named programs · 3 · from sources
What they call their work
Advocacy
Challenges development proposals through public hearings, legal action, and outreach campaigns; promotes rigorous land use controls to preserve the character of the Shawangunks
Land Acquisitions
Acquires critical parcels of open space in the Shawangunks through its affiliate, The Shawangunk Conservancy, to prevent ecological fragmentation and protect scenic vistas
Shawangunk Watch
Newsletter that educates the public about natural resources and highlights threats to the ecological integrity and scenic character of the Shawangunks
activities · 5 groups
What they do
-
Environmental Policy Advocacy & Litigation 2 activities
- Advocacy against environmentally harmful developmentEngages in advocacy efforts to oppose large-scale developments such as the Awosting Reserve and Dragon Springs projects, including public hearings, legal action, and collaboration with local planning boards and environmental commissions.
- Policy engagement and local planning advocacyContributes to local government planning processes, including Comprehensive Master Plans and Natural Resources Inventories, and advocates for enforcement of environmental protection laws and development restrictions in sensitive areas.
-
-
Onsite & Outreach Environmental Education Programs 1 activity
- Environmental education and public outreachProduces and distributes newsletters, including the Shawangunk Watch, and conducts public outreach campaigns to inform communities about environmental threats and conservation efforts in the Shawangunks.
-
-
Environmental Conservation Grantmaking 1 activity
- Funding conservation and restoration projectsProvides financial support to external organizations for conservation and restoration initiatives, including a pledge of $85,000 to the Open Space Institute’s Joppenbergh Mountain project and funding to The Pew Charitable Trusts for the Hamilton Point Carriage Road restoration.
-
-
Land Acquisition and Conservation Easements 1 activity
- Land acquisition and protection in the Shawangunk MountainsAcquires and protects critical land parcels in the Shawangunk Mountains to prevent development and ensure permanent conservation, including the Brooks Parcel, Alder Lane gateway to Stony Kill Falls, and 71-acre northern Shawangunk parcel. Past acquisitions include the Cross, Rappaport, Bowers, DeGraw, and Alder Lane parcels.
-
-
Recreational Trail Development and Maintenance 1 activity
- Trail maintenance coordination in regional parksCoordinates ongoing trail maintenance activities in Minnewaska, Schunemunk, Black Rock, and Storm King Parks in partnership with the NY-NJ Trail Conference.
-
financials · form 990EZ · fy2025
revenue
Total revenue$23K
Contributions & grants$21K91%
Program service revenue$00%
Investment income$2K9%
Other revenue$0
expenses
Total expenses$36K
Program expenses—
Admin / overhead—
Fundraising—
Salaries & benefits$0
Grants paid out$4K
balance sheet
Total assets$174K
Cash—
Investments—
Liabilities—
Net assets$172K
3 years on record · 2023–2025 · YoY revenue -20.0%
leadership · form 990 part vii · fy2025
Who runs it
board members · 4
- Anka Angrist — Trustee
- Barbara Rubin — Trustee
- Janet Kern — Trustee
- Patty Lee Parmalee — Trustee
relationships · 21
Who they work with
- Basha Kill Area Association Partner — Collaborates on regional conservation initiatives.
- Deerpark Rural Alliance Partner — Partnered to oppose the Dragon Springs development in the Southern Shawangunks.
- Minnewaska State Park Preserve Partner — Works together on conservation and land management projects.
- Mohonk Preserve Partner — Collaborates on ecological preservation and stewardship activities.
- Mohonk Preserve Partner — Partnered with The Shawangunk Conservancy by contributing 50% of the cost to acquire a 71-acre parcel in the northern Shawangunks.
- Mohonk Preserve Partner — Received support from Friends for land purchases and later received transferred land from TSC in the Southern Trapps area.
- NY-NJ Trail Conference Partner — Collaborates with the NY-NJ Trail Conference on trail maintenance in regional parks.
- Nature Conservancy Network — Compared to in approach and scope of conservation work.
- New York New Jersey Trail Conference Partner — Partners on trail maintenance and public access programs.
- Open Space Institute Partner — Worked with TSC on multiple land acquisitions, including the Sam’s Point area and Joppenbergh Mountain.
- Open Space Institute Partner — Works with OSI on land protection and conservation financing.
- Palisades Interstate Park Commission Government — Coordinates with PIPC on regional park management and conservation policy.
- Palisades Interstate Parkway Commission Government — Received Minnewaska-Awosting land that was later established as Minnewaska State Park.
- Save the Ridge Partner — Partnered with Friends to oppose development of the Awosting Reserve, with Friends funding 85% of legal expenses.
- Shawangunk Conservancy Network — Collaborates with or is affiliated with the Shawangunk Conservancy as part of a shared conservation mission.
- Shawangunk Conservancy Network — Collaborates with the Shawangunk Conservancy in conservation efforts.
- The Nature Conservancy Partner — Collaborated with Friends to purchase Minnewaska-Awosting land.
- The Pew Charitable Trusts Funder — Received funding from Friends of the Shawangunks to support carriage road restoration in Minnewaska State Park Preserve.
- The Shawangunk Conservancy Partner — Land trust partner collaborating with Friends of the Shawangunks on conservation efforts in the Shawangunk Mountains.
- Town of Gardiner Environmental Conservation Commission Partner — Collaborates to ensure enforcement of development restrictions in the Town of Gardiner.
- Trust for Public Lands Partner — Coserved with OSI to purchase the Awosting Reserve and transfer it to Minnewaska State Park Preserve.
strategies · 5
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.
- Collaborative Conservation with Land Trusts and Local Partnersmethodology: collaborative_conservationBy partnering with dedicated land trusts and local organizations, we achieve more effective and durable land protection, because these collaborations combine local knowledge, shared resources, and collective advocacy to safeguard ecologically significant areas.
- Community-Engaged Stewardship Through Emotional Connectionmethodology: community-engaged-conservationBy fostering public stewardship through storytelling and emotional attachment to place, we generate sustained support for conservation, because personal and communal connections to the land motivate long-term engagement and protective action.
- Criteria-Driven Strategic Land Conservationmethodology: strategic-conservation-planningBy using a criteria-based approach to land acquisition—prioritizing ecological connectivity, resiliency, viewsheds, and cultural significance—we ensure that conservation efforts yield maximum environmental and community benefit, because targeted interventions protect the most vital and vulnerable landscapes.
- Integrated Conservation and Public Educationmethodology: land-conservation-and-educationBy combining on-the-ground land conservation with public education, we strengthen long-term environmental protection, because informed communities are more likely to value, support, and actively defend natural landscapes.
- Proactive Ecosystem Vigilance and Advocacymethodology: conservation watchdog modelBy maintaining constant vigilance and readiness to intervene through land acquisition or advocacy, we prevent harmful development and overuse, because early and decisive action is essential to preserving fragile ecosystems that cannot recover once degraded.