Champlain Area Trails is honored at Adirondack Council’s Forever Wild Day

For Immediate Release

July 12, 2023

Picture:  View of Bulwagga Bay from Coot Hill provided by Brendan Wiltse

Chris Maron and the organization he has led for many years, Champlain Area Trails (CATS), will be honored at the Adirondack Council’s Forever Wild Day celebration on July 15th at Crown Point State Historic Site.

Maron and CATS will receive the Special Recognition Award.  CATS, an accredited land trust, has connected thousands of people to nature through its 77 miles of trails, 983 acres of protected land, and hundreds of hikes, outdoor education events, and volunteer workdays since 2009.

Forever Wild Day celebrates the Adirondack Park, the largest park in the contiguous United States. The Adirondack Council will present CATS and its Executive Director, Chris Maron, with the Special Recognition Award in recognition of CATS’ work creating recreational opportunities, protecting open space, and promoting tourism in the Champlain Valley.

“We are deeply honored to receive this award from the Adirondack Council,” said Chris Maron, Executive Director at CATS. “Their work protecting the Adirondack Park has been instrumental to our mission of connecting people and nature. We share the goal of preserving this special place for generations to come.

The day’s events include morning outings at a nearby state park, an awards lunch, presentations, and a hike at Coot Hill, which CATS is working to preserve. Coot Hill’s 65 acres provide wildlife habitat and outdoor recreation opportunities along Lake Champlain.

“Champlain Area Trails has strengthened the fabric of community in the Champlain Valley by providing opportunities for people to access nature close to home,” said Raul Aguirre, Executive Director at the Adirondack Council. “We are thrilled to recognize Chris and the entire organization’s contributions at Forever Wild Day this year.

CATS invites the public to join in the celebration at Forever Wild Day. The awards ceremony will take place during the luncheon.  Registration is required at www.adirondackcouncil.org