County land trust receives funding for new preserve

TROY, N.Y. » Rensselaer Land Trust announced Sunday that it has received a NYS Conservation Partnership Program Grant this year for $14,600.

The NYS Conservation Partnership Program is funded by the state’s Environmental Protection Fund and administered by the Land Trust Alliance, in coordination with the state Department of Environmental Conservation.

The Rensselaer Land Trust will use the grant to make public access improvements and prepare a management plan for its new 44 acre Featherweald Preserve in Cambridge.

Home to a great blue heron rookery and located in an area with nesting bald eagles the property is said to be ideal for bird watching. The property also contains large black oak and pignut hickory trees. A walking trail system transects the property. The property was donated to RLT earlier this year by Lisa Lindquist, Ilse Godfrey and Craig Johnson in memory of their parents.

“We are very excited about receiving funding to improve access to our newest preserve and to plan for its future,” says RLT Board President Kristina Younger. “We wish to thank the governor, the legislature, DEC, and the Land Trust Alliance for providing this generous support.”

The NYS Conservation Partnership Program is funded by the state’s Environmental Protection Fund and administered by the Land Trust Alliance, in coordination with the NYS Department of Environmental Conservation (DEC). RLT’s grant is part of $2.3 million in grants awarded to 51 non-profit land trusts across the state.

Rensselaer Land Trust’s mission is to conserve the open spaces, watersheds and natural habitats of Rensselaer County, for the benefit of our communities and future generations. RLT celebrated its 30th Anniversary in 2017. For more information log on to www. renstrust.org or call 518-659LAND (5263).

— RLT Board President Kristina Younger “We are very excited about receiving funding to improve access to our newest preserve and to plan for its future. We wish to thank the governor, the legislature, DEC, and the Land Trust Alliance for providing this generous support”