In a tucked-away corner of the Village of Ellenville, a small forest of young trees has recently been planted. The project follows permaculture principles and was inspired by Andrew Faust, who calls the site the Wawarsing Watershed Educational Park.

On a beautiful fall Saturday, a group of volunteers, including New York State Department of Environmental Conservation (DEC) personnel, worked together to dig holes and plant young saplings.

The site is at the eastern end of the grassy property behind the Bob Mangels Botanical Garden, beside the confluence of the Beer Kill and Sandburg Creek, across from the Village wastewater treatment plant.

Faust describes the park as a long-term planting of diverse native trees, along with historically significant and productive trees and berry-bearing plants. The trees are planted in the riparian zone, where land meets water. These areas are ecologically important and often benefit from protection and reforestation to maintain stream health.

“We will be creating this Native Food Forest in the floodplain of the confluence of the Sandburg Creek, the Beer Kill, and the Fantine Kill, on land that is protected under easements,” Faust writes.

The planting currently includes 29 tree and shrub species growing alongside the waterways. Among them are red and sugar maples, ironwood, persimmon, shagbark hickory, black willow, pin and red oaks, pawpaw, basswood, hazelnut, black chokeberry, elderberry, silky and gray dogwood, and hackberry and serviceberry.

Faust also sees an educational role for the project. Plans call for signage explaining permaculture and how the forest garden can provide nuts, berries, fuelwood, and lumber. The planting is also intended to improve water quality, reduce streambank erosion, and provide habitat for pollinators.

Additional signs will explain natural succession and how to “read the landscape” to better understand local ecology and natural history through the plants and geographic features found in the area.

Funding came through the DEC’s Trees for Tribs program, supplemented by donations and fundraising through Faust’s permaculture organization.

The park is open to the public, although access is more limited in some areas. It is intended to serve nature enthusiasts, school field trips, and students from SUNY and other colleges. The site will offer opportunities to learn about watershed science, ecology, evolution, local natural history, and regional land management practices, while connecting visitors with the area's cultural heritage.

The Permaculture Land Trust will work with the Rondout Creek Watershed Alliance, Riverkeeper, and other nonprofit organizations to develop educational signage about the watershed.