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Kayaking
is a popular activity at several
of CLC's public
conservation areas |
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The
Columbia Land Conservancy (CLC) owns and manages a number of natural
areas
that are open to the public for hiking and outdoor enjoyment. These
public conservation
areas
are maintained for wildlife habitat, non-motorized
recreation and educational programs.
Public conservation areas offer people a chance to explore and enjoy
Columbia County's scenic and natural beauty.
The
Conservancy hosts free public education
and recreation programs
on conservation areas for children and adults throughout
the year. In addition, the Conservancy develops customized
education programs in
partnerships with area schools, daycare centers, after school
programs, and summer enrichment programs.
Each
of the public conservation areas is unique, providing visitors with a wide
variety of experiences. For
example, at the Drowned
Lands Swamp Conservation Area
in Ancram visitors can climb "Old
Croken," a locally known hill that provides views
of the Drowned Lands Swamp ecosystem.
This area contains one of the largest wetland complexes in southeastern New York,
surrounded by a working
agricultural community.
Other
public conservation areas offer visitors different
experiences: trails leading through grasslands; deciduous forests and dense cedar
groves with spectacular views of the Hudson River and Catskill
Mountains; a
winding trail leading to Columbia County’s largest waterfall, and a locally known fishing pond surrounded by
gently rolling hills with views of the Taconic Mountains.
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