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Protected Properties

Since 1987, when the Wallkill Valley Land Trust was incorporated, we have concluded 24 land preservation projects protecting over 1500 acres of land. In 2011, WVLT focused on several new projects, including the Rosendale and Ulster extension of the Wallkill Valley Rail Trail.

The Wallkill Valley Land Trust works with willing landowners. Our protected parcels range in size from five acres to 130 acres. The Land Trust partners with the landowner to meet both the conservation needs of the property and the personal and financial needs of the owner. For some parcels, protection covers the entire property. For others, sections with limited conservation value, are excluded to allow for other uses that could include future home sites and appropriate development.

On the following pages are photographs and information about each property we have protected in collaboration with the landowner. While in many cases the landowners have received tax benefits for donating a land preservation agreement (conservation easement) on their property, in our experience no landowner has completed the process solely for the tax benefits. People protect their property and its conservation values because of their attachment to their land and because they recognize the importance of preserving the environment and rural character of the area.

While the WVLT is concerned for rural character throughout its eight towns, WVLT has three areas of especial concern. The first is farmland and working farmland throughout the region. The second is the Wallkill River and Wallkill Valley Rail Trail corridor. The third is the marshes, wetlands, and ridges of the Swartekill and Black Creek watersheds in Esopus, Lloyd, and New Paltz.

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The Kellar Land Preservation Agreement

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The Kellar Easement was donated by Norman Kellar to the Wallkill Valley Land Trust in December 1990. It is an eighty-eight acre farm in Esopus with much frontage on the Wallkill River. This easement preserves views, habitat, and agriculturally important soils in the Town of Esopus, and it is still an active farm.

The Hare West Land Preservation Agreement

Hare West Easement in Esopus

Rob and Iza Trapani Hare donated an agreement on 26 acres of farmland and ponds in 2005. This was the first of their two easements on their nearly 140 acre property in the Swartekill Watershed in Esopus. Rob and his family have been involved with land conservation in Maine and Connecticut. Rob Hare is also a Board Member for the Wallkill Valley Land Trust, and is active in the WVLT's Conservation Committee.

The Hare East Land Preservation Agreement

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This is the second land preservation agreement donated by Rob and Iza Trapani Hare. This one protects 112 acres which include hay fields, woods, and special views from Carney Road. When the Hare’s purchased this property, they always intended to protect it in perpetuity. This agreement was completed in 2006.

The Open Lands Partnership Land Preservation Agreement

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In August 1994, Peter Bienstock donated the Open Lands Partnership Easement, 130 acres, in the Town of Lloyd. This easement covers a whole mountain side and includes part of the Pine Hole Bog watershed. It was part of a five lot development, and is in the significant watershed of Black Creek, thus the protection of this land protects water quality and wildlife for the area.

The Illinois Mountain Land Preservation Agreement

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The Illinois Mountain Easement is in the Town of Lloyd. It encompasses 47 acres, and was donated to the Wallkill Valley Land Trust by Peter Bienstock in June 1998. Immediately upon the closing of that transaction, WVLT placed an easement on the property and gave the land to the Town of Lloyd for a future park. In addition to being a future park, this property preserves water quality as it is within the watershed of the Town of Lloyd’s reservoirs.