ABOUT US...

Notes on Palisades Interstate Park League of Naturalists

Soon after Jack Focht became director of Trailside Museums and Zoo in 1988, he initiated the park’s People Project to document the stories and preserve the memory of the early settlements. He asked a number of well-informed volunteers to contribute written Museum Papers for this project. One paper, by Elizabeth “Perk” Stalter who had lived in Doodletown, was later expanded into the 1996 book Doodletown, published by the Palisades Interstate Park Commission Press. The initial Papers covered both human and natural history, for example: “The Treasure Rock Complex” by Gardner Watts, H-1/89; “Station for the study of insects” by Anne Lutz, H-2/89, whose father, famous author and entomologist Frank Lutz had established the station near the Ramapo River in 1924; and “Reptile micro-habitats of Turkey Hill Pond Dam” by Peter Warny, Z-1/89. Hope Ryden, whose meticulously researched Lily Pond (William Morrow, 1989) was augmented with new findings in her “Comments on beaver populations in Harriman State Park” Museum Paper Z-3/95, would continue to contribute research.

After enlisting an initial group of enthusiasts, Jack saw the need of an organized team of historians and natural historians. A group was enlisted, met a Trailside in 1992, and discussed what interests and expertise they might share. The group became the Bear Mountain League of Naturalists whose initial project would be to inventory the flora and fauna of the Doodletown watershed. A Park Biodiversity Survey, conducted by volunteer naturalists and historians, was soon developed to include the entire Bear Mountain-Harriman territory. Projects coordinator, Lee Scott, drew up guidelines for carefully documenting findings. A Lyceum of Natural History was established to investigate the natural and cultural heritage of the Park, and members invited to lead a variety of field trips. Later, when the Park granted limited parking permits for active researchers, the annual application for these permits also asked for the participant’s summary-report on findings.  

League members, with others, participate in the annual Birds & Wildlife Census, established in 1946 by John C. Orth, former Trailside Director (lapsed 1974-1979). They also take part in the Silloway Summer Bird Count, first conducted in 1918 and 1919 by P.M. Silloway of the NYS College of Forestry at Syracuse and revived in 1988 by Trailside Museums.

When first organized, there were no formal requirements for “belonging” to the League of Naturalists. It was assumed that participants had a keen and deeply felt interest and enthusiasm for the opportunities presented. But participants were encouraged to take an active part by:

1. Writing a Museum Paper
2. Presenting a Lyceum program
3. Leading a field trip…occasionally

They were also invited to take an active part in the Winter Birds and Wildlife Census, the Silloway Bird Count, and other activities offered from time to time. “Encouragement without pressure” seems to be the watchword.

Gene Brown, April 2009

Founders Jack Focht and Lee Scott.  (C) Tom Cunningham

Our Mission...

As well as to formulate a model system for biodiversity surveys that is proficient, cost-effective, and can be replicated throughout other State Park Regions.

In addition to providing park management with a customized reference package that's fully inter-operable with the Biodiversity Database so as to facilitate planning and decision making.

And, to eventually provide libraries, schools, local agencies, groups or individuals with a declassified educational database-package, plus publications, lyceum seminars and informative hikes to inspire public awareness and appreciation of Park resources (including zoology, geology, botany, and history).

                                                                                                                                                  Lee Scott    5/94