The broad valleys and forested hills that characterize our region support every variety of human and non-human life. Visitors to the region often remark on how green it is and marvel at the abundance of freshwater streams, ponds and lakes. All of us today have a responsibility to convey those environmental benefits to future generations.
Otsego Land Trust is a community-based nonprofit whose mission is to improve the quality of life through the Upper Susquehanna region. Through its programs and activities, the Land Trust works to enhance climate resilience, promote public access to nature and work with landowners to protect and conserve local farmland, forests and waters in perpetuity.
Since 1988, Otsego Land Trust has been a regional leader in conservation. Its work extends through the entire Upper Susquehanna watershed, along with the Butternut Valley, the Unadilla watershed and portions of the Delaware River, Mohawk River, and Schoharie Creek watersheds. The conservation and stewardship of land and water today will ensure a healthy environment for the future.
In partnership with more than 100 private landowners, Otsego Land Trust holds conservation easements on more than 11,000 acres of land in Otsego, Delaware, Schoharie and Herkimer counties. The conservation easements protect wetlands and water sources, provide habitat corridors for wildlife, encourage sustainable agricultural use and help to reduce the effects of flooding and erosion.
Expanding public access to nature is a core commitment of Otsego Land Trust. The land trust owns and maintains six conservation preserves that are open year-round for free public access and enjoyment. The most popular preserves include the Brookwood Point Conservation Area (22 acres) on Otsego Lake and the Parslow Preserve (86 acres) along Oaks Creek. The Lordsland Preserve (79 acres) in Roseboom is noted for its lively beaver population. The Panther Mountain Trail at Fetterley Forest (106 acres) in Springfield leads to a summit that overlooks Deowongo Island and Canadarago Lake.
Successful conservation efforts require community commitment. Otsego Land Trust is supported by hundreds of individual donors and landowners whose contributions help to leverage even more conservation work. The Scriven Foundation and the Tianaderrah Foundation have helped to create partnerships with the Upper Susquehanna Coalition, the Butternut Valley Alliance, Otsego 2000 and the Biological Field Station of SUNY Oneonta. Dozens of community volunteers work year-round to clear and maintain trails, remove invasive plant species and monitor the environment at sites throughout the region.
Conservation easements with Otsego Land Trust can help New York state approach the goal of conserving 30% of the state’s land and water by 2030. Only 19% of the state’s resources are currently protected, mostly in the Adirondack and Catskill preserves. In the Otsego region, only 6% of the land is permanently protected from development.
A conservation easement on private land is a legal agreement that restricts future development. It runs with the land in perpetuity, regardless of changes in ownership. Development pressure is increasing throughout the region, especially for large-scale renewable energy installations (wind and solar). Conservation efforts can ensure that soil, water, forests and picturesque views are protected and enjoyed for generations to come.
Now more than ever, conservation needs the community! Please visit otsegolandtrust.org to find out more, or contact info@otsegolandtrust.org to get directly involved.