Rayna Berge is hired as the Preserve’s first-ever Land & Climate Intern. This internship is supported by a grant from the Land Trust Alliance Land and Climate Program, with the goal of embedding climate considerations into our land protection and land management work, as well as our communications.
Photo: Rayna Berger between two old-growth tulip poplars by Steve Rasovsky
Bradley Snyder was hired as assistant administrator for The Mohonk Trust in 1973 and served as co-administration with Dan Smiley for many years. In 1981 when The Mohonk Trust was reorganized as Mohonk Preserve, Inc., Brad became executive director, serving until 1985.
Photo: Cover of The Shawangunk Mountains: A History of Nature and Man by Bradley Snyder and Karl Beard. Published by Mohonk Preserve in 1981.
Rev. Winslow Shaw was a signatory to The Mohonk Trust agreement in 1963 and served as Chairman of the Board from 1970-1974. He retired from the board of Mohonk Preserve in 1984.
Photo: Rev. Winslow Shaw from the Mohonk Preserve Daniel Smiley Research Center archives
Photo: Dan Smiley and A. Keith Smiley from the Mohonk Preserve archives
When The Mohonk Trust was reorganized into Mohonk Preserve, Inc., a nonprofit corporation in 1981, Sara S. Senior was named that organizations first President. Bradley J. Snyder was named Executive Director. The Preserve’s stated mission at that time was “to protect important natural lands in the Shawangunks Mountains, and to advance the cause of peace based on an understanding of the interdependence of mankind, nations, and the natural environment.”
Photo: Previous Mohonk Preserve logo from the Mohonk Preserve archives
In 1969, Sara S. Senior was appointed a Trustee of The Mohonk Trust. She had been a frequent visitor to the Mountain House, where her husband, Dr, John Senior, served as House Physician during August for many years. In 1975, she was named Chairman of the Board, succeeding Rev. Winslow D. Shaw, who remained a Trustee.
Photo: Sara Senior from the Mohonk Preserve archives
Seward Weber joined the Preserve as executive director in March of 1985, succeeding Bradley Weber. Previously Seward had been the director of the Vermont Natural Resources Council. He served until his retirement in 1993.
Photo: Seward Weber at Bonticou Lodge Headquarters, circa 1993. Provided by Director of Research Emeritus Paul Huth.
Ronald G. Knapp, professor emeritus of SUNY New Paltz, was named president of Mohonk Preserve’s Board of Directors, succeeding Sara S. Senior, who served for 30 years. Ron had been a board member for 18 years and is internationally renowned for his achievements in the study of cultural and historical geography.
Photo: Ron Knapp by John Mizel
James L. Hoover was elected president of the Mohonk Preserve Board of Directors, succeeding Ronald G. Knapp. Hoover retired from Columbia School of Law in 2002 after 24 years of and having served as vice dean for administration. Hoover joined the Preserve board in 2001 and served as vice president from 2011-2014.
Photo: Jim Hoover by Lee Courtney
Kevin Case joins the Preserve as President and CEO with an extensive background in land conservation. For the past 15 years, Kevin worked closely with regional land trusts in the Northeast with the Land Trust Alliance (LTA). During his tenure with LTA, Kevin provided strategic guidance and support for nearly 750 land trusts across a 32-state region, focusing on the role of land conservation in building healthy and vibrant communities.
Photo: President & CEO Kevin Case at the Mohonk Preserve Visitor Center by Bryan Coppede