Land conservancy buys 33 acres to expand preserve

The Woodstock Land Conservancy has finalized its $165,000 purchase of about 33 acres that will be added to the Mount Guardian Preserve.

Conservancy Executive Director Maxanne Resnick said the purchase, from Colorado residents Wyndham and Sally Hannaway, brings the organization’s holdings in the preserve to about 90 acres.

The preserve now comprises about 700 acres of undisturbed habitat that runs from behind private lands south of MacDaniel Road nearly to Byrdcliff Road.

Looking ahead, Resnick said the conservancy “would like to have a trail connecting a variety of places to the preserve.”

“I think in the coming year, we will be working on developing a plan then maybe making that happen in the following year,” she said. “But it does take a little bit of time trying to look at the trails and trying to work with adjacent neighbors.”

The Open Space Institute covered 60 percent of the cost of buying the 33 acres.

Conservancy board Chairman Kevin Smith said the acquisition was important because of land development pressures.

“The recent purchase ... was reminiscent of the amazing outpouring of generosity and community spirt which saved the Zena Cornfield back in 1989,” Smith said in a press release. “Immediate funds were needed, and [the conservancy] reached out to several donors, who without hesitation offered substantial funds to make the acquisition possible.”

Open Space Institute President Kim Elliman said in a prepared statement that the expansion of the Mount Guardian Preserve “will help protect the scenic vistas of Woodstock and enhance quality of life in this thriving town.”