RHINEBECK – The owners of 81 acres of wetlands and forest in the towns of Red Hook and Milan have donated their property as a conservation easement to the Winnakee Land Trust to protect it from development.
The property donated by landowners Ellen and Sam Phelan is “part of one of the last extensive woodland areas in Red Hook,” the couple said in a statement. “For over 25 years we have enjoyed viewing the wildlife and natural scenery of the property. It was a playground for our children and has provided us with warmth (firewood) each year.”
Winnakee Land Trust Executive Director Gregg Swanzey said the conservation easement “not only protects an important natural asset for the entire community, but also offers inspiration to other landowners to develop easements on their property.”
The property lies at the headwaters of the Saw Kill, the Stony Creek, and the Roeliff Janson Kill, “making it critical to the protection of Hudson River water quality,” said Tierney Rosenstock, Land Project manager at Winnakee.
L-r: Sam Phelan; Sally Mazzarella, Winakee Land Trust Board
president; Ellen Phelan; Gregg Swanzy, Winnakee
executive director
Map shows easement location, in yellow, near top right
