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
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
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
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
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
