Land Trust Adds 16 Acres of Protected Land in New City

The West Branch Conservation Association (WBCA), an all-volunteer  conservation organization based in Rockland County, has dissolved and transferred a portion of  responsibilities and commitments to the Orange County Land Trust (OCLT), including two conserved  properties in New City in the Town of Clarkstown. 

The properties, known as the South Mountain and Crum Creek Preserves, comprise 16 acres of  woodlands and streams in northern Rockland County, including the West Branch of the Hackensack  River. OCLT will continue to manage and steward the properties in perpetuity. 

WBCA was founded in 1941 and was incorporated as a not-for-profit organization in 1971, to safeguard  the western watershed of the Hackensack River in Rockland County. Since then, it expanded its work to  protect land and historic places throughout Rockland County.  

“We’re very proud of West Branch’s accomplishments,” said Terri Thal, WBCA Treasurer. “Especially  since we’ve never had paid staff. All of our work has always been done by volunteers. In recent years,  though, like many not-for-profit organizations, West Branch has found it difficult to undertake the kind  of work it used to do with volunteers. We either had to embark on a huge fundraising effort and change  the nature of the organization or find a larger one that would take over our mission. We’re thrilled that  Orange County Land Trust was willing to come to Rockland.” 

OCLT Executive Director Jim Delaune said, “We look forward to honoring West Branch Conservation  Association’s legacy through the continued protection and stewardship of South Mountain and Crum  Creek Preserves.” 

This past fall, OCLT participated in a Hudson Estuary Trees for Tribs planting at South Mountain  Preserve, resulting in the planting of 110 native trees and shrubs along a tributary of the Hackensack  River to help restore the stream buffer and protect water quality.  

OCLT is also in the process of creating an affiliate land trust, Hudson Delaware Land Conservancy, to  advance land protection outside of Orange County, including Rockland County. 

For more information  call (845) 534-3690 or visit www.oclt.org