Is leaving the woods alone really the best way to preserve them? According to forester Ryan Trapani of the Catskill Forest Association, “doing nothing” comes with hidden costs—and a whole lot of shade-loving trees. In this immersive forest consultation, Ryan pays a visit to host Brett Barry's property to explore hands-on stewardship, the limits of laissez-faire ecology, and the surprising power of sunlight in shaping forest health.

In this episode:

• How to spot hazard trees before they fall (and cost you)

• Why “doing nothing” might be the worst forest strategy

• Tree-for-tree advice on pruning, spacing, and crop tree management

• Sunlight as a limiting factor in Catskill forest health

• Tips for invasive pest management: ash decline & hemlock woolly adelgid

• CFA’s hands-on services, from mushroom inoculation to apple grafting

Plus, hear Ryan’s reflections on 700+ episodes of From the Forest radio—and learn how CFA’s independent, community-driven model helps landowners steward their properties with purpose.

More info: 🌿 catskillforest.org 📡 CFA’s radio show: fromtheforest.podbean.com

Please keep in touch at kaatscast.com, rate and review on the podcast app of your choice, and follow us on Instagram.

Sure, you can drive from NYC to the Catskills in just under 3 hours. But as "Doobby," the taxi driver in Planes, Trains and Automobiles says, "You don't see nothing on the interstate but interstate." In this episode, host Brett Barry walks with ⁠Casey Kelbaugh⁠ on a stretch of the "Long Path," a 358-mile trail from the George Washington Bridge in New York City to the edge of the Adirondack Park. Casey recounts his 27-day hike from East 4th Street in Manhattan to his cabin in the Catskills via the Long Path, an experience he then ⁠shared in the travel section of the New York Times⁠.

00:00 Introduction to the Catskills Voyage

00:15 Discovering the Long Path

00:52 Sponsors and Supporters

01:30 Casey's Journey Begins

02:18 Hiking the Long Path

05:40 Challenges and Reflections

13:16 Community and Connections

26:02 The Final Stretch

29:19 Conclusion and Next Episode Preview

Exploring Howes Cave: History, Tragedy, and Tourism

Historian and author Dana Cudmore, a former tour guide and current chronicler of Howes Cave, Howe Caverns, and Schoharie County's "Cave Country," gives us a lay of the land and recalls the oft-repeated question, " Anybody ever die down here?"

Cudmore recounts in his 2024 book, The Cave Electrician’s Widow: The Tragedy at Howe Caverns & Dramatic Courtroom Fight for Justice, the story of two Howe Caverns employees who tragically asphyxiated in response to a nearby dynamite blast on April 24, 1930. The conversation describes the events of that tragic day, as well as the continuing allure and industrial significance of the caves and surrounding area.

Buy a copy of The Cave Electrician's Widow here, and use code KAATSCAST for 25% off plus free shipping!

Enter here for a chance to win a signed copy!

00:00 Introduction: The Popular Question

00:16 History of Howe Caverns

02:04 Touring Cave Country

03:18 Lester Howe's Discovery of Howe Caverns

06:20 Secret Caverns and Fraternal Rivalries

11:17 The 1930 Tragedy

21:56 Modern-Day Mining in Howes Cave

22:52 Conclusion and Author's Reflections

This episode of Kaatscast features an interview with Don Dales, a key figure in transforming Hobart, New York, into Hobart Book Village. The journey began with a single bookstore in a declining village and expanded into a book lovers' destination with seven bookstores, the Book Village Inn & Bar, and annual events, attracting visitors from far and wide. Dales discusses the initial challenges, community resistance, and the eventual success that turned Hobart into a thriving literary hub in The Catskills' Delaware County.

00:00 Introduction to Hobart Book Village

00:24 The History of Hobart and Its Bookstores

01:58 Interview with Don Dales

06:21 The Decline and Revival of Hobart

10:18 The Book Village Concept Takes Shape

17:19 The Impact of Media and Future Prospects

23:25 Conclusion and Final Thoughts

In this episode, Captain Drewski of the Delhi Polecats, formerly known as the Delhi Vintage Baseball Club, joins us to discuss the revival of vintage baseball in Delaware County, New York.

Drewski shares the historical significance of a 200-year-old baseball challenge documented in an 1825 edition of the Delaware Gazette, marking the earliest recorded organized game of baseball in the United States. The Hamden 9, as part of the town's bicentennial celebrations, continue the tradition of playing baseball by 1800s rules using period-accurate attire and equipment. For more on Hamden, NY's bicentennial celebration, head over to hamden1825.org.

Tune in to learn more about the history, teams, and events that honor this unique variation of America's pastime; plus, an investigation into the claim that a Catskills paper was the very first to put a baseball game in print!

For even more, check out an episode we produced in 2021 with the M.A.C.'s Collin "Stumpy" Miller during spring practice on Creamery Field in Bovina, NY.

00:00 Introduction to Vintage Baseball in Delaware County

01:00 Meet the Hamden 9: A New Vintage Baseball Team

01:32 The Historical Significance of 1825 in Hamden

02:03 Sponsorship and Support for Vintage Baseball

02:40 Formation and Growth of the Delhi Polecats

06:10 The Unique Charm of Vintage Baseball

06:51 Debating the Origins of Baseball

07:57 The 1825 Baseball Challenge in Hamden

09:12 Celebrating Hamden's Bicentennial

13:24 The Rise of Vintage Baseball in the Catskills

18:22 Upcoming Events and Invitations

19:14 Listener Feedback and Conclusion

This episode explores an overnight camping trip led by Melissa Goodwin, a licensed guide and founder of 'Girl Gotta Hike,' aimed at encouraging women to connect with the outdoors. Olivia Sippel, our production intern, shares her first camping experience in the Catskills, guided by Melissa, also known by her trail name 'Click.' The story delves into how Melissa's passion for hiking evolved, and the creation of her hiking service, with a focus on women and accessibility. The episode highlights their journey, history and insights from the Appalachian Trail, and the impact of outdoor adventures on personal growth.

00:00 Introduction to Public Transit Hiking

00:44 Olivia's First Camping Experience

01:23 Melissa's Trail Name and Appalachian Trail Journey

04:38 Signing In and Exploring the Trail

07:56 Trail Lunch and Devil's Path

10:53 The Birth of Girl Gotta Hike

24:36 Conclusion and Reflections

For stories about trailblazing women of the 19th century, check out Purple Mountain Press's new edition of Breaking Trail: Remarkable Women of the Adirondacks. Enter code KAATSCAST for 25% off + free shipping through 5/31/2025.

Kaatscast spoke with Cornell University researchers about their latest investigations into New York State bobcat population abundance and the discovery of avian influenza (bird flu) in these wild felines.

Featuring Jenny Bloodgood, a wildlife veterinarian, and Haley Turner, a Cornell graduate student, the podcast explores their collaborative efforts to assess bobcat abundance and health using GPS collar tagging and camera trap stations. The discussion highlights various diseases affecting bobcats, including avian influenza, which has been detected in several sampled animals. The conversation also touches on historical challenges faced by bobcats, conservation efforts, and the implications of their findings for wildlife management.

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00:00 Introduction to Bobcat Research

01:41 Meet the Researchers

04:35 Bobcat Population History

05:41 Research Methods and Findings

12:43 Health and Disease in Bobcats

17:09 Impact of Avian Influenza

29:30 Human Influence and Conservation

37:21 Conclusion and Future Research

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Cover photo courtesy of Joshua Twining

Exploring the Magical World of Mushrooms with Catskill Fungi's John Michelotti

In this episode of Kaatscast, host Brett Barry interviews John Michelotti, mushroom maven and founder of Catskill Fungi. John draws listeners into the enchanting and complex world of fungi, sharing his journey from an outdoor guide to becoming an enthusiastic mycology educator. Recorded at Catskill Fungi's commercial kitchen in Pine Hill, the episode delves into the life cycle of mushrooms, their ecological roles, cultivation methods, and the mysteries of mycelium. John discusses the various types of mushrooms found in the Catskills, including edible, poisonous, and even mind-altering varieties. The episode also highlights the health benefits of mushroom extracts from varieties like Reishi, Lion's Mane, and Chaga. John is one one of the Catskill Center's "50 Stewards of the Catskills." Oh, and he's a super "fun-guy." Mwah-ha-ha!

00:00 Introduction to Seasonal Mushrooms

00:26 Meet John Michelotti: The Mushroom Maven

01:37 The Journey to Mushroom Mastery

05:55 Understanding Fungi and Mycelium

08:43 The Ecological Role of Fungi

16:51 Mushroom Cultivation Techniques

18:58 Edible and Toxic Mushrooms

23:57 Mushroom Identification and Walks

24:41 Mushroom Foraging Adventures

25:17 Fungi Cultivation Workshops

25:57 Diversity of Edible Mushrooms

26:19 Mushroom Production in the US

27:36 Identifying Edible and Poisonous Mushrooms

29:14 Psychedelic Mushrooms in the Catskills

32:03 Processing Mushrooms into Extracts

38:26 Health Benefits of Mushroom Extracts

44:23 Conclusion and Contact Information