Trail Conference Awarded Funds for Catskill Conservation Efforts

The Trail Conference is excited to announce that it has been awarded a Smart Growth grant from the New York State Department of Environmental Conservation! 

The Trail Conference will receive $73,443 in support of its Catskill Trail Conservation Program. This funding will support the Conference's efforts to provide comprehensive trail maintenance activities across the Catskill Forest Preserve with a dedicated seasonal crew working from May to October.  The crew will address trail concerns, engage with the community, and provide valuable inventory information to existing maintainers.  With a multifaceted approach, the Catskill Trail Conservation Program is poised to elevate the quality of the recreation experience, promote sustainable tourism, and ensure the sustainability of the Catskills for generations to come.

The grant award is one of 48 awarded to communities and organizations in the Catskill and Adirondack parks for smart growth initiatives in 2024. As part of the DEC's Smart Growth grant program, the funded projects, including the Trail Conference's Catskill Trail Conservation Program, will support capital projects and community development initiatives that link environmental protection, economic development, and community livability within the special protective conditions of the Forest Preserve.  

Department of Environmental Conservation Interim Commissioner Sean Mahar said, “Local government partners are central to the success of DEC’s Adirondack and Catskill park preservation efforts, and by investing directly in park communities, Governor Hochul is showing how natural resource protection and economic development can be balanced. Empowering municipalities to innovate, collaborate, and focus on long-term resilience is an essential compliment to the state’s aggressive protection efforts and helps to create lasting partnerships and the park communities of the future.” 

The Trail Conference expresses gratitude to New York Governor Kathy Hochul and NYSDEC for supporting our mission to preserve trails and lands in Catskill Park and beyond. 

For more details on the Smart Growth grant awards, read the full statement here.