Catskill Center Announces 2026 Catskill Park Coalition Legislative Priorities Aimed at Protecting and Supporting the Catskills

Coalition of 30+ organizations calls for $425 million Environmental Protection Fund and targeted investments in forest management, economic development, and public safety.

December 8, 2025—ARKVILLE, NY: The Catskill Center for Conservation and Development today announced the 2026–27 legislative priorities for the Catskill Park Coalition, a 30-member alliance of regional organizations working to protect and enhance the Catskill Park and its surrounding communities. These comprehensive priorities address critical funding needs for environmental protection, public safety, visitor management, and support for local economies across the region.

Developed through collaborative dialogue among coalition members representing conservation, tourism, community development, and cultural organizations, the 2026–27 priorities reflect the shared commitment of the coalition to ensure that the Catskill Park and its communities thrive through wise stewardship and equitable investment.

About the Catskill Park Coalition

The Catskill Park Coalition is an alliance of like-minded organizations dedicated to working together to broaden public appreciation for the Catskill Park and seek additional resources to enhance, maintain, and make available the extraordinary opportunities the Park and its surroundings offer. The coalition brings together more than 30 conservation groups, tourism organizations, business associations, municipal governments, heritage organizations, and community development entities united around a core mission: advancing policies and securing funding that support the protection of natural resources, the viability of local communities, and responsible public access to the Park.

Co-chaired by the Catskill Center and Catskill Mountainkeeper, the coalition has successfully advocated for millions in funding directed to the Catskill Park over the past decade, resulting in trail improvements, parking enhancements, visitor center operations, stewardship programs, and community initiatives.

2026–27 Coalition Priorities

The coalition calls for maintenance of the Environmental Protection Fund (EPF) at $425 million and emphasizes the critical importance of dedicated funding lines for Catskill Park initiatives. Key priorities within the EPF include:

  • $10 million Forest Preserve line to support the Catskill and Adirondack Parks in addressing increasing visitor use, natural resource protection, and trail and facility maintenance and construction

  • $250,000 line directed to the Catskill Center for Conservation and Development for the Congressman Maurice D. Hinchey Catskills Visitor Center, a world-class gateway that serves as a vital hub for visitor services, education, and community engagement

  • $200,000 line directed to the Cary Institute for Ecosystem Studies for the Catskill Science Collaborative, which funds critical research on topics of regional importance

  • $500,000 line directed to Cornell University for the "Save the Hemlocks" initiative, which combats the invasive Hemlock Wooly Adelgid through effective biocontrols

  • At least $400,000 annually for Smart Growth Grants to help Catskill communities and nonprofits sustainably improve the Park

  • Continued funding for upgrades and improvements to the state-owned Belleayre Mountain Ski Center

Public Safety and Catskill Park Management

With more than 1.7 million annual visitors to the Catskill Park, the coalition emphasizes the urgent need for adequate staffing and resources to ensure visitor safety and effective park management. Coalition priorities include:

  • Staffing critical positions at the NYSDEC's Division of Lands and Forests in Regions 3 and 4 to better manage the Park and deliver safe, quality recreational experiences

  • Continuing to run an annual Forest Ranger Academy to maintain and increase ranger staffing levels, ensuring consistent protection and stewardship across the Park

Supporting Local Economies and Communities

Recognizing that thriving communities are essential to protecting natural resources, the coalition calls for investments that support sustainable economic development and address critical infrastructure and quality-of-life needs:

  • Improved cellular service across the Catskill Park to address public safety concerns and competitive disadvantages faced by local businesses

  • Expanded availability of affordable housing within and adjacent to the Catskill Park, a critical need for year-round residents and workers

  • Implementation of "Benefits to Catskill Park Communities" recommendations from the Catskill Strategic Advisory Group

  • Catskill Park Entryway Signage at major roadways entering the Park to alert visitors they are entering a protected area

  • Support and funding for Community Trails, Rail Trails, and Accessibility projects providing equitable access to outdoor recreation and supporting local economic development

  • Continued support for the Catskill Stewards Program with $100,000 in Aid to Localities funding to train and deploy stewards who engage visitors, promote responsible recreation, and provide ambassadorial services at high-use sites across the Park

  • Implementation of the Visitor Use Management Framework for the Kaaterskill Clove and Formerly Trailless Peaks areas to protect natural resources while providing quality visitor experiences

Additional Environmental Funding Priorities

The Catskill Park Coalition also supports the following environmental infrastructure investments:

  • $90 million for DEC Capital Projects

  • $200 million for OPRHP Capital Projects

  • $500 million for Clean Water Infrastructure Funding

The Catskill Center's Role in Advocacy for the Catskills

Since its establishment in 1969, the Catskill Center has served as a leading voice for conservation and community well-being in the Catskill region. Through a comprehensive approach that combines land protection, visitor education, stewardship, and strategic advocacy, the Catskill Center works to ensure that the environmental, cultural, and economic well-being of the Catskills is protected and enhanced for current and future generations.

Call to Action

The Catskill Center and the Catskill Park Coalition urge New York State lawmakers and Governor Hochul's administration to prioritize the Coalition's 2026–27 budget requests. These investments will strengthen protection of the Catskill Park's natural resources, enhance visitor experiences, support the economic vitality of Catskill communities, and ensure the region remains a destination of choice for outdoor recreation and responsible tourism.

Guest User