ello. I’d like to introduce myself the privilege of serving as your Presi- in common. We will also be working Has the new President of the dent. I am looking forward to leading with the Friends of the Dyken Pond Rensselaer Land Trust. My family our Board and staff in building on our Center and with the Rensselaer and I moved to the Capital Region 18 substantial accomplishments in land Plateau Alliance this coming year on years ago. As Liz and I explored the conservation. establishing perma- various parts of the region, we were I see many nent conservation struck with the scenic countryside, opportunities for Taking care for properties on the open spaces, and extensive forests us to make a differ- of Rensselaer Rensselaer Plateau. of Rensselaer County. We felt that ence to maintaining This summer, the Rensselaer County would be an excel- the character of the County’s land, public boat launch lent place to raise our two daughters, County through air, and water is will be completed by and so we found a home in Crop- land conservation. the NYS DEC on our seyville, where we enjoy hiking, In urban areas such a responsibility Hoosic River property. running, birding, tracking, snow- as Troy and Rensse- we all share. For those who can’t shoeing, and cross-country skiing laer, and in heavily wait until then and right outside our front door. suburban towns such as East Green- don’t need a boat to fish, our Hoosic In our first few years here, I bush and North Greenbush, land River property will offer public access attended some hikes led by the Rens- dedicated to natural ecology or to to the Hoosic River starting with selaer-Taconic Land Conservancy passive recreation is more and more opening day of trout season on April 1. (RTLC). When I learned that RTLC was at a premium. We will also stay A grant from the Land Trust Alli- more than just an outing club, that active in the more rural towns in ance has enabled us to engage the it was a group of people dedicated to the central and western part of the services of a professional non-profit maintaining the character of Rensse- County, where the expansive forests consultant, who will guide the RLT laer County through the conservation and wetlands keep our water clean Board in the development of a fund- and provide habitat for wide-ranging raising and communication plan. animals such as bobcat, bear, coyote, Taking care of Rensselaer moose, and fisher. County’s land, air, and water is a From the President responsibility we all share. I thank Nick Conr ad Coming Up for RLT you for your support as a member. If you would like to more directly partic- We are excited about the coming year. ipate in accomplishing our mission, I of its lands, I felt that this was a group We are currently working with some encourage you to volunteer for any to which I could commit my time and like-minded non-profit organiza- activity, in the office or on the ground. energy, and I volunteered to serve on tions on protecting their lands. For We are also actively seeking to grow the Board and to lead hikes. Little did example, Boundless Woods is a group our Board of Directors, so please let us I know then that, 12 years later, RTLC of homeowners in the vicinity of know of your interest or of someone would have evolved from an all-volun- Bowman Pond in Taborton who share you would like to nominate. I am eager teer group into the Rensselaer Land a love of the land around them. They to work with all of you to conserve Trust, a nationally-accredited land have joined forces and pooled their more open spaces and natural areas trust with professional staff; and resources to donate a conservation and to continue to maintain the that, starting this year, I would have easement on 70 acres of land they own quality of life that we all value. Looking Back Christine Young and Nick Conr ad

LT went through a few tran- Rsitions in 2009: We moved our office to River Street in the heart of downtown Troy, and we launched our new logo and website. Among our other accomplish- ments, we worked with two sets of landowners to place conserva- Board of Directors tion easements on their properties Nick Conrad, President (and we hope to complete those this year). Stewards conducted Robert Ingalls, Vice President monitoring visits to all of our 11 Bob Ingalls, right, leads 2009 Garrett Brown, Treasurer easement properties and to the wildflower hike at Geiser Preserve. Stacey Goldstein, Secretary four properties we own. We spon- Carl Cipperly sored six hikes, and we hosted a blueberry dessert social to honor our landowner partners who have donated easements to our land trust. Francille Egbert Board members were guest speakers on two radio shows, and our Execu- James Garrahan tive Director presented a session at a workshop for woodlot owners. John Munn William Niemi Thank you to our 2009 Volunteers! W. Jeffrey Roche Our events would not have been a success without our volunteers! We Marcy Stengel wish to personally thank all volunteers who have given countless hours of work to ensure the success of our organization. Special thanks for helping with specific events or activities deservedly go to the Bruns- Christine Young, Esq., wick Boy Scouts, Brunswick Cub Scouts, Chris Whelan, Gregg Stacy, Executive Director Trout Unlimited, Paul Schroeder, George Wilson, Keith Goldstein, Marcy Paul Schroeder, Stengel, Charis Kotfila, Jenny Hixon, Maila Niemi, Doree Cox, Kathy Volunteer Coordinator Munn, Elizabeth McLean, Marybeth Heimke, Marcia Hoppel, Russell Dunn, Sharon Bock and Jean Smith.

Second Annual Tomhannock Reservoir Clean-up Over 100,000 people in Rensselaer and Albany Counties get their drinking water form the Tomhannock Reservoir. Our annual clean-up keeps garbage out of the Tomhannock, helps keep the water clean, and teaches the next generation about the importance of protecting our water. For Earth Day 2009, RLT President Bill Niemi organized Scout groups and other volunteers to pick up garbage along the Tomhannock. See the Outings Schedule in this newsletter for details about our Third Special thanks to Annual Tomhannock Reservoir Clean-up on April 24th. Nate Simms for photographs on pages 2–3, 4–5, 8–9, Second Annual Oktoberfest 10–11 and cover. Our second annual Oktoberfest fundraising benefit was a Publication of this huge success with over 2,000 attendees. Sponsored and newsletter is funded in part hosted by Brown’s Brewing Company, 100% of the event’s by the Land Trust Alliance. proceeds went directly to RLT. The event featured music from the bands Flood Road Blue Grass Band, The Albany Designed by Brian Murray. Pipes & Drums, and Celtic folk rockers Hair of the Dog. Printed by Alchar Printers, Troy, New York.

2 Annual Report 2009 Trail Vision Plan Press Event

Annual Meeting Approximately fifty people attended the Trail Vision Press Our annual breakfast buffet meeting was attended by sixty members at Event hosted by Brown’s Brown’s Brewing Company. Our featured speaker was Dr. Ward Stone, Brewing Company. The Trail Wildlife Pathologist for the New York State Department of Environ- Vision Plan is a county-wide mental Conservation. Dr. Stone spoke from the heart about the need study of potential public recre- to connect young people to nature, and for all of us to become involved ational trails for Rensselaer locally in protecting our environment. County. The Plan is based on an inventory of existing trails of all types and four public “visioning 2009 Outings sessions” held throughout the Our 2009 outings started in April with a tour with Russell Dunn of the County. It is hoped that the waterfalls along the Wynantskill that powered Troy’s industrial heyday. Plan will help guide private and public investment in developing Volunteer Doree Cox led a hike in early May on the new Escarpment Trail trails and help coordinate plan- at the Capital District Wildlife Management Area. Hikers were treated to ning initiatives. Copies of the sign of moose and bear, indications of the important role the Rensselaer plan are available on the RLT Plateau plays in providing forest habitat for wide-ranging animals. website at www.renstrust.org or you may call our office at Tray Biasiolli, a bird biologist with NY State Parks, led an early-morning 518-659-LAND(5263) for a copy bird walk at the Dyken Pond Center. Highlights included black-throated of the printed report. The Plan blue warbler, and Tray found a blue-headed vireo nest with one egg. The was created in partnership with bird trip was followed by a presentation at the Grafton Inn by Kim Rensselaer County Alliance for Trails, Rensselaer County, and Corwin, co-editor of The Second Atlas of Breeding Birds in New York State. RLT, with funding from Hudson Valley Greenway and with assis- At the end of May, RLT Board member and expert botanist Bob Ingalls tance from many individuals, led a wildflower hike at RLT’s own Geiser Preserve in Taborton. In July, including our own members volunteer Sharon Bock and Nick Conrad led a hike to one of Rensselaer Melissa Barry, Brian Zweig and County’s natural landmarks, the Snow Hole. Although there was no snow, John Munn. it was cold enough in the Hole to feel like there should be.

Our schedule concluded in September at The Nature Conservancy’s Barberville Falls Preserve. A hike under fall colors was followed by lunch at the spectacular 92-foot falls, where a baby milk snake also enjoyed the sun.

Christine Young, RLT Exec- utive Director, Brian Zweig, Bill Niemi and former County Legislature Minority Leader Ginny O’Brien at the Trail Vision Press event.

www.renstrust.org 3 Executive Director’s Report Christine Young, Executive Director

he RLT is off to a great start in Volunteer T2010 with two new Officers, a Coordinator new Director, a Volunteer Coordi- Paul Schroeder nator and a new Volunteer Program, and funding to engage the services Paul is a long time of a professional consultant to non- resident of West profit organizations. Sand Lake and has lived in Rensselaer County for over 25 years. Originally a research biologist, Paul later became Vice President Robert Ingalls a licensed real estate appraiser Bob Ingalls teaches in the Computer at which he practiced for 18 years Science Department at RPI. But his specializing in complex appraisal real love is field botany. For more work including conservation ease- than 20 years he has been exploring ments, the impact of contamination the woods of upstate New York on property values, and the valua- looking for rare plants, mosses, and tion of development rights. Paul’s lichens. He has served on the board interests include hiking, kayaking, of the Rensselaer Land Trust for photography, cooking and travel. He President Nicholas Conrad more than ten years, where he has has a wife, two grown sons, three been on our Outings Committee, and dogs and a parrot. Nick Conrad’s day job is managing is currently the Chair of the Stew- and delivering information about rare ardship Committee. He has also plants and animals for the New York been on the board of the New York Michael Natural Heritage Program. Nick has Flora Association. Thompson has been on the RLT board for 12 years, stepped down Vice President for 6 years, Chair of from the Board the Outings Committee for 5 years, and has led many hikes and programs Michael played a for RLT. He served on the Accredi- critical role as the tation Committee that successfully Board’s Commu- resulted in RLT being one of the nication Officer first land trusts in the nation to be in developing awarded official accreditation. He also the newsletter, serves on the board of the Friends of website and the Dyken Pond Center. Nick and his brochures, and wife Liz McLean live in Cropseyville. writing press releases for local media about RLT events. Michael also contributed knowledge in the area of Director Marcy Stengel fundraising, and plans to continue aiding that committee on key proj- Marcy Stengel is a fundraising professional who has worked with various non- ects. His announcement came after profit organizations to market events and initiatives and ensure their long-term his engagement to his fiancée Caryn. success. Marcy began working with RLT in 2009 as a volunteer, and is thrilled to We wish them both the best of luck join the board. She is an avid hiker, kayaker and rower. Marcy lives in Troy, NY as they spend this year building a with her husband, who is a graphic designer, and their feisty rescue dog. new life together.

4 Spring 2010 News Stewardship at RLT’s Volunteer Geiser Preserve Opportunities

eiser Preserve is 95 acres is the official annual monitoring. We invite and Gof woods on Perigo Hill in All RLT’s owned properties and encourage you Taborton. The Preserve contains all its easement properties are to express a vernal pond, large boulders likewise monitored annually, and your love of (glacial erratics), and patches current conditions and activi- the land by of exposed bedrock. Signs of ties documented. Our ability to volunteering moose have been seen, and just legally enforce the protection for RLT this last month a tracking work- given to a property by a conser- year. Volun- shop found tracks of bobcat vation easement depends on teer activities and gray fox. A remnant of the conducting annual monitoring. this spring old Eastern Turnpike, used Other stewardship activi- include the in the early 19th century to ties at Geiser Preserve in 2009 Tomhannock travel between Albany and included a new official survey Reservoir North Adams, goes through the of the property boundaries. As Clean-Up on April 24th Preserve. One of four properties a requirement for our national and the Hoosic River Tree owned by Rensselaer Land Trust, land trust accreditation, we Planting on May 8th. These it was donated in 1989 by Ruth needed to clarify the precise and other opportunities will Geiser Nevis. Ruth was a school locations of the Preserve’s be posted on our website. teacher in a one-room school- boundaries. The new survey was house in Taborton, and enjoyed partially funded by a grant from If you are interested in volun- school picnics on the top of the Land Trust Alliance. Also last teering for a specific activity, Perigo Hill. Her love of the site year, Fran and Kate contacted a have a skill to share, or just and her desire to prevent it from neighboring landowner about his want to find out how you ever being destroyed led to her interest in protecting his land. can help, the first step is to generous donation. Our stewardship activi- contact Paul Schroeder, our Fran Egbert, RLT Board ties at Geiser Preserve maintain new Volunteer Coordinator, member, and Kate Hubbs, volun- the special qualities of this at 674-2480 or pschroeder1@ teer, are the stewards for Geiser wonderful place. While Geiser nycap.rr.com. Under Paul’s Preserve. They visit the Preserve Preserve is currently open to the direction, we are developing often, keeping track of the condi- public (see map at our website), a formal volunteer program. tion of the land and keeping we plan on making visits easier You are part of our organi- an eye out for any problems or in the future by marking a trail zation and we are only as disturbances. One visit each year to the top of Perigo Hill. strong as our members.

“Why do I volunteer at RLT? I love Rensselaer County and consider it — all of its green spaces, lakes, woods, and hills — one of the region’s greatest gems. When we moved here 25 years ago from Albany County we thought Rensselaer County was the best-kept secret in the Capital District. Since then, we’ve watched the population grow by leaps and bounds, and the number of sub-divisions and commercial areas soar. I want to use my skills to help protect as many of the rural and wilderness areas of the county as possible — for me, for my children, and for the unborn generations to come. This place is too gorgeous to lose.” — Beth Schroeder

www.renstrust.org 5 Outings & Events 2010 Calendar

Saturday, regardless of weather, so dress March 13 appropriately. 10:00 am Each year RLT sponsors a series Sponsored by RLT, the City of Troy, and of hikes and programs that give Searching Stewart’s. To register, contact Paul participants the opportunity for Moose Schroeder, Volunteer Coordinator, at 674-2480 or [email protected]. to experience firsthand the at Capital natural beauty and history of Rensselaer County. District WMA Saturday, May 8 1:00 to 4:00 pm Sightings of moose RLT programs range from on the Rensselaer Volunteer Day: Tree indoor presentations to Plateau have Planting at Hoosic leisurely strolls to more increased in recent years. Kate Hubbs River Boat Launch strenuous hikes with a variety of The Nature of terrain and difficulty levels. Conservancy will lead a search for signs Join us for a tree-planting party! NYS Please choose outings based on of moose at the Capital District Wildlife DEC is providing 200 seedlings to you and your party’s physical Management Area in Cherry Plain. If be planted at the public boat launch ability and comfort. We make snow cover allows, we will snowshoe; they’re constructing at RLT’s newest bring your own snowshoes. If there is property on the Hoosic River. Bring every effort to accurately not enough snow, we will hike. gloves, a shovel, a bucket, a snack and describe the difficulty level a drink. We will work regardless of Meet at the kiosk just outside the of each outing, but it is still weather, so dress appropriately. entrance to Cherry Plain State Park. For a subjective description. We directions, go to www.nysparks.state. The launch is approximately 1 mile recommend that you dress ny.us/parks/173/getting-there.aspx. west of Eagle Bridge on the north appropriately for all weather side of Route 67, at the DEC sign. To and trail conditions, and wear Contact Kate Hubbs at 674-2069 or 690-7864 or [email protected] for register, contact Paul Schroeder, long pants and hiking boots or information on the meeting place. Volunteer Coordinator, at 674-2480 or sturdy walking shoes. Always [email protected]. carry adequate water and food. April or MaY If you have specific questions or concerns, please contact the Historic Charcoal Making listed trip leader or RLT. Demonstration Making charcoal was an important Volunteers Welcome! industry in Rensselaer County in the 19th Century, and charcoal is still used Do you know of a scenic or today in medicine, clothing and food natural spot in Rensselaer County preparation. This is a once in a lifetime that would make a good location opportunity to watch the last coaler in Rensselaer County tend his charcoal for a hike? Are you interested in pit. A successful burn is weather helping to plan and lead a hike dependent, so check the RLT website or other outing? RLT’s Outings at www.renstrust.org for time and date. Committee welcomes all of your Sunday, May 16 Call Doree Cox at 658-2643 for more 10:00 am ideas for future hikes and outings, information. and we welcome volunteers to Stewart Preserve help us plan and lead them. Saturday, April 24 9:00 am to 12:00 pm The Stewart Preserve is 123 acres of In addition to our own outings peaceful woods near Crooked Lake in and events, other local Earth Day Tomhannock Sand Lake. George Wilson, volunteer steward for The Nature Conservancy, environmental and recreational Reservoir Clean-up will guide us through the Stewart organizations offer many Preserve’s hardwood and hemlock In observance of Earth Day, join us forests to see old foundations, stone activities and programs that for the third annual clean-up of the walls, spring wildflowers and ferns, highlight the great outdoors of Tomhannock Reservoir, source of and to hear thrushes, warblers, vireos, Rensselaer County, the Capital drinking water for many Rensselaer and other birds. A short walk off the County residents. Meet at the NYS Region, and New York State. For preserve will lead to a lovely wetland. DEC public access parking lot along links to the websites of these This hike is about 2 miles and easy, with NYS Route 7 in Raymertown, just organizations, go to the RLT some steep, rough and/or wet spots. before the causeway. Groups will website, www.renstrust.org, and collect trash along a half-mile stretch Contact George at geofiddle@gmail. in the main menu click on “Web of the shore. Garbage bags will be com for meeting place and more Resources.” provided; bring gloves. We will work information.

6 Outings & Events 2010 Saturday, May 22 requires a short drop to enter, and is 30 feet Saturday, October 2 9:00 am high in places. Exploring inner rooms will 9:00 am require a brief crawl on hands and knees Spring Wildflowers at through water. Bring a flashlight or LED Taconic Crest Trail to Bear’s Den Preserve headlamp, (bicycle) helmet and light jacket Berlin Mountain if you plan to enter the cave, along with a This spring wildflower hike will be at RLT’s Join RLT and the Mohawk-Hudson Chapter change of clothes. own Bear’s Den Preserve on Butternut Hill of the Appalachian Mountain Club on near Cherry Plain. In addition to Bear’s Den, Register in advance by contacting Nick a hike to the roof of the County! Berlin a natural shallow cave, a wide variety of Conrad at 279-1963 or [email protected]. Mountain, at 2798 feet, is the highest wildflowers can be found in the Preserve’s For more information about NCC, visit www. point in Rensselaer County, and its open rich woods. The hike is about 2 miles, necaveconservancy.org. summit provides wonderful views of the with some short steep slopes. Bear’s Den Taconics and of Mt. Greylock and the Preserve is not open to the public except Berkshires. We’ll start at Petersburgh Pass during guided hikes such as this. Grand Opening of Hoosic on NYS Route 2, and on our way we’ll cross This outing is limited to 15 people, by Berlin Pass, where the Albany Road ran in reservation only. Contact Kate Hubbs at River Public Boat Launch the 1700s. 674-2069 or 690-7864 or [email protected] to reserve a spot. Watch our website, www.renstrust.org, This will be a moderately strenuous hike, for details about our celebration this about 5 miles with some short steep uphill summer of the completion of the new and downhill sections. Wear boots or sturdy Do you enjoy trails? Here public boat launch being built by NYS DEC shoes. Bring lunch, snacks and plenty of on the RLT’s Hoosic River property near water, and be prepared for cool and windy are two ways to help keep Eagle Bridge. Exact date will depend on conditions. them in good shape. the construction schedule. Register in advance by contacting Nick June 5 is National Trails Day. Gather with Conrad at 279-1963 or [email protected]. other trail enthusiasts at the Dyken Pond More AMC Chapter hikes are listed at www. Center from 9 to noon for a trail work Saturday, August 28 amcmohawkhudson.org. day. For free lunch, register in advance 10:00 am by June 3 at 658-2055. More about Dyken Pond Center’s events is at www. dykenpond.org. Picnic Down by the Old Mill Stream The Appalachian Mountain Club (AMC) hosts a shoreline/trail clean-up at Stroll down an old road less than a mile Schodack Island State Park, June 12, 10 to picnic at an old dam site. For those to 4. To volunteer contact Arthur Fontijn, interested in a longer hike, we can cross the [email protected], 477-7992. brook and hike a few miles back through a forest and bog. This new trail was created by NYS DEC at its Capital District Wildlife Saturday, June 12 Management Area, in Cherry Plain. 10:00 am to 12:00 pm Meet at the entrance to Cherry Plain State Hudson River Walk and Talk Park. (For directions, go to http://nysparks. state.ny.us/parks/173/getting-there.aspx.) The Hudson River has played a pivotal role For further information, call Francille Egbert in the history, geography, and ecology of at 674-3214 or Doree Cox at 658-2643. Rensselaer County. We will walk along the shore of the Hudson River near Troy with Shirley Hartman of the Beacon Institute for Sunday, September 26 Rivers and Estuaries. She will discuss the 1:00 pm Hudson’s human history, flora and fauna, and the Institute’s current programs to Find a Historic Cemetery Saturday, October 23 monitor and restore the river and shore. in Stephentown 1:00 pm To register and for more information, Hooskip Dairy Farm Tour contact Bob Ingalls at 272-2978 or robert. Spend a Sunday afternoon strolling in [email protected]. For more information the cemetery of the oldest church in Join the Agricultural Stewardship about the Beacon Institute, visit www. Stephentown. The church is no longer Association (ASA) and RLT for a tour of the thebeaconinstitute.org. at this site, but the cemetery remains, 100-cow Hooskip Farm dairy operation, containing the grave of a Revolutionary run by the McMahon family. This stunning Saturday, July 10 War soldier and many colorful epitaphs. 716-acre farm straddles the Vermont 9:30 am Although grave stone rubbing is no longer border at the foot of the Taconics. The farm allowed, the Stephentown Historical is located along the Hoosick River, and Bentleys Cavern Society will show rubbings from the past. Skiparee Mountain rises in its northeast corner, hence the name Hooskip. This is Bill Niemi will then lead a short walk to This outing is for anyone who likes caves, a wonderful opportunity to see the inner Randall Brook and an extensive wetland. and for anyone who just wants a place to workings of a small, family-owned dairy The owner of this property has protected it cool off from the July sun. Bentleys Cavern farm in an absolutely beautiful landscape. in Berlin was donated to the Northeastern for future generations through a donated Cave Conservancy (NCC) in 2009. Chuck conservation easement to RLT. Contact Francille Egbert 674-3214 for Porter of NCC will lead us on a half-mile directions. ASA is assisting the McMahon hike uphill to the unique landforms near the For information and directions, call Doree family in conserving the farm. For more entrance of the cave. Those who wish may Cox at 658-2643 or Francille Egbert at information about ASA, visit www. enter the cave. The first canyon in the cave 674-3214. agstewardship.org.

Get the latest news about RLT outings at www.renstrust.org 7 RLT Hoosic River Property Opens Fundraising Update for Public Fishing! Fr ancille Egbert, Fundr aising Chairperson

April 1st is not just opening New Year, and our Fundraising day of trout fishing season in A Committee is starting the year New York — it’s the opening of with two new members and some the Hoosic River public fishing ambitious goals. Marcy Stengel, access site, on Rensselaer Land Trust property approx- who has already helped us develop imately 1 mile west of Eagle mailings, brings her professional Bridge on Route 67. Look for experience in fundraising to both the public fishing access sign on to the Rensselaer Land Trust Board the north side of Route 67. You and our committee. Beth Schro- can expect to find trout in the eder, moved by Ward Stone’s talk river in the spring and bass in at our annual meeting, also joins the summer. On May 8th, we us with a wealth of professional will be planting several hundred fundraising experience. trees and if you are interested in participating in our planting, We will be working hard this please contact Paul Schroeder year to add 100 new members. We Francille Egbert cross-country at 674-2480 or pschroeder1@ will be at the farmer’s markets, festi- skiing on the Rensselaer Plateau. nycap.rr.com. vals, Earth Day and other events to introduce ourselves to Rensselaer County citizens and to share our goals. Rensselaer Land Trust New volunteers can help share our conservation message as we provide purchased the property from training through our new volunteer coordinator Peter Schroeder and two local farmers in 2008 and Board Members. We are also working with Linda London, through a LTA donated a public access fishing grant, to explore both grant opportunities and corporate sponsorships. conservation easement to the New York State Department Everyone needs a way of giving which meets their personal needs. of Environmental Conser- Just as the Land Trust has made a long term commitment to the land we vation (DEC). DEC has since steward, some of our members have planned for the future by including constructed a public access the Land Trust in their wills. Whether large or small, bequests demon- gravel road and parking for 8-10 strate commitment to the environment and to the future of RLT. cars without trailers, and they have rip- wrapped 300 feet of shore- line to secure it from erosion. A car top boat slide will be constructed in late spring or early summer after the spring water levels recede. Once the boat launch is completed, we are planning on holding a grand opening celebration, including a canoe and kayak paddle.

8 Spring 2010 News Partners in Conservation Rensselaer Plateau Alliance

hat environmental groups consisting of protected land, working and used as a planning tool. The Ware working alongside Rens- forests and good private stewardship organization will also continue to selaer Land Trust? In a series of that extends from the Pittstown and sponsor educational events, lectures articles in our newsletter, we will Tibbits State Forests in the north to and workshops for landowners and highlight some of our partners. At the southernmost part of the Plateau the public. It will be partnering with the Rensselaer Land Trust we will in Stephentown,” says Jim Bonesteel, RLT on a number of these events. To be collaborating with these organi- RPA President. “We also share the find out more about the Rensselaer zations in working toward a healthy vision of a multi-use trail from Plateau Alliance, visit www.rensse- environment in Rensselaer County. Grafton Lakes State Park to Cherry laerplateau.org. In this issue we feature the Rens- Plain State Park as described in RLT’s selaer Plateau Alliance (RPA). The Trail Vision Plan.” RPA began in May 2006 as an ad-hoc committee of parties interested Spreading the Word in the conservation of the Rensse- laer Plateau. As more organizations The RPA has been working hard to and individuals joined, the Rensse- spread the word about the Rensselaer laer Plateau Alliance changed from a Plateau. More and more residents are committee of RLT to an independent becoming aware that this ecological not-for-profit corporation. The RPA treasure is the fifth largest forested now includes a coalition of local land- area in the New York State, and home owners, environmental advocates, to many large mammals such as moose and outdoor recreational enthusiasts. and bear. The Rensselaer Plateau has RPA’s mission is to promote and been a focus area of RLT, is included in facilitate the protection of the Rens- New York State’s Open Space Plan, and selaer Plateau’s undeveloped and is designated an Important Bird Area unfragmented forests, which cover by Audubon New York. more than one-quarter of the County. The RPA is also working with These forests possess many signifi- local communities to develop a cant natural features, and provide regional conservation plan. The natural habitats for plants and goal of the plan is to care for the animals, forest products, recreation, resources of the Plateau by providing clean water and clean air. “We envi- a framework that can be adopted by RLT member John Scarano biking sion a protected corridor of forest municipalities and key landholders on the Rensselaer Plateau.

Help ensure the future of the Rensselaer Land Trust and the lands we RLT Wish list protect with a gift that fulfills your personal tax and giving objectives! • Padded stacking chairs (12) Contact our Executive Director Christine Young, Esq. for information on: • Horizontal file cabinet • Income tax benefits of gifts of real • How to make monthly pledge estate payments RLT Items for sale • How traditional IRA rollover into a • How to honor the memory of a • Air conditioner (used only a few Roth can offset income tax loved one with a gift hours): $200 • Sickle bar mower: $300 • The language that is acceptable in • How to make a gift of appreciated • File cabinets (2): $30 each making a bequest stock and get more income for life • Table top copier : $30 • Types of in-kind gifts that can • How to give assets to my family and • Small wooden cabinet (approx. have an impact income from those assets to RLT 2 x 3 feet): $20

www.renstrust.org 9 Financial Data Gifts January – December 2009 2009

Bequest Society Corporate & Foundation Grants 39,848.11 Francille Egbert Fundraising Event Revenues Christine Young Related Sales Revenue

Income Merchandise Sales 733.00 Special Events Ticket Sales 200.00 Tribute Gifts Special Events (Other) 465.81 In Memory of Glen Martin Other Sales Nonprogram Sales 9,915.97 Maeve McBride Total Fundraising Revenues 11,314.78 In Memory of Robert Sims In-Kind Contributions 966.00 Jessica Betterly Interest Income 65.55 George and Marcia Handelman Linda Passaretti Member Contributions Capital Campaign 8,661.00 Wallace and Theodore Paprocki Cash Contributions (Other) 18,252.20 Joseph Ryan Total Member Contributions 26,913.20 Donna Simms Total Income 79,107.64 William and Joann Sims Dawn Weinraub s Fundraising Event Costs Equipment Rental 1,805.00 e s Fundraising expense 193.00 In Memory of Roger Cox Donald and Anna Ross Merchandise Costs 690.12 xpen E Fundraising Event Costs (Other) 4,997.26 Corpor ate Total 7,685.38 Sponsorships Conferences & Meetings 1,730.40 Brown’s Brewing Company Depreciation Expense 37.17 City of Troy Dalbec Audio Insurance 3,200.55 GE Foundation Membership Dues 1,936.00 Hannaford Mileage Reimbursement 162.84 L. Knife & Sons Office Expenses Bank Service Charges 311.00 Metroland Orvis Postage & Delivery 1,136.37 Scarano Boat Building, Inc. Printing & Publications 8,759.40 Stewarts Office Expense (Other) 103.78 Tri Valley Distributing Troy Downtown Total Office Expenses 10,310.55 Collaborative, Inc. Payroll Salaries Officer & Director Salaries 27,500.04 Payroll Taxes NYS Disability -13.00 Foundations Social Security & Medicare 2,103.75 McCarthy Charities, Inc. Unemployment Tax 476.01 Sheehan Family Foundation Workers' Comp Insurance 237.29 Schol arships Payroll Taxes (Other) 0.00 J.M. Kaplan Fund Total Payroll Taxes 2,804.05 Land Trust Alliance Professional Fees 9,529.00 Property Taxes 194.32 Gr ants Rent & Utilities 3,612.03 Greenway Conservancy Repair & Maintenance 89.95 Land Trust Alliance Telecommunications 850.89 In Kind Gifts Total Expenses 69,643.17 Albany Pine Bush Preserve Net Income 9,464.47 Commission

10 2009 Annual Report Donors 2009

Watershed Circle Stephen & Mary Muller Elizabeth & Howard Jeffrey D. & Lorraine Theresa Page Edwin J. Cook & Patricia John & Kathy Munn Kogan English Wallace & Theodore Zalinka‑Cook Don & Rita Murray Mary Krenceski Jay Estabrooks Paprocki Julia Needham & Jim Tkacik Priscilla Fairbank & Linda Passaretti Peg Olsen David & Sabra Larkin Owen Goldfarb Nina Pattison L and Steward Stephen & Deborah Douglas & Carol Leith Anne R. Fairbanks Robert & Linda Peterson Donna Simms Pentak Patricia & Richard Lynch Lisa Ferguson Marybeth Pettit Mrs. Joy Pratt Edward Miller Linda Filarecki Margaret & Thomas Advocate Maryellen & R. Mihran & Ovsanna David L. & Patricia Flint Phillips, DVM Vincent Reda Mooradian Arthur Fontijn Charles Porter Garrett & Kelly Brown Nancy Reich Cindy & Joe Pulito Barbara Fox John & Sarah Ramsey Robert and Naomi Dale Riggs & Don Miles Mary & Ross French Alan & Edwina Randall Ingalls W. Jeffrey Roche Roger Rounds Richard Frisbee/ Edward Rasowsky Herbert Page Paul & Bethany Anthony Ryan Hope Farm Deborah & Wallace John Scarano Schroeder Joseph Ryan Stephen Fry Renfrew Gary C. Thomann Robert & Denise Schwed David Schmidt Joan Fuess Sandra & Darrell Kristina Younger Martha Sims Debbie & John Wen Robert A. Schwed Brian & Nicole Galvin Richards Peter Wood & Jean & Charles Sheviak James Garrahan Elsie Risedorf & Sustaining Peter Cottrell Mr. & Mrs. John Siedhoff Rita Gavin Susan Ann Harris Alex & Jane Roberts David Aikens Sharon & Lewis Zankel Mark Simon & Marjorie Geiger Eva & Hughes Gemmill Stuart Mark Rosenstein Roger & Judy Armstrong Brian Zweig Kathleen O’Rourke Sharon Bedford William & Joann Sims Lorraine & Charles & Abigail Greene & Fred Alm Freling Smith & Geragosian Donald & Anna Ross Family Sid and Doris Brown Linda Griffin Richard & Sharon Gibbs Judith & Frederick Rusch Anthony H. Garner Jack Alexander & Catherine Steele Sheila Gordon Laura Ryder & Corey Bufi Sarah P. Ingalls Lyn Howard Shelly Stiles & Alison M. Grant & Edie Schaefer Gail Landrigan Elizabeth & John Michael Batcher Fred Ricard Dan & Barbara Sekellick Bill Niemi Armstrong Nancy Vlahos Joseph & Mary Herb Severs Elizabeth Pohlmann Michael & Sharon Babala George H. Vollmuth Ellen Grimaldi Claes & Martha Sjogreen & Harald Moore Kevin & Lisa Barron & Janet Langlois Margaret Grogan John & Janice Smircich Yvonne & Darrell Welch Eidin Beirne John & Christine Ward Barbara Hancock Dwight & Rachel Smith Janice Bell Florrie Whigham & George & Marcia Barbara Smith W.D. Whigham Handelman Jean Smith Supporting Gerald Benjamin D.D.S. & Susan Benjamin Deb Winslow Phyllis Harrison Eleanor & Hans Spiegel Mary Abbott Jessica Betterly Jeanine Wisniewski Richard Hartt & Julia Kathleen Stallmer Michael C. & Jean James Bonesteel & & Brian Switzer MacDonald Rudy Stegemoeller M Alexander & Mary Lynch Jill Rembetski Stanley Heidenreich Andrew C. Beers & John Heimke Marcy & John Steinberg Paul & Susan Bove Individual Elizabeth Meer William Hetzer Christian Stephens & Dave & Donna Boyles Don & Diane Bell Phoebe Anderson Laurel & Jim Higgins Elaine Stephens Richard Buck Tom & Susan Blandy Bob Armao Marcia K. Hopple Ross Sterantino Carl Cipperly David & Harriet Borton Jack & Gisele Atwater Elizabeth Hudson Florence Strang Kevin & Maureen Cox Willan & Elsa Boyce Laurence & Sharon Elisabeth Hurley Joan E. Taylor Nancy Cushman Robin Cabanos Beaudoin Jim & Fran Hyde Michael Thompson Myra & John Denison Dr. Joyce Diwan Pamela Bentien Robert J. Hydorn Betsy P. Thompson Elton Dise & Linda Drozdyk Sharon Bonk Mary & Richard Jones Chris Traskos Joe & Marie Erkes Jennifer O’Neill Carolyn Bradley Nancy & Gordon Kaye Lee A. Traver Babcock Lake Estates Russell Dunn Judy & Ed Brown Dylan Keenan Robert & Valerie Traver James Fosburgh Shirley & Gerald Dunn Elisabeth Brown Christina & John Kelly Barbara Treiber Angelo & Lilajane Mike Esposito Michael & Sheryl Walter Kersch Betty Treiling & Frascaarelli James Folts Centanni Constance Kheel Kenneth Treiling Stacey & Keith Goldstein Clark Galloway CES/Williams College Rick Klein Charles Weber Pat Harrington & David Gaskell Lauren Conway & Nan F. Lance Dawn Weinraub George Wilson Julie Hanson Steven Penson Hazel Landa Sharon Weinrich Lois & Michael Jensen Sandra & Robert Hardt Robert L. Corwin Dennis Lang Francis Welch Charles Johnson John E. Hinzelman Doris Cox Robert B. Leffler Mary Ann Willetts & Trudy Hall Stanley & June Kathleen Darby & Peggy Mahoney Becky & Martin Kaiser Hmielenski Jr. Michael Sanders Helen Martin Claudia Kavenagh Teresa & Bill Holliday Jane Davies Evelyn Maxwell Maynard & Doris Krug Tim & Sarah Howard Dianne DeCurtis Marion McBride Carl & Mary McDaniel Lisa & Pierce Hoyt Edward & Laura John Middlebrooks & Robert McNaughton, Jr. Chuck Irose Degenhart Katrina Shindledecker Jon & Mary Mikalson Knickerbocker Maria Dos Santos Marge Morone Norton & Heather Miller Historical Society Francille M. Egbert Elizabeth Nelson Judith Morlock Frank Knight Elaine Ellis Jim & Jane Otto

To join RLT or to donate, visit www.renstrust.org 11 Rensselaer Land Trust Nonprofit 415 River Street Organization Troy NY 12180 US Postage Paid Troy NY Permit No 415

www.renstrust.org 518 659-5263

The Rensselaer Land Trust (RLT) is a 501 (c) (3) nonprofit organization with the mission of preserving the land and protecting the natural resources of Rensselaer County. The organization was founded in 1987 and incorporated in 1988. The RLT is managed by an all-volunteer board of directors. Its primary funding stream is memberships and donations. The organization uses strategies such as conservation easements, stewardship, and public education to achieve its mission. The organization has permanently protected over 600 acres of open space through conservation easements and title acquisition.

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Join the Rensselaer Inside this Land Trust! issue:

The support of our members allowed 2 – 3 us to steward 600 acres of protected 2009 Highlights land in 2009, with the goal of 5 protecting 1,200 acres by 2012. Next Get Involved year, we will expand our programs and 6–7 add two new easements — more than 2010 Outing 100 acres of protected land. Schedule Your support of Rensselaer Land Trust 8 Open for Fishing localizes your impact in a world of environmental concerns. The forests 9 Partners in and wetlands we protect help filter Conservation rainwater and clean the air we breathe, and provide habitat for wildlife and 10 – 11 2009 Annual unique plants. Report We look forward to receiving your membership renewal and connecting you with local environmental issues throughout the year. As a member, you will receive our biannual newsletter, e-mail updates, and invitations to all of our outings and upcoming events. Join or renew your membership on our website at www.renstrust.org Reduce waste and bring or using the enclosed envelope. Together we will have a lasting, positive on a new member — pass impact on our environment here in Rensselaer County. this newsletter along!