Catskill Center Reaffirms Dog-Free Policy at Thorn Preserve to Protect Rare Grassland Habitat
January 27, 2026 – Arkville, NY: The Catskill Center continues to prioritize the protection of Thorn Preserve’s rare grassland habitat. As part of that ongoing effort, the organization is reminding visitors that Thorn remains a dog-free preserve, with the exception of trained service animals.
Over the past year, many visitors have respected the updated policy, helping to create a more consistent and protective environment for wildlife and visitors. Recently, however, the Catskill Center has observed an increase in dogs on the property, particularly off-leash.
Even during the winter months, dogs can disturb overwintering insects and wildlife that rely on undisturbed ground-level habitat for cover. As spring breeding and nesting season begins, these impacts become even more significant. Ground-nesting birds such as bobolinks and meadowlarks establish territories before nests are visible, and pollinators complete critical life stages in grasses, stems, and other habitat structures that can be easily disrupted.
In addition to wildlife disturbance, staff have documented an increase in dog waste, plastic waste bags left along trails, and non-biodegradable debris associated with pet activity. These materials degrade soil and water quality and undermine areas of the meadow that had begun to recover under the dog-free policy.
The Catskill Center’s 2025 decision to transition Thorn Preserve to a dog-free space followed years of education, signage, and stewardship efforts aimed at balancing recreation with habitat protection. Thorn Preserve is one of the few remaining open grassland habitats in the region, and its protection depends on consistent adherence to the rules that safeguard it.
“We are grateful to the many visitors who have honored the dog-free policy over the past year,” said Jeff Senterman, Executive Director of the Catskill Center. “As visitation patterns change, it is important that we reaffirm why this decision was made. Thorn Preserve supports rare and sensitive species, and even well-intentioned recreation can have unintended consequences. We ask our community to continue helping us protect this important landscape by respecting the dog-free rule year-round.”
To reinforce preserve guidelines, the Catskill Center has secured grant funding to support a Catskill Steward presence at Thorn during the upcoming season. This on-site staff member will provide education, answer questions, and help ensure that visitors are recreating responsibly and in accordance with preserve rules.
For dog owners seeking spaces where pets can explore on- or off-leash, the town of Woodstock offers a designated dog park with wooded areas and trails located on Dixon Avenue behind Rick Volz Field.
The Catskill Center thanks the public for supporting responsible recreation at Thorn Preserve and for helping ensure that this rare meadow habitat remains a refuge for the species that depend on it.
For questions about this policy, please contact info@catskillcenter.org.
About Thorn Preserve
Thorn Preserve, located at 55 John Joy Road in Woodstock, NY, is a 60-acre landscape of grasslands, riparian forest, wetlands, and ponds, offering iconic views of Overlook Mountain. With accessible mowed walking paths, the preserve is dedicated to habitat conservation, nature-based education, stream management, and artistic inspiration. Managed by the Catskill Center, Thorn plays a vital role in protecting sensitive habitats and supporting rare, threatened, and endangered species in the Catskills.
