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Working Together for the Future of the Catskills
The Catskill Center works to ensure that conservation and community go hand in hand. We believe protecting the Catskills’ natural resources creates opportunity by strengthening local economies, supporting vibrant communities, and sustaining the region’s unique sense of place. Through thoughtful and collaborative stewardship of our natural and cultural resources, we’re building a resilient and sustainable future for the Catskills, one that continues to inspire, protect, and connect us all.
Our mission is to protect and foster the environmental, cultural, and economic wellbeing of the Catskills. We have been working for more than 55 years to address the most pressing needs of the Catskills, both for our lands and our communities. We will continue adapting to meet the challenges ahead.
A Legacy of Community and Conservation
The Catskill Center began its efforts in the late 1960s, starting as a Committee of Concerned Citizens who sought to preserve the Catskills’ natural beauty and unite the region amid economic and environmental changes. Officially incorporated as a nonprofit in 1969, the Catskill Center quickly established itself as a leader in conservation, land use planning, and community education. Throughout the 1970s, 1980s, and 1990s it helped protect forests and waterways, support local arts and history, expand public land, and promote smart planning and stewardship.
Moving into the 21st century, the Catskill Center continued to broaden its impact, strengthening conservation efforts, deepening community partnerships, and expanding ways for people to learn about and experience the Catskills. Through decades of change, the Catskill Center has thrived thanks to the dedicated individuals who have championed its mission, guided its growth, and worked together to protect and care for the Catskills.
Our Work
Catskill Stewards Program | Catskills Fire Tower Project | Invasive Species Management | Streamside Acquisition Program | Regional Advocacy
Catskills Visitor Center
The Congressman Maurice D. Hinchey Catskills Visitor Center is the official visitor center for the Catskill Park. Since opening in 2015, it has served as a central place where visitors and residents can learn about the Catskills and plan thoughtful, well-prepared experiences in the region.
At the Catskills Visitor Center, guests are welcomed by knowledgeable staff and volunteers who offer maps, trail guidance, and up-to-date safety and trail conditions information. Interactive exhibits explore the Catskills’ natural history, cultural heritage, and land management, while surrounding trails and gathering spaces provide opportunities to engage directly with the landscape and each other.
Operated by the Catskill Center in partnership with the New York State Department of Environmental Conservation, the Catskills Visitor Center supports informed, responsible use of the Catskills and plays an important role in protecting the region’s long-term health and resilience.
The CCCD also operates and maintains two nature preserves; the forested Platte Clove Preserve and Thorn Preserve, a grassland. Both provide hiking trails and scenery, and are open to the public from dawn to dusk. No dogs are allowed at Thorn Preserve.
