OUR MISSION

What it Means to Keep the Catskills

Catskill Mountainkeeper is a member based advocacy organization dedicated to preserving and protecting the long term health of the six counties of the Catskill Region.   Executive Director Ramsay Adams and program director Wes Gillingham both live in the Catskills.  They have a personal connection to the beauty and vulnerability of the region and a passionate interest in organizing local voices to preserve its strengths  and take action against dangerously shortsighted development. 

Catskill Mountainkeeper is a representative face of the Catskills:  the eyes, ears and voice that look at issues, listen to concerns and speak on behalf of people who live, work, and recreate here.  Recognizing strength in numbers, they organize concerned citizens to protect existing jobs and industry, take care of abundant but exceedingly vulnerable natural resources, and utilize available and often unclaimed local, state, and national funds to prevent and cushion the impact of natural disasters.

Issues

There are major issues that need thoughtful consideration right now:

*Five Las Vegas sized, Atlantic City style Casinos are slated to be built in Sullivan County, which would irrefutably overtax route 17 and elevate crime levels.   Also, there would be significant  environmental impacts on the rivers and fly fishing streams in the region.

*New York Regional Interconnect (NYRI) is a proposing a major power line that would run from Utica to Orange County , cutting right through  the Catskill Region.

*Major developments have been proposed near the Belleayre State Park Ski Center, the banks of the Delaware, Greene County and Ulster County.
*Three 100-year floods have happened in the last five years.  More research and organization and advocacy for government relief funds is needed.

*Industrial wind projects are being proposed throughout the Catskills that would significantly alter the landscape.
*Farmland is being sold for development at a frightening pace.
*Air and water pollution continue to be a major concern.
*Access to public lands for recreation and financial support from the city and state to maintain the infrastructure for tourism need to be addressed.

OUR MISSION

By promoting economic revitalization, environmental protection and education, the Catskill Mountainkeeper serves as a strong advocate for the protection and enhancement of the Catskill Mountains.  Through a network of concerned citizens, we work to promote sustainable economic growth and the protection of natural resources essential to healthy communities.

Free membership

These issues are pressing and in great need of local, organized action.  There is no doubt that we need smart development in the Catskills to grow our economy, but it must be done thoughtfully.  Your support is needed.  Join Catskill Mountainkeeper and have access to calendars, blogs, forums, news feeds and educational programming.  Membership is Free.  Donations are appreciated but not a precondition for membership to Catskill Mountainkeeper.