Ribbon Cutting Celebrates Preserve with One Mile of Hudson River Shoreline

Conserved property supports healthy environment, enhances recreational opportunities

SAUGERTIES (Ulster County)—Scenic Hudson was joined by representatives from the Dominican Sisters of Sparkill and the Esopus Creek Conservancy (ECC) as well as public officials and enthused residents in a ribbon cutting for Falling Waters Preserve. The 168-acre preserve protects ecologically important land along the Hudson River in the Town of Saugerties, Ulster County. The new preserve provides an exciting opportunity to connect people with nature, and it is the latest success in Scenic Hudson's campaign to Save the Land That Matters Most.

Scenic Hudson last summer reached an agreement with the Dominican Sisters of Sparkill to conserve the property and permit public access for five years. The preserve boasts over one mile of spectacular Hudson Riverfront, a stream, meadows, wetlands and hardwood forest, as well as breathtaking vistas of the Hudson River and Catskill Mountains.

New trails create public access

After agreeing to allow public access on the land, the Sisters worked with Scenic Hudson park planners and the ECC on a concept plan to augment an existing riverside trail system while protecting the Sisters' privacy. Public meetings were held to engage residents in the effort. Scenic Hudson and ECC constructed the new trails and will share maintenance responsibilities.

"We and all who love this area along the Hudson owe a debt to the Dominican Sisters of Sparkill for granting Scenic Hudson a conservation easement on their property and agreeing to allow public access on land they cherish. The Sisters have guaranteed that this significant property will remain unspoiled for the near future and that visitors will be able to experience the tranquility and inspiration of its natural treasures," said Ned Sullivan, president of Scenic Hudson.

"This donation expresses the Sisters' passion for environmental stewardship and their broader commitment to social justice. Many thanks to them as well to the Esopus Creek Conservancy for introducing Scenic Hudson to the Sisters and collaborating with us to create this stunning new destination for relaxation and recreation," said Steve Rosenberg, executive director of the Scenic Hudson Land Trust.

"We have been so pleased to partner with Scenic Hudson. For us—caretakers of land that is God's—we believe that earth's riches are for everyone, and that land should be conserved, restored and shared," said Sister Lorraine LaRocca, executive team leader of the Dominican Sisters of Sparkill.

"This is an exciting new initiative for ECC and adds to our work at Esopus Bend Nature Preserve and environmental education programs in the community and in the Saugerties schools. Being part of creating and caring for this new preserve is a fitting strengthening of our mission 'to conserve significant natural landscapes in the Lower Esopus Creek watershed and the Saugerties area.' It's important to the Saugerties community to welcome tourists to our area and especially to increase access to the Hudson River. This is a real gift for residents of Saugerties and other Hudson Valley communities as well. We look forward to expanding our program of nature walks and habitat study in collaboration with these two amazing organizations, the Dominican Sisters and Scenic Hudson," said Susan Bolitzer, president of ECC.

"Scenic Hudson has been a friend of ECC from our very beginning, and we are proud of this new partnership, both with them and with the Dominican Sisters, who have shown such dedication to the land in preserving and sharing this Hudson River gem," added Ms. Bolitzer.

Deal has strong economic, ecological upsides

The preserve's protected landscapes will contribute to a $4.7-billion regional tourism economy that sustains 80,000 jobs. Located within the Ulster North Scenic Area of Statewide Significance—designated by New York State for its outstanding scenic and historic value—the Sisters' property features prominently in spectacular views from Clermont State Historic Site, Montgomery Place and numerous popular parks in Dutchess and Columbia counties.

Protected forests, wetlands improve air and water quality, benefit health

Increasing the acreage of protected forests and wetlands offers myriad health benefits. Trees release pure oxygen while sequestering pollutants that contribute to asthma, lung cancer, and cardiovascular disease. Woodlands collect and purify water that filters into the ground to recharge local aquifers, communities' prime sources of drinking water. Trees also intercept rainfall, preventing it from flowing into streams where it could cause flooding. Wetlands help prevent flooding by trapping run-off and releasing it slowly, in the process absorbing pollutants that otherwise might reach tributaries and drinking-water supplies. Safeguarding these prime wildlife habitats helps maintain biodiversity, which plays an important role in preventing diseases such as West Nile virus and Lyme disease.

Collaborative campaign targets protecting valley's most important landscapes

Scenic Hudson's campaign to Save the Land That Matters Most was launched in 2007 to provide a lasting way of commemorating the Quadricentennial of Henry Hudson's voyage of discovery. It is a multi-year, collaborative effort with fellow land trusts, governments, individuals and businesses to protect lands of the highest scenic, ecological and agricultural significance throughout the Hudson Valley. To date, Scenic Hudson has conserved 4,470 acres and our land trust partners an additional 2,027 acres.

Land preservation key to economic opportunity

Scenic Hudson also pursues its campaign to Save the Land That Matters Most realizing that preserving land provides the cornerstone of a sustainable economy for the region. In Ulster County alone, the tourism industry is responsible for $$472 million in spending each year, generating $29 million annually in local taxes and employing nearly 8,500 people. Protected lands also help secure the valley's place in the new green economy. A recent study by the Trust for Public Land notes that executives looking to relocate or start up firms rank quality of life—including an abundance of parks and open space—higher than housing, cost of living and good schools.

About Dominican Sisters of Sparkill

The Dominican Sisters of Sparkill, New York, is a congregation of over 375 vowed women religious and associates. Tracing their roots back to the Order of Preachers founded by St. Dominic in the early 13th century, the Sisters are committed to preaching and teaching the good news of the Gospel through ministry for justice and reverence for all creation. Members of the congregation minister in 12 states and in Pakistan and Peru. Sisters now serve in the fields of education, administration, health care, pastoral ministry, retreat ministry, art, sciences, and social services and advocacy for poor and underserved populations.

About Esopus Creek Conservancy

Esopus Creek Conservancy's primary mission has been to develop and manage Esopus Bend Nature Preserve, a unique, 161-acre preserve in Saugerties open to the public. ECC volunteers have created a network of trails enhanced by bridges and boardwalks that lead though lowland meadows, wetlands and an upland forest. We have partnered with the Catskill Center for Conservation and Development and the Saugerties School District to create "The Nature Preserve as Classroom," a program that offers local teachers the opportunity to bring their students to Esopus Bend for hands-on environmental education. Through a program of field trips such as animal tracking, butterfly walks, bird watching, and tree and mushroom identification walks, the public is invited to explore the preserve with naturalists. Founded in 2003 Esopus Creek Conservancy is an all-volunteer land trust generously supported by the local community and various grant sources with a mission to protect significant natural landscapes in the Saugerties area. www.esopuscreekconservancy.org

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July 24, 2011 ribbon cutting marking the opening of Falling Waters Preserve. Left to right: Susan Bolitzer, president, Esopus Creek Conservancy; Peter D. Lopez, member, NYS Assembly; Paul Schwartzberg, senior land project manager, Scenic Hudson; Steve Rosenberg, senior vice president, Scenic Hudson; Sister Mary Murray, president, Dominican Sisters of Sparkill; Jamie Welch; Kate Kane, park planner, Scenic Hudson; Greg Helsmoortel, supervisor, Town of Saugerties; Ned Sullivan, president, Scenic Hudson; Fiona Angelini. Photo: Robert Rodriguez, Jr. Additional photos available at this link.

events will last another 400 years.

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, we are credited with saving fabled Storm King Mountain from a destructive industrial project and launching the modern grass-roots environmental movement. Today with more than 25,000 ardent supporters, we are 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. To date Scenic Hudson has created or enhanced more than 50 parks, preserves and historic sites up and down the Hudson River and conserved more than 30,000 acres.

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