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Orange County Land Trust to Receive $69,000 in Grants from NYS DEC Middletown, NY — December 21, 2007 The Orange County Land Trust is pleased to announce that it will receive $69,000 from two grants awarded by the New York State Department of Environmental Conservation through its Hudson River Estuary Grant program. Hudson River Estuary grants from the DEC fund projects that protect natural areas along the Hudson River, from the Troy dam to New York Harbor, and includes its watershed lands, scenic landscapes and upland habitats. For its funded projects, the Orange County Land Trust will focus on the Wallkill River, a tributary of the Hudson River, in conjunction with the Land Trust's Wallkill River Task Force. A grant of $34,000 will allow the Task Force to work with five municipalities in the Wallkill River watershed to review their local codes and incorporate low-impact development techniques. A second grant of $35,000 will pay for assessing areas along the tributaries of the main stem of the Wallkill River that need restoration, and the planting of trees and shrubs to aid in stream bank stabilization. "I am very excited about doing this work," said Wallkill River Task Force Coordinator Karin Roux. "This work will ultimately help improve water quality, increase habitat for wildlife and contribute to reducing the impact of flooding in the Wallkill River watershed." The Wallkill River Task Force is a formal project of the Orange County Land Trust. It is a coalition of like-minded local organizations whose mission is to protect the quality of life for humans and wildlife in the river's watershed. The Task Force promotes and coordinates activities that enhance water quality and quantity, protect ecosystems and habitats, encourage economic and agricultural activities, and expand public access and recreation. The Orange County Land Trust is a nonprofit organization whose mission is to preserve the fields, forests, wetlands, ridgelines and river corridors through voluntary land protection. The Land Trust operates seven preserves open to the public, hosts educational programs for adults and children, and advocates for smart growth development. For more information about the Land Trust, and for volunteer opportunities, please visit the website at oclt.org. |
