Built in 1891 as the estate home of Rev. Walter Thompson, Winter Hill is on 29 acres adjoining NY State parkland and has been fully restored and refurbished for its new purpose as a non-profit center, housing HHLT, the Garden Conservancy and the Hudson Valley Shakespeare Festival. The building's new name reflects its location atop one of the best sledding hills in Philipstown. Because we are constantly looking for ways to bring people outdoors to enjoy all the beauty the Hudson Highlands offers, it should be no surprise that we're hoping for snowy winters in the future.

Our current corner location is a bustling one (people stop in for directions, trail maps, or just to say hi), but offers limited capacity for community interaction. Winter Hill's improved facilities and spacious grounds, both fields and woods, will enhance HHLT's outreach, allowing us to offer more educational programs and take advantage of nearby trails leading to the historic North and South Redoubts and Garrison School Forest. And, with these three non-profits such close neighbors, we look forward to connecting to the community with a variety of fun events and activities. 

We can't wait to welcome you to our new home. Please come by for a visit!

HHLT Accepts Conservation Easement Protecting 57 Acres  

HHLT Director Bill Evarts and wife Helen finalized a conservation easement in mid-April which completes the preservation of the remaining portion of their 130-acre property in Philipstown. The Evarts previously donated a conservation easement to the Trust for Public Land, to protect other pieces of their property. And several years ago, Helen and Bill donated 40 acres to the Hudson Highlands State Park and Appalachian Trail corridor.

To explain the couple's personal commitment to land protection, Bill Evarts quoted a joint letter from our Chairman and Executive Director that appeared in the Land Trust's 2009 Annual Report.

Ultimately, our decisions on land use and other finite resources, not only define the values of our generation, but will determine the quality of life for generations to come. Thus, irrespective of outside forces, whether economic or political, we continue our work with an urgency born of awareness that the damage wrought by inappropriate or haphazard development can suddenly and irreversibly destroy the character of a community forever.

"We thank Bill and Helen for their remarkable conservation efforts, which will assure this critical area of southern Garrison remains much the way it is in perpetuity," said Executive Director Andy Chmar.

For more information about land stewardship and conservation easements, contact the office at 845/424-3358 or visit hhlt.org.
 

Donate to HHLT's Groupon Challenge for a Chance to Win an Eco2 Bike

HHLT is competing against other environmental organizations to win $25,000 from Groupon.  The campaign that raises the most money by May 15th wins.

If you donate anything now, you'll be entered for a chance to win a $1,200 Eco2 Bike from the New Amsterdam Bicycle Company.

 Just click here, and then hit Donate.  Any amount would be amazing.  Thank you so much for your continued support.

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Meet Atka the Arctic Grey Wolf at HHLT's Annual Family Festival June 9

HHLT's Family Festival has become a community-wide start of summer tradition, and you don't want to miss it! From 4:00 to 7:00pm, we'll have great live music with Philipstown's own tiki daddy and friends, a delicious BBQ dinner, raffles with terrific prizes, and fun outdoor activities for adults and children.  And, you can sleep over under the stars, and join us for breakfast.

This year's wildlife presentation will feature Atka, the Wolf Conservation Center's Arctic grey wolf. The center's program includes an awe-inspiring, up-close encounter with this important but misunderstood predator.  Family Festival guests will learn about the history of wolves in the United States, the importance of wolves in a healthy ecosystem and the efforts to save these magnificent creatures for future generations.