The Preservation Collective, Inc.

Announcement: New Highlands West Trail Connectivity Plan, which establishes a vision for an interconnected trail system from Storm King State Park in the north to Sterling State Forest in the south, and including Harriman, Bear Mountain, Goosepond Mountain, and Schunnemunk state parks. This long-term, strategic plan advances conservation, outdoor recreation, and economic opportunities of fast-growing, eastern Orange County. Read the full plan and maps in link below to learn m...ore about the existing trail system and recommendations for future connections in your community. Note: The Highlands West Trail Connectivity Plan was spearheaded in 2018 by the Open Space Institute and facilitated by The LA Group in coordination with the Orange County Land Trust, Palisades Interstate Park Commission, NY State Parks & Historic Sites, and New York-New Jersey Trail Conference. Funding for this project came from the Open Space Institute and the Orange County Land Trust.

Why not start a day by catching the sunrise? It has been proven that taking the time to watch a sunrise (or sunset) can improve your mental and physical health to fight against stress and anxiety. We encourage the public to enjoy the benefits of open space preservation and scenic viewsheds in community. Please follow our page for information and news updates on conservation efforts. Also check out our collection of photos we have taken from some of our favorite local areas to visit. We hope it inspires you to connect with nature.

The New York State Department of Environmental Conservation (DEC) today announced that the application period for the Trees for Tribs’ Buffer in a Bag Program is now open for private and public landowners. For more info, see NYS-DEC website:

While forests are often described as the lungs of the Earth because they’re important sources of oxygen, wetlands are described as the kidneys because they filter upstream pollutants. Quote by Jennifer Howard. Wetland functions have value on several levels-internal, local, regional, and global. On a local scale, wetlands affect adjacent or nearby ecosystems, for example, by reducing flooding downstream. Flood control, however, is only one of the values that wetlands have fo...r society. In order to protect wetlands, the public first must recognize the values of wetlands. (source: USGS.GOV) Not all wetlands are protected the same. In some cases, local regulations may cover wetlands not covered by federal and state regulations, and may be more restrictive than those of federal or state regulations. If you are a landowner with wetlands on your property, or have wetlands nearby, you should check with your municipality on their code. Please note, that even when local laws are less restrictive, projects must comply with state and federal laws. To learn more about why wetlands are valuable, see link: https://www.dec.ny.gov/lands/4937.html

FYI large development project in Town of Chester appears to be coming to a resolution. Updated water studies needed still ongoing with the State Department of Health. See article:

As a long standing member of the Moodna Creek Watershed Intermunicipal Watershed Council, The Preservation Collective supports the Council's ongoing efforts to educate the community on water management and protection. Water supplies, animal habitat and recreation are all dependent on healthy watersheds. A watershed boundary is drawn by natural landscape not by municipality. This is why your State, County and municipal leaders need to all work together, along with citizens, developers, and nonprofit organizations, to become effective watershed stewards. Below is an update on the latest Council meeting.

Do you have artwork or a photo that promotes the importance of trees? Check out the NYS-DEC annual Arbor Day contest (submission deadline 12/31/20). "Arbor Day is a national observance that celebrates the role of trees in our lives and promotes tree planting and care. In New York, Arbor Day is traditionally celebrated the last Friday in April. However, communities around the state can celebrate Arbor Day any day of the year... Trees are essential to a healthy environment, hel...ping to provide clean air and creating rich aesthetics for all. They are vital to our economy and contribute greatly to our everyday lives by providing paper for many different uses, lumber for the homes and businesses, maple syrup, fruits and nuts, decorations during the holidays, they add beauty to attract new business and tourism to our great state, as well as numerous other benefits... Unlike other holidays, many of which honor people or past events, Arbor Day promotes a better future. Young people are our future foresters and leaders. This day reminds us to share our knowledge with today's youth of the importance of trees and how to care for them.." (above excerpt from NYS-DEC website). for more info click link: https://www.dec.ny.gov/lands/108006.html

The Preservation Collective is proud and pleased to donate an informational sign located inside the existing kiosk on the Town of Chester’s Open Space at Knapp’s View. The new display includes insights and points of interests around the property. We feel this project complements the hard work by the Boy Scouts with their Eagle Service Award projects already completed on site; including the local scout that built the kiosk structure. Special shout out to them for their beautif...ication efforts. The Preservation Collective volunteers created the informational sign as part of our outreach efforts to help educate the community on the local environment and promote the benefits of open space. This project was particularly important to us to complete since our group of volunteers, including our current President Tracy Schuh (shown), actively advocated for this land preservation. We are glad the residents of Chester voted to save this special place for public use and we hope they all get the opportunity to connect with nature and enjoy the beautiful views of the area. From all of us here at The Preservation Collective, please stay safe and healthy. #openspace #scenic #landpreservation

Take a look at nearby Ulster County with New Paltz voters passing preservation funding!

This was an interesting presentation explaining why we need to overcome barriers in habitat connectivity. Examples in wildlife overpass construction projects are shown from around the globe.

Do you know if your Town has regulations for streams buffers to protect these vital resources in your community? Part 3: Picture collage from session on Stream Buffer Protection in Action. This webinar describes the local wetland and stream protection law in the Town of New Paltz, which is intended to prevent destruction of wetlands, waterbodies and watercourses and associated buffer areas and regulate certain activities in order to protect these important areas. This informa...tive session touches on what makes up a quality vernal pool and helps identify wetlands by hydric soils and hydrophytic vegetation. The Town of New Paltz includes protective buffer areas for intermittent and perennial watercourses, waterbodies, vernal pools and freshwater wetlands. The Town Board appoints a Wetlands Inspector to be involved in enforcement and permit processing responsibilities by code including advising Planning Board and Building Inspector as well as conducting inspections and addressing violations. The second half of the session you will hear about priorities from Scenic Hudson on conservation tools and the role that land trusts play in protecting streams and buffers. There are parks and preserves owned by the land trust and also easements privately owned, which are customized to restrict certain development in certain areas. Streams are taken into consideration due to their valued habitat, ecological connectivity and climate resilience. Benefits of floodplains include reducing flow velocity, peak flows and downstream siltation. Land Trusts can help with stream buffers and floodplains that are in need of restoration to improve function. The area where land and water meet is a really dynamic space and really important for stream health thinking about water quality, stream stability, flooding, habitat says Emily Vail, Hudson River Watershed Alliance Share information with the decision makers on in your community to protecting streams, watch Part 3 webinar recording (approx. 1 hr) available here: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=UXBnyEoKq7M&feature=youtu.be We will post summaries on all 4 parts to this webinar series, which is brought to you by the Hudson River Watershed Alliance and the Hudson River Estuary Program.

10 years ago the Moodna Creek Watershed Intermunicipal Council was formed (see shared post below). As a non-municipal member to the Council, The Preservation Collective applauds the efforts of communities trying to address a range of regional issues including flooding and water quality since watersheds do not follow municipal boundaries and large scale development projects can cause runoff pollution downstream. Municipalities can learn from events of the past and make chang...es to prepare for the future. Let’s not forget the devastation felt across the County from hurricane Irene and tropical storm Lee. These floods impacted residential, business and agriculture communities. Flooding damage cost hundreds of millions of dollars. Area reports of sewage backing up into homes and streets where families needed to be evacuated and structures condemned. Many people were emotional and financially impacted. Thanks to the growing attention on the need for open space preservation and stream buffer regulations, hopefully more efforts will be made to conserve and protect natural resources vital for healthy communities.