Why Budget Priorities Matter for the Future of the Forest Preserve
The Catskill and Adirondack Parks and Forest Preserve are at the heart of New York’s natural heritage and our work at the Catskill Center. Our 2026–27 budget and legislative priorities are designed to protect these lands, support local communities, and ensure everyone can safely and meaningfully experience this unique landscape.
Why the Forest Preserve Matters
The Catskill and Adirondack Parks together make up about a quarter of New York State and welcome roughly 44 million visitors each year, sustaining hundreds of small businesses and thousands of local jobs. Those visitors generate an estimated $5 billion in tourism spending, helping to keep Main Streets vibrant and supporting year-round outdoor recreation economies in both parks.
These lands also protect the headwaters and forests that provide clean drinking water for communities across the state, including New York City and many Catskills towns; about 90% of New York City’s drinking water comes from the Catskills. Healthy forests, wetlands, and watersheds in the Forest Preserve store carbon, reduce flooding, and build climate resilience for people and nature alike. Across the two parks, more than 2,000 miles of trails, campgrounds, and water access sites give people of all ages, backgrounds, and abilities the chance to connect with the outdoors, supporting public health and a sense of belonging.
Stewardship Funding to Care for the Land
To keep pace with growing use and the realities of climate change, we are advocating for at least $10 million in the Environmental Protection Fund (EPF) State Land Stewardship line for the Adirondack and Catskill Parks. This investment directly supports thriving ecosystems, a strong local economy, and communities that are closely connected to nature.
Stewardship funding allows state agencies and partners like the Catskill Center to:
Deploy educational stewards in high-use areas to share safety information, provide Leave No Trace education, and offer a welcoming presence on the landscape.
Conduct ecological monitoring that tracks forest, water, and wildlife health and guides science-based management.
Improve trailheads and parking to reduce roadside congestion, support host communities, and better manage visitor flow.
Expand trail work to repair and reroute damaged trails, protect sensitive habitats, and improve visitor safety.
Develop thoughtful water access projects that protect streams and swimming areas while keeping them open and enjoyable.
Advance diversity, equity, and accessibility initiatives so that all people feel they belong in the Forest Preserve.
Support Visitor Use Management planning that balances high-quality recreation with “Forever Wild” protections and community needs.
Investing in Visitor Centers and Education
Visitor centers are critical gateways to the Forest Preserve and play a key role in safety, education, and stewardship. We support $1 million in the EPF to be equally distributed among the four Adirondack and Catskill Visitor Centers, including support for the Catskills Visitor Center.
The Catskills Visitor Center, operated in partnership with New York State, serves as the Catskills’ primary, year-round hub for trip planning, safety messaging, and stewardship education. In the Adirondacks, ADK’s High Peaks Information Center, Paul Smith’s College Visitor Interpretive Center, and SUNY ESF’s Adirondack Interpretive Center provide complementary services for Forest Preserve visitors there, ensuring a consistent and informed experience across both parks.
Science, Climate Resilience, and Clean Water
Sound, place-based science is essential for protecting the Forest Preserve, safeguarding water quality, and helping communities adapt to climate change. Our priorities include continued and restored EPF investments in facilities and projects that advance climate-smart research and action.
We support:
The Cary Institute of Ecosystem Studies Catskill Science Collaborative, which conducts Catskills-focused research to inform water quality protection, forest health, and climate resilience.
The ASRC Whiteface Mountain Field Station, which sustains long-term climate and atmospheric monitoring in mountain environments.
The Adirondack Watershed Institute and the Survey of Climate Change and Adirondack Lake Ecosystems (SCALE), which deepen understanding of lake and watershed dynamics and inform water management in both the Adirondacks and Catskills.
The Timbuctoo Institute, which connects young people and underrepresented communities with environmental science and climate action.
These investments help ensure that decisions affecting the Forest Preserve are grounded in science and support both ecological integrity and community well-being.
Centering Equity, Community, and Belonging
Our advocacy around the Environmental Protection Fund is rooted in a vision of Catskills and Adirondacks where everyone feels welcome, safe, and that they belong. This reflects our commitment to fairness and respect for all people, and to a future where healthy ecosystems and strong communities grow together.
We support continued and increased investments in:
Removing cultural and economic barriers to the outdoor access
Clean water infrastructure, Climate Smart Communities, Smart Growth, and Parks & Trails New York stewardship grants that help communities adapt to climate change and benefit from sustainable recreation.
Connect Kids and similar programs that help young people and first-time visitors build lifelong connections with the Catskills and Adirondacks.
Projects that honor and protect cultural and historic resources, such as Catskill fire towers and Camp Santanoni, connecting people to the stories of these places as well as their landscapes.
Together, these budget and legislative priorities allow the Catskill Center and our partners to continue protecting the Catskills and Adirondacks while ensuring that the Forest Preserve remains a source of health, opportunity, and inspiration for all New Yorkers.
