Champlain Area Trails Announces Acquisition Of Twin Valleys Outdoor Education Center To Enhance Community Access To Nature

Moment captured at Twin Valleys Outdoor Education Center. © CATS

Champlain Area Trails (CATS), a land trust dedicated to creating and maintaining trails, saving land, connecting people with nature, and promoting economic vitality in New York’s Champlain Valley, is excited to announce its upcoming acquisition of the 675.5-acre Twin Valleys Outdoor Education Center. The acquisition from the College Auxiliary Service (CAS) at SUNY Plattsburgh is set to take place in September, advancing CATS’ mission to provide accessible outdoor recreation and educational opportunities for the local community and visitors.

Since 1945, Twin Valleys has served as a field campus for SUNY Plattsburgh, hosting various college programs, student activities, meetings, and workshops. The nonprofit organization CAS supports SUNY Plattsburgh students and the campus community by providing services not covered by the state budget. This includes owning and operating Twin Valleys, which is located approximately 40 miles south of the SUNY Plattsburgh campus, straddling the town lines of Lewis, Westport, and Essex.

This new addition will enable CATS to increase permanent outdoor recreational spaces, ensuring welcoming and public spaces for all residents and visitors. The Twin Valleys Outdoor Education Center currently boasts 15 miles of established trails and facilities, including cabins and a lodge, which currently accommodate environmental education programs, community events, and more.

Since its inception in 2009, CATS has successfully created and maintained over 100 miles of trails, conserved 3,500 acres of land directly and through partnerships, and organized hundreds of hikes, outdoor education outings, and volunteer initiatives that engage both residents and draw visitors to the Champlain Valley.

The acquisition of the Twin Valleys Outdoor Education Center will significantly deepen CATS’ impact, allowing the organization to broaden its programming and amenities for the public. This strategic move will also further CATS’ commitment to promoting environmental stewardship, economic growth, and a stronger connection to nature.

“This acquisition marks a significant milestone for CATS and our mission to connect people with the stunning natural landscape of the Champlain Valley,” said Arin Burdo, Executive Director of CATS. “Owning the Twin Valleys Outdoor Education Center enables us to keep these trails and land open and accessible to our community while expanding our educational opportunities and conservation initiatives.”

“College Auxiliary Services at SUNY Plattsburgh is proud to partner with Champlain Area Trails to ensure the long-term preservation and public accessibility of the Twin Valleys Outdoor Education Center,” said Catherine Keleher, Executive Director of CAS. “We believe CATS is an ideal steward for this property and are confident in their ability to enhance its value as a destination for outdoor recreation and education.”

CATS is seeking to raise an additional $100,000 to complete this project and is calling on community support to help ensure the trails and land at the Twin Valleys Outdoor Education Center remain publicly accessible.

For further information about Champlain Area Trails or to contribute to the fundraising efforts of the Twin Valleys Outdoor Education Center acquisition, please visit www.champlainareatrails.com.

Champlain Area Trails (CATS) is a non-profit organization, begun in 2009, which creates and maintains hiking and cross-country ski trails in the Champlain Valley that link communities, connect people with nature, and promote economic vitality. In its short history, CATS has developed 35 miles of trails that when added to existing trails, gets it half-way toward the long-envisioned goal of a 30-mile trail loop between Westport and Essex. CATS will extend its trails to neighboring towns and eventually connect them to trails in the Adirondack Mountains, Vermont, and Quebec. Learn more on the CATS website.