Mohonk Preserve on Friday announced that longtime president Glenn Hoagland would be stepping down from the organization to pursue a position at The Seeing Eye, a New Jersey non-profit organization that trains seeing eye dogs. Hoagland had spearheaded the preserve for nearly twenty-six years.

“I am so honored and proud to have had the opportunity for a quarter of a century to lead Mohonk Preserve, protect and steward a nationally treasured landscape, and work every day with a passionate and capable staff, visionary board, dedicated volunteers, many community partners, and generous donors,” Hoagland said.

In the announcement, it said Hoagland had a strong personal connection with the organization’s mission, as his mother was blind. “He admired The Seeing Eye from a young age, being keenly aware of the importance of independence for people who are blind.”

During Hoagland’s tenure, the preserve increased in size, from an organization with a dozen employees, sixteen volunteers and 5,400 acres to New York’s largest nonprofit nature preserve with over sixty employees, over 400 volunteers, and over 8,000 acres of protected lands. During his leadership, the preserve established its visitor’s center, attained national Land Trust accreditation, restored more than half of the Preserve’s historic carriage roads, developed the Samuel F. Pryor III Shawangunk Gateway Campground, and initiated the 836-acre Mohonk Preserve Foothills project, which will introduce public access trailheads and educational facilities over the next two years.

“We have been very fortunate to have Glenn’s knowledge, steady hand, and leadership for a quarter century, “said Mohonk Preserve Board Chair Russ Clune. “The accomplishments to date have firmly placed us on a positive trajectory toward a successful future.”

The preserve’s board of directors has yet to choose a successor, but says it’s working on a “transition and succession plan to ensure that the organization continues to build on its current strength and momentum.”