Orange County Land Trust Announces Protection of 116 Acres in the Town of Warwick
The Orange County Land Trust (OCLT) has announced the protection of 116 acres of land in the Town of Warwick.
The property is located within the “Highlands” Significant Biodiversity Area (NYSDEC) and comprises Hemlock-northern hardwood forest, a significant natural community identified by the NY Natural Heritage Program (NYSDEC). The property also contains the headwaters of the Trout Brook, a key tributary of the Moodna Creek, and provides an important buffer to the Doris Duke Wildlife Sanctuary section of Sterling Forest State Park.
“The protection of this land supports habitat connectivity and clean water, and helps maintain the ecological integrity of the surrounding state park,” said Jeremy Schneider, OCLT Communications Coordinator. “As growth and development in Orange County continue to rise, protecting important lands like these becomes more and more crucial.”
In addition to its ecological value, the property boasts scenic, landscape-scale views that are now accessible to the public through the Doris Duke Wildlife Sanctuary, as well as the Appalachian Trail.
The project also received support from the Peter and Carmen Lucia Buck Foundation.
