Vernooykill land project
preserving the Vernooykill State Forest
Project Directors: Christopher Franza and Karen Franza
Contact: Christopher & Karen
Acknowledgement: We recognize the original stewards of these lands, the Esopus Peoples. We invite you to learn about and join us in honoring the Esopus Tribe of the Catskill Mountains.
The Olympic Mountain EarthWisdom Circle (OMEC) has partnered with The Morgan Duke Conservation Society to preserve and maintain the Vernooykill State Forest which is part of the larger Catskill Forest Preserve.
As a "Living Land Project", clean up as well as simple land and water blessings will be on-going by the project inceptors. Plans for forest immersion experiences guided by Christopher and Karen are also in process. For now, you can join us in cleaning and ceremoniously blessing these lands by:
1) Becoming a volunteer member for Morgan Duke Conservation Society, and/or
2) Signing up for one of our larger post-holiday cleanups*, one weekend after each Memorial Day, Fourth of July and Labor Day.
*On designated post-holiday cleanup weekends we will have plastic bags, gloves and pen & paper for you to log what your find. A land and water blessing will be performed on these occasions. You are welcomed to participate in whatever way feels most comfortable to you.
Please bring anything appropriate for a day outdoors. As the weather here is unpredictable please plan for a variety of elements and as always bring a water bottle. The Vernooykill has an abundance of beings of the "other- than-human" world. Please remember there are venomous snakes, ticks, bears, and a number of poisonous plants to be respectful of.
We follow the seven Leave No Trace Principles when walking the land and encourage others to do the same.
The Vernooykill State Forest is accessed via Lundy Road, in Wawarsing NY, it is approximately 100 miles North of New York City and 90 miles South of Albany.
Contact Christopher & Karen with any questions.
Donate at the tab below to help support our various projects.
You will receive a tax-deductible receipt for your donation.
You will receive a tax-deductible receipt for your donation.