Flood preparedness is the focus of the 2026 Ashokan Watershed Conference, a program that will include three library presentations, a guided stream walk, and technical training for municipal officials.

The conference, titled “Summit to Stream: Building Watershed Resilience Together,” will explore how water moves through the Catskills’ mountainous landscape and what that means for local communities.

The public presentations, called “Water Has a Memory: Past Floods and Future Resilience,” will be offered this month at libraries in Olive, Woodstock, and Phoenicia. Residents will be invited to learn about past floods in their communities, hear from local experts, and discuss how the watershed can be better prepared.

The program is a partnership between Cornell Cooperative Extension of Ulster County, the Ulster County Soil and Water Conservation District, and the New York City Department of Environmental Protection.

The schedule is as follows:

• June 16, 4 p.m., Olive Free Library: Local perspectives from Olive Highway Superintendent Brian Burns and Martha Frankel, an Ashokan watershed resident.
• June 23, 4 p.m., Woodstock Public Library: Jennifer Zackin and Beth Reichheld, volunteers with the Woodstock Land Conservancy, will offer their perspectives.
• June 25, 4 p.m., Phoenicia Library: A discussion about Shandaken’s flood history with Aaron Bennett, an Ashokan watershed resident.
• Aug. 14, 10 a.m., Kanape Brook: A community and family stream walk will focus on safety, outdoor preparedness, and introductory watershed education. The free program is open to participants age 7 or older. Youth under 13 must be accompanied by an adult, and pets aren’t allowed. Registration is required and is expected to open in July.

The conference will also include “Understanding Floodways — and How to Explain Them,” a technical training for municipal officials working on floodplain management, land-use regulation, and community resilience in the New York City watershed. The date and location have not yet been announced.

To join the preregistration list for the municipal training, email Sally Rodgers at ser287@cornell.edu.

Mia Quick is an editorial assistant at The Overlook. Send correspondence to mia@theoverlooknews.com.