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Hudson Highlands Land Trust
March 2013 |
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Visit our website
Support our work

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Maple Sugar Tours
Hudson Highlands Nature Museum Cornwall, NY
Sap to Syrup
Taconic Outdoor Education Center Cold Spring, NY
Mar 24
Maple Syrup Day
Little Stony Point Cold Spring, NY Apr 6
John Allen Pond Hike
HHLT Take-A-Hike! Fahnestock State Park Cold Spring, NY
Apr 13
Protecting the Highlands from Alien Invaders
HHLT's Sustainability Forum
Highlands Country Club Garrison, NY
Jun 8
Sleep Over Under the Stars
HHLT's Family Campout Philipstown Recreation Department Garrison, NY
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Hudson Highlands Land Trust
P.O. Box 226 20 Nazareth Way Garrison, NY 10524 845/424-3358
info@hhlt.org |
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HHLT Welcomes New Stewardship Coordinator
We are pleased to welcome Matt Decker to our staff as Stewardship Coordinator.
"Matt brings a balance of geographic information systems (GIS) expertise, field work, and natural resources management experience to the position of Stewardship Coordinator that will be invaluable in supporting HHLT's land conservation initiatives," observed Executive Director Andy Chmar.
Matt has a Master's Degree from Yale School of Forestry & Environmental Studies and five years of professional experience in conservation, land use planning and natural resource management. He's ready to roll up his sleeves and get to work, "I look forward to meeting and partnering with HHLT's conservation easement landowners to protect and enhance their property's natural resources." |
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Garrison School Green Team Taps for Maple Sugar at Winter Hill
At the end of February, Winter Hill was visited by Garrison School's Green Team, a determined group of middle schoolers on a quest. Armed with power drills, stainless steel spouts and buckets, the students tapped a number of maple trees.
The Green Team, an elective led by HHLT's River of Words educators Lisa Mechaley and Pete Salmansohn, is a community service group that focuses on environmental stewardship projects. In addition to collecting sap, the group is working in the Garrison School Forest, clearing trails and designing new markers (or blazes) that they will install later this year.
At Winter Hill, the students' efforts were quickly rewarded with sweet tasting sap. True to the group's environmental mission, collected sap is picked up by NY State Parks staff and brought to the Taconic Outdoor Education Center's sugar shack. In the spirit of collaboration, our neighbors at the Walter Hoving Home are assisting by emptying the buckets during the week.
You don't have to be a member of the Green Team to join the region's sugar maple celebrations. Here are the details:
Hudson Highlands Nature Museum (Cornwall, NY) offers Maple Sugar Tours on weekends through Sunday, March 24. For more information, visit their website, or call 845/534-5506 x204.
Taconic Outdoor Education Center (Cold Spring, NY) will host Sap to Syrup on Sunday, March 10, from 8:30am to noon. Visit their website for more information.
The Little Stony Point Citizens Association (Cold Spring, NY) will hold its Maple Syrup Day on Sunday, March 24, from 10:00am to 1:00pm. More information can be found on their website.
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Save the Date: HHLT Presents Community Forum on Invasive Species
On Saturday, April 13, HHLT will host Protecting the Highlands from Alien Invaders, a community sustainability forum on invasive species, at the Highlands Country Club, Rte. 9D, in Garrison, NY. The free event, scheduled from 10:00am to 3:00pm, will feature two moderated panel discussions. Children's programming will be provided during the panel discussions by members of HHLT's education team. Participants will receive complimentary lunch and the opportunity to browse informational exhibit tables during breaks before and after the panels.
The panels, We're all in this together--Regional Responses to Invasives (in the morning) and Plant This, Not That--A How-To Guide for Managing Invasives on Your Own Property (after lunch) break the subject matter into two defined topics and allow time for questions from the audience.
The forum is open to the general public and free of charge. Advance registration is strongly recommended as space is limited. Walk-ins will be accepted on the day of the event only on a space available basis. Call 845/424-3358 or email info@hhlt.org for more information or to make a reservation.
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Black Rock Forest Offers Summer Science Classes
The Black Rock Forest Consortium in Cornwall, NY, launches a Summer Science Class program for grades 7-12. Developed and taught by subject experts, these classes provide an opportunity to explore college and career possibilities in the natural sciences while having fun in locations ranging from Black Rock Forest, to the Florida coast and summits of the Adirondack Mountains.
The program has been co-developed by Dr. Jeffrey Kidder, Consortium Education Director, and science faculty from member institutions, including American Museum of Natural History, Barnard College, City University of New York, Columbia University, New York University and The Browning School.
Registration begins 9:00am, Friday, March 8. Space is limited and classes will be filled on a first come, first served basis. View their brochure or visit blackrockforest.org for more information.
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Read All About It: Laws Give Break for Land Conservation. But Hurry.
Echoing advice given by land trusts nationwide, the Wall Street Journal reminds its readers to act quickly to beneift from the recently extended tax incentives for conservation easement donations.
Previously expired at the end of 2011, these federal tax incentives have been extended through December 31, 2013, and retroactively to the beginning of 2012. New York landowners whose land is restricted by a voluntary conservation agreement are also eligible for a state income tax credit.
Because there are certain restrictions and key requirements that apply to these tax benefits, interested land owners are urged to contact the Hudson Highlands Land Trust soon to learn more and ensure ample time to process the easement agreement by year's end. Call 845/424-3358 or email info@hhlt.org.
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Newly Launched Defense Fund Ensures Conservation is Forever
On March 1, the Land Trust Alliance (LTA) launched Terrafirma, a charitable risk insurance service organized by the LTA and owned by land trusts to protect against costly legal battles. HHLT is one of the nearly 500 land trusts whose conservation easements are now protected by Terrafirma.
"Terrafirma stands behind land trusts to protect them from catastrophic legal expenses and help them avoid unnecessary litigation through solid practices, early dispute resolution and smart risk management," says Alliance Conservation Defense Director Leslie Ratley-Beach.
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Eager to get hiking?
While you're waiting for our Take-A-Hike! schedule, you may want to attend the Putnam History Museum's upcoming lecture, Adventures Around Putnam, on March 9 at 5:00pm. Author Steven Attson will describe hikes and historic sites from his book that highlight the beauty and history of Putnam County and its surrounding areas. RSVP by calling 845/265-4010 or emailing info@putnamhistorymuseum.org. And, don't forget to email HHLT with your mailing address to receive our hiking schedule, which will be mailed out later this month. |
The Hudson Highlands Land Trust is a community-based, accredited non-profit land conservation organization dedicated to the protection of the natural resources, rural character and scenic beauty of the Hudson Highlands. |
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