Catskill Science Collaborative

Coordinating and communicating Catskill Mountain research.

Funded by New York State through Environmental Protection Funds and coordinated by the Cary Institute of Ecosystem Studies, the CSC carries forward the goals of the Catskill Environmental Research and Monitoring (CERM) group, an informal collaboration initiated in 2010.

Goals

• Promote scientific research and environmental monitoring in the Catskill Region on topics relevant to natural resource management.
• Provide a locus for exchange of information between resource managers (e.g., NYSDEC, NYC DEP, private landowners) and scientists.
• Promote the development of "scientific infrastructure" (e.g., databases, bibliographies, intensive research sites) that improves the opportunities for collaboration among Catskill researchers.
• Provide opportunities for Catskill residents and visitors to learn about research and environmental issues in the Catskill Region

Why We Need The Catskill Science Collaborative

The Catskill Region’s economy is driven by natural resources. The key industries of tourism, forestry, and agriculture all require healthy and well-managed ecosystems for their long-term sustainability. Nine million people obtain their drinking water from the NYC water supply system and depend on healthy forests and streams in the Catskill watersheds to maintain the quantity and purity of their water. 

Environmental research and monitoring provide the scientific foundation of intelligent ecosystem management in the face of climate change, invasive species, development, and other environmental changes.

A large number of federal, state and municipal agencies, universities, and research institutes are involved in research, monitoring, and management of Catskills resources. However, there are few opportunities for scientists and managers to exchange information across agencies and institutions, make data freely available for long-term use, or to communicate research findings to the public.

The CSC launched in 2018 to fill these gaps in coordination and communication.

Events

The Catskill Science Collaborative holds events to share research findings in the Catskills with residents and visitors.

Upcoming

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Sunday, September 8, 2019
9:00am

Alien Invaders Strike the Catskills!

Do you have alien invaders lurking in your backyard? Come learn about the invasive plants and forest pests that plague the Catskills.

Catskill Science Collaborative Data Portal

Managed in partnership with the Forest Ecosystem Monitoring Cooperative, the Catskill Science Collaborative Data Portal is a collection of publicly accessible environmental data collected throughout the Catskill Mountains region. The Data Portal can help researchers meet grant requirements such as the need for a data management plan, as well as the need to make data publicly available.

Data Portal

How to Contribute Data

Are you a researcher or natural resource managers that has data you would like to contribute to the Catskill Science Collaborative Data Portal? Are you starting a new research project in the Catskills? Data are safely archived, receive a Digital Object Identifier(DOI) and are discoverable through major scientific data aggregators such as DataOne. Contact Jamie Deppen at: deppenj@caryinstitute.org , (845) 677-7600 ext. 234

Catskill Science Collaborative Fellowships

Fellowships are available to undergraduate or graduate students. Fellowships match natural resource manager needs with faculty advisor and student interests and expertise. A stipend and funding to cover research expenses is included. 

Catskill Environmental Research & Monitoring (CERM) Conference

The CERM Conference brings together researchers and natural resource managers working in the Catskills to share research and ideas and to provide networking opportunities.

CERM Conference