The Orange County Land Trust has finalized two conservation easements with private landowners that resulted in the protection of 421 acres of land within the Lower Neversink River Watershed in the Towns of Deerpark and Forestburgh.
The properties contain a contiguous expanse of forest, wetlands, and streams, as well as 1,150 feet of frontage on the Neversink River. A portion of the conserved land also abuts the Neversink River Unique Area.
“The permanent protection of these forested parcels further safeguards water quality in the Neversink River and supports a host of wildlife, especially forest interior bird species,” stated Kyle Sanduski, OCLT’s Director of Conservation.”
Since the Save Orange County’s Last Wilderness initiative was launched in 2024 by OCLT, over 1,500 acres of land in the Town of Deerpark have been protected. The initiative focuses on the protection of land surrounding the Port Jervis Watershed, Neversink River, Mongaup River, Basher Kill, and Delaware River for water quality, flood mitigation, outdoor recreation, and other benefits.
OCLT’s Executive Director, Jim Delaune, said “This work would not be possible without willing conservation-minded landowners, so we applaud the families involved in protecting these important properties. We also thank the Open Space Institute, The Nature Conservancy, and Orange County Government for supporting these efforts.”
Bill Rawlyk, Senior Program Manager at the Open Space Institute (OSI) said “Protecting these forests is a win for water quality, wildlife, and communities downstream. By absorbing rainfall and filtering runoff, these lands help keep the Neversink River clean and reduce flooding risks throughout the Delaware River Basin. The land also safeguards habitat for sensitive aquatic species — proof that conservation delivers benefits far beyond property lines.”
Matt Levy, Director of Land Protection at The Nature Conservancy of New York said: “Projects like this show what’s possible when communities and conservation partners work together. By protecting land around the Port Jervis Watershed and the Delaware River system, we’re securing clean water, creating outdoor recreation opportunities, and strengthening the region’s natural defenses against flooding. We’re thrilled that these benefits will be felt by families, visitors and wildlife alike.”
Orange County Executive Steven M. Neuhaus said “Protecting the natural resources that define Orange County is one of our highest priorities. These easements not only preserve critical forests and waterways, but they also strengthen the long-term health, resilience, and quality of life of our communities. We’re proud to support the Land Trust’s continued leadership in safeguarding the Neversink River Watershed for future generations.”
Orange County Legislator Tom Faggione said “Conservation easements are great in my book because they ensure land remains forever wild without removing them from the tax base. As a Town of Deerpark resident, projects like these are a win-win.”
The project was supported through the OSI’s Delaware River Watershed Protection Fund, made possible with funding from the William Penn Foundation for its Delaware River Watershed Initiative, which seeks to protect water quality in the Delaware River Basin. Launched in 2014 with funding from the William Penn Foundation’s Delaware River Watershed Initiative, OSI’s DRWPF has protected more than 30,000 acres of forested land to safeguard water quality in the Delaware River Watershed, a source of drinking water for approximately 15 million people — including residents of northeastern Pennsylvania as well as Trenton, Philadelphia, Wilmington, and New York City.
Orange County Land Trust is dedicated to conserving Orange County’s watersheds, agricultural lands, and natural habitats through conservation agreements with willing landowners. For more information call (845) 534-3690 or visit www.oclt.org
About the Open Space Institute
The Open Space Institute is a national leader in land conservation and efforts to make parks and other protected land more welcoming for all. Since 1974, OSI has partnered in the protection of more than 2.5 million at-risk and environmentally sensitive acres in the eastern U.S. OSI’s land protection promotes clean air and water, improves access to recreation, provides wildlife habitat, strengthens communities, and combats the devastating impacts of extreme weather.
