The Preserve launched our annual Healthy Ulster program offering a free, multiweek membership for our Ulster County neighbors. As of 2023, the Preserve has distributed over 50,000 passes.
Photo: Healthy Ulster sign up by Susan Lehrer
First Bridge 2 Bridge 5-mile Run to benefit the Preserve is held
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
Mohonk Preserve receives The David R. Brower Conservation Award
Mohonk Preserve was honored to receive The David R. Brower Conservation Award for commitment to preserving mountain regions from the American Alpine Club at their Annual Benefit Gala.
Photo: Mohonk Preserve Board Chair Russ Clune accepting the David R. Brower Conservation award by Jim Aikman
The Preserve establishes the Bob Larsen Cultural Heritage Endowment Fund
A new endowment is established in memory and honor of Bob Larsen, Mohonk Preserve’s cultural historian. The Bob Larsen Cultural Heritage Endowment Fund will ensure cultural history preservation and land protection work will continue at Mohonk Preserve. The fund will also support programs to enable the public to learn more about the cultural history of the Preserve.
Photo: Bob Larsen by G. Steve Jordan
The Preserve Celebrates 60 Years of Saving the Land for Life
Originally founded as the Mohonk Preserve Trust in 1963, Mohonk Preserve has been protecting the Shawangunk Mountain region for six decades. Staff and board members gathered to raise a glass at the Visitor Center on Monday, February 27, 2023 in celebration of Mohonk Preserve’s 60th anniversary. Director of Research Emeritus Paul Huth recounted the origin story of the trust and noted the remarkable conservation legacy the Preserve will serve for future generations.
Photo: Mohonk Preserve logo
The Preserve Receives Low-Impact Climbing Grants
Significant increases in climbing in recent years have necessitated extra steps for the preservation of climbing areas to avoid environmental damage. With support from the American Alpine Club Cornerstone Conservation Grant and the Waterman Fund Grant, the Preserve is scaling up conservation with low-impact climbing. Through new signage and programming, we are explaining and encouraging the use of low-impact climbing practices, such as our new anchor stations and access routes. Collaborating with the climbing community, we continue to explore new ways to recreate responsibly and deepen our relationship with nature.
Photo: Climber by Stephen D. Stewart-Hill
The Preserve establishes the Paul Huth Endowment Fund
Mohonk Preserve Director of Research Emeritus Paul Huth is the recipient of the Preserve’s Long View Conservation Award at the organization’s 25th Anniversary Benefit Auction on Saturday, Sept. 17, 2022.
In addition to the Long View Conservation Award, President and CEO Kevin Case announced the establishment of the Paul Huth Endowment Fund to recognize his contributions to environmental research and education and support the Preserve’s conservation programs and Daniel Smiley Research Center. “We’re very excited to be able to honor Paul in this way and thanks to many generous supporters, build a stronger financial foundation for our conservation science efforts for generations to come,” Kevin noted.
Photo: Mohonk Preserve Director of Research Emeritus Paul Huth Accepting the Long View Conservation Award during the 25th Annual Benefit Auction by Andrea MacScott
Preserve hires first-ever Applied Forest Ecologist
Kate O’Connor joins the Conservation Programs team as our Applied Forest Ecologist – a new position focused on developing and implementing climate-adaptive forest management plans. Working together with Conservation Programs staff, the goal of this position is to create a plan to help declining hemlock stands transition to a healthy and biodiverse future forest that preserves, to the extent possible, the ecosystem services formerly provided by hemlock.
Photo: Community Science Coordinator Penny Adler-Colvin (L) and Applied Forest Ecologist Kate O’Connor (R) setting up a Lindgren funnel traps to catch the Southern pine beetle by Julie Gundersen
Mohonk Preserve establishes the Visitor Experience program
The Visitor Experience team is committed to maintaining the critical balance between recreation and conservation, while promoting low-impact, Leave No Trace principles for all visitors.
Photo: Patrol Ranger Alan Kline greeting visitors at a trailhead booth by Andrew Bajardi
Inaugural Shawangunk Grit Ride is held
Over 400 riders participated in the first Shawangunk Grit, a 50.4 mile or 23.3 mile gravel ride on the Shawangunk Ridge to benefit Mohonk Preserve. The course begins at the Ulster County Fairgrounds and continues through the Testimonial Gateway Trailhead on Preserve and Mohonk Mountain House carriage roads and the River-to-Ridge Trail. The race takes its name from Shawangunk Conglomerate, also known as Shawangunk Grit, which is sedimentary conglomerate and sandstone, with a small amount of shale.