Kaatscast: Platte Clove Preserve, A Small Parcel with Big Impact

The Catskill Center’s addition of 3.6 acres to its Platte Clove Preserve may not sound like much, but its potential impact on the Catskills landscape is outsized.

In the latest episode of Kaatscast: The Catskills Podcast, host Brett Barry joins Jeff Senterman and Kali Bird of the Catskill Center to explore the newly acquired parcel at the top of Platte Clove—a critical piece of wilderness that protects public access, scenic views, and ecological integrity. They trace the preserve’s origins, the role of the Artist Cabin in community engagement, and the evolving mission of the Catskill Center as both Jeff and Kali celebrate a decade with the institution.

Reflecting on their ten-year tenure, they describe how the organization expanded its staff, deepened its partnerships, and sharpened its focus on policy and funding, and securing a dedicated state budget line for the park.

“Once you get named in the New York State budget, it’s really hard to take you out of the New York State budget,” says Senterman. “And so now, instead of agencies like the DEC trying to pull bits and pieces of money from different places, they have a line that says, ‘This money you must spend on the Catskills.’”

The Catskill Center now plays a pivotal role in shaping the future of the Catskills, ensuring that both wild lands and vibrant communities are protected for generations to come.

Image: Kali Bird and Jeff Senterman of the Catskill Center. (Credit: Brett Barry)