One-House Budgets Will Protect Forest Preserve 

March 14, 2023 — Albany, NY — ADK (Adirondack Mountain Club) applauds the New York State legislature for its proposed one-house budgets, which include funding that will support the Forest Preserve and its communities. The budget proposals restored the dedicated funding line for the Catskill and Adirondack Forest Preserve Parks as an annual appropriation of $10 million under the EPF’s State Land Stewardship funding.  

Also included in the proposed budgets was a $100,000 line for ADK’s High Peaks Information Center (HPIC), which serves over 100,000 annual visitors to the High Peaks region. The HPIC has historically lacked state funding despite its role in educating hikers and, as a result, mitigating backcountry impacts and rescues on state land. 

“The Forest Preserve needs dedicated funding to manage the issues of today and tomorrow. Without resources, we risk losing the many benefits that come from public lands, including space for recreation, clean drinking water, forests to sequester carbon, and more,” said Michael Barrett, ADK Executive Director. “We thank the legislature for recognizing this need and look forward to seeing a dedicated Forest Preserve line in the final budget.”

“This is an incredible opportunity for the Forest Preserve. In addition to the legislature as a whole, ADK would like to specifically thank Senators Dan Stec, Michelle Hinchey, Pete Harckham, Jose Serrano, Mark Walczyk, and Liz Krueger and Assemblymembers Billy Jones, Matt Simpson, Deborah Glick, Chris Tague, and Helen Weinstein for supporting this funding request,” said Cathy Pedler, ADK Director of Advocacy.