WHAT’S GOING ON IN THE FOREST?
I think part of the reason why I’ve been less squeamish about “development” in comparison to others is that I grew up seeing New York State in abandonment. There were so many abandoned farms, houses, and even large resorts where the forest was literally growing back and covering up those human remains. It demonstrated to me how impermanent development or life could be. Some of these abandoned housing developments created excellent places to pick black raspberries (blackcaps). Some of the best wildlife habitat exists in such areas due to the diversity of growth that occurs there.
May the Forest Be with You,
Ryan Trapani
Director of Forest Services
Catskill Forest Association