Aaron Bennett joining Catskill Mountainkeeper to Strengthen Organization’s Reach
Youngsville, NY
Feb 15, 2010
Catskill Mountainkeeper, the leading advocacy organization dedicated to the Catskill Mountain Region has hired Aaron Bennett as Regional Director for Greene, Ulster, and Delaware counties. Bennett, a life long resident of the area, was previously employed by The Catskill Center for Conservation and Development for more than 11 years, most recently as the Director of Programming, where he oversaw their education and natural resource programs.
Aaron brings extensive knowledge of the issues facing the northeastern Catskills, the “high peaks” region, the Catskill Park and Forest Preserve, and the
NYC Watershed to Mountainkeeper. He will augment the work that Catskill Mountainkeeper is doing regarding the challenges of the proposed Belleayre
Resort at Catskill Park development, sustainable energy projects, ridge-top development, land preservation, the revival of our town centers,
advancement of recreation opportunities and other important issues.
In response to his appointment Aaron said,”What I respect so much about Catskill Mountainkeeper is that they are honest brokers. While their primary
goals are to protect the resources and wellbeing of the region as well as pursue much needed sustainable growth, they have the integrity and courage to acknowledge both the pros and cons of complicated and difficult issues and work toward realistic and satisfactory resolutions. They are beholden to no one, do not follow any other organization’s agenda and are dedicated solely to what’s in the best interest of the region.”
Ramsay Adams, Executive Director of Catskill Mountainkeeper, is excited about Aaron’s ability to contribute to Mountainkeeper’s mission, “Aaron is the
right person at the right time. He brings over a decade of community activism, extensive knowledge of the issues in the region and achievement to us. He is a
great fit for Mountainkeeper.”
Click here for a high resolution photo of Aaron Bennett
Aaron was raised on a dead-end dirt road in Oliverea, near the headwaters of the Esopus Creek in the heart of the Catskill Mountain “high peaks” region.
After receiving a Bachelor of Science degree in Water Resource Management from the State University of New York College of Environmental Science and
Forestry (ESF), he returned to the Catskill Mountain Region to work at The Catskill Center for Conservation and Development. Aaron is a founding member
of the Catskill Mountain Club, and past President of the Pine Hill Community Center. Additionally, Aaron is a NYS- licensed hiking guide and authors an outdoor
column in two local newspapers. Aaron, his wife Jeanenne,sons Hudson and Samuel, and their black lab Piper live on Brush Ridge in eastern Delaware County.
Learn more
About Catskill Mountainkeeper
Catskill Mountainkeeper is a community based environmental advocacy organization, dedicated to creating a flourishing sustainable economy in the
Catskills and preserving and protecting the area’s long term health. We address issues of water integrity for the Delaware and Susquehanna River Systems, the
defense of the vast woodlands that encompass the Catskill Forest Preserve and the New York City Watershed as well as farmland protection. We promote ‘smart’ development that balances the economic needs and concerns of the Catskill regions’ citizens and the protection of our abundant but exceedingly vulnerable natural resources.
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Catskill Mountainkeeper
Ramsay Adams
Executive Director
phone:
845-482-5400
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Catskill Mountainkeeper
Wes Gillingham
Program Director
phone:
845-482-5400
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The Catskill Post: The Mountainkeeper News Blog 
