Catskill Center Earns National Recognition
Strong Commitment to Public Trust and Conservation Excellence
December 20, 2024 – Arkville, NY: One thing that unites us as a nation is land: Americans strongly support saving the natural spaces they love. Since 1969, the Catskill Center for Conservation and Development, has been doing just that for the people of the Catskills. Now the Catskill Center announced it has renewed its land trust accreditation— proving once again that, as part of a network of over 450 accredited land trusts across the nation, it is committed to conservation excellence.
"Renewing our accreditation demonstrates the Catskill Center’s ongoing commitment to permanent land conservation across the Catskills,” said Jeff Senterman, Executive Director of the Catskill Center. "We are a stronger organization than ever for having gone through the rigorous accreditation renewal process. Our strength means special places—such as the Platte Clove and Thorn Preserves—will be protected forever, making the Catskills an even greater place for now and in the future."
The Catskill Center provided extensive documentation and was subject to a comprehensive third-party evaluation prior to achieving this distinction. The Land Trust Accreditation Commission awarded renewed accreditation, signifying its confidence that Catskill Center’s lands will be protected forever. Accredited land trusts now steward over 20 million acres—the size of Denali, Yellowstone, Grand Canyon, Glacier, Everglades, and Yosemite National Parks combined.
"We are proud to recognize the Catskill Center’s continued commitment to conservation excellence," said Melissa Kalvestrand, Executive Director of the Commission. "The accreditation seal is a mark of distinction that stands for excellence, trust and permanence. The Catskill Center is part of a network of over 450 accredited land trusts that are united by their strong ethical practices. Accredited land trusts inspire confidence and respect among their peers and in their communities."
The Catskill Center is one of 1,281 land trusts across the United States according to the Land Trust Alliance's most recent National Land Trust Census. A complete list of accredited land trusts and more information about the process and benefits can be found at www.landtrustaccreditation.org.
About the Catskill Center
Founded in 1969, the Catskill Center has been protecting and preserving the environmental, cultural, and economic well-being of the Catskills for over 55 years.
The Catskill Center’s role as a land trust began in 1974 when it was gifted the first 100 acres of what would later become the Platte Clove Preserve. Thousands of visitors each year now enjoy Platte Clove’s wild character and stunning beauty. The Catskill Center currently protects more than 2,000 acres through conservation easements and provides public access to 300 acres of its own preserved land. The organization also works to preserve forested, streamside lands essential for maintaining Catskills streams’ excellent water quality through its Streamside Acquisition Program: a partnership program with the New York City Department of Environmental Protection.
The organization believes that the vitality and prosperity of the Catskills depends on the wise stewardship of natural and cultural resources, thriving local communities and robust collaboration with others. To learn more, or to join in the Catskill Center’s work, visit www.catskillcenter.org.
About Land Trust Accreditation Commission
The Land Trust Accreditation Commission inspires excellence, promotes public trust and ensures permanence in the conservation of open lands by recognizing organizations that meet rigorous quality standards and strive for continuous improvement. The Commission, established in 2006 as an independent program of the Land Trust Alliance, is governed by a board of diverse land conservation and nonprofit management experts. For more, visit www.landtrustaccreditation.org.