Saratoga PLAN conserves 80 acres on Irish Hill

SARATOGA, N.Y. >> Saratoga PLAN, in collaboration with Rick Burke and The Nature Conservancy, recently signed into agreement the Burke Forest Conservation Project.

The conservation easement permanently conserved just over 80 acres of forest habitat in the Town of Saratoga, on what is locally known as Irish Hill.

Rick Burke, owner of Irish Hill Century Farm, grew up in the woods he has now permanently conserved. He recalls hunting, chopping wood, and exploring stone foundations, said to be remnants of 13 Irish families that settled in the area to seek respite from the Great Famine of Ireland in the mid 1800s.

The property, blanketed by red oaks and maple groves, stirs Burke’s memories of woodsy wanderings and woodchips. “We were always cutting wood,” he said in a press release, explaining that his father used wood to heat the house. “It’s how we spent every weekend and holiday and summer time. There was no vacation from school. We just cut wood.”

Almost 13 years ago, when Burke learned that Finch, Pruyn & Company sold the neighboring woodlands to The Nature Conservancy, Burke knew he wanted to ensure that the land that had provided for him and his family would remain forested for generations to come.

“There’s a lot of housing pressure,” he said in the release. “Farms that my father, uncle and grandfather had rented, they’re all gone now.” Burke explained that he wouldn’t want to see a similar phenomenon happen to the woodlands on his property.

By putting pen to paper on the recent lucky Friday the 13th, Burke purchased land from The Nature Conservancy and simultaneously conserved the land, in addition to some of his own acreage, and fulfilled a long-time vision.

“We’re thankful to be able to help Rick and The Nature Conservancy fulfill their vision of forever conserving this land for its habitat and scenic beauty,” said Mike Horn, PLAN’s conservation director, in the release.

Saratoga PLAN is a nonprofit land trust that preserves the rural character, natural habitats and scenic beauty of Saratoga County so that these irreplaceable assets are accessible to all and survive for future generations. PLAN has helped conserve over 7,000 acres of land. PLAN helps landowners conserve farmland, woodlands and natural habitats, and

connects people to nature through an extensive trail network, including 10 public nature preserves open for hiking, biking, crosscountry skiing, snowshoeing, and kayaking.

Saratoga PLAN aims to help communities create plans that balance growth with conservation to sustain the Saratoga Region as a great place to live, work, visit, play and farm. PLAN also facilitates communitybased conservation by partnering with municipalities to help them accomplish their community’s conservation goals.

More information about Saratoga PLAN is available online at www. saratogaplan.org.