Catskill Center Statement on Passage of One-House Budget Bills
The Catskill Center lauds the New York State Senate and Assembly for passing one-house budget bills that contain vital funding for the continued operation of the Congressman Maurice D. Hinchey Catskills Visitor Center (CVC) and the Catskill Stewards Program.
“We’re grateful for the strong leadership of our local bipartisan Catskill Park delegations in the Assembly and Senate who have ensured that this critical funding be maintained in their respective budget bills,” said Jeff Senterman, Executive Director of the Catskill Center. “We’re especially thankful for Senator Michelle Hinchey’s leadership on Catskill Park and Forest Preserve issues. She secured funding for the Stewards Program in last year’s final budget and ensured that funding continues in this year’s budget.”
The CVC is the official visitor center for the Catskill Park and serves as a gateway for the entire Catskills region. The CVC and Catskill Stewards Program are both partnerships with the New York State Department of Environmental Conservation.
“Funding for the Congressman Maurice D. Hinchey Catskills Visitor Center and the Catskill Center’s Catskill Stewards Program translates into more education, more outreach, and more resources leveraged across the Catskill Park to welcome visitors, connect them with our Park communities, and protect natural resources,” Senterman said.
The $150,000 for the CVC will be part of the Environmental Protection Fund, where it has been included for the past two years. There also will be $50,000 for the Catskill Stewards Program.
“As co-chair of the Catskill Park Coalition, we know that our advocacy of more than ten years for the Catskill Park has made a difference, and we look forward to ensuring that this funding makes it into the final budget,” said Senterman.
The CVC opened in 2015, and sits on 60 acres of forest, fields, and wetlands in the hamlet of Mount Tremper, Ulster County. In addition to the Visitor Center itself, visitors can enjoy walking trails; picnic areas; a covered pavilion; wildlife viewing; access trails to the Esopus Creek; and a Fire Tower.