Warwick-The Orange County Land Trust announced today that in partnership with Scenic Hudson, and the Town of Warwick's Agricultural and Farmland Protection Program another 293-acres of farmland and important ecological habitat has been protected in the Town of Warwick. The Town of Warwick, Scenic Hudson and the Orange County Land Trust worked together to purchase a conservation easement from Will Brown and Barbara Felton.
The conservation easement is a voluntary agreement that limits the nonagricultural development and specifies how land can be used to provide protection of important natural and agricultural resources. When a property is subject to a conservation easement, it remains in private ownership, on the tax rolls and is monitored by the easement holder(s) on an on-going basis to insure its conservation values remain protected. The terms of an easement are binding to future owners of the property as well. By agreeing to voluntarily protect their farm, Will Brown and Barbara Felton have insured that their property, its valuable farmland and natural resources will be protected from development pressures and its unique agricultural character will remain intact for years to come.
The Brown and Felton farm, located in the Amity Wetlands region off of Prices Switch Road, is an active beef cattle and hay operation. The natural resources of the property consist of extensive frontage along Pochuck Creek, 100 and 50-year floodplain, NYS Department of Environmental Conservation-designated wetlands and federally-designated wetlands. The conservation easement was crafted to ensure protection and compatibility of both the agricultural viability and these significant natural resources.
In discussing their reasons for participating in this conservation easement transaction, Will Brown said "It is very gratifying to have a role in preserving open space and protecting the Wallkill River Watershed."
"Will and Barbara have made a wonderful gift to the land and to the community," said Land Trust Executive Director Jim Delaune. "Their property is especially significant due to its location, valuable farmland and significant resources."
"I am pleased that the Town of Warwick has been able to secure the development rights to the Brown Farm which not only protects another 293 Acres of active farmland but also helps reduce the burden of the negative tax effect of residential development on property taxes," said Town of Warwick Supervisor, Michael Sweeton.
"The Town of Warwick is one of the Hudson Valley's bright lights when it comes to protecting its agricultural base, and we are pleased to have worked in partnership to conserve this productive farm" said Steve Rosenberg, Executive Director of The Scenic Hudson Land Trust, Inc. "We are grateful to the Town for its leadership, and to Mr. Brown and Ms. Felton for their commitment to keeping their farm intact for future generations."
Land Trust President, Douglas McBride said "Yesterday's preservation of the Brown-Felton farm is a perfect example of voluntary land conservation in action." "It protects farmland, clean water and natural areas that are vital to keeping Orange County a nice place to live."
This latest conservation easement is the Orange County Land Trust's 21st project in the County. To date, the Orange County Land Trust has conserved more than 2,900 acres through the use of conservation easements and the establishment of eight nature preserves that are open for the public to enjoy.
The Brown and Felton farm is the fifth working farm in the Town of Warwick that Scenic Hudson has partnered with the Town to protect since 2004. The organization has preserved more than 700 acres there in an effort to sustain the community's agricultural heritage and economy. Valleywide, Scenic Hudson has guaranteed that more than 6,000 acres of farmland will never be subdivided for development.
Additional information about the Orange County Land Trust is available at the Land Trust's web site, www.oclt.org.
Scenic Hudson works to protect and restore the Hudson River and its majestic landscape as an irreplaceable national treasure and a vital resource for residents and visitors. A crusader for the valley since 1963, the organization is credited with saving fabled Storm King Mountain from a destructive industrial project and launching the modern grass-roots environmental movement. Today with more than 10,000 ardent supporters, Scenic Hudson is the largest environmental group focused on the Hudson River Valley. Our team of experts combines land acquisition, support for agriculture, citizen-based advocacy and sophisticated planning tools to create environmentally healthy communities, champion smart economic growth, open up riverfronts to the public and preserve the valley's inspiring beauty and natural resources. www.scenichudson.org
