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2008

  • Congress approves renewing increased tax incentives for donations of conservation easements. 

    A 2-year extension of the increased tax incentives for donated conservation easements, retroactive to the beginning of this year has become law.  The bill also included new funding for the Farmland Protection Program and Grassland Reserve Program, which provide additional conservation funding.   

    Click here for more information on the tax incentives associated with donated conservation easements.

  • CLC Spring/Summer 2008 Newsletter now available online.

Click here to view online, or stop by CLC's office to pick up your copy.

  • CLC Reaches a Conservation Milestone:

    20,034 Acres Protected with Conservation Easements! 

On April 25th, CLC closed on its newest conservation easement; reaching and surpassing the 20,000-acre mark.  The 63-acre easement protects a highly prominent ridge that is visible from the Hamlet of New Lebanon, as well as a wetland and stream that drain into the Shaker Swamp.  The property also abuts a 183-acre property that was protected with a conservation easement in December 2007.

  • CLC Receives Grant for County-wide Natural Resource Study

The Columbia Land Conservancy (CLC) has been awarded a $20,000 grant to enable it to compile a comprehensive natural resource inventory of the county.  The grant is part of $825,000 in funding for land conservation announced by the Department of Environmental Conservation (DEC) and the Land Trust Alliance (LTA) through the New York State Conservation Partnership Program.

 

The study will be the first of its kind to compile this type of information for the entire county.  The information gathered will be analyzed using computer mapping software known as a geographic information system (GIS).  In addition to using the information to help evaluate and prioritize conservation projects to be undertaken by the Conservancy, CLC will share the results with municipalities and community groups.

 

Fields Near Ooms

22"x27"

  • Artist Donates Back to the Land which Inspires Him

The rolling hills and farmland of Columbia County have been interpreted by artists in the Hudson Valley for decades.  Painter David Konisberg is one such artist who found inspiration in the pastoral landscapes surrounding his home in Ghent.  Konigsberg and Hudson gallery owner Carrie Haddad are donating 20% of the sales from his current show to the Columbia Land Conservancy to help protect these landscapes for future generations to enjoy.  

Konigsberg, a member of the Columbia Land Conservancy, often hikes at CLC’s public conservation areas and has also has volunteered at recent trail workdays at the Hand Hollow Conservation Area in New Lebanon. Many of the paintings in his current show were inspired by CLC-protected lands. 

 Konigsberg’s paintings are part of an exhibit of three regional artists at the Carrie Haddad Gallery in Hudson. Paintings by Shawn Snow along with photographs by Nancy Donskoj will also be on exhibit from March 6 through April 13, 2008. An opening reception will be held on Saturday March 8 from 6 to 8pm. All are welcome to attend.  Carrie Haddad Gallery is located at 622 Warren Street in Hudson. 

Konigsberg’s work has been exhibited in galleries and art centers throughout the United States, including Allen Sheppard and David Findlay Jr. in New York, Ballard Fetherston Gallery in Seattle, and the Kentler International Drawing Space in Red Hook, Brooklyn. Konigsberg was born in Warren PA and lives and works in Brooklyn, NY. 

For more information, contact Carrie Haddad Gallery at 518.828.1915, or online at www.carriehaddadgallery.com

 

2007 News Highlights

 

·        Chatham family conserves farm.  Highland Farm Properties, LLC.  has donated an easement on Highland Road in the Town of Chatham.  This 88-acre easement lies across the road from an 86-acre parcel protected with an easement in 2003.  Together with an adjoining 200-acres they make up Highland Farm, the home of the Behrens family and their horse and sheep operation since 1946.  The new easement protects two prominent ridgetop meadows, a DEC regulated wetland and a tributary to the Stony Kill, all within a stone’s throw from the Ooms Conservation Area at Sutherland Pond. 

 

  

These woodlands are part of a recent voluntary conservation agreement signed in Austerlitz.

 

·        174-acre easement in  Austerlitz.  CLC received a 174-acre easement  donation from Jim Murray and Eleanor Saunders in  Austerlitz.  While the land remains in private ownership and on the tax rolls, the easement protects a highly prominent ridgeline along Rte 22, near Harvey Mountain.  The easement property also contains frontage along the Green River.    

Shaker View Farm in New Lebanon has been awarded a State Farmland Protection Grant.

 

  • $513,150 PDR Grant award for Benson Farm in New  Lebanon.  The Town of New  Lebanon and Shaker View Farm, owned by Larry and Barbara Benson, was awarded a $513,150  grant from NYS Ag & Markets towards the purchase of the Farm’s development rights.  CLC submitted this grant on behalf of the Town and the landowners, and will be working with them and the State over the next 2 years to complete the project and raise the remaining 25% match. The 202-acre dairy of distinction is adjacent to the 388-acre Clayton easement, in direct view of the Darrow School/Mt Lebanon Shaker Village, and buffers the ecologically and historically significant Shaker Swamp.  

These open fields and ridgeline have been conserved by Helen Burton and Tod Houghtlin.

 

  • 181 acre easement in New  Lebanon.  CLC has closed on a 181-acre conservation easement with  Helen Burton and Tod Houghtlin.  The property is  characterized by open fields and woodlands.  It contains wetlands that drain into the   Shaker  Swamp  and significant portions of a prominent ridge that is visible from NYS Route 20, NYS Route 22, County Route 5, the hamlet of New Lebanon and the Mount Lebanon Shaker National Historic Site.  The easement is part of a “Neighborhood Conservation Block” that is comprised of five (5) other protected properties totaling approximately 540 acres.

This farm in one of two land conservation projects completed at Gallagher Stud.

 

  • 525 acres of farmland protected in Ghent. Voluntary conservation agreements have been signed to permanently protect 525 acres in Ghent.  Collectively known as the Gallagher Stud farm, this working farm is within 2 miles of 1,100 acres of protected lands. The owner, who runs a successful thoroughbred operation and breeds champion Angus cattle on the property, was looking to ensure its long term protection as a working farm. 

  

  • 2007 Fall/Winter edition of the Conservancy News is now online.  Click here to download a copy, and watch for your copy in the mail.

 

"ACCESS for ALL" 

at the Greenport Conservation Area

 

  • New Trail Provides “Access for All” along the Hudson River: The opening of a new trail system that provides opportunities for people of all physical abilities to experience the scenic and natural beauty of the Hudson River was  celebrated Thursday, October 25th at the Greenport Conservation Area. The wheelchair-accessible trails include viewing areas of the Hudson from a gazebo, overlook bench, and picnic shelter, as well as interpretive signage designed for the visually-impaired.  Click here to read the press release.

                                                                           Photo: Tim Tulloch
Denise Fiegueroa and Lisa Dugan of the Independent Living Center

  • Get involved: We are reaching out to our members and supporters to ask for their  help.  Legislation is currently pending in Congress that is enormously important to the work of CLC and thousands of other local land trusts across the country.  Click here to learn how you can help.

  • Claverack Seniors Visit High Falls.  Close to fifty members of the  Claverack Seniors Club joined CLC staff for a walk at the High Falls Conservation Area in Philmont on June 8th.  For some it was the first time ever seeing the falls, others recalled exploring the area in their youth.  After the walk, a simple lunch was provided.  If you have a group that would like to arrange a guided visit to one of our public conservation areas, please contact Joyce Carroll at (518) 392-5252 ext. 206.

  • 47-acres protected in Ghent.   CLC has just completed a 47-acre conservation easement located on Carpenter Road in Ghent.  The property is located across from a 98-acre parcel protected with an easement by Joe and Diane Haley last December. The property is part of the Ghent Flats, and is characterized by highly visible open fields and prime farmland.  Please join CLC in thanking the easement donors, Joe and Diane Haley for their continued conservation vision.

  • Hundreds gather in support of local conservation.  On Sunday, May 27th nearly 1,000 people helped us celebrate rural land protection and conservation in Columbia County at the 17th annual Shad Bake and Country Barbeque.  The day featured live music, animals, educational activities, auctions, and local  foods.

Special thanks to our host, Kinderhook Farm, and our event sponsors, vendors, and volunteers. Click here to see photographs from the event.

  •  2007 Spring/Summer edition of the Conservancy News is now online.  Click here to download a copy, and watch for your copy in the mail.

                                                                 P. Blandori                                                    

  • 17th annual Shad Bake and Country Barbecue. CLC is pleased to announce that Kinderhook Farm will once again host this benefit for rural land protection and conservation in Columbia County on Saturday, May 27th, 4:30-8 p.m.  The event will feature live music, hands-on education programs for children, silent auction and live auction, grilled shad and barbecue fare, vegetarian selections, and an array of wines.  

CLC is now accepting donation for both the live and silent auctions.  Sponsorship opportunities are also available (click to download forms). Contact Lara Hitchcock at (518) 392-525 ext. 204 for more details. 

  • Over 325 people filled the Crandell Theatre in Chatham on Sunday, January 14th for the first Farm Film Fest.  The highlight of the day was the premier of Chatham Grown, Courtney Hunt's documentary on the state of agriculture in Chatham. Other local films included ones from Golden Harvest and Spruce Ridge Farms.

Attendees had the opportunity to meet the film makers and talk about farm-related issues with many of the farmers featured.  For more information visit www.chathamkeepfarming.org .

 

 

News From the Past

 

2006

  • New Executive Director Named.  CLC’s Board of Trustees is pleased to announce that Peter R. Paden will lead the Conservancy as it enters its third decade of conservation and education in Columbia County. Peter is a highly regarded land use and environmental attorney, and has served as a Vice Chair of CLC and Chair of the Governance Committee in recent years.

     

    Peter’s selection was the result of a nationwide search led by an executive search firm specializing in recruitment for nonprofit and philanthropic organizations. Peter will assume his new duties at the Conservancy’s office in early February. Click here to read more.

                                        

                                     Peter R. Paden, CLC's new Executive Director

   

●  High Falls Conservation Area is Now Open.  Offering views of the highest falls in the county, our newest conservation area is a great place for a family hike.  
   

  • Fall/Winter 2006 edition of the Conservancy News has been published.  This edition features recent projects and events as well as taking a look back at highlights from our first twenty years. Copies have been mailed to our growing list of members and supporters. Click here to view on-line.   
          

  • Charitable IRA rollover now possible.  A provision in the new federal Pension Protection Act of 2006 allows qualified Individual Retirement Account (IRA) owners to give directly to a charity—without first recognizing it as income and paying income tax on the transfer.

            

    The new law provides an easy tax effective way for individuals who are at least 70 ½ years old to transfer up to $100,000 from a traditional or Roth IRA to a 501(c)3 public charity, such as CLC without recognizing it as income and being subject to income tax. The law applies to charitable transfers made in 2006 and 2007 only.
        

  • Volunteers donate time for site improvements at High Falls . On Saturday, November 4th, a group of seven enthusiastic volunteers spent the day working at the High Falls Conservation Area preparing the trails for the public. Working along side CLC staff, they trimmed branches, moved stones and re-graded a section of trail.  

We rely on volunteers from the community to assist us in a variety of tasks, indoors and out. If you would like to volunteer in the future, contact Joyce at (518) 392-5252 ext. 206, or Joyce@clctrust.org. Visit www.clctrust.org for the latest on improvements at High Falls and upcoming educational programs.

Volunteers improving a trail at High Falls

                                

  • NYS awards Farmland Protection Grant to Town of Ancram for Chaseholm Farm. The Department of Agriculture and Markets awarded $576,375 for the purchase of the non-agricultural development rights on 133 acres in Columbia County.  Chaseholm Farm is a 340+/- acre dairy farm located in both Dutchess and Columbia Counties.  The farm was one of several that were studied by the Farmscape Ecology Program’s efforts to study biodiversity and ecological trends on farmland. CLC worked with Barry and Rosemary Chase, and the Town of Ancram to apply for this grant.

Chaseholm Farm, Ancram

  • CLC closes on the 244-acre St. Joseph ’s Center conservation easement.  Using funding from the NYS Farm Land Protection Program, in partnership with the Town of Kinderhook, CLC purchased the non-agricultural development rights on this productive farmland on the Route 9 corridor, which is owned by The Brothers of the Congregation of the Holy Cross. The property is comprised of working agricultural fields, woodlands, streams, ponds and state designated wetlands, and is highly visible from US Highway 9 and Maple Lane.      

          

    Representatives of The Congregation of the Holly Cross, CLC, and Town of Kinderhook.

                 

  • New York State adopts first-ever Conservation Tax Credit for lands protected with conservation easements.       

  • State Grant Completes funding for Round Ball Mountain Conservation Area. Round Ball Mountain is a 106-acre property owned and managed by CLC in Ancram. Through the Office of Parks, Recreation, and Historic Preservation program $289,270 was awarded, completing the project funding needs for this new conservation area. If you would like to see the property, CLC will be hosting a natural wreath  workshop at Round Ball on December 9th from 2-4 pm.

  • 1,000 people joined in celebrating Columbia County's farms and forests at Farm Fest '06.  Featuring local food, agriculture, live music, hands-on education programs for children, and more.  Hosted by the Columbia Land Conservancy, Farm Fest took place October 7th at the Columbia County Fair Grounds in Chatham. 

  • CLC has hired Jenny Brinker as its new education coordinator.  Click here to read the press release.
     

  • New York State has approved an historic two year, $100 million dollar increase in annual funding that protects New York 's land, air and water.
          

  • Over twenty community members volunteered on Friday, June 16th to help remove debris at CLC's High Falls property on the Agawamuck Creek.
            

  • On June 9th Governor Pataki announced the State’s acquisition of 426 acres of forest adjacent to Harvey Mountain.  CLC served as a local partner in the transaction, assisting the Millay Colony for the Arts and the Edna St. Vincent Millay Society in negotiations with the State. The land will strengthen the conservation corridor linking Harvey Mt. and Beebe Hill State Forests.  Click here to see a context map. 
      

  • CLC was one of 20 New York land trusts that joined NYS Department of Environmental Conservation Commissioner Denise Sheehan (pictured) at a press conference announcing $450,000 in grants and technical assistance funded through the Environmental Protection Fund and the NYS Conservation Partnership Program.  CLC will receive a $9,700 grant to develop a database to manage our growing number of conservation easements.  Click here to listen to a broadcast report from WAMC.
                 

Please email info@clctrust.org if you would like to receive CLC's free bi-annual newsletter by email, or other news updates by email, and let us know what you would like to receive. 
     

 
Columbia Land Conservancy · P.O. Box 299 · 49 Main Street · Chatham, NY 12037 · (518) 392-5252