PROTECTING PRECIOUS LAND

The Westchester Land Trust (WLT) has announced the permanent protection of 40 acres of land in Cortlandt, which is now part of its existing McGregor Pond Preserve. This land protects crucial wildlife habitat and filters drinking water for the city of Peekskill. The core forest is home to more than 50 species of birds, including the American woodcock and the wood duck.

“This preservation project ensures that this important habitat will be there to sustain people and wildlife for generations to come. We thank the previous landowner for his vision for the land and The Nature Conservancy for their financial contribution to the project,” said

Westchester Land Trust, a nationally accredited land conservation nonprofit headquartered in Bedford Hills, New York, permanently protected the Cortlandt land through a donation from the landowner with support from The Nature Conservancy. The property increases the size of the preserve to nearly 112 acres.

The newly preserved land is entirely state-protected wetlands and will not have public access. There are two streams on the property that are tributaries to the Peekskill Hollow Brook, which provides drinking water to the city of Peekskill.

“Permanently protecting this land is a significant conservation accomplishment for our community and ensures this critically important habitat will be there to sustain people and wildlife for generations to come,” said Whelan.

According to the DEC’s Hudson River Estuary Program, the enlarged McGregor Pond Preserve is in the top 1% for wetlands protected and top 5% for riparian habitat protected in the estuary. It is also part of a core forest, providing high quality habitat and significant biodiversity of plants and wildlife. More than 50 species of birds are believed to use the property, including the American woodcock and the wood duck. This new acquisition was also listed as one of the highest-priority parcels for conservation in the most recent Cortlandt Open Space Plan.

“Knowing that this special piece of land will remain undeveloped as beautiful forest and wetlands forever is a great feeling,” said Steve Warren, president of Albert D. Phelps Inc. and Yorkcon Properties Inc., which donated the property to WLT. “We can all make a difference to protect the nature around us and we are pleased to know it will be in good hands with Westchester Land Trust.”

Founded in 1988, WLT has preserved 9,278 acres of open space. More than 1,148 acres of land are owned by the organization, which are free and open to the public year-round. WLT was one of the first land trusts in the nation to receive accreditation through the Land Trust Accreditation Commission.