Non-Profit Org. US Postage PAID Newburgh, NY Permit #2643 GAINING GROUND EARLY SUMMER 2016

Stories of Land Conservation “More Green in our Daily Lives” ­—The DuHamel-Handler Easement

As city-dwellers, Stancy DuHamel and Carolyn Handler decided that they needed “more green in [their] daily lives.” They had discovered the PAULA SMITH DESIGNS INC. Harlem Valley while visiting friends in Pawling Millerton, NY 12546 [email protected] and when they began to search for a home, it 518.398.9500 seemed like the perfect place to start. In Febru- ary of 1989, they found what they were looking for. They recall, “We turned off Route 22 and drove down a dirt road that curved through the PRINTED ON RECYCLED PAPER Scenic Photos: Kathy Landman hemlock forest of The Nature Conservancy’s Pawling Nature Reserve, and marveled that we were only 75 miles north of New York City. As we passed the wetlands of Duell Hollow, we were taken by the change in topography Upcoming events: and noticed the rich variety of plants and trees along the base of the hills and in the marsh. Our house, built in the early 1800’s, stood at the eastern end of this marsh. Less than a quarter mile up a dirt road was the Appalachian Trail. Join us for a We could not believe our good fortune.” Water Quality Talk at The Fountains of Millbrook— Free and Open to the Public! August 10th from 2 to 3 p.m.

And Save the Date for our Annual Fall Country Luncheon on October 9th at Wethersfield Farm in Stanford—By invitation only— please call our office to be added to our mailing list. After purchasing the property, Stancy and Caro- say, “The most diverse of habitats, they come lyn soon became involved in conservation efforts alive in early spring with the chorus of peep- “We lived through the very real prospect that two large to successfully protect the rural character of the ers followed by the amphibian migration from properties that define the [area’s] rural and scenic nature could Duell Hollow area from a large planned devel- the woodlands to the marsh. Soon after, the opment. In 2003, when an even larger project Red Wing Blackbirds arrive from the south. have been destroyed by high-density residential developments. planned for a 740-acre former Boy Scout camp The property’s four major habitats are home to threatened the area immediately surrounding bobcat, beaver, brook trout, coyote, waterfowl, The settlers’ homes, the anchors of the historical community, their home, they negotiated the purchase of woodcock, and the Great Horned Owl.” The with its farms, mines, tobacco farm and schoolhouse, 48 acres to add to their current property with couple also opens their land to deer hunters, the intention of permanently protecting it with a cherished tradition in the area. “One friend would be forever lost under those scenarios.” a conservation easement. Their plan came to hunts our woods and marsh with his rifle, and fruition last fall and there are now, in addition another with his bow. They spend hours in the to the 675-plus acres already conserved by oth- woods at dawn or dusk, particularly beautiful ers, another 53.25 acres in the Duell Hollow times of day when wildlife stirs. They cull the area that will remain open. Stancy and Carolyn herd and give us venison, and a bit of the forest note, “We lived through the very real prospect understory is spared.” that two large properties that define the [area’s] rural and scenic nature could have been de- Land conservation is important to these caring stroyed by high-density residential develop- landowners who have made a permanent com- ments. The settlers’ homes, the anchors of the mitment to ensure the protection of open space historical community, with its farms, mines, and natural resources in their area. They say, tobacco farm and schoolhouse, would be for- “We placed a conservation easement on our ever lost under those scenarios. Our property property to permanently protect lands within alone could support another five to six houses, the Duell Hollow Critical Environmental Area. changing the landscape and cultural features We’ve contributed over 50 acres of open space forever. By putting a conservation easement on to an ecosystem protected in part by The Na- our property, we have helped preserve the sce- ture Conservancy, the National Park Service, nic character of Duell Hollow, and its historic, New York State Office of Parks, Recreation, and cultural and natural resources.” Historic Preservation (OPRHP,) and the owner of the former Boy Scout camp. It takes at least Stancy and Carolyn also derive much pleasure 1000 acres to ensure biodiversity, and we are from their land – especially the wetlands. They doing our part to ‘de-fragment’ Duell Hollow.” Conservation Planning, Step by Step— Protecting a Portion of the Skidmore Valley— The Marshall Easement The Gerard-Sharp and Wambold Easement David Marshall has owned property in the Town of species, aquatic life, the topography, types of soils The second was to prevent any future destruction of Milan since 2000. Drawn to the Town of Milan’s and potential for agricultural and forestry uses. At the forest land and pastures on the hillsides to retain rural character and panoramic views, he was also every level of my planning, the DLC was there to the countryside for walking and riding.” The couple impressed with the Town’s commitment to maintain answer questions and help me develop a thorough became involved locally, helping to develop the what it has through thoughtful planning and zon- understanding of what my new property offers and Town’s comprehensive plan and form an Open Space ing. His first conservation easement was placed on a my opportunities for conservation.” Committee, and working toward winning a ballot property purchased in 2003 with neighbors to prevent that devotes some of LaGrange’s tax revenue to land development of it. With careful planning, the 95-acre conservation. easement allowed for limited building on sites which would not impact the area’s viewshed. The property After much thought and careful planning, the couple was then sold with David and his neighbors knowing it protected 178 acres of their property with a conserva- was safe from further development and any negative tion easement in December. Monica and Ali now en- impact on the scenic quality of the neighborhood. Drawn to their Town of LaGrange property by an joy their land knowing that it will never be developed English manor-style home with expansive views and and they have protected a large area of rich farmland, In 2010, David was searching for a property in the area a large garden surrounded by woodlands, Monica valuable water resources in the Sprout Creek water- on which to build a new home. While hiking a 283- Gerard-Sharp and Ali Wambold acquired their shed, forest habitat, and open space. Adding their acre property owned by friends to see if it was suitable, 180-plus acre property over a ten year period between land to another 360 acres protected by neighbors, he found a myriad of issues, including a buried oil 1989 and 1999. During this time, they “…came to there are now 500 acres safe from development in the tank and an asbestos filled barn. Needless to say, it In 2011, David protected 145 acres of this property love the Skidmore Valley along Sprout Creek, with Skidmore Valley of LaGrange. They and their neigh- didn’t look promising. David says, “Everything about with a conservation easement. In December of 2015, its huge open fields and attractive old barns.” They bors allow the public to access the banks of the Sprout it seemed like trouble and I was uninterested in it he added another 88.5 acres to the easement for a appreciated the “gentle pastoral beauty” of Dutchess Creek on their properties for walking and fishing, until I hiked to its highest point and gained spectacu- total of 233.5 acres of protected land. Most of the County as, “coming from England, it felt familiar and wanting all to enjoy the recreational opportunities lar views of the Catskills, the Shawangunks, Stissing conserved land is also within a forestry management precious.” available in the valley. Monica says, “It is a marvelous Mountain and the Berkshire foothills. I also saw a program. There is now a LEED Gold-certified guest feeling to know you can affect the long term charac- large pond surrounded by beautiful wetlands, teem- house on the property, complete with geothermal After spending some time on their land, Monica and ter and look of an area, especially if you believe it is ing with local wildlife. I knew I had to find a way to heating and air conditioning and an extensive solar Ali became concerned about development in the beautiful and the community values it.” make this mine.” field that produces more energy than is needed. The area. “In the late 90’s, we noticed the pressure build- driveway is in place and the site for the main house ing to suburbanize, welling up from Westchester. After a major clean up to restore the property to its has been selected. It will have sweeping views, com- At weekends we saw houses springing up, trees and natural state, David took possession of the land in plete privacy and natural surroundings that will be woods cut down and subdivisions appearing where 2011 and embarked on a plan “to prepare for build- protected for future generations. “When I sit on my farms had stood. Not long ago, Route 55 was scarcely ing two homes (a guest house/office and a main hill near where the main house will be built, [ob- a paved road. Huge schools were built to accom- house), …and to protect the land and develop a scured from the closest road by a treeline that is now modate the new population, plus supermarkets forestry management program for its woodlands. forever protected,] admiring the mountains, looking and strip malls. But the irony was, these families The DLC and a local surveyor helped me select sites down at ponds and wetlands, enjoying the hardwood who had moved in search of greenery, clean air and for a driveway, the two homes, a small barn, a solar forest that surrounds me and hearing only nature - I space, were slowly losing the very rural character field and a variety of trails. [DLC staff] helped me feel honored and blessed by all that I have learned that had attracted them. Our first impulse was to discover more about the land, including endangered and gained through my relationship with the DLC.” preserve this farming environment and the creek. A Forever Gift to Residents of LaGrange — The Suter and Town of LaGrange Easements Simple Ways to Give—

Last November, the Suters’ plan was realized and the Town took title to the property with a conservation Now and in the Future easement in place. The Town of LaGrange simul- taneously extended protection to a portion of Town- A bequest is one of the simplest and most effective ways to support the Dutchess Land owned lands adjacent to the Suters’ property, creating Conservancy. These thoughtful gifts ensure that we can continue our work to protect and a total of almost 70 acres of preserved land which will steward the land you care about for future generations. You can provide a future gift to be used for passive recreation in the future, including the DLC by including a bequest provision in your will or revocable trust. hiking, fishing, bird watching, cross-country skiing, environmental education and other non-motorized Or perhaps you have a paid up Life Insurance Policy hiding in the back of your desk activities. LaGrange Town Supervisor Alan Bell said, drawer? Did you know that by naming the DLC as beneficiary you can provide a future “We deeply appreciate the Suters’ gift of this beauti- gift to the DLC? ful and ecologically important land. We also appreci- ate our ongoing relationship with the DLC; they have In addition, if you are 70½ or older, you can make cash gifts of any amount, totaling up been great partners in conserving critical lands in to $100,000 from your traditional or Roth IRA to the DLC now, without incurring federal LaGrange. Protection of this property was a priority in the Town’s Open Space Plan and once opened to income tax on the withdrawal. the public, we know it will provide great recreational For more information about bequests and other creative ways of charitable giving, visit For more than 15 years, Robert and Valerie Suter opportunities for the residents of LaGrange.” Their owned and loved their 63-acre property along the goal achieved, Bob and Valerie say, “It gives us great our website at dutchessland.org or call our development team at 845-677-3002. Wappinger Creek for its natural beauty. They say, pleasure to see the land both protected and opened “This land has functioned as something like our for others to enjoy.” own nature preserve since we bought it in 1999. We’ve watched otters and muskrats there, seen eagles, hawks, owls, and herons, and have followed the tracks of coyotes and bobcats. Even some en- dangered Indiana bats took up residence there for awhile.” In thinking of the land’s future, the Suters recognized how valuable it would be as recreational space for trails and fishing. They also knew that their land contained valuable natural resources and irre- placeable habitat, and wanted to be certain that these would be protected.

In 2014, the Suters decided that they would like to place a conservation easement on the property and then donate it to the Town of LaGrange to be used for future passive recreation. Town leadership quickly recognized the value of the land for recreational purposes and also saw the importance of protecting its critical wildlife habitat and water resources. The property is located on Titusville Road near Red Oaks Mill, across the Wappinger Creek from the Town of Poughkeepsie’s Greenvale Park, and has frontage on three-quarters of a mile of the creek. It contains valuable habitat for rare animal and plant species and overlies an aquifer recharge area vital to protecting the Town’s water supply. The property’s floodplain for- est also plays a very important role in retaining water during rainstorms and helping reduce flood events downstream. Our Third Annual Spring Barn Dinner Dance and Live Auction

With its gorgeous rural setting (once a picnic area for FDR), MC and Eric Roberts’ Silver Mountain Farm in North East was the perfect place to celebrate land conservation and raise much-needed funds for the DLC’s programs.

Co-Chairs MC and Eric Roberts, Deban and Tom Flexner, and Jacqueline and Oakleigh Thorne enthusias- tically welcomed guests to our Annual Spring Barn Dinner Dance on May 7th, where over 300 friends and sup- porters shattered attendance records set in the first two years of the event. A delicious dinner served by Stissing House, a live auction and paddle raise with guest auctioneer Bill Stahl of Sotheby’s, and dancing to the sounds of Harlem Line kept guests entertained and made for a lively evening.

Our most heartfelt thanks to MC and Eric Roberts for generously opening their farm to us and co-chairing the event; to co-chairs Deban and Tom Flexner and Jacqueline and Oakleigh Thorne for their hard work ensuring that we had a beautifully conceived and well-attended event; to our Auction Chair Hannah Buchan for obtaining amazing items that brought maximum bids; to our Auction donors for their generosity in offer- ing items; to our auctioneer Bill Stahl for donating his time and talents to ensure that our auction was enter- taining and successful; to our Underwriters for their overwhelming support; and to our Auction winners and Paddle-Raisers for bidding and winning! – it is only with your support that we can continue to protect the land we all love and call home.

A Special Thanks to the Dinner Dance Committee for their hard work encouraging friends to attend the event and helping out with the many and varied details: Lindsay Baldwin, Michael Bassett and Darren Henault, Stephen Blauner and Kenneth Shelley, Felicity and Tim Bontecou, Hannah and Duke Buchan, Eliza Dyson and Joel Levangia, Leslie Farhangi and John Tuke, Jodie and Andrew Fink, Fernanda Kellogg and Kirk Henckels, Chris Kennan, Elissa Kramer and Jay Newman, Perrin and Greg Martin, Katherine and Frank Mar- tucci, Elizabeth and Tim Mayhew, Kelly Morgan, Laurie Niles, Loli and Simon Roosevelt, Nancy and Bill Stahl, and Nelli and Jim Voorheis. Photos by Maryand Barbara Beatty Hilliard Education and Outreach Spring was a great time to learn about land conservation! REACHING OUT TO ENGAGING FRIENDS MULTIPLE GENERATIONS: In February, as part of their capping class, Environmental Studies AND MEETING NEW ONES: Majors at Marist screened the film “Green Fire” about conservation- ist Aldo Leopold and later took part in a discussion about the film. At the invitation of Aiken Land Trust Board member and DLC Students attending the Dover Schools Earth Day Fair in April were supporter Nancy Henze, our President Becky Thornton visited able to stop by the DLC’s booth to learn about land conservation and the Aiken Land Trust (ALT) in Aiken, SC in February to talk how it affects them. Later in April, residents of the Fountains at about the DLC’s experiences with their growing land trusts. It Millbrook and members of the public learned about the history and was a great opportunity to meet with the staff, Board, and Advi- conservation of the Dover Stone Church Preserve in Dover Plains. sory Board of ALT to compare notes and share success stories. Becky noted, “I love the way land trusts share and collaborate as we can learn a great deal from one another.”

In April, Rebecca Seaman (the DLC’s Board Chairman) and Becky Thornton traveled to Washington DC to meet with Representatives on Capitol Hill during Land Trust Advocacy Days, organized by the Land Trust Alliance. We thanked them for their great leadership and support that helped ensure that the Enhanced Conservation Easement Tax Incentive was made permanent in December, and for supporting other federal conservation funding initiatives such as the Land and Water Conservation Fund (LWCF), the North American Wetlands Conservation Act (NAWCA), the Highlands Conservation Act, the Forest Legacy Program, and the Agricultural Lands Easement (ALE) Program under the Farm Bill. New York Congressman Sean Patrick Maloney and Congressman Chris Gibson, both strong advocates for our work, met with us in person. Thanks also to New York Senator Charles Schumer, for being a major champion for our tax incentive, and to Senator Kirsten Gillibrand for her support.

Irene and Jack Banning of Black Sheep Hill Farm CONNECTING WITH LANDOWNERS AND MUNICIPAL OFFICIALS: Over the Memorial Day holiday weekend, the Black Sheep Hill Farm Fest in Pine Plains drew attendees eager to learn In January, our Online Natural Resource Mapping Tools workshop about local farms and sample their wares. From 10 a.m. to 2 provided a guided hands-on exploration of online mapping tools. Partic- p.m. over 300 people were welcomed to the farm by owners ipants practiced conducting a preliminary site assessment to determine Irene and Jack Banning, and were able to sample products conservation values for a municipal open space acquisition program. In from Black Sheep Hill Farm as well as from Chaseholm Farm March, Town Board members learned how to navigate their way to secur- and Chaseholm Farm Creamery, JACüTERIE, and Ronnybrook ing State funding for farmland protection and purchase of development Dairy. Full Circus Farm was there to talk about their experience rights projects at our Conversations on Conservation breakfast featur- as participants in the DLC and CLC Farmer Landowner Match ing speakers Eoin Wrafter, Dutchess County Planning Commissioner, Program and offer for sale CSA shares for organic vegetables Sean Carroll, Environmental Educator at Cornell Cooperative Extension from the farm. Lambs, chicks, a calf, and pigs were also on and the DLC’s Senior Land Projects Manager Karin Roux. In May, at a hand to delight the crowd who left full of cheese, quiche, science and management forum at the Cary Institute on the “Future of various meats and milkshakes – a cool treat on an unseasonably Oak Forests,” participants learned about human threats to oak trees and warm day! how more responsible land-use practices can help protect them. Environmental Change Study Group (ECSG) Initiates Alternative Energy Policy By Ross Williams, DLC Board Member and Chairman of the ECSG

In 2013, the DLC initiated a working group of its Board of Directors and staff to look at environmental change and consider any changes the DLC should make in fulfilling its role to protect land and its functions for the long term.

The Environmental Change Study Group (ECSG), consisting of Board Members Olivia van Melle Kamp, Kathie Weathers (who has since left the Board), Fred Whitridge and Ross Williams with Becky Thornton, Art Collings, Julie Hart, and Karin Roux, examined a number of issues related to environmental change.

The group confirmed that the DLC’s model easement has the flexibility to accommodate future priorities, includ- ing alternative energy options. Expecting that there will be more requests for alternative energy installations, however, the ECSG believed it prudent for the DLC to have an alternative energy policy to better define the appropriate considerations and to ensure consistent administration when responding to landowner requests for easements, or easement changes that would permit various alternative energy options. The group made numer- ous contacts, expecting to find examples from LTA or other land trusts on which to draft a policy for the DLC. While many others were thinking about the need for guidance on this sensitive issue, none were found; the group proceeded to draft, review, revise and propose Renewable Energy Guidelines for Easement Protected Land to the DLC Board of Directors. It was approved at the December 2015 meeting of the Board.

The preamble to the policy states that the DLC supports the use of alternative energy and considers that its use has conservation value for the property. However, the type and manner in which alternative energy systems are cited and constructed can also have a detrimental effect on other conservation values. Therefore, approval of any alternative energy systems must balance the affected conservation values. Each request therefore is subject to individual review and assessment utilizing considerations outlined in the policy for various types of applications. For those approved, the policy outlines a process for the DLC to recover costs of reclamation should installations be abandoned in the future. The DLC plans to make our policy available to other land trusts for their consider- ation.

Other actions of the ECSG included working with two classes at the Salisbury School to develop a baseline carbon footprint for the DLC operations with recommendations for changes. As a result, the DLC adopted a paperless process for dissemination of Board materials which significantly reduced paper usage; a staff member was stimu- lated to purchase a higher mileage vehicle for stewardship purposes; a more energy efficient refrigerator was purchased; and a timer was added to the office hot water system. Because the DLC doesn’t own its own building, its ability to make large scale changes to reduce its carbon footprint is somewhat limited.

The ECSG reviewed options for the expansion of GIS context information when making easement decisions to incorporate biodiversity, habitat, and resiliency data. Some of this information is available from partner organiza- tions, including Scenic Hudson, The Nature Conservancy, the USDA and others. There is much work underway on such mapping, and it may be that standardized data of value to the DLC easement and strategy deliberations will be available in the future. For now such data will be used when it can add value.

The ECSG recently completed its work with a number of additional recommendations. It is suggested that the DLC change its energy purchases to Green sourcing, and to revisit our carbon footprint periodically to consider other energy saving opportunities.

Environmental change is such an important and looming factor in all that we do as a conservation organization (and as citizens) that the subject will be an integral component of future strategic planning for the DLC. Over 39,000 acres protected since 1985! THANKSTHANKS TOTO OUROUR TRUSTEESTRUSTEES OFOF THETHE LANDLAND Trustees of the Land, the DLC’s most ardent supporters, demonstrate their steadfast commitment to land conservation with annual gifts of $10,000 or more.

Anonymous BOARD STAFF Irene & Jack Banning OF DIRECTORS It is only through OF DIRECTORS Rebecca E. C. Thornton Ms. Karen Bechtel Rebecca E. C. Thornton the generosity of Rebecca M. Seaman President Mr. & Mrs. Steven Benardete our landowners, Chairman Mr. & Mrs. Duke Buchan III Art Collings farmers, supporters, Mr. & Mrs. Russell L. Carson Oakleigh Thorne Vice President for Land Conservation local communities, Mr. & Mrs. David C. Clapp Vice Chairman Conservation government agencies, Mr. & Mrs. Wolcott B. Dunham, Jr. Olivia van Melle Kamp Tara Kelly and land trust partners Olivia van Melle Kamp Isabel Dichiara Mr. & Mrs. Thomas Flexner Secretary Director of Development that we can continue Mr. & Mrs. David R. Hathaway to help protect Mr. & Mrs. Thomas W. Keesee Ralph Weindling Karin Roux Treasurer Senior Land Projects Manager Dutchess County’s Mr. & Mrs. Ragnar Knutsen Treasurer Senior Land Projects Manager Elissa Kramer & Jay Newman Julie Hart watersheds, KathleenJohn P. Banning, V. Augustine Jr. Julie Hart Mr. & Mrs. Peter Kraus Senior Manager of Stewardship vital farmland, JohnSteven P. BenardeteBanning, Jr. Senior Manager of Stewardship & Education wildlife habitat, diverse Christina Lang-Assael StevenBarry Chase Benardete Claire & Chris Mann Constance I. Duhamel ecosystems, and Barry Chase KristenErin Hoagland Bernard Mr. & Mrs. Timothy Mayhew Wolcott B. Dunham, Jr. unparalleled scenic views Constance I. Duhamel OfficeLand Projects & Communications Manager Eliza Dyson for future generations. Mr. & Mrs. Guy Merison Wolcott B. Dunham, Jr. Manager Mr. & Mrs. Thomas L. Newberry Leslie Farhangi Kristen Bernard Thomas Flexner Office & Communications Mrs. George W. Perkins, Jr. Thomas Flexner Elena Dyer Nancy N. Hathaway Manager Nancy N. Hathaway Financial Manager MC & Eric Roberts Thomas W. Keesee Thomas W. Keesee Mr. & Mrs. Eric Rosenfeld Fernanda M. Kellogg SarahElena DyerLove Bradford Kendall Mr. Jay M. Schwamm Bradford Kendall LandFinancial Projects Manager Manager Ms. Jennifer P. Speers Christopher L. Mann Timothy Mayhew Karen Karis Mr. & Mrs. John Sprague Timothy Mayhew Kristen Anderson Chuck Mead StewardshipProgram Manager Associate Sarah & David Stack Chuck Mead ThomasEric D. Rosenfeld L. Newberry Mr. & Mrs. William W. Stahl, Jr. KarenKristen Karis Anderson EricMolly D. Schaefer Rosenfeld Mr. & Mrs. Oakleigh Thorne ProgramStewardship Associate Associate David R. StackTetor Mr. Oakleigh B. Thorne Kathleen C. Weathers David R. Tetor ErinKarissa Hoagland Stokdal Mrs. Felicitas S. Thorne Fred Whitridge, Jr. Stewardship & Land Planning Barbara & Donald Tober Ross Williams Associate Mr. Robert S. Trump Mr. & Mrs. Jeffrey Urwin ADVISORY Mr. & Mrs. Alan B. Vickery COMMITTEE Mr. & Mrs. Robin A. Vince Mr. & Mrs. Ralph Weindling GayleKathleen Bontecou V. Augustine Gayle Bontecou Dorothy S. Whitmarsh & Theodora S. Budnik Theodora S. Budnik William J. Benedict, Jr. Russell L. Carson DavidRussell C. L. Clapp Carson Mr. & Mrs. Frederick W. Whitridge, Jr. David C. Clapp Farnham F. Collins Julia & Nigel Widdowson Farnham F. Collins Everett R. Cook, II Mr. Robert Wilder Everett R. Cook, II Wendy C. Curtis Wendy C. Curtis Willem deVogel Willem deVogel FOUNDATIONS AND GRANTS Frank Martucci Simon C. Roosevelt Alexander Bodini Foundation Gilbert P. Schafer, III Millbrook Tribute Garden Dorothy S.W. Whitmarsh Sprague RKJ Foundation Peter Tcherepnine The Peter & Carmen Lucia Buck Foundation Oakleigh B. Thorne The Walbridge Fund Donald G. Tober