NY Governor’s Budget Proposal Retains Key Funding for Catskill Park and Visitor Center

January 19, 2024 — The Catskill Center for Conservation and Development applauds Governor Kathy Hochul for including funding for the Catskill Forest Preserve Park and the Congressman Maurice D. Hinchey Catskills Visitor Center in her Executive Budget proposal unveiled January 16. We’re thrilled to see support of $8 million dedicated to the Catskill and Adirondack Forest Preserve Parks and $200,000 for the Catskills Visitor Center.

“We appreciate the Governor recognizing the Catskill Park as a valuable resource here to serve all New Yorkers,” said Jeff Senterman, Executive Director of the Catskill Center. “Over the past two years, we have worked closely with our Senate and Assembly representatives to secure necessary funding in their budget proposals and, ultimately, the final budget. This year, with a dedicated funding line already included in the Executive Budget proposal, we are able to redirect our advocacy efforts toward broader issues concerning the Forest Preserve and the Catskills.”

The Catskill Park Coalition, which the Catskill Center co-chairs, first wrote a letter to Governor Hochul in September, requesting support for the Catskill Park in her Executive Budget proposal.

In November, the Forest Preserve Coalition, which the Catskill Center also co-chairs, wrote to Governor Hochul advocating for Catskill Park priorities, outlining key actions for the year ahead including requests for the 2024/25 state budgeting process to address sustainability and stewardship in the Catskill and Adirondack Forest Preserve Parks.

The Catskill Center, as co-chair of both the Catskill Park Coalition and Forest Preserve Coalition, will continue to work with our partners to ensure funding for the Catskills and Forest Preserve identified in the Executive Budget remains in the final budget. We also expect to work with the Assembly and Senate to restore funding for the High Peaks Information Center, which was included in last year’s final budget, but not included in the Executive Budget proposal.

The Catskill Park Coalition will also be holding a day of advocacy for the Catskill Park on February 29, 2024.