TUSTEN, NY — Drop in at Tusten Town Hall on August 1 to learn more about the town’s natural resources and open spaces while helping to shape a new plan to protect them.

An open house will be held from 7 to 8:30 p.m. on Thursday, August 1, at town hall, 210 Bridge Street, Narrowsburg, NY. It’s the first to explore town’s newly launched Natural Resource Inventory/Open Space and Recreation Plan.

“When asked during the Comprehensive Plan survey ‘Why do you live in the Town of Tusten?,’ the number two reason was because of the ‘open space and scenery,’ said Jane Luchsinger, deputy town supervisor and chair of the Conservation Advisory Council (CAC). “We are pleased to undertake this project, which looks ahead to protect what is important to Tusten residents.”

Members of the public can drop in any time during the open house. Brief presentations begin at 7 and at 7:45 p.m.

Tusten’s major new project will inventory the town’s key environmental and open space resources—wetlands, wildlife habitats, flood zones, and forests—and identify which of them need protection. The town will create a foundation to fund continued implementation the plan.

Members of the town’s staff, CAC members, and project consultants will be at the open house to answer questions. At a series of stations, they will introduce the project, outline the steps ahead, and hear what the public wants to protect. The information they gather will help inform the Open Space and Recreation Plan.

The town is developing the plan with guidance from the CAC. Funding is being provided by the National Fish and Wildlife Foundation–Delaware Watershed Conservation Fund 2023 and the Upper Delaware Council.

MJ Engineering and Land Surveying, P.C., is providing technical assistance.

“Public engagement is a key component of the project and fundamental to the implementation and success of the plan,” says the town in announcing the open house. “Please visit the project website at www.TustenOpenSpaceRecreation.com to stay up to date on the project and share your thoughts and ideas.”