New York State Department of Environmental Conservation (DEC) Commissioner Amanda Lefton today announced the renaming of DEC’s Beaverkill Campground in Sullivan County in honor of environmentalists John and Patricia Adams. During their long careers, John and Patricia have worked together to preserve and protect natural resources in New York and across the country. Together, John and Patricia have served as partners for land protection and public access projects in the Catskills and throughout the State for generations.

“The newly renamed John and Patricia Adams Campground at Beaverkill recognizes the extraordinary contributions the Adamses have made to land conservation efforts in New York State,” said Commissioner Lefton. “DEC is proud to honor their impact with this historic renaming, and we will carry on their legacy as we work alongside our conservation partners to protect and preserve New York’s natural resources.”

John is the founding chairman of the Open Space Institute (OSI), a frequent state partner on land protection projects. As Hudson Valley residents, John and Patricia Adams have worked with OSI and local communities to preserve environmentally sensitive areas and expand public access to New York’s open spaces, including in the Beaverkill area. John is also the Founding Director of the Natural Resources Defense Council. He has been the recipient of numerous awards and commendations in recognition of his work, including the Presidential Medal of Freedom, the highest civilian honor in the United States.  

“On behalf of the next generations of Adamses, I want to express our deep gratitude to Commissioner Lefton and the Department of Environmental Conservation for this profound and lasting tribute to Mom and Dad and all they have done to protect the Catskills,” said Ramsay Adams, Executive Director of Catskill Mountainkeeper. “It’s especially meaningful that this honor is rooted in a place so close to their hearts—a particular corner of the Catskills they have spent decades helping to protect and where our family has spent countless days together. They helped preserve the lands along the Beaverkill and restore the historic covered bridge that is such an integral part of the campground. To know that their names will forever be part of this place, and that future generations will come here to fish, camp, swim, and experience the Catskills as they have, means more to our family than I can say.”

The John and Patricia Adams Campground at Beaverkill is located on the famous Beaverkill trout fishing stream, which flows through the entire developed length of the campground. Located in the Town of Roscoe, the campground offers 45 tent and trailer sites, and a day use area for swimming and fishing. More information is available on DEC’s website: https://dec.ny.gov/places/beaverkill-john-and-patricia-adams-campground-and-day-use-area-at