Dear Members, Supporters, Partners and Friends of the Catskill Center,

The Catskill Center is closely monitoring the situation related to the COVID-19 pandemic and are taking precautionary measures to help protect our staff and slow the spread of the virus.

In light of the current situation, we are instituting a number of changes effective Saturday, March 14, 2020:

• The 2020 Catskills Great Outdoor Expo has been cancelled

• Public events, workshops and programming scheduled to occur in person prior to May 31, 2020 will be rescheduled as virtual events or cancelled.

• The status of public events scheduled to occur after May 31, 2020 will be evaluated on a periodic basis.

• We will work to transition public programming to an online format during this period in order to continue offering information relevant to our members, supporters and our communities.

• The Catskills Visitor Center in Mount Tremper will be closed to the public. Visitor Center staff will be available to answer phone calls (845-688-3369) and emails during normal business hours (7 days a week, 9am to 4pm). We will also be working to develop more visitor resources on our website (catskillsvisitorcenter.org).

• The Catskill Center’s offices in the Erpf Center in Arkville will be closed to the public.

• Staff are being encouraged to work from home and avoid in-person meetings. Staff will remain available via telephone, email and video conference during normal business hours (Monday through Friday, 9am to 4pm). For staff contact information, visit www.catskillcenter.org/staff.

• Staff are being directed to avoid travel for meetings.

We will closely monitor the situation and any guidance from local, state and federal officials and comply with all applicable guidelines and directions from authorities.

As a reminder, Governor Cuomo has issued the following recommendations to prevent contracting the virus:

“There are simple steps we can all take to stop the spread of COVID-19 and other respiratory viruses.

• Wash your hands frequently with soap and water for at least 20 seconds. If soap and water are not available, use an alcohol-based hand sanitizer.

• Avoid touching your eyes, nose and mouth with unwashed hands.

• Avoid close contact with people who are sick.

• Stay home when you are sick.

• Cover your cough or sneeze with a tissue.

• Clean and disinfect frequently touched objects and surfaces, like your cell phone.”

For up-to-date information regarding the coronavirus/COVID-19, please visit the dedicated NYS, WHO and CDC websites.

During this difficult time, all of us at the Catskill Center remain committed to our work to protect, preserve and enrich the environmental, cultural and economic well-being of the Catskills and are taking these measures to ensure that this work can continue. From all of us, to all of you, we are committed to working together in order to make our way through this challenge.

Sincerely yours,

Jeff Senterman

Executive Director