Mohonk Preserve becomes a proud partner of Leave No Trace. In this partnership, the Preserve will collaborate with Leave No Trace on efforts to help foster sustainable relationships with the land. Using the power of science, education for all, and stewardship to support and protect nature, Leave No Trace is on a mission to ensure a sustainable future for the outdoors and the planet. Learn more at: www.LNT.org.
Photo: Leave No Trace Proud Partner Logo
The Leave No Trace organization has selected Mohonk Preserve as a 2023 Spotlight site, a new initiative from Leave No Trace which highlights the great steps a community can take to protect an area that they cherish.
The Subaru/Leave No Trace Traveling Team will work onsite at Mohonk Preserve from Friday, July 28th – Sunday, July 30th with the staff, community and local partners to deliver Leave No Trace education, free public programs and partner on restoration and stewardship projects.
Photo: Leave No Trace Spotlight Workshop in the Gunks by Stephen D. Stewart-Hill
The Preserve was excited to announce the first successful peregrine fledgling in the Trapps since 2018.
We thank our dedicated Conservation Science staff and Peregrine Watch Volunteers for their diligent observations of the peregrine sites and the climbing community for their patience and support of our efforts to protect these amazing falcons. Learn more about the Peregrine Watch Program here.
Photo: Peregrine falcon by Karen Maloy Brady
Led by Associate Director of Visitor Experience Jon Ross, the Preserve created a new gallery space for local artists to display and sell their artwork at the Mohonk Preserve Visitor Center. Monthly exhibits showcase local artists such as Hardie Truesdale, Cathy Copeland, Marlene Weidenbaum, Tomi Nonenmacher-Stern, the Mohonk Preserve Volunteer Photographers, Liza Mills, Doug Ferguson, and participants from the Mohonk Preserve Plein Air Art Walk. The Preserve also hosts a “Meet the Artist Reception” each month.
The Mohonk Preserve Visitor Center Gallery is open year-round, free-of-charge 9 a.m.- 5 p.m. Learn more about art shows at Mohonk Preserve here.
Photo: Jon Ross and local artist Tomi Nonenmacher-Stern at her art show opening reception. Photo by Bill Winter.
Through a generous donation, the Preserve partnered with the Student Conservation Association to employ SCA members to support our research, land protection, education and stewardship programs.
The members proposed and were selected as leaders for the SCA Hudson Valley AmeriCorps’ 2024 Patriot’s Day Service project, bringing together 47 members from the region to rehabilitate the Millbrook Mountain Trail connecting the Preserve and Minnewaska.
Photo: Student Conservation Association Members by Richard Feuer
Mohonk Preserve was honored to receive our second accreditation renewal from the Land Trust Accreditation Commission. The accreditation renewal process was a team effort. We are committed to upholding Land Trust Standards & Practices as we continue to protect, conserve and welcome others to explore this beautiful place. Click here to learn more about our land protection work and the Land Trust Alliance’s reaccreditation process.
Photo: Shawangunk Ridge with the Land Trust Accreditation Commission seal. Photo by Gerald Berliner.
On Saturday, August 17, 2024, during a celebration at Mohonk Preserve’s Testimonial Gateway Trailhead, Leave No Trace announced the Preserve’s designation as a Leave No Trace Gold Standard Site. Mohonk Preserve joins an elite group of sites to earn this honor and is the first to achieve the designation in New York State.
Photo: Leave No Trace Gold Standard Site Award Presentation to Mohonk Preserve by Andrea MacScott. L to R: New York State DEC Division 3 Director Kelly Turturro, Dan Torres, Deputy Director for Congressman Pat Ryan, Ulster County Executive Jen Metzger, Mohonk Preserve President & CEO Kevin Case, Mohonk Preserve Director of Visitor Experience Andrew Bajardi, and Leave No Trace Senior Manager of Education Programs Erin Collier.
Mohonk Preserve Board Emerita Sara S. Senior is the recipient of the Preserve’s Long View Conservation Award at the organization’s 27th Anniversary Benefit Auction on Saturday, Sept. 14, 2024.
Sara S. Senior was chosen for this award for her outstanding service as a Director for 55 years from April 1969 to April 2024. One of Sara’s many notable accomplishments was leading The Mohonk Trust through the landmark 1976 court case in which the Town of Gardiner challenged the Trust’s tax-exempt status. Despite initial lost cases, Sara persevered, collaborating with the legal team and Trust supporters, to successfully appeal and win a case that became a key legal basis for New York State’s open space tax-exemption.
Photo: Mohonk Preserve Board Emerita Sara S. Senior Accepting the Long View Conservation Award during the 27th Annual Benefit Auction by Andrea MacScott. Also pictured are Ron Knapp, Mohonk Preserve Board Member, and Laurel Sweeney, Auction Benefit Committee Chair & Board Member.
The Preserve launched our annual Healthy Ulster program offering a free, multiweek membership for our Ulster County neighbors. Learn more about Healthy Ulster here.
Photo: Healthy Ulster sign up by Susan Lehrer
The Bridge 2 Bridge 5-mile run is held each spring at Spring Farm and helps the Preserve’s mission to protect the Shawangunk Mountains and inspire people to care for, enjoy, and explore their natural world.
Photo: Runners on course at the 2012 Bridge 2 Bridge 5-mile run by Michael Neil O’Donnell