In 2024 Catskill Mountainkeeper embarked on a strategic planning process to strengthen the organization's ability to meet its mission. We are excited to share the following strategic priorities with you. 

Our Mission: (NEW) To protect the Catskill Park and Region by supporting policies and strategies that safeguard its natural environment and promote sustainable, resilient, and just communities.

Our Vision: (NEW) A Catskill Park and Region in which the natural environment is protected, and all communities are ecologically and socioeconomically vibrant for present and future generations.

Values: We are committed to...

• Coordinating a systems approach to advocacy that recognizes environmental, economic, and human interdependencies, and values ecological integrity when developing and promoting policies and practices to advance our mission.
• Integrating environmental justice principles – including, but not limited to, racial equity, transparency, and inclusivity. We have embedded these principles into the policies and practices we advance, and in the ways we work with each other.
• Engaging through allyship, and recognizing our shared vision and mission cannot be accomplished without effective partnership and coalitions that reflect the needs and desires of those living and working in the Catskills.

About

Since its inception in 2006, Catskill Mountainkeeper has served its mission as a fierce advocate of protecting the lands, water and character of the Catskill Park and Region. The organization’s impressive track record over the last 15+ year includes–blocking the construction of multiple Las Vegas-style casinos in the heart of the Catskills, banning fracking across New York State and along the Delaware River basin, and securing critical state funds to support the integrity of the Park and its Catskill Forest Preserve.

As Catskill Mountainkeeper approaches its 20th anniversary in 2026, our region faces new threats and opportunities – and the organization must be equipped to meet the moment. To face these emerging challenges, and to seize the opportunities to make the Catskills more ecologically and economically resilient, our organization needs to adopt a new strategic five-year plan to ensure its own long-term success and stability.

As you will see, this final plan aims to significantly strengthen Mountainkeeper's programmatic pillars, through three programmatic priorities.