Many decisions that shape the future of the Catskills happen in Albany, where New York’s Governor and State Legislature determine funding, policies, and protections affecting our forests, waterways, wildlife, and public lands. From conservation funding and trail maintenance to visitor services and environmental protections, these decisions have a direct impact on how the region is cared for.
The Catskill Park encompasses nearly 700,000 acres of public and private land, including the constitutionally protected Catskill Forest Preserve. These lands are a resource for all New Yorkers, and their future depends on support from across the state. Whether you live in the Catskills or elsewhere in New York, your elected representatives have a role in shaping that future.
But who makes these decisions, and who represents you? Understanding who your elected officials are and how to reach them is an important first step toward advocating for the Catskills. And remember, you don’t need to be an expert to make your voice heard.
Meet the People Representing the Catskills
New York’s Legislature consists of two chambers: the 150-member State Assembly and the 63-member State Senate. Each legislator represents a geographic district, introduces and votes on legislation, and participates in decisions about the state budget.
With the November election behind us and a new legislative session beginning in January, now is a good time to get familiar with the lawmakers representing the region. Communities across the Catskills are represented by legislators from multiple Assembly and Senate districts.
Below is a brief overview of those representatives.
State Assembly
District 101 | Brian Maher: Represents communities across several counties, including Shandaken, Denning, and Rochester in Ulster County, and parts of Delaware and Sullivan counties. His district includes portions of the western Catskill Park.
District 102 | Marcus Molinaro (term begins January 2027): Will represent Greene and Schoharie counties, along with portions of Delaware, Otsego, and Albany counties. The district includes communities surrounding some of the Catskills’ most visited public lands.
District 103 | Sarahana Shrestha: Represents much of eastern Ulster County, including Kingston, Woodstock, Saugerties, and New Paltz. Her district includes communities along the eastern edge of the Catskill Park.
District 122 | Brian Miller: Represents communities in the Mohawk Valley and central New York, including portions of Oneida, Herkimer, and Otsego counties. His district includes Oneonta and surrounding areas in the broader Catskills region.
State Senate
District 41 | Michelle Hinchey: Represents Greene and Columbia counties and portions of Ulster and Dutchess counties, including communities such as Kingston, Woodstock, and Hunter. Her district includes much of the eastern Catskills.
District 51 | Christopher Tague (term begins January 2027): Will represent Delaware, Schoharie, Otsego, and Sullivan counties, along with portions of neighboring counties. The district encompasses much of the western Catskills, including communities surrounding the Catskill Park.
Statewide Leadership
Beyond the legislators who directly represent Catskills communities, statewide officials and legislative leaders also play important roles in decisions affecting the region.
Governor Kathy Hochul: Develops the Executive Budget proposal, signs or vetoes legislation, and oversees state agencies, including the Department of Environmental Conservation (DEC), which manages the Forest Preserve and other state lands.
Assembly Environmental Conservation Chair* and Senate Environmental Conservation Chair Pete Harckham: Lead the legislative committees responsible for reviewing environmental legislation, including measures affecting conservation, natural resources, public lands, and the budgets for those agencies and the Environmental Protection Fund (EPF).
Assembly Speaker Carl Heastie and Senate Majority Leader Andrea Stewart-Cousins: Lead their respective legislative chambers, influence which legislation advances, and play central roles in negotiations over the state budget and legislative priorities.
*Current Assembly Environmental Conservation Chair Deborah Glick will be retiring at the end of 2026; her successor is expected to be elected by the Assembly’s Democratic majority before the start of the 2027 legislative session.
Make Your Voice Heard for the Catskills
Not sure who represents you in Albany? You can find your State Assemblymember and Senator using your home address through the New York State Board of Elections Directory. Once you know who they are, you can contact their offices to ask questions, share concerns, or express support for issues that matter to you.
The quickest way to speak up for the Catskills is to call or email your elected representatives and let them know you support the priorities of the Catskill Park and Forest Preserve Coalitions. Led by the Catskill Center and its partners, these coalitions advocate for the funding, policies, and protections needed to care for the region. By lending your voice to these shared priorities, you can reinforce their importance with the elected officials who make decisions affecting the Catskills.
Ready to take your advocacy beyond a phone call or email?
Join the Catskill Center and the Adirondack Mountain Club (ADK) for Catskill Park Day on February 10, 2027, at the New York State Capitol in Albany. This event offers an opportunity to meet with state legislators and advocate for the future of the Catskill Park. Participants will receive guidance, background materials, and talking points, so no prior advocacy experience is necessary.
Learn more and register for Catskill Park Day.
Photo courtesy of NYS Senate Media Services, NYS Senate Majority Leader Andrea Stewart-Cousins.
