Exploring Land Conservancy Preserves

By Rich Macha

Now that we are into the shoulder season – the glories of fall foliage have passed, but the joys of winter’s snowy landscape have yet to be experienced – we can remain active by investigating the trails at our local preserves that are owned or promoted by land conservancies and trusts. Once the snow starts flying, these preserves can also be enjoyed on snowshoes or cross-country skis.

Land conservancies and trusts are private, not-for-profit organizations that work to conserve land by helping landowners voluntarily protect forests, meadows, wetlands, or working agricultural lands. The conservancies can own the lands outright, or hold conservation easements on them. An easement is a legal agreement between a landowner and the conservancy that permanently limits uses of the land in order to protect it. It allows landowners to continue to own and use their land, and they can also sell it or pass it on to their heirs.

An introduction to the conservancies in our area and a small sampling of their preserves follows – many more options can be found by visiting their respective websites.

Columbia Land Conservancy – CLC operates several preserves within Columbia County. Their Greenport Conservation Area includes eight miles of trails with wonderful views of the Hudson River and the Catskill Mountains. Two gazebos and several benches offer spots to rest and enjoy the surroundings, and a trail connects to Scenic Hudson’s Harrier Hill Park where more views await the visitor: clctrust.org.

New Baltimore Conservancy – This is a small conservancy in northeastern Greene County. At their Hannacroix Creek Preserve, you can hike to an attractive waterfall and then cross over NY Route 144 to take a walk on the Hudson River Interpretive Trail, which crosses a bridge made of recycled plastic bottles before reaching a scenic spot on the river: newbaltimoreconservancy.org.

Mohawk Hudson Land Conservancy – MHLC has lots to offer at its 20 preserves scattered throughout Albany, Schenectady, and Montgomery counties. Just outside of the city of Albany, the two Normans Kill Preserves provide for some lovely views of the stream as it makes its way toward the Hudson River. The Strawberry Fields Nature Preserve in the town of Amsterdam includes a family homestead and a working farm in addition to its walking trails: mohawkhudson.org.

Rensselaer Plateau Alliance – RPA is dedicated to the preservation of the ecologically important high elevation areas of Rensselaer County. Their Barberville Falls Preserve has received recent improvements to its trails and features a 92-foot waterfall. Grafton Forest is a large preserve which also connects to the adjacent Pittstown State Forest – its Valley View, Vulture’s View, and Rynard’s Roost trails lead you to lookouts on the edge of the escarpment with views north toward Tomhannock Reservoir and beyond: rensselaerplateau.org.

Saratoga PLAN – Saratoga PLAN manages several natural areas throughout Saratoga County. I have especially enjoyed the two more remote preserves nestled in the northwest corner of the county – the LeVine Preserve offers three miles of trails that pass by a scenic stream, and the Hennig Preserve, when combined with the adjacent county forest, has close to 10 miles of varied trails that travel over eskers and go past wetlands and brooks: saratogaplan.org.

Queensbury Land Conservancy – QLC was unknown to me until I stumbled upon their Van Dusen Preserve earlier this year. I hiked a two-mile lollipop loop up through hemlock and pine woods which transitioned to open hardwoods, while gaining 450 feet in elevation in under a mile – with the leaves off the trees, there should be some nice views for a late fall hike or a winter snowshoe trip. The Sullivan Preserve, located a short distance north of the canoe/kayak launch on Glen Lake, has three miles of trails looping among tall trees – the wide hilly trails may also be of interest to the intermediate cross-country skier looking for a little excitement: qlcny.org.

Lake George Land Conservancy – LGLC is firmly committed to preserving natural areas around the “Queen of American Lakes” and the quality of its waters. The Pinnacle, near Bolton Landing, has been one of its most popular preserves, thanks to a relatively easy climb to a viewpoint overlooking Lake George with an excellent view to the islands of The Narrows and the surrounding mountains. New this year are a larger parking area, and even easier spur trail leading to Bradley’s Lookout which has a similar view, although not quite as expansive as the one from The Pinnacle lookout: lglc.org.

Champlain Area Trails – Regardless of ownership, CATS champions the conservation of natural areas in the northeastern Adirondacks, Lake Champlain valley, and Plattsburgh region. A short but moderately steep hike at the Coon Mountain Trails preserve, actually owned by the Adirondack Land Trust, brings the hiker to a fabulous lookout with views of Lake Champlain, High Peaks of the Adirondacks, and Green Mountains in Vermont: champlainareatrails.com.

Adirondack Land Trust – Not only does ALT focus on the natural areas of the Adirondack Park like Coon Mountain, but it also has some interest in the Tug Hill Plateau, located between the Adirondacks and Lake Ontario. ALT holds a conservation easement on 822 acres of Black River Environmental Improvement Association (BREIA) lands near Boonville in Oneida County, a short drive north of Utica, that are home to 30 miles of trails which, thanks to lake-effect snows, are especially enjoyed by cross-country skiers in winter, as well as hikers and mountain bikers in fair weather months. ALT’s partner, the Tug Hill Tomorrow Land Trust also owns an easement at BREIA: adirondacklandtrust.org.

As you can see, there are likely to be one or more preserves within a short drive of where you live, so whether you would like to get out for just an hour or for several hours of activity in a pleasant natural setting, there is little reason to stay cooped up indoors. And, if you have the time or means, try volunteering at the conservancy of your choice and/or contribute financially, so it can continue to protect land from being developed, provide a place where we can unwind, and enjoy the beauty of nature.

The different preserves may or may not allow hunting so check the conservancy websites for the rules specific to the area you would like to visit. It never hurts to wear bright clothing whenever you recreate in the outdoors during big game hunting season.     

A lover of wild places, Rich Macha has led many trips for the Adirondack Mountain Club, and has spent 20 years in the paddlesport/snowsport business. More of Rich’s adventures can be found at northeastwild.blogspot.com.