The Catskill Center created and launched a training program for Catskill Region elected and appointed officials--with a special focus on newly elected officials. The training is designed to assist local leaders in gaining a better understanding of the opportunities associated with the protected land resources that largely define the Catskill Region: the state-owned Catskill Forest Preserve, the New York City-owned Watershed lands, and lands with Conservation Easements. The program includes training sessions and creation of a web-based resource.

This is an important time in the history of the Catskill region and it is a goal of the Catskill Center to ensure that our elected officials better understand the role that current and future protected lands can serve as the foundation for tourism related economic development.

Past Programs

Leadership Institute – Friday, December 9, 2011

This all day program was offered to provide newly elected and incumbent officials of municipalities in the Catskill Region with information about the resources and opportunities available to them. This included: the opportunities associated with the protected land resources that largely define the Catskill Region (the Catskill Park and NYC Watershed lands); services for local officials provided by regional and statewide organizations; and duties and responsibilities of public officers.

     Program Agenda [CLICK HERE FOR A LINK TO THE PROGRAM AGENDA] 

     Program Video: Click on the links below for the video recording of the program.

     Part 1 http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=G9r-1AnE35c

     Part 2 http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=X5TB1Fn0PUI

     Part 3 http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=NOxCNFecrKU

     Part 4 http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Dc-EKvszOmg

     Part 5 http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=85M7CCL537I

     Part 6 http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=-lZ22jhu1eg

Creating a Cohesive Identity: Lessons Learned from PAWilds – Wednesday, November 14, 2012

Tina Solak, Executive Director of the Cameron County Chamber of Commerce (PA) shared information, processes, partnerships, and lessons learned from her years of work with PA Wilds - a strategic effort that aims to grow the nature and heritage tourism industry across 12 1/2 counties of rural Pennsylvania. The goal of PA Wilds is to create jobs, diversify local economies and improve quality of life.

     Program Video: Click on the link below for the video recording of the program.

     Part 1 http://youtu.be/oetwvJ8V-aE

Economic Valuation Study for Public Lands in the Central Catskills – Tuesday, December 4, 2012

The process, goals, and next steps from the "Economic Valuation Study for Public Lands in the Central Catskills" was presented by consultant Brian Zweig. The introduction to the program included an overview and updates about public use of the Forest Preserve and New York City Department of Evironmental Protection (NYCDEP) land in the Catskills by Bill Rudge of the New York State Department of Environmental Conservation and Paul Lenz of NYCDEP.

     Program Video: Click on the link below for the video recording of the program. 
     Part 1 http://youtu.be/BO8DRVJMpQo

Links to Resources

http://www.landtrustalliance.org/about/regional-programs/ne - The Land Trust Alliance Northeast Region

http://www.ny.gov/ - New York State

http://www.dos.ny.gov/coog/Right_to_know.html - New York State Open Government 

http://www.dos.ny.gov/coog/openmeetinglawfaq.html - Open meetings Law FAQ’s

http://www.dos.ny.gov/coog/freedomfaq.html - Freedom of Information FAQ’s

http://www.dos.ny.gov/lg/index.html - Local Government Services: grants, trainings

http://www.dos.ny.gov/lg/lut/resources.html - DOS - resources for local governments

http://www.nytowns.org/ - NYS Association of Towns

http://www.elections.ny.gov/ - NYS Board of Elections

http://www.dec.ny.gov/ - NYS Department of Environmental Conservation

http://www.nysenate.gov/ - NYS Senate

http://www.nyc.gov/html/dep/html/home/home.shtml - NYC DEP

http://assembly.state.ny.us/ - NYS Assembly