SAUGERTIES – The Woodstock Land Conservancy has purchased over 54 acres of land from the Marazita family in Saugerties expanding the Israel Wittman Sanctuary beyond 210 acres.
The newly acquired wild land is part of the more than 86 acres that Jan and her late husband Dan owned since they purchased it in 1982.
Conservancy Communication and Outreach Manager Keisha Hoerner said Jan Marazita wanted the land to stay forever green.
“She just had so many wonderful memories of them camping and them hiking and celebrating birthdays and special events all over this property and watching the beavers build the dam and having a pond that initially wasn’t there thanks to the wildlife,” she said. “It’s just so gorgeous and they are so excited to know that for generations to come it will still be that naturally gorgeous land.”
Land Acquisition and Stewardship Manager Melissa Peterson said adding the Marazita property to the sanctuary will allow the conservancy to eventually construct a fourth public trail. “It’s an important addition to the mixed hardwood and coniferous forest that engages visitors who walk the existing trails.”
