The Frost Valley YMCA Model Forest
New York City's water supply system is one of the largest surface storage and supply systems in the world, supplying high-quality drinking water to nearly nine million consumers representing nearly half of New York State's total population. More than 75% of the nearly 2,000 square miles of watersheds are forested, and the majority of these lands are privately owned.

Properly managed forests contribute less nonpoint source pollution per acre than any other land cover. Guided by this relationship between managed forests and water quality, the 300+ acre Frost Valley YMCA Model Forest, situated in the Neversink River watershed (part of New York City's water supply system), was developed with a long-term mission of education, outreach, and environmental research. Watershed landowners, foresters, timber harvesters, students and water system users visit the model forest to see examples of forestry that balance forest production, wildlife management, recreational use and water quality protection.

Balancing Water Quality and Forests
Two forest management practices are employed in the Model Forest, demonstrating how landowners, foresters, and loggers can manage and maintain water quality through forestry. These include best management practices (BMPs), and silvicultural
prescriptions based on a Forest Management Plan. Additionally, several ecosystem research projects will take place to understand the relationship between forestry and water quality.

BMPs
Experts designed the Model Forest road to minimize erosion from stormwater runoff. Signs along the road explain the development and use of BMPs, such as culverts, temporary skidder bridges and broad-based dips.

Silvicultural Prescriptions

Silvicultural Prescriptions
In 2002 Frost Valley YMCA and a professional forester developed a forest management plan through assistance from the Watershed Forestry Program. The management plan guides Frost Valley's multiple land-use objectives (educational and recreational usage, forest harvesting and wildlife management), while minimizing the impact of land use activities on water quality. Signage placed along the Model Forest road describes the prescriptions and goals of Frost Valley's Forest Management Plan.

Ecosystem Research
In an effort to gather baseline data for a variety of water quality monitoring projects, permanent forest inventory plots have been installed, according to the USDA Forest Health Monitoring (FHM) system. These plots enable the Model Forest to be compared to other sites throughout the Northeast.

In addition, research is currently underway in the Model Forest focusing on forest management practices. These long-term investigations by research entities such as the United States Geological Survey, the USDA Forest Service and SUNY College of Environmental Science and Forestry are exploring the forest's role in water quality protection.

_______________________________

The Model Forest Program
The Watershed Forestry Program coordinates four model forests throughout the region integrating research, demonstration, continuing education and public outreach. Developed in 1997 as the primary research and demonstration component of the New York City Watershed Forestry program of the New York City Water Supplies, the focus of current model forest research is to gather data on forest management and regeneration practices for a variety of water quality monitoring projects.

The Model Forest is a blend of best management practices, ecosystem research and interpretive education. The goal of the Model Forest is to help certain audiences understand the relationship between water quality and working forested landscapes.

Please Note:
Use of the model forest is available to individuals and groups based on prior appointment. In addition to self-guided hikes, a variety of programs are available and listed on the back panel.

For a virtual tour of our Model Forest, please visit the Watershed Agricultural Council's website, www.nycwatershed.org.  Scroll down to 'Virtual Tours' and click on 'Virtual Forest Tour' to begin.