The Catskill Mountains are often referred to as "America's First Wilderness", because their location upstream of old New Amsterdam (now New York City) put it in the path of the first Europeans settling the Hudson River Valley during the 1600's. The region's connection to the Hudson Valley made the Catskills a product of a long, rich, and colorful history. The Catskill region is a diverse and unique area that encompasses an incredible mosaic of forests, rivers, lakes, wetlands, farmland, and small communities. With 35 mountain peaks over 3,500 feet in elevation, extensive tracts of unfragmented forest, the headwaters of several major river systems, nearly half a million acres of public land, hundreds of miles of trails, several campgrounds and ski resorts, as well as a robust agricultural history, the Catskills are a scenic, ecological, recreational, and economic resource of tremendous importance. The region is known for its rugged and rocky terrain, springs and waterfalls, black bears and brook trout, stonewalls and hay meadows, bluestone quarries and dairy farms, and rural hamlets. All of these assets represent a tremendous resource that needs to be appreciated and protected from threats that can diminish its quality. Since our founding in 1969, protection of the Catskill region’s scenic landscapes and natural resources has been a central part of The Catskill Center’s mission. We work to directly protect important lands in the Catskills, and strive to foster a regional conservation ethic and appreciation for the interconnectivity between a healthy environment and vibrant communities.

© Copyright - The Catskill Center for Conservation and Development, Inc.  ·  A private, not-for-profit, membership-supported organization founded in
1969 to help build healthy ecosystems and vibrant communities within the 6,000 square-mile Catskill Mountain region of New York State.

PO Box 504 · Route 28
Arkville, NY 12406
(845) 586-2611

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