Senator Kathleen Marchione and County Executive Kathleen M. Jimino join Rensselaer Land Trust and supporters at the Robert Ingalls Preserve in Stephentown for the ribbon cutting ceremony in memory of Robert Ingalls.

On Saturday, July 20, 2013 more than 30 community members gathered at Rensselaer Land Trust's Robert Ingalls Preserve in Stephentown for an official ribbon cutting ceremony in memory of Robert Ingalls.

During the ceremony, Christine Young, Rensselaer Land Trust's Executive Director, reflected on Robert Ingalls' years of dedication to the land trust as Vice-President and a long-time board member who served on multiple committees to aid in the land trust's success. "He touched the lives of many us through his generous and humble spirit and extensive knowledge of plants and the land of the region "he is greatly missed," said Ms. Young.

Read more: Robert Ingalls Ribbon Cutting Ceremony

In December, 2014, Rensselaer Land Trust protected 121 more acres. Bob and Jennifer Newton of East Nassau donated 17.2 acres of their land to our Kinderhook Creek Nature Preserve, increasing the size of the preserve by one-third. We also partnered with Jack Alexander and Lyn Howard to place our 14th conservation easement on their 104.57 acres at the Sluyter Preserve in Poestenkill.

Donation from Newtons Expands Kinderhook Creek Nature Preserve
Bob and Jennifer Newton moved to East Nassau over 35 years ago and fell in love with the natural beauty of the area. When they found out about the land donated to Rensselaer Land Trust by David and Lucy Gaskell and by Kenneth York to create the Kinderhook Creek Nature Preserve, they were inspired to donate some of their land for the Preserve as well. The Newtons donated 17.2 acres, bordering the Tsatsawassa Creek and adding over 1,281 feet of shoreline along the Kinderhook Creek, a renowned trout stream.

Read more: Rensselaer Land Trust Protects 121 acres

The Rensselaer Land Trust received grants totaling $37,000 from New York State's Environmental Protection Fund through the Conservation Partnership Program. These awards were announced April 23rd, 2012 by the New York State Department of Environmental Conservation and the Land Trust Alliance.

Rensselaer Land Trust will receive $20,000 for its new John B. Staalesen Vanderheyden Preserve in Troy and $17,000 to support efforts to obtain re-accreditation.

Read more: Rensselaer Land Trust Receives Two Grants