About the Preserve

The legacy and promise of land protection

The origins of the Preserve reach back to 1869, when the Smiley family purchased Mohonk Lake and later established the Mohonk Mountain House. Nearly a century later, Smiley family members and several House guests established a separate non-profit organization, the Mohonk Trust, to protect and manage land for public enjoyment and conservation.

The Trust, renamed the Mohonk Preserve in 1978, was the first land trust with the mission of protecting the Shawangunk Ridge and one of the oldest land conservation organizations in the Hudson Valley. The Preserve is a model of how to protect natural areas while still allowing public access to them, and how to use science to guide land management. This approach ensures that beautiful, vital landscapes will be here for generations to come.

The Shawangunk Mountains provide stunning views, relaxation, and adventure. The land is home to more than 1,400 plant and animal species, including the endangered peregrine falcon and 2,000 acres of rare dwarf pitch pine. Interconnected, protected areas give black bears, bobcats, warblers, timber rattlesnakes, and many other animals access to the shelter, food, and mates they need to survive. It's no wonder that the region has been designated by The Nature Conservancy as one of Earth's "Last Great Places."

To learn more, read about the research studies underway at the Preserve to protect a variety of life and landscapes and the work of our partner organizations.

Joining hands along the Ridge

It is the Preserve’s 12,000 members and 400 active volunteers whose gifts of time and funds ensure protection of the Shawangunks and enjoyment of the area by current and future generations. The Preserve is grateful to the ever-widening circle of members, volunteers, donors, community residents, and Ridge visitors dedicated to protecting this precious resource for the benefit of current and future generations.