Happy New Year from all at the Catskills Water Discovery Center in Arkville. The East Branch Nature Preserve is open year-round, from dawn to dusk daily. Please keep your pets on a leash and pack out the poop!
Even in the winter, there is still so much to see here. The majestic goldenrod is much faded from its vibrant, glorious yellow to a ghostly husk, and the stately mullein still stands to attention, drained of its color, like a pencil sketch ready to be filled in with some vermillion come spring. The landscape reminds us that we all need to slow down in the winter months, appreciate our wizened selves, and save our seeds for our best work in 2026.
Best wishes to all visitors and see you on the trail!
There is still much that the observer can learn about their property during the winter. The landscape is laid bare, exposing ground that was inaccessible during the summer, and the fragile, skeletal husks of once-colorful plant life show us all their seeds. One gust of wind, and new life is scattered, ready for spring.
Last October, board members Jenny Neal and Linda Reich took a nature walk around the East Branch Nature Preserve guided by local expert Laura Silverman of the Outside Institute. The board was excited to learn about all that is growing in the Preserve and we identified many plant and tree species. One plant that we have in abundance in the Preserve is Goldenrod.
Goldenrod is a main stay of summer, during which they bloom with brilliant, vivid yellow, hand-sized draping clusters of blossoms atop tall rods, about three to six feet high. Thin leaves, two to six inches long, grow all the way down the stem alternately, and are hairy. Goldenrod grows by rhizome and you’ll usually find whole fields of it. Our Preserve was no exception. This is what a large patch looked like in November last year, with the trail winding through it.
Put fresh blossoms into a mason jar of hot water (not boiling) to make a delicious fresh tea that tastes like a strong green tea. Sweeten with local maple syrup. (Tree Juice was one of our sponsors last year).
Goldenrod is said to have a number of health benefits. It soothes a sore throat, reduces pain and inflammation. It is also used for gout, joint pain (rheumatism), arthritis, as well as eczema and other skin conditions.
The flowers don’t freeze well, so if you want to save some tea for winter, make a condensed batch and freeze to dilute later with water. To make a condensed batch of tea, simply soak as much fresh goldenrod as you can fit in a mason jar of hot water. Strain through a sieve and freeze.
See you on the trail! Remember to keep dogs on a leash and pack out the poop.
The East Branch Nature Preserve is also an outdoor exhibition space with visiting exhibits that integrate art and nature. Michael Milton’s “Guidelines In Si-tu” is a featured installation at the East Branch Nature Preserve and was recently extended at the end of 2025 with a few new pieces. All are welcome to visit this installation as the East Branch Nature Preserve is open year-round.
Another recently added exhibit was “Snowcatchers” (below) which was installed on December 20th, 2025. “Sawtooth/Snow” are provided by Arena Arts Initiative using cutoffs from the milling of material for the future Francis Cape Project.
Also, in 2025 we said goodbye to the exhibit “Headwaters”, which was taken down in 2025.
Here is a last glimpse of “Headwaters” in the snow in December:
Enjoy meandering trails along the East Branch of the Delaware River featuring natural and historical points of interest. Parking and trail entrance available at the Catskill Water Discovery Center.
Diane Galusha’s book Liquid Assets: A History of New York City’s Water System chronicles how thousands of people were displaced, homes were relinquished, and entire communities were destroyed to make way for the reservoirs that now provide New York City with its fresh water.
On March, 19th, Diane spoke with Radio Catskill to discuss her book and the story of how NYC’s water system has shaped the Catskills.
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