THE PATH AHEAD 2016 Annual Report FROM THE CHAIR AND EXECUTIVE DIRECTOR Dear Friends, 2016 marked another key anniversary. It has been 100 years Thank you for making 2016 another remarkable year for since the death of William Thompson Howell, a most remarkable preserving the land we love. Most notably, we created the land steward of our area. Howell spent much of his life 358-acre Granite Mountain Preserve in Putnam Valley wandering the Hudson Highlands, documenting the forests, and conserved another 130 acres in Cornwall. lakes, and majestic views on both sides of the river and raising the alarm about threats from development—the most famous As we summarize the past year, we do so recognizing those being the proposed state prison at Bear Mountain. who came before us. 2016 marked key anniversaries in Hudson Highlands history, all worthy of reflection as we Stewardship of land is critical to what we do. You will read plan for our future. more about our stewardship efforts in this report. These include teaching landowners about natural resources, creating trails on October 2016 was the 25th anniversary of Frances Dunwell’s preserved properties and running educational programs to book The Hudson River Highlands, which provides a thrilling inspire the next generation of land stewards. account of how our region has been preserved. It includes the landmark appeals court decision on the proposed power plant We must keep this culture of conservation alive and thriving, at Storm King Mountain. This case, now fifty years old, was no matter what the pressure from external sources—be it new fought and won in the Hudson Highlands, paving the way government policies, poorly planned development, or attempts nationally for citizen input on development projects through to return the Hudson to an industrial corridor. the environmental review process. In these efforts, our most critical and cherished resource is Today, we are fully engaged in several environmental reviews. you—our community, supporters and partners in the perpetual These include the Hudson Highlands Fjord Trail and the first and rewarding mission of protecting the Hudson Highlands. “Conservation Subdivision” in Philipstown. Also, thanks Thank you for joining us in our work to ensure this extraordinary to 10,000+ public comments, the US Coast Guard’s proposed resource is preserved for generations to come. new Anchorage Grounds, which could increase oil transport on the Hudson, face significant resistance. Nancy Berner Michelle Smith Chair Executive Director Top, left: Nancy Berner and Michelle Smith Above: Hudson Highlands Land Trust Board of Directors and Staff Mission Statement Table of Contents The Hudson Highlands Land Trust 2016: A Year of Firsts | 2 is a community-based, accredited Preparing for the | 5 land conservation organization Future Together Stewardship: Protecting | 6 devoted to protecting the Land in Partnership natural resources, rural character Financial Report | 7 and scenic beauty Looking Back | 8 What’s Ahead | 12 of the Hudson Highlands. Get to Know Us | 13 The Hudson Highlands Land Trust is a 501 (c)(3) nonprofit organization incorporated in 1989 under Section 402 of the Not-for-Profit Corporation Law of New York. Published June 2017 2016: A YEAR OF FIRSTS Fostering Partnerships to protect natural resources on both sides of the Hudson River Granite Mountain Preserve, Putnam Valley The past year was one of notable firsts for Clearwater. “Presently we welcome the Hudson Highlands Land Trust during visitors to enjoy our homegrown produce, which we built on past successes and bakery, farmside cafe, gift shop, art gallery continued our mission to protect the & frame shop. Though we have changed Hudson Highlands’ natural resources and with the times, we remain true to our historic character for future generations. farming roots, producing fruits and The greatest prize is vegetables for our local community. Jones Farm, HHLT’s first Knowing that this beautiful piece of earth “ agricultural easement will be preserved for future generations is the preservation of our The 87-acre Jones Farm, established in a great comfort to our family.” 1914 and owned by the Clearwater family, has become a cornerstone in HHLT receives its first conservation Town’s aquifer that Cornwall’s agricultural and tourism agreements in the Village of economies. The farm grows a variety of Cornwall-on-Hudson fruits and vegetables, which are sold at Jeannette and David Redden have a runs under the base an on-site store along with baked goods, deep understanding of the importance regionally produced gourmet food items, of land conservation. Jeannette is a handcrafted jewelry, clothing and other Commissioner of the Palisades Interstate of Granite Mountain. decorative objects. In addition, the farm Park and David is a board member of hosts seasonal events throughout the HHLT and Scenic Hudson, and the co-chair year, enticing community residents and of Black Rock Forest Consortium. For That water is the visitors to the region. The property was them, the donation of conservation identified by HHLT’s Legacy Landscapes agreements that permanently protect Project as an important land protection over 40 acres in the Village of Cornwall- supplier of many of priority because of its agricultural on-Hudson and Town of Cornwall is a significance, visibility from local hiking natural expression of their commitment trails and connectivity to neighboring to the Hudson Highlands. our wells and is a most protected lands. The farm was ranked as one of the highest priorities for “Jeannette and I are forever indebted to protection by Scenic Hudson’s Foodshed the beauty of the Hudson Valley, which cherished resource that Conservation Plan. nourishes the life of our family,” said David. “In our increasingly urbanized With assistance from Orange County world it is so important to create Land Trust and the support of New York sanctuaries of protected space where must be conserved. State’s Farmland Protection program, mighty oaks, maples and tulip poplars HHLT and Scenic Hudson partnered can continue to be the green lungs of our – Sam Oliverio, Putnam Valley with the Clearwaters to protect the farm community and to maintain open space Town Supervisor permanently, securing the future viability such as meadows and fields to inspire us of this iconic local business. with thoughts of peace and tranquility.” News of the Reddens’ donation has been “Over the years our family farm has well received by the community and evolved from a dairy operation to poultry commended during a Cornwall Town to the multifaceted homestead you Board meeting. Jeannette and David find here today,” explained David greatly appreciate the public support and 2 hope their actions inspire their neighbors infrastructure necessary to create a natural resources. It is heavily forested, to do the same. preserve that protects valuable natural including a portion of Chestnut Oak resources and provides public access to forest, a New York Natural Heritage “The protection of Jones Farm and the this beautiful unspoiled space in the heart Significant Natural Community, and Redden properties hold a special place of the Putnam Valley community. has a New York State Department of in HHLT’s history, as they are our first Environmental Conservation classified conservation agreements in the Town “The Granite Mountain Preserve is a great stream running across it. of Cornwall and Village of Cornwall-on- accomplishment for the Hudson Highlands Hudson. These partnerships expand our Land Trust,” said Putnam Valley Town work on the west side of the river and Supervisor Sam Oliverio. “It is an even protect valuable natural resources and greater accomplishment for the residents the community’s rural character for of Putnam Valley and the Hudson Valley. generations to come,” said HHLT Executive With a preserved area on one of the most Knowing that this Director Michelle Smith. beautiful mountain ridges in Putnam “ beautiful piece of earth will be preserved for future generations is a great comfort to our family. Jones Farm, Cornwall – David Clearwater, Jones Farm HHLT acquires its first County, this parkland will maintain the park-preserve fauna and flora that is so abundant on HHLT also remains an active partner in HHLT identified Putnam Valley’s Granite that mountain, in their natural habitat for the Hudson Highlands Fjord Trail project, Mountain as an important land-protection all time. Likewise, the preserve will be a along with the Towns of Philipstown and priority through its Legacy Landscapes great recreational area for hiking, birding Fishkill, the Village of Cold Spring, City of Project. Granite Mountain is located and so many other outdoor activities. The Beacon, Scenic Hudson, NYS Parks and within the watershed of the Peekskill greatest prize, though, is the preservation many other local and state groups. The Hollow Brook, part of both the City of of our Town’s greater glacial aquifer that project’s goal is to improve access to the Peekskill and Town of Cortlandt drinking runs under the base of Granite Mountain. trails and public safety along the Route water systems. It provides important That water is the supplier of many of our 9D corridor, while maintaining local habitat for wildlife, and is listed in wells and is a most cherished resource quality of life and protecting important the 2007 Town of Putnam Valley that must be conserved.” natural resources. Currently a Generic Comprehensive Plan as being “of Environmental Impact Statement (GEIS) significant interest to the community.” Collaborating to conserve on is being conducted on the planned route. When it became apparent that the best several fronts This will address important matters like method to protect the area was through HHLT continued its tradition of parking, trash removal, shuttle service, the development of a park-preserve, partnership with New York State’s Office and environmental impacts. We believe HHLT worked with three neighboring of Parks and Historic Preservation in 2016, that as a community-based land landowners to acquire and permanently facilitating the acquisition of almost 60 conservation organization dedicated protect 358 acres of Granite Mountain.