Ridgelines # 218

Many Ways to Support What You Love at Mohonk Preserve’s Social Event of the Year

Get ready for the feel-good and fun night of the year! On Saturday, September 13, join 300 nature lovers, outdoor adventurers and weekend warriors for an unforgettable evening at the Annual Benefit Auction – our largest social event of the year.

This is more than just a party – it’s a celebration of everything we love about the Gunks. Whether you’re a nature lover, rock climber, hiker, biker, equestrian or trail stroller, this land gives us so much. Now’s your chance to give back in style.

Start the evening by selecting a beverage and viewing fabulous auction items such as private dinners and wine tastings, custom jewelry, wine and spirits gift baskets, nature experiences on the land with Preserve staff, and maybe even a trip or two! Continue to your seat and settle in for a sumptuous feast Mountain House-style with plenty of buffet options for all dietary preferences.

New this year we’re including more time to mingle and unique auction items and experiences you can only find here! And you’ll hear inspiring updates about how your support fuels projects like the Brook Farmhouse restoration and trail improvements, and what transformational things can happen when we get kids outdoors.

Every bid, every laugh, every toast helps protect and preserve this beautiful land for you and for future generations. Purchase tickets, arrange a table with your crew, and enjoy a magical night at the iconic Mohonk Mountain House. Can’t make it in person? You can still bid online or donate to show your support.

Let’s raise a glass – and some funds – for the place you love!

For tickets and information, please visit: www.mohonkpreserve.org/auction/

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Expanding Access To Outdoor Recreation

Mohonk Preserve has a long history of developing and promoting access to nature for people of all ages and abilities. Thanks to support from the Land Trust Alliance, over the past two years the Preserve was able to partner with multiple adaptive outdoor recreation groups to provide improved hiking and climbing opportunities on the Shawangunk Ridge.

Adaptive outdoor recreation encompasses recreational activities modified to include individuals with disabilities, promoting access to nature and physical activity. This includes adapting equipment, teaching methods and support services to enable activities like hiking, climbing and cycling.

The Preserve’s first priority has been to build partnerships with adaptive outdoor recreation groups, focusing on providing opportunities for persons with disabilities to experience and benefit from outdoor activities on their own terms. This involved purchasing adaptive climbing and hiking gear and preparing use for its use and storage. It also included providing ranger support for adaptive outdoor recreation group visits.

The groups hosted included Paradox Sports, which provided guided adaptive rock-climbing experiences to over 30 participants over two days. ParaCliffHangers, partnering with local non-profit guiding organization Rise Outside, provided guided adaptive rock-climbing experiences for 45 individuals over three days. SOAR Experiences conducted six adaptive hiking programs and have several more scheduled in 2025. Each program averages 10 participants, 6 of whom used electric-powered Action Trackchairs.

A priority of building and deepening trust and a sense of community with outdoor recreationists involved holding meetings with adaptive outdoor recreation groups to identify opportunities for and barriers to participation at the Preserve. ParaCliffHangers offered guidance on how to rebuild rock-climbing access trails and provided feedback on recent trail improvements and guidance for final adjustments. The Resource Center for Accessible Living provided feedback and offered ongoing support to ensure ADA compliance at accessible locations such as the Visitor Center and Testimonial Gateway Trailhead. The Adaptive Sports Foundation provided feedback and advice on better accommodating winter adaptive sports and future planning meetings are scheduled later this year. SOAR Experiences participated in planning session for ongoing adaptive hiking program routes and schedules, and Rise Outside met to discuss ways the Preserve can support their community by utilizing our facilities for programs, helping offset their operational costs when offering free programs to underserved groups.

A significant increase in momentum was achieved by focusing on building partnerships and making operational improvements to provide a more equitable experience for adaptive recreation groups. New partnerships were formed and existing ones strengthened.

“ParaCliffHangers has been running an outdoor climbing program at Mohonk Preserve since 2020 and, through this program, we have had the pleasure of working with the rangers as they assisted us in making our trips more accessible to people with disabilities,” said ParaCliffHangers Executive Director Emeline Lakrout.

“The grant succeeded in building and strengthening new partnerships within the regional adaptive recreation and accessibility communities,” noted Director of Visitor Experience Andrew Bajardi. “Barriers were removed for adaptive rock climbers, leading to improved experiences at the Preserve. Adaptive hiking programs have been introduced to a community that had no similar opportunities in the region. We now have partners who will support the Preserve as we continue engaging with the community to ensure equitable opportunities for both access and enjoyment of the land.”

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Make a Will and Make an Impact

Is your will up to date? Do you have a will at all? August is the month to take care of it. It’s Make a Will Month!

There is no more thoughtful investment in Mohonk Preserve’s future than a planned gift. The present and future of these beautiful and scientifically important acres can be supported through a bequest included in your will. A bequest offers several advantages, including the ability to make a larger gift than otherwise possible and potential reduction in estate taxes. Importantly, in most cases the language can be revised during your lifetime so it can address your evolving life circumstances.

If you already have a will, please consider including Mohonk Preserve among your charitable beneficiaries. If you don’t have a will, no worries – the Preserve partners with FreeWill, a secure online resource that can help you create your will in less than 30 minutes at no cost.

Your will is just one way to support Mohonk Preserve in your estate plans. Your retirement accounts and other assets may require you to assign beneficiaries. Check with your account custodian if you are unsure.

If you would like to learn more or already have a legacy gift designated to Mohonk Preserve, but haven’t let us know yet, please contact Director of Development Benjamin Krevolin at bkrevolin@mohonkpreserve.org or 845-255-0919, ext. 1240.