Honoring Female Changemakers in the Catskills
At the Catskill Center, we recognize the countless individuals who dedicate their time and expertise to protecting and strengthening the environmental, cultural, and economic well-being of the Catskills. Historically, women in this region have not always received the recognition they deserve as changemakers, yet their contributions have been instrumental in regional development, community engagement, and environmental stewardship. In celebration of Women’s History Month, we believe it’s important to continually highlight and honor the women who have driven positive change across so many fields.
Today, we are honored to spotlight five incredible women whose work is making a lasting impact on the Catskills. Through policy, photography, research, and forest conservation, they are shaping a stronger, more sustainable future for the region.
Esi LewIS
(she/her)
Esi Lewis is Ulster County’s Chief Diversity Officer and has a background in law and community leadership. As a graduate of Hampton University and Suffolk University Law School, she served as an Assistant District Attorney in Brooklyn. Lewis transitioned into being a prominent community leader in Ulster County, serving on the New Paltz Police Reform and Reinvention Committee and making history as the first Black member of the New Paltz Town Board in January 2022.
In 2023, she was appointed Ulster County’s Chief Diversity Officer. In this position, Esi ensures that equity, diversity, and inclusion are at the forefront of county policies—many of which directly affect the Catskills. Her leadership expands resources, accessibility, and representation, ensuring that outdoor spaces, environmental initiatives, and government programs are welcoming and inclusive for all communities.
CARLA RHODES
(she/her)
Carla is a photographer whose work shines a light on overlooked and misunderstood species. With a passion for storytelling, her photography has been featured in The New York Times, The Washington Post, The Guardian, and more.
Recently, Carla has been working at Mountain Top Arboretum on an exciting project, "The Wild Side of Mountain Top," supported by a New York State Council on the Arts grant. Through her photography, she’s documenting the Arboretum’s rich biodiversity, highlighting the often unseen wildlife that calls the Catskills home.
By shifting perspectives on misunderstood species, Carla encourages people to recognize their crucial role in the ecosystem and the threats they face. Her work fosters curiosity, conservation, and a deeper respect for native wildlife, helping to ensure these species continue to thrive in the Catskills and beyond!
You can view Carla’s work here.
Photo Credit: Carla Rhodes
CHRISTINA HUNT WOOD
(she/her)
Christina Hunt Wood (she/her) is a multimedia artist, community organizer, and social justice advocate making a significant impact in the Catskills region. Her work explores rural identity, environmental connection, and equity, using art to amplify underrepresented voices and spark community dialogue. Her work has been exhibited throughout the Northeast, including at MASS MoCA, the Ely Center of Contemporary Art, and Bushel Collective in Delhi, NY.
A 2019 Catskill Center “Steward of the Catskills”, Christina has led powerful initiatives that directly address local equity and inclusion. She co-founded initiatives like Fair for All, Get Woke! Catskills, and the Catskills Unity campaign, which promote inclusivity and challenge systemic injustice in rural communities.
She currently serves as Coordinator of the MOSAIC Multicultural Center at SUNY Delhi, building spaces of belonging for students and strengthening ties between the college and Catskills communities. A Creatives Rebuild New York Fellow and NYSCA grant recipient, Christina continues to use storytelling and creativity to inspire meaningful change across the region.
Photo Credit: Adrianna Newell
Alicia van der Veur
(she/her)
Alicia van der Veur is a New York State Department of Environmental Conservation Forester. She is helping to protect and manage the forests of New York State for future generations. With a B.S. in Natural Resources Management and an A.A.S. in Environmental and Natural Resources Conservation from SUNY ESF, Alicia’s passion for conservation runs deep. Before stepping into her current role, she worked as a Forestry Technician supporting State Forest and Private Lands programs in Warrensburg and Schenectady.
As a NYSDEC Forester, Alicia plays a vital role in managing and protecting the forests of the Catskills, which span over 700,000 acres of public and private land. Her work helps ensure these forests remain healthy, resilient, and sustainable for both people and wildlife.
Learn more about the importance New York State’s forests here.
DR. Elizabeth Bastiaans
(she/her)
Elizabeth Bastiaans is Associate Professor of Biology at SUNY Oneonta. She leads research on the diverse amphibians and reptiles of the Catskills alongside her students. From spring to fall, they study common species and work to conserve those at risk.
Since 2017, Elizabeth’s team has conducted a mark-recapture project on red-backed salamanders in collaboration with biologists across northeastern North America, uncovering the species' vital role in forest ecosystems. Her students have also investigated wood turtles, an iconic but declining species, to understand why they struggle to persist in human-altered environments. Recently, one of her students launched a project examining how wood frogs choose egg-laying sites and whether road salt contamination affects male frogs' ability to call.
Beyond their research, Elizabeth and her students are hands-on conservationists, often found helping salamanders, frogs, and turtles safely cross roads. Their work provides critical insights into the Catskills' wildlife, supporting efforts to protect these species for future generations.
Learn more about Elizabeth’s work here.
We are so grateful for these women who are making a profound impact in the Catskills region, using their expertise to protect natural resources, expand inclusion, document biodiversity, and drive conservation efforts forward. Join us in celebrating these incredible change-makers and the future they are helping to build!