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MOHONK PRESERVE INC

GARDINER, NY · EIN 141609484 · Form 990 · FY2025 · NTEE C340 · Environment · Medium ($1M-$10M)
revenue
$5.6M
expenses
$5.7M
net assets
$31.2M
employees
90
volunteers
360
program ratio
80%
mission · from form 990

MOHONK PRESERVE PROTECTS THE NORTHERN SHAWANGUNK RIDGE AND INSPIRES PEOPLE TO CARE FOR, ENJOY, AND EXPLORE THE NATURAL WORLD. THE MOHONK PRESERVE, INC. MANAGES AND PRESERVES LAND IN THE NORTHERN SHAWANKGUNKS FOR THE ENJOYMENT AND EDUCATION OF THE PUBLIC AND ADVOCATES ENVIRONMENTAL RESPONSIBILITY IN ITS OWN REGION AND THROUGHOUT THE WORLD.

profile · synthesized from sources

Mohonk Preserve Inc protects and manages over 8,000 acres of land in the Northern Shawangunk Ridge in New York, focusing on land stewardship, conservation, and public access to nature. The organization maintains trails, roads, and natural habitats while providing recreational and educational opportunities for approximately 300,000 annual visitors. It also engages in land protection through acquisitions and conservation easements, promoting environmental responsibility and inclusive outdoor experiences.

irs program accomplishments · form 990 part iii · fy2025

What they reported doing

  1. #1 primary $1.17M
    LAND STEWARDSHIP - THE STEWARDSHIP PROGRAM OVERSSES LAND AND FACILITIES MANAGEMENT ACROSS MOHONK PRESERVE'S 8,000 ACRES. THIS INCLUDES OVERSEEING THE CARE AND MAINTENANCE OF 30 MILES OF GRAVEL CARRIAGE ROADS, 40 MILES OF FOOT TRAILS, DOZENS OF BUILDINGS FOR PROGAMMATIC, OFFICE AND STAFF HOUSING USES, A VEHICLE FLEET AND PROVIDING SUPPORT FOR THE MANAGEMENT OF FOREST AND FIELDS IN COORDINATION WITH OUR CONSERVATION PROGRAM. STEWARDSHIP EFFORTS INCLUDE THE RENOVATION AND RE-PURPOSING OF AN HISTORIC FARMHOUSE FOR THE NEW HOME OF THE CONSERVATION & EDUCATION PROGRAMS, THE RESTORATION OF A FREE-FLOWING STREAM BY REMOVING AN OLD, FAILING DAM, INSTALLING AND MANAGING EV CHARGERS AT MULTIPLE LOCATIONS, AND WORKING TOWARDS DECARBONIZING ALL OF THE BUILDINGS ON MOHONK PRESERVE TO LOWER THE OVERALL CARBON FOOTPRINT.
  2. #2 $1.53M
    VISITOR EXPERIENCE - THE VISITOR EXPERIENCE PROGRAM IS RESPONSIBLE FOR MANAGING TRAILHEAD OPERATIONS, PUBLIC USE OF FACILITIES AND GROUNDS, AND ASSURING A SAFE AND POSITIVE VISITOR EXPERIENCE WHILE ALSO PROVIDING STEWARDSHIP TO THE LAND. THE PROGRAM OVERSEES AND FOSTERS EFFORTS TO ENSURE THE 300,000 ANNUAL VISITORS TO MOHONK PRESERVE FEEL WELCOMED AND HAVE A SENSE OF BELONGING WHILE BEING ON THE PROPERTY. THIS INCLUDES OVERSEEING THE VISITOR CENTER OPERATIONS, PROVIDING RANGER SUPPORT TO RESUCE LOST OR INJURED VISITORS, GREETING VISITORS AT OUR 6 TRAILHEADS, AND PROVIDING INFORMATIONAL SIGNAGE ACROSS THE PROPERTY. VISITOR EXPERIENCE IS ALSO FOCUSED ON ENSURING MEANINGFUL OPPORTUNITIES FOR RECREATIONAL ACCESS FOR PEOPLE WITH DIFFERING ABILITIES, WORKING WITH ADAPTIVE CLIMBING AND HIKING GROUPS TO IMPROVE THEIR OVERALL EXPERIENCES WHEN VISITING MOHONK PRESERVE.
named programs · 3 · from sources

What they call their work

Land Protection
Acquires land and conservation easements, collaborates on regional open space protection, and secures long-term management resources for key habitats and scenic areas in the Shawangunk Mountains.
Land Stewardship
Manages and maintains over 8,000 acres of protected land, including 30 miles of carriage roads, 40 miles of foot trails, buildings, and natural ecosystems; includes decarbonization efforts, stream restoration, and infrastructure upgrades.
Visitor Experience
Oversees trailhead operations, visitor center services, ranger support, signage, and inclusive access programs for 300,000 annual visitors, including adaptive climbing and hiking groups.
activities · 8 groups

What they do

  • Nature Preserve Management and Public Access 2 activities
    • Expand public access through infrastructure and partnerships
      Established a new trailhead at the Testimonial Gateway to expand access to the Mohonk Preserve Foothills and co-developed the River-to-Ridge Trail with the Open Space Institute to connect the preserve with New Paltz.
    • Provide public access to trails and outdoor recreation
      Offers access to over 70 miles of carriage roads and trails for hiking, biking, rock climbing, horseback riding, running, cross-country skiing, snowshoeing, and other outdoor activities across more than 8,000 acres. Maintains 30 miles of gravel carriage roads and 40 miles of foot trails, with visitor services including ranger support, trailhead greeting, and informational signage for approximately 300,000 annual visitors.
  • Onsite & Outreach Environmental Education Programs 1 activity
    • Deliver environmental education and public programs
      Offers naturalist-led walks, educational workshops, outdoor adventures, and interpretive trails with free brochures to teach visitors about local ecology. Provides children’s activities, nature-themed exhibits, and seasonal public events including Leave No Trace education, ranger talks, and stewardship projects.
  • Community Stewardship Volunteer Programs 1 activity
    • Engage volunteers in land stewardship
      Recruits and manages over 400 volunteers who contribute more than 15,000 hours annually to trail maintenance, restoration projects, and public outreach, including volunteer-led hikes and community stewardship events.
  • Community Event Fundraising 1 activity
    • Host benefit and holiday auctions
      Organizes an annual benefit auction, now in its 29th year, and an annual online holiday auction and sale in December to support conservation and community engagement efforts.
  • Organized Running and Triathlon Events 1 activity
    • Host community events and recreational challenges
      Organizes annual events including the Rock & Snow Bridge 2 Bridge 5-Mile Run, Rock The Ridge (offering 50-mile ultra, marathon, and relay options), and the Shawangunk Grit gravel ride with 50-mile and 23-mile route options.
  • Land Acquisition and Conservation Easements 1 activity
    • Manage and protect over 8,000 acres of natural land
      Conserves and stewards more than 8,000 acres of mountain ridges, forests, fields, streams, and other natural areas in the Shawangunk Mountains region, including protection of fragile habitats, scenic viewsheds, and 1,400 species of plants and animals. Activities include land acquisition, conservation easements, and dam removal to restore free-flowing streams.
  • Free Public Access Nature Sites 1 activity
    • Operate visitor center and accessibility programs
      Runs a year-round, free visitor center open from 9 a.m. to 5 p.m. with closures on major holidays. Offers complimentary day passes or discounted memberships to military personnel and free access for care attendants of visitors with disabilities. Provides day passes and annual memberships for public trail access.
  • Uncategorized 2 activities
    • Conduct conservation science and maintain research center
      Operates the Daniel Smiley Research Center, which houses 86 years of natural and cultural history observations, over 120 years of weather data, 60,000 physical items, and 9,000 photographs to support long-term ecological research and land management.
    • Facilitate film and media use of preserve lands
      Allows use of over 8,000 acres of protected land for feature films, television programs, videos, and commercials under managed access agreements.
financials · form 990 · fy2025
revenue
Total revenue$5.61M
Contributions & grants$3.89M69%
Program service revenue$935K17%
Investment income$490K9%
Other revenue$295K
expenses
Total expenses$5.69M
Program expenses80%
Admin / overhead6%
Fundraising13%
Salaries & benefits$3.81M
Grants paid out$0
Largest expense lineCompensation
balance sheet
Total assets$31.70M
Cash$1.09M
Investments$12.18M
Liabilities$483K
Net assets$31.22M
Liquid reserves28.0 mo
6 years on record · 2020–2025 · YoY revenue +7.0%
leadership · form 990 part vii · fy2025

Who runs it

paid leadership · 1
NameTitleHours/wkCompensation
KEVIN M CASE PRESIDENT AND CEO 40 $238K
board members · 21
  • ANTHEA LAVALLE — DIRECTOR
  • ARTHUR SULZBERGER JR — DIRECTOR
  • BARBARA S GINSBERG — DIRECTOR
  • CAROL S RIETSMA — SECRETARY
  • CARRYL PIERRE-DREWS — DIRECTOR
  • DANIEL TORRES — DIRECTOR
  • DAVID WILKES — DIRECTOR
  • ERIC M GULLICKSON — DIRECTOR
  • GARY W FINGER — TREASURER
  • GEORGE C W GATCH — DIRECTOR
  • JULES KAUFMAN — DIRECTOR
  • KAREN HALLIDAY — DIRECTOR
  • KATHLEEN C WEATHERS — BOARD VICE CHAIR
  • KERRY MCCARTHY — DIRECTOR
  • LAUREL SWEENEY — DIRECTOR
  • MICHAEL EMBLER — DIRECTOR
  • MICHAEL TANNEN — DIRECTOR
  • NINA SMILEY — DIRECTOR
  • RAYMOND VJ SCHRAG — DIRECTOR
  • RONALD G KNAPP — DIRECTOR
  • RUSSELL CLUNE — BOARD CHAIR
relationships · 15

Who they work with

  • Adaptive Climbing and Hiking Groups Partner — Collaborates with adaptive climbing and hiking groups to improve recreational access and experiences for people with differing abilities.
  • Leave No Trace Network — Proud partner organization promoting low-impact outdoor ethics.
  • Leave No Trace Partner — Partnered with Leave No Trace to deliver education programs and stewardship projects, and recognized as a Community Partner and Gold Standard Site.
  • Minnewaska State Park Preserve Partner — Collaborates as a destination on the Ulster County Nature Bus route, facilitating shared public access to natural areas.
  • Minnewaska State Park Preserve Partner — Joint destination on the Seasonal Ulster County Nature Bus route.
  • Mohonk Preserve champions Partner — Individuals including members, volunteers, and donors who support conservation efforts at the Preserve.
  • Mohonk Preserve members Partner — Members are partners in protecting the Shawangunks through support and engagement.
  • Open Space Institute Partner — Partnered with Mohonk Preserve to create the River-to-Ridge Trail.
  • Rock & Snow Partner — Partner in organizing the Bridge 2 Bridge 5-Mile Run.
  • Shawangunk Ridge Government — Monitors and manages environmental systems on the Shawangunk Ridge as part of conservation science efforts.
  • Spring Farm Trailhead Partner — Provides access point for horseback riding and trail use.
  • Subaru/Leave No Trace Traveling Team Partner — Collaborated on-site in July 2023 to deliver Leave No Trace education and conduct restoration and stewardship projects.
  • Ulster County Government — Partners with Ulster County to provide free public access via the seasonal Nature Bus transportation program.
  • Ulster County Partner — Collaborates on the Seasonal Ulster County Nature Bus program to provide free transportation and admission to the Preserve.
  • landowners Partner — Works with landowners to protect high priority properties through land protection agreements.
strategies · 3

How they approach the work

Named approaches extracted from this org’s sources. Where others share an approach, follow it to see the full set of orgs running it.

  • Conservation Through Public Engagement
    methodology: conservation-through-public-engagement
    By involving the public in land protection and stewardship activities, the organization fosters a sense of shared responsibility, which strengthens long-term conservation outcomes because community investment leads to sustained behavioral and environmental change.
  • Inclusive Environmental Access as Engagement
    methodology: inclusive-access-conservation
    By designing programs and infrastructure to welcome people of all abilities into nature, the organization builds broader public stewardship, because inclusive access fosters personal connection to nature and motivates conservation behavior.
  • Living Laboratory Model
    methodology: living_laboratory
    By using the Preserve as a site for ongoing scientific research and monitoring, conservation strategies are informed and adapted in real time, because data-driven decision-making improves ecological management and long-term resilience.