Since 1995, John Adams has advocated for the permanent protection of the New York State- owned prison farmland in the Town of Wawarsing, NY with agricultural conservation easements. New York State's land acquisition plan (called the NEW YORK STATE OPEN SPACE PLAN) recognizes these Dept. of Corrections lands as worthy of protection.

In 2009, the state discontinued its prison farm program, providing the opportunity for public access to these public lands. But in order to create trails and actually have public access, we all must contact the governor's office and the office of the Ulster County Executive to tell them that our economically devastated area needs the tourist dollars that a CATSKILL-SHAWANGUNK GREENWAY & TRAIL would bring.