WATER

WLC's 2026 programming theme is "Ecologies of Water," but the conservancy has been engaged in the protection of waterways for decades. Land protection and water protection are inextricably linked. That's why the protection of water and education around watersheds are central to our mission.

As part of our "Ecologies of Water" focus, we are featuring a different aspect of watersheds each month in our social media, weekly newsletter and in the News section of this website. "Know Your Watershed" is a quick way to appreciate the role of the Sawkill watershed, which is vital to Woodstock and the eastern Catskills.

Download Sawkill Sub-Watershed Map

The year-long theme not only includes monthly educational programs but a number of special events and projects that will impact the community for years to come. The new Sawkill Sub-Watershed map constructed by Ella Cattabiani is the result of a collaborative team of local water experts working together with WLC staff. The "How is the Sawkill?" event was another innovative outcome of this collaborative team. Held at Mountain View Studio in March, the event featured interdisciplinary presentations on topics like indigenous land stewardship, baseline watershed conditions and oral history. More than 100 attendees filled the studio for this informative and interactive look at the watershed that includes Woodstock.

WLC hosted a riparian restoration workshop in April, which included volunteers planting 100 willow trees to prevent erosion on Fontyne Kill at Zena Cornfield.

In addition to individual events and educational programs, WLC is launching Stream Stewards, a three-month stream literacy cohort where volunteers learn about current conditions and monitor the Sawkill's erosion, salinity, biodiversity and more. Stream Stewards is part of a larger program led by local artist Jennifer Zackin called "Mapping the Sawkill." Learn more here.

PREVIOUS INITIATIVES
WLC's focus on water resources was heightened in 2014 and 2015 as we worked with community members to prevent Niagara Bottling Company from purchasing water rights to Cooper Lake from the City of Kingston’s Water Department, which is fed by the Little Beaverkill/Mink Hollow Stream. As a result of that involvement, we further integrated water considerations into our strategic plans. We are proud to work with elected officials, where applicable, on shared water concerns as well as partner organizations and engaged community members.

Protecting our public and private water resources and supplies ensures not only its quality but also its continued availability into the future. It is an essential policy in the face of the increasing uncertainty posed by climate-induced droughts.