Private Landowners

Scenic Hudson can help private landowners conserve their property in a number of different ways

Conservation easements held by Scenic Hudson are protecting beautiful properties throughout the Hudson Valley

Acquisition

The most direct way to protect land is to own it. The Scenic Hudson Land Trust owns thousands of acres of parks and preserves in the Hudson Valley. We have acquired this land through donations from landowners and by outright purchase. Contact Land Projects Assistant Meghan Kirkpatrick, (845) 473-4440, ext. 235, if you have a property that you would like to work with us to preserve.

Conservation Easements

Conservation easements offer landowners the opportunity to permanently restrict the use of their land, while maintaining ownership. Conservation easements typically are donated, which can result in significant federal income tax benefits to the donor. In special circumstances, Scenic Hudson may consider purchasing a conservation easement. As the holder of a conservation easement, Scenic Hudson is responsible to monitor the land in the future, and we ask easement donors to help fund this cost. Contact Land Projects Assistant Meghan Kirkpatrick, (845) 473-4440, ext. 235, if you have a property that you would like to work with us to preserve.

Working with Partners

Scenic Hudson partners with other conservation groups, local communities, New York State and the federal government, to orchestrate and facilitate land preservation projects. For example, during a recent round of state funding for open space protection, we assisted several communities to secure funds to purchase properties either alone or together with Scenic Hudson. We own several properties jointly with local communities, where together we involved the community in raising the funds needed to purchase the land and creating a vision for public use of the land. Sometimes we will acquire land with the intention of later transferring it to New York State or other partners. And in some cases, we own land and local land trusts and other partners work with us to manage the property for public use. Contact us if there is a project in your community that Scenic Hudson might be able to help with.

Stewardship Resources

To help private landowners preserve the irreplaceable natural and scenic resources on their property, Scenic Hudson maintains an online listing of stewardship resources featuring all kinds of useful information.