Land Deal Saves World-Class Views in Hudson Highlands

TOWN OF HIGHLANDS (Orange County)—Scenic Hudson has conserved 72 highly scenic and prominently visible acres overlooking the Hudson River in the Hudson Highlands, ensuring a world-class vista spanning 10 miles will remain intact and unspoiled.

View from newly protected Rose's Camp property

The property—locally known as Rose's Camp, a summer bungalow colony in the early 20th century—is a key component of magnificent ridgeline views enjoyed daily by thousands of commuters on Metro-North, drivers on Route 9D and the Bear Mountain Bridge, and hikers on the Appalachian Trail. It is on the west side of the river, adjacent to Bear Mountain State Park, Scenic Hudson's 140-acre Popolopen Ridge (conserved in 2010) and undeveloped lands belonging to the U.S. Military Academy. A network of trails on the land could be linked to trails in nearby parkland, allowing hikers to admire outstanding views from the property.

Scenic Hudson Land Project Manager Matt Shipkey negotiated the purchase—a priority of Scenic Hudson's campaign to Save the Land That Matters Most—which prevented the threat of extensive residential development that would have lined the ridge and forever blocked public recreational access. The Hudson Highlands Land Trust (HHLT) helped facilitate the negotiations. The transaction was made possible through a zero-interest loan from The Peter and Carmen Lucia Buck Foundation and the generosity of supporters.

Acquisition preserves critical wildlife habitat, protects water quality

Featuring steep slopes, mature hardwood forest, rock outcroppings and wetlands, the land sustains a diversity of wildlife. In addition, increasing the preservation of contiguous landscape further safeguards the interconnected network of habitats on which many species depend as well as the local aquifer, a community's prime source of drinking water. Conserving the land's natural features also prevents the introduction of additional stormwater run-off into the watershed.

"These 72 "must-save" acres are central to vistas that have enchanted and inspired people for centuries. Thanks to the generous supporters who enabled Scenic Hudson to protect this breathtaking landscape, future generations will always enjoy the Hudson Highlands' iconic splendor," said Steve Rosenberg, executive director of The Scenic Hudson Land Trust.

"I particularly want to thank Chris Buck and the PCLB Foundation for their visionary loan and also wish to salute the descendants of George W. Perkins, Scenic Hudson directors and members of the community for their support. All these people have provided generous contributions that helped us preserve views unsurpassed in America for their beauty and history," said Scenic Hudson President Ned Sullivan.

Collaborative campaign targets protecting valley's most important landscapes

Scenic Hudson's campaign to Save the Land That Matters Most is a multi-year, collaborative effort with fellow land trusts (including HHLT), 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.

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 Orange County is $425 million and supports 8,600 jobs.

Protecting open space also offers myriad 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. 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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