Conserving Land • Protecting Resources
Since 1987
 

As of January 1, 2024, the Rensselaer Land Trust has merged with the Rensselaer Plateau Alliance. For all questions regarding donations, events, land, or other matters, please visit www.rensselaerplateau.org or call 518-712-9211. For questions about the merger, use extension 101 to speak with Jim Bonesteel. You can expect a new name and logo for our merged organization by Spring / Summer 2024 and a new website by the end of the year!

capital district farms1Town located in: Brunswick

Number of acres: 8.2 acres

Protected since 2005

capital district farms2The Capital District Farms Conservation Easement property is privately owned and not open to the public. It is an 8.2 acre restored cattail wetland adjacent to a dairy farm. The owner worked with the USDA Natural Resources Conservation Service to prevent runoff from his operations and to keep cattle out of the wetland. The wetland is upstream from the Poestenkill aquifer and serves as a buffer between the dairy farm and the aquifer. This is a wetland mitigation site required of Besicorp‐Empire Power Company, LLC, who filled in a different wetland of 2.7 acres to construct a 16” natural gas pipeline. Rensselaer Land Trust worked together with the landowner of Capital District Farms, USDA Natural Resources Conservation Service, US Army Corps of Engineers, New York District and Besicorp‐Empire Power Company, LLC, to restore and protect this wetland. This conservation easement prohibits development, mining, dumping, draining, dredging, non‐forest agricultural uses, commercial activity, and motorized vehicles. The easement is a donated easement.