Land Deal Increases Size of Popular Shaupeneak Ridge Preserve

ESOPUS (Ulster County)—Taking another step in its campaign to Save the Land That Matters Most, Scenic Hudson has acquired 86 acres of a 139-acre farm in Esopus, securing forested land that will be added to the organization's Shaupeneak Ridge preserve while allowing a 53-acre horse farm to continue contributing to the local agricultural economy.

The transaction increases the preserve's size by 15 percent, expanding to nearly 800 acres this prime destination for hiking, cross-country skiing, mountain biking, bird watching, hunting, fishing and school field trips. The land includes several small streams and ridgelines affording dramatic Hudson River views. A well-maintained network of trails already exists on the property.

The acquisition, which was negotiated by Scenic Hudson Senior Land Project Manager Paul Schwartzberg, enables the property's previous owner, Nancy Rosen, to continue operations on her Frog Hollow Farm. In addition to training and boarding horses, Ms. Rosen offers lessons in dressage for students of all ages, a children's riding camp in the summer and a therapeutic program, called "Horses for Change," that uses riding and horse care to develop life skills and help treat certain psychiatric disorders, learning disabilities and substance abuse.

Important wildlife habitats also conserved

The property lies within the state-designated Shaupeneak Ridge Biologically Important Area. In addition to providing critical wildlife habitat, the conserved woodland sequesters carbon that contributes to global climate change. By increasing the size of contiguous landscape protected, the transaction also further safeguards the local aquifer—a community's prime source of drinking water—and the interconnected habitat networks on which many wildlife species depend.

"This transaction creates even more places where people can connect with nature and enjoy the outdoors at one of Scenic Hudson's flagship parks. It also ensures their experience will never be spoiled by the threat of development," said Scenic Hudson President Ned Sullivan.

Shaupeneak Ridge Cooperative Recreation Area is maintained by Scenic Hudson, the state Department of Environmental Conservation and the West Esopus Landowners Association.

Collaborative campaign targets protecting valley's most important landscapes

Scenic Hudson's campaign to Save the Land That Matters Most was launched in 2007 to provide a lasting way of commemorating the Quadricentennial of Henry Hudson's voyage of discovery. It is a multi-year, collaborative effort with fellow land trusts (including the Wallkill Valley Land Trust), governments, individuals and businesses to protect lands of the highest scenic, ecological and agricultural significance throughout the Hudson Valley. In addition to providing the cornerstone of a sustainable economy for the region, protected lands help attract new business. A recent study by the Trust for Public Land notes that executives looking to relocate or start up firms rank quality of life—including an abundance of parks and open space—higher than housing, cost of living and good schools. To date, Scenic Hudson has conserved 4,470 acres and our land trust partners an additional 2,027 acres.

Funds for this transaction came from Scenic Hudson's Lila Acheson and DeWitt Wallace Hudson Valley Land Preservation Endowment.

Land preservation boosts economic opportunity, human health

Scenic Hudson pursues its campaign to Save the Land That Matters Most realizing that preserving land provides the cornerstone of a sustainable Hudson Valley economy. Tourism in the 10-county region generates $4.7 billion annually and sustains 80,000 jobs. Tourism spending in Ulster County is $472 million and supports nearly 8,500 jobs.

Protecting large, contiguous landscapes also offers substantial human health benefits. Trees sequester pollutants that contribute to asthma, lung cancer and cardiovascular disease, while releasing oxygen. Woodlands and wetlands collect and purify water that filters into the ground to recharge local aquifers, which communities depend on for drinking water. Vegetation and wetlands also intercept rainfall, preventing it from flowing into streams where it could cause flooding. Maintaining biodiversity plays an important role in preventing diseases such as West Nile virus and Lyme disease.

Scenic Hudson works to protect and restore the Hudson River and its majestic landscape as an irreplaceable national treasure and a vital resource for residents and visitors. A crusader for the valley since 1963, we are credited with saving fabled Storm King Mountain from a destructive industrial project and launching the modern grass-roots environmental movement. Today with more than 25,000 ardent supporters, we are the largest environmental group focused on the Hudson River Valley. Our team of experts combines land acquisition, support for agriculture, citizen-based advocacy and sophisticated planning tools to create environmentally healthy communities, champion smart economic growth, open up riverfronts to the public and preserve the valley's inspiring beauty and natural resources. To date Scenic Hudson has created or enhanced more than 50 parks, preserves and historic sites up and down the Hudson River and conserved more than 30,000 acres.

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