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Rensselaer Land Trust Opens Kinderhook Creek Nature Preserve

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On October 5, 2015 over 100 people attended the Rensselaer Land Trust's official opening of its Kinderhook Creek Nature Preserve in East Nassau. The 73-acre preserve was created by donations of four properties from David and Lucy Gaskell, Bob and Jennifer Newton, the late Kenneth York, and the Edward W. Golden Foundation. David and Lucy, Bob and Jennifer, Ken York's three daughters, and Ted Guterman of the Golden Foundation opened the preserve not by cutting a ribbon, but by "cutting" a garland made with pine boughs. Remarks by the donors were highlighted by Wendy Brigg's touching remembrance of her father Ken York's love of nature. All the donating families share the same vision and love of their land and the desire to provide a natural place for both people and wildlife to enjoy forever. This new preserve is a good example of how land conservation by a private organization benefits the entire community.

Rensselaer Land Trust Earns Continued National Recognition

seal green web Rensselaer Land Trust has achieved renewed land trust accreditation from the Land Trust Accreditation Commission, an independent program of the Land Trust Alliance.

"Rensselaer Land Trust is proud to be awarded renewal of accreditation. Renewal is a testament to our continuing use of good business practices, transaction transparency, ethics, honesty, solid management, and quality of work. Land conservation and watershed protection work is forever. Accreditation and its renewal requirements are rigorous and prove to our members, volunteers, donors and funders that we are serious about our conservation work. We are a stable land trust that will be here for generations to come to steward our conservation easements and manage our nature preserve properties." Christine Young, Executive Director.

Robert Ingalls Ribbon Cutting Ceremony

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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.

Rensselaer Land Trust's Statement on the Proposed Kinder-Morgan/Tennessee Gas Northeast Direct Gas Pipeline

Adopted by the Board of Directors March 23, 2015

We know that many Land Trust members have concerns about this pipeline, or want to know more about it, since the latest proposed route of the pipeline crosses Rensselaer County through the Towns of Schodack, Nassau, and Stephentown.

Rensselaer Land Trust is following the progress of this project closely. As the Land Trust's mission is to conserve the open spaces, watersheds, and natural habitats of Rensselaer County, for the benefit of our communities and future generations, we are concerned about potential impacts of the pipeline on wetlands, natural resources, open spaces, and the landscapes that help define the quality of life in Rensselaer County. The Land Trust will be providing information to all parties on these resources along the proposed route that may be impacted by the project.

Rensselaer Land Trust is not an advocacy group. We fulfill our mission mainly by holding conservation easements and owning and managing preserves. Whether the pipeline is built is a public policy issue, and it is beyond our mission to formally oppose or support the pipeline project, and beyond our capacity to take on active advocacy.

If you are interested in learning more about the pipeline, or you have concerns about it, here are some sources of more information on this important Rensselaer County issue:

map of proposed pipeline