New York Protects Watershed Acres
The 199 acre Tilly Foster Farm in Putnam County has been protected from development to help preserve the water quality of New York city’s Middle Branch Reservoir.
The nonprofit Trust for Public Land negotiated the $3.9 million acquisition using funds allocated to Putnam County from the New York City Department of Environmental Protection from a fund established to enable municipalities in the city’s watershed to invest in projects that will protect the water supply.
Tilly Foster Farm is a scenic complex of pastures and historic farm buildings once used to operate a dairy and thoroughbred farm. The preservation of the farm in the town of Southeast, which was targeted by developers for 600 condominiums, protects the parcel and will provide opportunities for environmental education programs.
Situated along the busy and fast developing Route 312/Interstate 84 corridor, Tilly Foster Farm is in one of Putnam County’s most scenic and historic viewsheds.
“This partnership of New York City, Putnam County and the conservation community is a model that should be replicated for future protection efforts,” said Kate Garrett, project manager for the Trust for Public Land. “The purchase of Tilly Foster Farm protects the drinking water of millions of New York City residents and makes a historic rural resource available to future generations for environmental education.”
The Trust for Public Land and its joint venture partner, the nonprofit Open Space Institue (OSI) are working together to protect more land in this area. OSI was given a property neighboring Tilly Foster Farm that it will donate to Putnam County.
“The Trust for Public Land made it possible for the county to own this farm, which will become an integral part of the Tilly Foster Conservation Area,” said Putnam County executive Bob Bondi.
Provided by the the Environmental News Service.
