Mohonk Preserve is awarded accreditation by the Land Trust Accreditation Commission. The Preserve is one of only 230 land trusts from across the country awarded accreditation since the fall of 2008, and the first to be accredited in Ulster County. To achieve accreditation, Mohonk Preserve underwent a rigorous review to ensure that their operations are efficient and strategic, and that their conservation work is permanent.
Photo: Land Trust Accreditation Commission seal
Rock The Ridge participants run, walk, or hike a 50-mile course in 24 hours across carriage roads and trails along the Shawangunk Ridge. The 50-mile format of Rock The Ridge is based on the “Kennedy Challenge” issued in 1962 when President Kennedy challenged the U.S. Marines to cover 50 miles in 20 hours. Launched in connection with the Preserve’s 50th anniversary, Rock The Ridge participants raise funds to support the Preserve’s mission of preserving the land and inspiring people to experience nature.
Photo: Runners at the starting line of the Rock The Ridge Endurance Challenge by John Hayes
Mohonk Preserve kicks off a yearlong 50th anniversary celebration with a day of fun and activities at the grand reopening of the newly renovated Visitor Center campus. Visitors experience new, state-of-the-art interactive exhibits, orientation theater, renovated Kids Corner and Children’s Forest, and expanded trails including the accessible J&S Grafton Sensory Trail.
Photo: Educator and Wildlife Lecturer Bill Robinson presenting a Live Birds of Prey and Reptile Show at the Visitor Center Grand Reopening by Vasudha Donnelly
Neighbors are invited to join Trust staff for a walk and talk on the property. Carrying on this tradition, the Preserve offers free or low cost public programs throughout the year, including our Healthy Ulster program.
Photo: Trust Founder and Co-Administrator Dan Smiley leading a nature walk on Trust property from the Daniel Smiley Research Center archives
Nearly 1,000 visitors arrive throughout the day to enjoy ongoing activities including guided walks, live reptile and amphibian presentations, art projects for kids, composting demonstrations, and a peregrine falcon flying demonstration by Dr. Heinz Meng.
Photo: Research Associate Roland Bahret presenting a live reptile program at the 1990 Earth Day celebration from the Mohonk Preserve archives
As a leading member of SRBP, the Preserve strives to build greater community awareness about the shared natural, recreational, scenic, and cultural resources of the area. The SRBP, founded in 1994, is composed of non-profit and public agencies dedicated to protecting sensitive habitat and other natural resources of the Shawangunk Mountains.
Photo: View of the Shawangunk Ridge from Butterville Road, New Paltz, NY
Over 400 climbers attend and Mohonk Preserve and Access Fund board members discuss mutual concerns about climbing practices and policies. In 1989, the Preserve Board adopted a Statement of Policy about climbing addressing issues of access, facilities, and environmental protection.
Photo: Visitor climbing at the Trapps, circa early 1990s from the Mohonk Preserve archives
Hawk Watch participants count a total of 1,145 Broadwings with 451 passing overhead in a single peak hour, setting the record up to this date. The standing record for the Hawk Watch is set five years later on September 16, 1989 with a count of 5,361 Broadwings. The Hawk Watch, officially established in 1974 by Research Associate Dr. Heinz Meng and Dan Smiley, is a vital program for observing the migration of birds over the Shawangunks and collecting important research data.
Photo:Red-tailed Hawk in flight by David Johnson
This parcel, now known as the Mohonk Preserve Foothills, includes the Testimonial Gateway tower, circa 1907, which served as the entrance to Mohonk Mountain House until 1945; Humpo Marsh, an important wildlife viewing and migratory bird area; and the historic Kleinekill Farm.
Photo: Testimonial Gateway by Michael Neil O’Donnell
This parking area eliminates the need for on-road parking at the Trapps, the most frequently used Preserve trailhead. The parking site chosen is an abandoned stretch of the Old Wawarsing Turnpike providing reasonably level terrain with no loss of mature trees. Before work is begun, much of the shrubbery is temporarily relocated for future plantings around the perimeter.
Photo: Dedication ceremony for the West Trapps Parking area from the Mohonk Preserve archives