriman Heights Rd. Continue to end, and turn left onto County Rt.19. Continue around the "Road closed except for local traffic" barrier. About halfway down the hill, turn right into Arrow Park. Also: Bring small trail tools, which will be incorporated into the dance.
The legendary New York City Ballet principal dancer and founder of the National Dance Institute, Jacques D'Amboise, is hiking the Appalachian Trail. One of his stops will be in Sterling Forest to teach his "Trail Dance" on Monday, August 23. Jacques is well known for getting people of all ages and persuasions to dance for the joy of it, and we invite all of you to join him in celebrating the forests and trails with his dance. His AT hike from Maine to Georgia fulfills a life-long dream, and his visits to communities along the way support his mission to bring quality arts education to children across America.
This event is very much in the spirit of Benton MacKaye, the founder of the Appalachian Trail, who envisioned arts and educational experiences linking communities along the length of the trail. "Hiking takes me down to life's absolute necessities food, water, shelter", says Jacques. "But we need food for the soul, and that comes through the arts." In addition to bringing the experience of his art to thousands of participants along the way, this trek is meant to raise money to support the National Dance Institute programs.
Visit the institute's web site www.ndi4all.org to follow Jacques' Step by Step journey along the trail.
Sterling Forest Partnership and NY-NJ Trail Conference are pleased that he will stop here to celebrate the new State Park with us. We urge any of you, young or old, agile or arthritic, who have helped Sterling Forest, hiked the trails, or who just enjoy its many qualities, to join the "Trail Dance" with us and Jacques, and pass the experience on to others.
It's even expected to be broadcast on the Today Show so your far off friends and relatives can enjoy the fun. All are invited to participate in this Trail Dance with Jacques D'Amboise.
Join us Monday, August 23, from 7:30 a.m. - 9:30 a.m., at Arrow Park, County Route 19, Monroe, NY. Coffee and pastries provided. Call Mary at 914-783-4302 for more information and to register as a participant. A free-will donation to the National Dance Institute will be requested.
4. STERLING FOREST PARK MASTER PLAN
The process of preparing a master plan for the new Sterling Forest State Park is underway. In May there were two meetings for public input on the "scope" of the park master plan and its environmental impact statement.
At these meetings several themes were repeated by those present. Overwhelmingly, the public expressed the desire to have Sterling Forest preserved as an intact forest with the watershed and wildlife habitat protected. Low impact recreational use was stressed with minimal disruption of the forest. The public also asked that there be a meaningful role of public participation in the plan preparation by the creation of a Public Advisory Council.
PIPC indicated that two "study " groups would be created, one from the general public and municipal officials and the other from the scientific community. At this time these groups have not yet been formed. For more information about the Sterling Forest State Park master plan process call the Palisades Interstate Park at 914-786-2701 or the Sterling Forest Partnership at 914-294-3098.
5. Build The Link - Trail Volunteers Needed
Be a part of the trail crew to build a new trail to link the Sterling Ridge trail to the Allis Trail. Suzan Gordon and Peter Tilgner, Trail Supervisors, are looking for a cadre of volunteers to help cut this newly flagged trail. Work will begin in September. For a work schedule and information please call Pete or Suzan, in the evenings, at 201-871-3531.
6. Golden-winged Warbler Found in Abundance
The Golden-winged Warbler has declined severely in the northeast and the Blue- winged Warbler has declined in much of the southern portions of it's range. In our second summer of work in Sterling Forest we again found a high density of Golden-winged and Blue-winged warblers in the utility rights-of-way (ROW), just as we did last year. This year we made a particular effort to survey nesting density in the many swamps in Sterling Forest State Park, including but not restricted to swamps under the ROW. This required many days of wading through some pretty rugged shrubby wetlands by all four of our Ithaca College crew. We found a high density of both species in the swamps, particularly swamps dominated by alder. It seemed possible that the density was lower in areas dominated by the invasive reed (Phragmites communis).
We spent hundreds of hours searching for nests. Our goal was to determine if predation and cowbird parasitism was particularly intense in the artificial habitat under the ROW. Nests are extremely hard to find, and after one year of survey we do not have a statistically reliable sample size. Trends suggest that predation and cowbird parasitism are no higher, and may even be lower, under the ROW than they are in fields and in the larger swamps. Both of these species are now under Status Assessment, sponsored by the US Fish and Wildlife Service. This process will provide the information that will help determine if either species should be listed for protection as either "Threatened" or "Endangered" within the Endangered Species Act. I am part of the assessment team for both species and results from our studies in Sterling Forest State Park will help us evaluate habitat quality and potential habitat management for the Status Assessment.
- Dr. John Confer, Prof. Of Biology, Ithaca College
7. STERLING FOREST SUMMER OUTINGS
For information about outings call Mary Yrizarry at 914-783-4302 or John Gebhards at 914-294-3098.
Aug 7, Sat, 7:30 p.m. - Owl Prowl
Come to Arrow Park to hunt with naturalist John Yrizarry for owls and other creatures at dusk. Co-sponsored by Arrow Park. Admission for the evening is $3 for adults or $6 for the family.
CANCELLED - Fire danger Aug 14, Sat, 9:30 a.m. to 3:30 p.m. - Sterling Forest Trails
Engaging hike leader Jeffrey Hunter will take you on 6 to 8 miles of moderately strenuous, lesser known trails in Sterling Forest. Meet at the Red Apple Rest and bring plenty of water and your lunch. No fee.
Aug 23, Mon, 7:30 a.m. to 9:30 a.m. - "Trail Dance" with Jacques D'Amboise
The public is invited to participate in this early morning "Trail Dance" workshop lead by internationally famous Jacques D'Amboise. (See article page 2). Meet at Arrow Park, County Route 19, Monroe. Call Mary at 914-783-4302 for information and to register.
Sept 12, Sat, 1:00 to 4:00 p.m. - Fall Wildflowers and Herbs in Sterling Forest
Wildflower horticulturist, Susan Sharko, will lead a walk along byways and forest trails to show us the abundance and beauty of wild flowers and useful herbs in our backwoods. Meet at the Red Apple Rest. S F Partnership members free, non-members $4.
Sept 26, Sun, 9:00 a.m. - Appalachian Trail - Mount Peter to West Mombasha
Moderately strenuous 7.1 miles from Mount Peter over Bellvale Mountain past the Eastern Pinnacles and Wildcat Shelter, then eastward to Mombasha High Point. Meeting point is the Red Apple Rest, Rt 17, Southfields, NY. This hike is sponsored by the Interstate Hiking Club. For more information contact hike leader Brian Mazur (973) 478-5285.
Oct 3, Sun, 1:00 to 4:00 p.m. - Sterling Forest Iron Mines and Furnaces
The iron industry of Sterling Forest was crucial to the outcome of both the Revolutionary and Civil Wars. Come see the remains of this great industry of the Highlands. We will car caravan to some of the mine sites and furnaces in the Sterling Forest area and hear about the heyday of iron production in our backyard. S F Partnership members free, non-members $4.00.
Oct 3, Sun, 9:00 a.m. - Sterling Ridge End-to-End
Strenuous hike but no trail work today! Meeting point is at the south end of the Sterling Ridge Trail, Hewitt, NJ at the junction with Greenwood Lake Tpk (Rt 511) and East Shore Drive. This hike is sponsored by the Interstate Hiking Club whose volunteers maintain this trail. For more information contact hike leader Connie Addeo (973) 628-9083.
Oct 10, Sun, 1:00 to 4:00 p.m. - Sterling Forest Graveyard History,
Tombstone restoration specialist, Roger King, will take us to several historical graveyards and recount early American events related to these sites. Meet at the Red Apple Rest. S F Partnership members free, non-members $4.00.
Oct 16, Sat, 10:30 a.m. - Sterling Forest Fall Colors and Migrating Hawks
Enjoy the autumn hues on an easy 4 mile hike along the Appalachian Trail from Mount Peter to Lakes Road. Hike leader Jeffrey Hunter will take us to the Mount Peter hawk watch station to try to catch sight of some of the thousands of raptors that migrate south at this time. Then on to the Pinnacles and Cat Rock for views of the Sterling Forest fall colors. Meet at the top of Mount Peter on Route 17A, between Greenwood Lake and Warwick, NY. Bring binoculars and lunch. No fee.
Oct 17, Sun, 9:00 a.m. - Appalachian Trail West Mombasha Road to Arden, NY
A moderately strenuous 5.5 miles over Buchanan Mountain and skirt Little Dam Lake. Then it's up over Arden Mountain and down Agony Grind. This hike is sponsored by the Interstate Hiking Club. Meet at the Red Apple Rest, Rt 17, Southfields, NY. For more information contact hike leader Donal Maloney (201) 391-6591.
8. STERLING FOREST STATE PARK SUMMER SCHEDULE
Family Nature Series
July 17, Saturday 1:00 PM - Incredible Bugs, and August 21, Saturday 1:00 PM - Life In A Pond
These programs introduce environmental concepts through hands-on activities and an outdoor experience. This program is recommended for families with children between the ages of 7 to 10.
Hike of the Month
July 31, Saturday 10:00 AM and August 28, Saturday 10:00 AM
Hikes are accompanied by a park educator or ranger and have several stops to enjoy the view, discuss park history or ecology. For both the Nature Series and the Hike of the Month admission is free, but registration with the Sterling Forest State Park Office is required. All programs meet at the Sterling Forest State Park office on Route 17 north of Tuxedo, NY. For information on any of the above activities sponsored by the park call Bill Ledwitz, Director of Education, Sterling Forest State Park, 914-351-5907.