June 15 - 2021 This summer, Mountainkeeper is partnering with the New York State Department of Environmental Conservation and hitting the trail with two full-time Trail Stewards! Our Stewards are stationed at the Beaverkill Campground Day Use Area, Crystal Lake Wild Forest, and Big Pond from Thursday – Monday all summer long. Working alongside Forest Rangers, they greet visitors, educate folks on Leave No Trace Principles that help protect our wild places, and provide info on Mountainkeeper’s work to protect this spectacular part of the world. Click "Read More" to meet Kate, Lenny, and Noah.

Kate O’Connor--our Conservation Manager here at Mountainkeeper--is leading our Stewards program this summer. A graduate of the SUNY College of Environmental Science and Forestry, Kate has spent the last few years working closely with New York State Parks and the New York State Hemlock Initiative at Cornell University on forest pest research projects.

Born and raised in the Catskills, Lenny Miret (left) grew up hiking, boating, and camping in our pristine wilderness areas. Today, Lenny works as a Trail Steward to preserve the wilderness that continues to fill him with a sense of childlike wonder. He reports that his work as a steward has been one of the best experiences he’s ever had, giving him the opportunity to connect with so many visitors who support our mission to keep the Catskills pristine.

Noah Cabrera (right) is an avid outdoorsman and hiker. An Eagle Scout candidate and steward at heart, Noah helped to fundraise for, build, and install over 15 bat boxes to provide nursery colonies and habitats for the endangered Indiana Bat. He has extensive conservation experience, having volunteered with Riverkeeper for more than 6 years. He loves talking with visitors on the trail about sustainable environmental practices, so we can all play a role in keeping our beloved wild places healthy and vibrant.