Environment

Home -> Environment

A Tradition of Environmental Stewardship

Since 1869 when founder Albert Smiley first opened this Victorian castle resort set in spectacular surroundings, opportunities to enjoy nature have been central to the guest experience.

Today, Mohonk Mountain House is still intent on providing recreation and renewal for guests and continues its more-than-century-long commitment to environmental stewardship through earth-friendly activities and design features, an extensive energy-saving and recycling program, and green initiatives that preserve the land and educate people.

Recognized by the United Nations Environment Programme for “generations of dedicated leadership and commitment to the protection and enhancement of the environment,” our New York State, green resort is a leader in preservation and education.

Activities that Embrace the Earth

Nature programs for all ages are hosted by Mohonk’s staff naturalist.

The Mohonk Lake Cooperative Weather Station, with the Mohonk Preserve, has recorded weather daily for more than 115 years.

Hiking on miles of spectacular trails, on-site rock scrambles, and Via Ferratta (with a Stay Experience), all encourage visitors to explore the Shawangunk Mountain Ridge, recognized by the Nature Conservancy as one of the “Last Great Places” on Earth.

The Junior Naturalist Experience, created by staff naturalists and incorporated into the Mohonk Kids’ Club, introduces children to the wonders of the outdoors through eco-friendly activities with a hands-on approach. Each child receives a Junior Naturalist Certificate and a Mohonk Mountain House Eco-Kit that includes a list of simple eco-activities to take home, as a way to encourage earth-friendly practices.

Mindful Building & Design Practices

A geothermal heating and cooling system moderates the temperature of the spa and our newest addition of Grove Lodge using the constant temperature of the earth, ensuring an emission- and noise-free zone.

A “green roof” garden terrace (an 8-inch planting bed) helps insulate the spa building, reduces energy use and water runoff, and provides a venue for birds and butterflies, yoga, and meditation.

Six hundred tons of Shawangunk Ridge rock excavated during the construction of the spa wing were “recycled” and used to build the interior and façade of the wing.

Organic Spa magazine included The Spa at Mohonk Mountain House in its “Top 10 Green Spas and Resorts” in the world. The Spa was listed as having one of the “Top 10 Natural and Organic Facials.”

Voted #1 eco-friendly spa in the world by Women’s Health Magazine.

In the Spa Finder Wellness Readers’ Choice Awards, Mohonk Mountain House was honored as “Best Eco Spa,” and having “Best Outdoor Activities,” and “Best Environmental Practices.”

Sixteen water filling stations are available in various locations throughout the Mountain House, in an effort to reduce the use of single-use plastic bottles.

Complimentary charging stations for guests with electric vehicles.

Land Stewardship

The Smiley family transferred 5,300 acres to the Mohonk Trust in 1963. Now known as the Mohonk Preserve, this was the first land trust established to protect the Shawangunk Ridge. The Preserve continues to pursue its mission of land stewardship on the Shawangunk Ridge while providing environmental education and conducting scientific research.

In 2011, Mohonk Mountain House conveyed 874 acres of outlying land to the Open Space Institute. These lands include historic farms, open fields, rolling hills, streams, forests, and carriage roads dating back to the late 1800s. By transferring the land to the Open Space Institute, Mohonk Mountain House has ensured that the historic and scenic foothills of the Shawangunk Ridge will remain protected for recreation, sustainable agriculture, and scientific research in perpetuity.

With its committed Board of Directors and support from land conservation partners and generous donors, Mohonk Preserve bought the entire Mohonk Preserve Foothills tract in December 2014, an 857-acre property strategically located between the Village of New Paltz and the protected areas of the Shawangunk Mountains. The Foothills landscape was identified by the community as the “number one cherished landscape” according to the Town of New Paltz Open Space Plan and includes the local historic landmark Testimonial Gateway gatehouse structure (c.1908); the Humpo Marsh, a critical wildlife and migratory bird area; and the historic Brook, Pine, and Kleinekill Farms, which continue the property’s heritage agricultural operations.

By protecting existing forests within its 1,200 acres, Mohonk Mountain House continues a tradition of conservation.

The Mohonk Golf Course was awarded Certified Cooperative Sanctuary status from Audubon International, for environment-friendly practices.

LINKS magazine recognized Mohonk’s golf course as one of the “Top 10 Environmentally Friendly Golf Courses in the United States.”

Mohonk provides space for the Daniel Smiley Research Center to the Mohonk Preserve.

Mohonk Consultations, Inc. was founded to raise individuals’ awareness and understanding of local and global ecological systems by sponsoring conferences at Mohonk Mountain House.

Culinary Sustainability

A significant portion of our products are sourced from local farms, supporting the regional agricultural community and reducing our carbon footprint

We recycle and compost over 75% of the kitchen waste, and the nutrient-rich compost is repurposed throughout the property, including in our beautiful on-site gardens

We are especially proud of our innovative microgreen program, cultivated on-site under the careful supervision of our Kitchen Manager. These microgreens are organic, non-GMO, and grown in sustainable coconut coir, ensuring a low environmental impact. Remarkably, these greens can be grown from seed to harvest in as little as 10 days, allowing for fresh, nutrient-dense ingredients year-round. Our microgreens enhance a variety of dishes, serving as vibrant garnishes for our farm-to-table culinary creations and providing unique infusions in our specialty cocktails.