Bulwagga Bay and the Champlain Bridge are seen from Coot Hill. (Provided photo — Brendan Wiltse)

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

The Adirondack Council presented CATS and Maron, its executive director, with the Special Recognition Award in recognition of CATS’ work creating recreational opportunities, protecting open space and promoting tourism in the Champlain Valley.

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 work days since 2009.

The day’s events included 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,” Raul Aguirre, executive director at the Adirondack Council, said in a news release.

“We are deeply honored to receive this award from the Adirondack Council,” Maron said in a news release. “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.”