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Fall foliage of Mohonk land

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 upon 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.

Naturalist showing plants to kids

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 guided rock climbing for overnight guests 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.
Grove Lodge

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 construction of the spa wing were “recycled” and used to build the interior and façade of the wing. The Spa’s “Shawangunk Grit” Mineral Body Treatment uses indigenous quartzite rocks crushed to a powder in a scrub that exfoliates and improves circulation.
  • 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.”
  • 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.”
Mohonk Forest Bathing Trail

Land Stewardship

  • 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.
  • By protecting existing forests within its 1,200 acres, Mohonk Mountain House continues a tradition of conservation.
  • 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.
  • Mohonk Mountain House supports local farms by using their produce in season in all our dining outlets.
  • 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.

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