March 22, 2013

CONTACT:

Adam Bosch (DEP) (845) 334-7868
Jennifer Milillo (Green Chimneys) (845) 279-2995 ext. 109

Department of Environmental Protection to Present Wetlands Survey at Clearpool Model Forest

March 24 Presentation Will Explore Diverse and Unique Habitats Found in Putnam County

The New York City Department of Environmental Protection (DEP) this weekend will present results from a wetlands study that identified several unique and diverse habitats at the Clearpool Model Forest in Putnam County. The presentation will be held Sunday, March 24, from 1 to 2 p.m. in the Charles Perrin Learning Center, located within Green Chimneys’ Clearpool Campus at 33 Clearpool Road, Carmel, NY.

Staff members from DEP’s Ecological Research and Assessment unit will share findings from their survey of 16 wetlands across nine acres of the model forest. The newly delineated wetlands surround the forest’s lake and comprise a diverse array of habitats, including spring seep, vernal pools, wet meadow, forested and shrub swamp, and kettlehole bog, a unique and rare peatland habitat.

The Clearpool Model Forest encompasses 264 acres of privately-owned forestland set aside to support environmental education. It is the second largest model forest within the New York City watershed area. Visitors at the model forest can learn about water quality, biodiversity, forest ecosystems and human interaction with the natural landscape. Wetlands are among the vital ecological features within the model forest. They serve as habitats for hundreds of species of birds, fish, mammals, insects, reptiles, and amphibians. They also act as giant sponges that slow the flow of surface water, reduce flooding, and prevent soil erosion. Sunday’s presentation is part of the Clearpool Model Forest Education Series.

Those interested in attending the presentation can contact Chris Hendershot at Green Chimneys by calling (845) 225.8226 x605 or by e-mail at chendershot@greenchimneys.org.

Clearpool is the Carmel, N.Y. campus of Green Chimneys, a multi-faceted nonprofit education and human services organization helping young people to maximize their full potential by providing residential, educational, clinical, and recreational services that create and nurture connections to the community and the natural world. The unique outdoor facility is the second campus of Green Chimneys School and also offers an array of public education and recreation programs for school students, local families, and community conservationists. More information can be found at www.greenchimneys.org/clearpool.

DEP manages New York City’s water supply, providing more than one billion gallons of water each day to more than 9 million residents, including 8.4 million in New York City, and residents of Ulster, Orange, Putnam, and Westchester counties. This water comes from the Catskill, Delaware, and Croton watersheds that extend more than 125 miles from the City, and the system comprises 19 reservoirs, three controlled lakes, and numerous tunnels and aqueducts. DEP has nearly 6,000 employees, including almost 1,000 scientists, engineers, surveyors, watershed maintainers and others professionals in the upstate watershed. In addition to its $68 million payroll and $153 million in annual taxes paid in upstate counties, DEP has invested more than $1.5 billion in watershed protection programs—including partnership organizations such as the Catskill Watershed Corporation and the Watershed Agricultural Council—that support sustainable farming practices, environmentally sensitive economic development, and local economic opportunity. In addition, DEP has a robust capital program with over $14 billion in investments planned over the next 10 years that will create up to 3,000 construction-related jobs per year. For more information, visit nyc.gov/dep, like us on Facebook at facebook.com/nycwater, or follow us on Twitter at twitter.com/nycwater.