Catskill Center Celebrates Historic NYS Budget Wins for the Catskills

April 25, 2024 – Arkville, NY: The Catskill Center for Conservation and Development celebrates a significant achievement in securing crucial funding for the Catskills in the New York State 2024/2025 budget and applauds Governor Kathy Hochul and the State Legislature for their continued commitment to the region. The budget, retaining the Environmental Protection Fund (EPF) at $400 million, allocates a record $10 million to the Catskill and Adirondack Forest Preserve Parks, under the State Land Stewardship line.

“The Catskill Center applauds Governor Hochul, the Senate, and the Assembly for recognizing the value of the Catskills in the state budget,” said Jeff Senterman, Executive Director. “The budget includes stewardship money to care for the Catskill Park, funding for expanded visitor services at the Catskills Visitor Center, support of research and data collection across the region, and more. Both the natural resources and the communities of the Catskills will benefit from this historic investment and the increased focus on our region.”

As co-chair of the Forest Preserve Advocates with our friends at the Adirondack Mountain Club (ADK), the allocated $10 million, which represents a $2 million increase from the previous year, marks the highest financial support ever designated to the Catskill and Adirondack Forest Preserves. 

The Catskills Visitor Center (CVC), which the Catskill Center manages and operates and is the Catskill Park’s only official visitor center, will also see $250,000—an increase of $50,000 from the previous budget. The Catskill Stewards Program, which places stewards at high-use trailheads and along outdoor recreation hot spots, will receive an additional $50,000 in the Aid to Localities budget championed by the efforts of Senator Michelle Hinchey.

The Catskill Center also applauds the allocation of $180,000 directed to the Cary Institute of Ecosystem Studies for the Catskill Science Collaborative, an increase of $80,000 from the previous year. This funding, prioritized by the Catskill Park Coalition, which we co-chair, highlights an ongoing commitment to advancing scientific research and environmental monitoring within the region.

The budget also includes funding for Belleayre Mountain Ski Center, invasive species management, including Hemlock Wooly Adelgid biocontrol funding at Cornell University, state-wide funding for Clean Water Infrastructure, Climate Smart Communities, Smart Growth, and Connect Kids grants.