SPARROWBUSH – Some 50 people gathered Thursday on the banks of the Delaware River in Sparrowbush to celebrate the launch of efforts by the Orange County Land Trust to preserve the county’s “last wilderness.”
Jim Delaune, the land trust’s executive director, said the effort would preserve a 35,000-acre region to protect the Delaware River watershed, to foster recreation and to develop the economy of western Orange County.
“This is really a matter of not only land conservation and tourism, but economic development,” he said.
The region is rich in natural resources, history and geographical features. Its ponds, wetlands, streams and rugged geology play a vital ecological role in the Delaware River watershed. The project will also sustain wildlife and help mitigate flooding.
Local officials, including Deerpark Town Supervisor Gary Spears and Port Jervis Mayor Dominic Cicalese, added their enthusiastic support for the multi-year plan.
The project has the support of many environmental organizations including the Delaware Highlands Conservancy (with offices in Pennsylvania and New York), the Upper Delaware Council and the Open Space Institute.
The land trust is looking for public support to protect the wilderness region, now and for the future.
To learn more and to make a donation, go to saveocwilderness.org. The website points out that land doesn’t remain forever wild by chance; saving land for the benefit of communities requires proactive measures by way of conservation.
