Catskill Center’s Stewards Program Wraps up 2021 Reaching the Most Visitors in a Single Season
New Catskill Center Video Showcases the Stewards Program in Action
December 8, 2021 -- Arkville, NY: The Catskill Center’s Stewards Program ended its 2021 season meeting and greeting more visitors than ever during a single season. There were double the number of stewards across four locations; and for the first time since the program was launched, one steward served as a ridge runner, hiking 404 miles of trails throughout the season.
The Catskill Stewards Program 2021 End of Season Report can be found here.
“Greeting and educating hundreds of thousands of visitors over the past four years, the Catskill Stewards Program has undeniably demonstrated the need to both welcome and educate visitors to the Catskill Park. The stewards show visitors the importance of recreating responsibly to ensure protection of our natural resources. They also guide visitors to assets like the Catskills Visitor Center and our local communities,” said Jeff Senterman, Executive Director of the Catskill Center. “We are grateful to New York state Senator Michelle Hinchey for increased funding through the Aid to Localities Budget this year, and are hopeful we will be able to increase the funding next year to reach even more visitors.”
The Ridge Runner steward was on and near the Devil's Path trail in Greene County, one of the Catskills’ more challenging hikes, and covered other trails as needed. Another steward worked part-time at the Catskill Center’s Platte Clove Preserve, while the remaining six stewards were divided between Peekamoose Blue Hole and Kaaterskill Clove, providing services every day. The Catskill Stewards Program operates in partnership with the New York State Department of Environmental Conservation (NYSDEC) at the Peekamoose Blue Hole, Kaaterskill Falls, and Devil’s Path. For Platte Clove, the program runs on the Catskill Center’s Platte Clove Preserve.
“Catskill Park Stewards are instrumental in preserving one of our region’s most valuable natural resources and ensuring that visitors not only feel welcome but have the tools and information they need to enjoy these extraordinary lands responsibly,” said Senator Michelle Hinchey. “This year, I was proud to secure first-ever funding to help the Catskill Center double the number of stewards in its network and bolster conservation efforts in high-use areas, like Kaaterskill Falls and Peekamoose Blue Hole, where visitation reached record numbers in 2020. Thanks to this historic investment, the Catskill Center was also able to create the new role of Ridge Runner, a steward dedicated to maintaining Devil's Path Trail, one of Greene County’s most challenging hikes. As a Catskills Senator, I will always fight to protect our home and uplift the work of great organizations, like the Catskill Center, that work tirelessly to keep our recreational resources pristine and accessible for generations to come.”
While the COVID-19 pandemic prompted a record number of visitors to Catskill Park in 2020, the only significant decrease in visitation in 2021 was to the popular Peekamoose Blue Hole. However, the NYSDEC implemented new permitting regulations for the Blue Hole in 2021, limiting the number of visitors and thus protecting a Catskills gem from overuse. More than 64,400 people visited Kaaterskill Falls for the 2021 summer season, up from more than 42,500 in 2020. On its single busiest day, Kaaterskill Falls saw more than 1,500 visitors.
Catskill Stewards Program 2021 highlights:
Visitor engagement reach of more than 84,800 people
Over 225 bags of litter collected (~ 4,500 lbs.)
Fire rings deconstructed and sites rehabilitated ﹘ 94
Rock stacks removed ﹘ 305
Dogs greeted ﹘ 3,045
Visitor parking citations avoided — 147 (minimum)
Stewards explain and demonstrate why responsible recreation is important – from the importance of not littering to staying on the trails. While each location has its specific needs, the common thread is natural resource protection, public awareness, and education. Without the stewards, the Catskills' forever wild spaces are in danger of being trampled or otherwise damaged because of the increasing number of visitors. When stewards are not on site (such as on their days off), they notice increased litter, rock dams and rock stacks, and user-created trails beginning to wind through forest floors. Stewards help interpret the Catskill Park, provide information on alternative areas to visit, and offer directions to local communities and businesses, which, in turn, helps the local economy.
To learn more about the Catskill Center’s Catskill Stewards Program, go to catskillcenter.org/catskillstewardsprogram.
The Catskill Stewards Program is made possible by the generous support of the NYSDEC, REI Co-op, the Rondout Neversink Stream Program, Bruderhof Community at Platte Clove, Catskill Mountain Club, Hunter Foundation, and the generous supporters of the Catskill Center.