OUR WORK

LEADING THE EFFORT TO PRESERVE AND FOSTER THE WELL-BEING OF THE CATSKILLS

WE INSPIRE

Through our public-facing programs, we give people meaningful ways to explore the Catskills and understand the forces that shape this landscape. From welcoming visitors at the Catskills Visitor Center to promoting responsible recreation and interpreting history through the Catskill Stewards Program and Fire Tower Project, we help deepen appreciation for the region and its legacy.

CATSKILLS VISITOR CENTER

The Congressman Maurice D. Hinchey Catskills Visitor Center (CVC) serves as the official visitor center for the Catskill Park. Operated by the Catskill Center in partnership with the New York State Department of Environmental Conservation, the CVC welcomes tens of thousands of visitors each year who come to learn about Catskills history, responsible recreation, and the region’s natural heritage. Visitors can explore 1.5 miles of nature trails, enjoy wildlife viewing, climb the 80-foot Upper Esopus Fire Tower, and experience exhibits and programs that inspire them to care for the Catskills long after they leave the grounds. Learn more.

CATSKILL STEWARDS PROGRAM

Founded in 2018 to address overuse at the Peekamoose Blue Hole, the Catskill Stewards Program now serves four high-use locations and all six Catskill Park Fire Towers. Stewards help visitors navigate the outdoors safely, share guidance on responsible recreation, and promote Leave No Trace principles. Trained in Wilderness First Aid and equipped to engage a wide range of visitors, they offer the essential information and welcoming presence that shape positive experiences across the Catskills. Learn more.

CATSKILL FIRE TOWER PROJECT

The Catskill Fire Tower Project, managed by the Catskill Center in partnership with the New York State Department of Environmental Conservation, provides public access and interpretation at the region’s historic towers. Once part of a statewide network used for early fire detection, these structures now offer visitors a unique window into the cultural and natural history of the Catskills. During summer weekends, volunteers open the tower cabs and help visitors enjoy panoramic views while learning about the role these towers played in protecting our forested landscapes. Learn more.

WE PROTECT

Our conservation work safeguards the lands and waters that define the Catskills and support its communities. Whether protecting ecologically significant habitat as an accredited land trust, managing the spread of invasive species, or securing healthy stream corridors, we advance long-term strategies that keep the region’s ecosystems thriving and resilient.

ACCREDITED LAND TRUST

Since 1969, the Catskill Center has worked to protect tens of thousands of acres across the Catskill Park through direct land conservation and partnerships. As an accredited land trust that meets nationally recognized standards for excellence and permanence, we ensure that conservation decisions are transparent, responsible, and built to last. Today, we manage more than 300 acres of publicly accessible land at Platte Clove Preserve, Thorn Preserve, and the Catskills Visitor Center, and monitor more than 1,000 acres of conservation easements that protect vital habitat and scenic landscapes. Learn more.

CATSKILL REGIONAL INVASIVE SPECIES PARTNERSHIP

The Catskill Center hosts the Catskill Regional Invasive Species Partnership (CRISP), a coalition of stakeholders dedicated to safeguarding ecosystems from the threat of invasive species. CRISP leads prevention efforts, conducts early detection and rapid response, and provides education and outreach that strengthen long-term ecological resilience. Through this work, CRISP protects forests, waterways, and communities across the Catskills. Learn more.

STREAMSIDE ACQUISITION PROGRAM

The Streamside Acquisition Program (SAP) protects water quality in streams of the northeastern Catskills through the purchase of streamside lands. The Catskill Center runs this program in partnership with the New York City Department of Environmental Protection (NYC DEP), as one of many programs required by regulators to help protect the City’s drinking water at its source. Under this program, the Catskill Center purchases streamside ‘buffer’ lands and floodplains so they can be permanently preserved. Learn more.

WE COLLABORATE

Partnership is central to our approach, helping ensure that conservation efforts reflect shared priorities across the region. Through sustained advocacy and coordination with both local and state partners, we work to elevate the needs of the Catskills and advance policies that strengthen the future of the Catskill Park and its communities.

REGIONAL ADVOCACY

The Catskill Center leads regional advocacy efforts that have helped secure record funding for the Forest Preserve through New York’s Environmental Protection Fund (EPF), shaping the long-term care of the Catskills and Adirondacks. As co-chair of both the Forest Preserve Coalition and the Catskill Park Coalition, we work with partners to elevate shared priorities, strengthen stewardship, and champion policies that protect the region’s natural resources and communities. Through this collaborative approach, we help ensure that the Catskills remain a resilient and well-supported landscape. Learn more.