Since 1885, the Catskill Forest Preserve has grown from 34,000 acres to over 290,000 acres. It functions as a watershed, recreation area and ecological reserve. While the Constitution’s Forever Wild clause has protected and directed management of the land, public use and interest has steadily increased. To cope with the increase, the Department of Environmental Conservation (DEC) developed the Catskill Park State Master Plan to provide guidance for management of the Forest Preserve.