In 2017, the Ashokan Watershed Stream Management Program conducted an extensive stream assessment of Little Beaver Kill near Woodstock, one of the healthiest streams in the Ashokan watershed. When we asked Will Lytle a.k.a. Thorneater, a beloved local illustrator and mural artist, to create an art project for Catskill Waters, he decided to carry out his life-long dream of creating a children’s book and depict Little Beaver Kill as its subject.
Will attended a few educational sessions with the stream specialists to assure the accuracy of the information. He also hiked from head to bottom of the stream to capture the feel and come up with a story that resonates with anyone who is familiar with the streams in the Catskills.
He completed the manuscript in August of 2019; we hosted a book reading and signing event at Golden Notebook in Woodstock in September, followed by another book signing and a panel discussion with the stream specialists of the Ashokan Watershed Stream Program at Catskill Center.
Documenting stream assessment 
Stream Specialist
Alison Lent
Cover of Will’s book 
Page from Little One and the Waters 
Will reading his book at Golden Notebook 
Will’s book on the cover of Hudson Valley Almanac Weekly 
Panel at Catskill Center