On August 14, 2026, Mohonk Preserve purchased the 174-acre Humpo Marshlands and Forest property from the Open Space Institute (OSI), with the Wallkill Valley Land Trust holding a conservation easement over a portion of the property. The deal was made possible by the New Paltz Community Preservation Fund – a source of funding that helped permanently preserve the property’s wetlands, forests, wildlife habitat, and iconic Shawangunk Ridge views. [Read more…] about Ulster County’s Humpo Marshlands and Forest Preserved
Shawangunk Ridge
Shawangunk Ridge Viewshed, Wetlands Protected
The Open Space Institute (OSI) has planned for the protection of 175 acres of marsh and forest land, including wetland areas, along Route 299 in the Towns of New Paltz and Gardiner in Ulster County.
When the owners of the Humpo Marshlands and Forest property decided it was time to figure out long-term plans for their family’s farm they called Bob Anderberg, OSI’s Senior Vice President and Strategic Conservation Advisor. Anderberg had reached out to the family more than 20 years earlier about preserving the land and had continued that dialogue over the years. [Read more…] about Shawangunk Ridge Viewshed, Wetlands Protected
Minnewaska State Park Grows to Nearly 24,000 Acres
The latest expansion of Minnewaska State Park Preserve includes a 291-acre section of the northern Shawangunk Mountains, safeguarding important ecosystems and protecting viewsheds.
Bringing Minnewaska’s total size to 23,974 acres, this acquisition supports the State’s goal to conserve 30 percent of its lands and waters by 2030. [Read more…] about Minnewaska State Park Grows to Nearly 24,000 Acres
A Palisades Interstate Park History Podcast
The Palisades Interstate Park Commission (PIPC) was formed in 1900 by Governors Theodore Roosevelt of New York and Foster Voorhees of New Jersey in response to the quarrying operations along the Palisades Cliffs of New Jersey.
Before the creation of the vast Palisades Interstate Park spanning New York and New Jersey, people lived and worked there in small villages and hamlets. [Read more…] about A Palisades Interstate Park History Podcast
Rangers Rescue Barefoot Man in Gunks, High Peaks Hikers, Fight Wildfire
New York State Department of Environmental Conservation Forest Rangers respond to search and rescue incidents throughout New York State locating and extracting lost, injured or distressed people and policing state lands.
This report of recent missions carried out by Forest Rangers was prepared by DEC: [Read more…] about Rangers Rescue Barefoot Man in Gunks, High Peaks Hikers, Fight Wildfire
Forest Rangers Rescue Dog, 92-Year-Old Hiker, Aid Family of Eight, Others
New York State Department of Environmental Conservation Forest Rangers respond to search and rescue incidents throughout New York State locating and extracting lost, injured or distressed people and policing state lands.
This report of recent missions carried out by Forest Rangers was prepared by DEC: [Read more…] about Forest Rangers Rescue Dog, 92-Year-Old Hiker, Aid Family of Eight, Others
Minnewaska State Park Carriage Road Restoration Underway
The Open Space Institute (OSI) has begun restoration work on nearly three miles of the Minnewaska State Park Preserve’s Lake Awosting Carriage Road, a historic trail circling Lake Awosting, the largest “sky lake” on the northern Shawangunk Ridge. [Read more…] about Minnewaska State Park Carriage Road Restoration Underway
Ulster County River-to-Ridge Trail Marks Millionth Visitor
The Open Space Institute (OSI) recently celebrated the one-millionth visit to its six-mile long River-to-Ridge Trail in New Paltz, NY. The Ulster County trail, which opened in 2018, has become well-utilized thanks to its easily accessible and central location, sweeping views, and year-round recreational opportunities. [Read more…] about Ulster County River-to-Ridge Trail Marks Millionth Visitor
Ulster County Archives Puts New Collections Online
The Ulster County Archives has launched its first digital collections on New York Heritage Digital Collections, offering free public access. [Read more…] about Ulster County Archives Puts New Collections Online
Bicycling Adventures in New York State Parks
Go for a spin this fall and discover the scenic biking trails at New York State Parks. Bicycling is a great, low-impact exercise to enjoy with family and friends and a picturesque way to experience fall foliage in New York State. With so many trails to choose from, here are a few destinations from around the state worth exploring. [Read more…] about Bicycling Adventures in New York State Parks
$1.8M For Sate Parks, Trails, Historic Sites and Other Public Lands
In January, Governor Kathy Hochul announced $1.8 million in grants to support 27 not-for-profit organizations involved with the stewardship of state parks, trails, historic sites, and other public lands.
The grants support public-private partnerships leveraging private funds for new state park amenities, to engage in state park and historic site maintenance and beautification projects, and to provide educational programming and special events. [Read more…] about $1.8M For Sate Parks, Trails, Historic Sites and Other Public Lands
The Borden Company’s Milk Condensing Plant in 1893
The following essay, “‘Crazy Uncle Gail’s’ Idea and What Came of It,” by Eliza Archard Conner, appeared in the June 10, 1893 Northern Star of Lismore, New South Wales, Australia. It was transcribed by Hudson River Maritime Museum volunteer George A. Thompson and annotated by John Warren.
About forty years ago Gail Borden, a civil engineer of New England ancestry, conceived the idea that milk could be boiled down in a vacuum till from the liquid condition it became substantially solid, and in that state, preserved by means of another Yankee invention — the sealed tin can — it could be kept for any length of time. [Read more…] about The Borden Company’s Milk Condensing Plant in 1893
An 1830 Trip On The Delaware & Hudson Canal
The following letter, “A Trip On The Delaware & Hudson Canal To Carbondale,” appeared in the Register of Pennsylvania on August 14, 1830 and was written in the city of New York on August 2, 1830. This letter was discovered and transcribed by George A. Thompson, a volunteer scholar at the Hudson River Maritime Museum, and slightly edited and annotated by John Warren.
Mr. Croswell – I perceive by the paper, that a packet boat commences this day, to run regularly for the remainder of the season, on the Delaware and Hudson canal. Among the pleasant and healthy tours that are now sought after, I would strongly recommend a trip on that canal. [Read more…] about An 1830 Trip On The Delaware & Hudson Canal
New York’s Oldest Standing Log Cabin?
During the American Revolution in August 1778, given advanced warning of an impending raid by Loyalist and their Haudenosaunee (Iroquois) allies, scores of families around Pakatakan (Margaretville, in the town of Middletown, Delaware County, NY) began leaving their homes to seek shelter with families and friends near Kingston. [Read more…] about New York’s Oldest Standing Log Cabin?
Wintergreen Oil: Local Employer to Bootlegger’s Subterfuge
On a wintry walk in the woods, the glossy evergreen leaves and bright red berries of American Wintergreen make a pretty sight against fallen snow. Plentiful in the northern U.S. and Canada, the low-growing Gaultheria procumbens is known for the pungent aroma and mint-like taste of leaf and berry — pleasing but hard to define.
Native Americans used the leaves to treat pain and fever, and introduced colonists to the custom of drinking wintergreen tea. This “teaberry” carried them through the Revolutionary War, when British tea was scarce. [Read more…] about Wintergreen Oil: Local Employer to Bootlegger’s Subterfuge
Forest Rangers Have Busy Week Making Rescues Around New York State
New York State Department of Environmental Conservation Forest Rangers respond to search and rescue incidents throughout New York State. Working with other state agencies, local emergency response organizations and volunteer search and rescue groups, Forest Rangers locate and extract lost, injured or distressed people.
What follows is a report, prepared by DEC, of recent missions carried out by Forest Rangers. [Read more…] about Forest Rangers Have Busy Week Making Rescues Around New York State
Forest Rangers Rescue Hikers Near Lake George, In The Catskills & Shawangunk Ridge
New York State Department of Environmental Conservation Forest Rangers respond to search and rescue incidents throughout New York State. Working with other state agencies, local emergency response organizations and volunteer search and rescue groups, Forest Rangers locate and extract lost, injured or distressed people.
What follows is a report, prepared by DEC, of recent missions carried out by Forest Rangers. [Read more…] about Forest Rangers Rescue Hikers Near Lake George, In The Catskills & Shawangunk Ridge
NYC Man Rescued After 50-Foot Fall Into Crevice At State Park
A 54-year old New York City man was rescued after falling into a deep crevice in a New York State Park, according to Department of Environmental Conservation Forest Rangers. [Read more…] about NYC Man Rescued After 50-Foot Fall Into Crevice At State Park
The Shawangunk Fire Complex: Active Wildfires in Minnewaska State Park
Three wildfires are burning on or near the Shawangunk Ridge in Ulster County, including at at Naponach Point in Minnewaska State Park.
The three blazes in the Shawangunk fire complex include the Napanoch Point fire in Minnewaska State Park, which started Sunday afternoon as a result of a suspected lightning strike and is estimated at 270 acres on Wednesday afternoon. A smaller fire approximately two miles east of the Napanoch Point fire, named Stony Kill, was detected on Monday, grew to about 1.5 acres and was 95% contained on Wednesday afternoon. The Wurtsboro fire in the town of Mamakating was reported early Saturday afternoon and was approximately 70 acres on Tuesday afternoon. [Read more…] about The Shawangunk Fire Complex: Active Wildfires in Minnewaska State Park
Shawangunk Ridge Author Talk in Sullivan County
Author Ronald Knapp is set to give a presentation: Shawangunk Ridge and Towns: Then and Now on Sunday, November 24, at 2 pm at the Time and the Valleys Museum on St. Rt. 55 in Grahamsville, Sullivan County.
Based on his book, The Gunks: (Shawangunk Mountains) Ridge and Valley Towns Through Time (America Through Time, 2015), Knapp will discuss the Gunks, renowned for stunning landscapes, rugged topography, glistening grey-white escarpments, magnificent Victorian hotels and precipitation-fed lakes, and framed by the valleys of the Rondout Creek and the Wallkill River. While focusing on the ridge, his talk will explore the mutually beneficial economic impacts of other historical developments in the valleys. [Read more…] about Shawangunk Ridge Author Talk in Sullivan County