Date: March 3, 2004

Esopus Bend Nature Preserve

The Catskill Center for Conservation and Development, Inc., and the Esopus Creek Conservancy, Inc., are pleased to announce the final acquisition of the 156-acre Keyser property along the Esopus Creek in Saugerties, creating the new "Esopus Bend Nature Preserve". The Catskill Center closed on the property today, purchasing it from the Keyser/Scheu families, and it will subsequently be transferred to the Esopus Creek Conservancy for its long-term care and stewardship. This important project will protect forever this unique natural and community resource centrally located on the border of the Town and Village of Saugerties.

Tom Alworth, Executive Director of The Catskill Center, said, "Protecting this parcel serves as an example of how the conservation of open space goes hand in hand with economic and community development. Saugerties is the big winner here!"

"I've learned about waiting," said ECC president Susan Bolitzer. "For almost five years I've been telling interested supporters that something was just about to happen and I would have some news soon. Each step of the way was like that. Now, from people involved in this type of work, to protect the environment, I've learned that's not unusual. Some things just take time, but are worth the wait."

The land, which borders the Esopus Creek in a dramatic thumb-shaped bend, includes a forested upland and a varied lowland terrain. The property boasts more than a mile of frontage on the Esopus Creek and a wetland cove. The flora and fauna resources of Esopus Bend Nature Preserve are particularly significant considering their proximity to populated areas of Saugerties. The village lies on the hills just across the creek, and behind Esopus Bend, the sprawling Barclay Heights housing development extends for more than a mile. Yet despite this proximity to people, deer, fox, rabbits, and eagles, among many other animals, use the land. Large snapping turtles breed along the wetlands areas. Here the Esopus Creek is a noted bass fishery, particularly the area known as The Cove across from the village beach.

The property had been under William Keyser's ownership since the late 1970s. It was never developed because of designated wetlands, a high water table, and large quantities of sand in the lowlands that had little commercial value. During most of the 20th century, the land was used for crops and fruit trees by Henry J. Schroeder and his family. The property is also known as a haven for children from Barclay Heights to enjoy the unique pleasures of the natural world.

"We appreciate the interest of the Keyser family in the deliberations on this project," Susan Bolitzer said. "Otto Scheu especially has been very supportive of our efforts."

The acquisition was enabled through a $250,000 contribution by Horse Shows in the Sun as part of an agreement with the U. S. Army Corps of Engineers to offset the loss of federal wetlands along the Sawyerkill Creek on the north side of the village. The arrangement, which is authorized by provisions of federal law, was suggested by town supervisor Greg Helsmoortel. The Village of Saugerties helped make the project a reality by agreeing to forgive penalties due on back taxes if the land were protected by a non-profit.

"Finally closing on this important property after the ups and downs and twists and turns of a several-year process is an extremely gratifying feeling," said Chris Olney, the director of The Catskill Center's Land Conservation Program. "Not many land conservation projects have a story as unique and complex as this one, with so many moments of joy and despair, so many involved parties, changing protection scenarios, changing funding strategies, unforeseen twists of fate, unanticipated delays and road blocks. But above all, this project has been characterized by an incredible commitment of community support and action. There are so many people who worked very hard to make this project come to fruition, and the one who stands out above all is Susan Bolitzer, who initiated the effort to protect this piece of land when it first came up for auction in 1999. Now, as President of the Esopus Creek Conservancy, Susan is able to enjoy the fruits of her labor and begin the process of making the Esopus Bend Nature Preserve a centerpiece of nature and public enjoyment for the people of Saugerties."

The dramatic views of Esopus Bend Nature Preserve from Barclay Heights evoke the landscape paintings of the Hudson River School of Art. Village mayor Robert Yerick led an effort last year to restore a painting of the preserve from that era that now hangs in the village hall. Esopus Bend has been seen as a link in village efforts to promote heritage tourism.

Now that the property has been secured and protected, the Esopus Creek Conservancy will take the lead in making the land available to the community for passive recreational uses such as hiking and nature study. Until such time however, the property will temporarily remain closed to the public. ECC and The Catskill Center expect to open the property within a few months. The Rip Van Winkle Hiking Club and Blue Kats Men's Club have offered to help with trails. Eventually, educational programs will be developed involving local schools, a website will be created, and scientific surveys undertaken to catalog the Preserve's habitats and other natural resources.

"Now the work begins," said the ECC president. "We have already had so much input and help on this project. The Barclay Heights community, and especially the 'gate-keepers' who abut the property, have been very supportive. All of Saugerties knows that we are saving a special resource, a quiet haven of natural beauty that will become so much more important as the town grows."

Olney and Bolitzer said that the next step is to finalize a conservation easement that will ensure the property is protected in perpetuity, and turn the property over to ECC after they receive final approval on their non-profit corporation status in the coming months. The new organization, which is governed by a board of fifteen directors, has joined the Land Trust Alliance, a national network of similar organizations dedicated to the protection of various open space resources in the United States, of which The Catskill Center is also a member. Olney concluded that "The Catskill Center is honored to have helped to protect this land, and we look forward to a long and constructive partnership with the Esopus Creek Conservancy."

Saugerties residents who wish to volunteer their time helping the Esopus Creek Conservancy steward the property or contribute to fund raising efforts should contact Susan Bolitzer or a Conservancy board member.