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.