DEC, Land Trust Announce Appalachian Trail Protection In The HV

DUTCHESS COUNTY, NY — The New York State Department of Environmental Conservation and Trust for Public Land announced the permanent protection of 505 acres in Dutchess County, an event celebrated with a ceremony on Monday.

The State’s land acquisition will create the new Grape Hollow State Forest, providing enhanced wildlife habitat protection and a larger buffer for the adjoining Appalachian Trail corridor as the conservancy protecting the iconic walking trail prepares to celebrate its 100th anniversary.

“Grape Hollow State Forest will provide enhanced public access to 505 acres of intact forest in fast-growing Dutchess County, preserving critical habitat and wildlife migration corridors. In addition, this acquisition bolsters Governor Hochul’s efforts to conserve 30 percent of New York’s lands and waters by 2030,” DEC Interim Commissioner Sean Mahar said in the announcement. “DEC thanks the Trust for Public Land for their partnership in helping fulfill DEC’s commitment to protecting the Hudson Valley’s natural resources.”

TPL acquired two properties in the towns of Beekman and Pawling in 2023: a 405-acre property previously at risk for development and known as Depot Hill; and a 100-acre parcel in the Girl Scouts’ Heart of the Hudson Chapter’s Camp Ludington property. TPL recently conveyed the land to DEC to manage as State Forest, which guarantees public access and the permanent protection of wildlife habitat.

“Trust for Public Land is committed to protecting and enhancing the Appalachian Trail experience. With over 26,000 acres identified for protection, including incredible properties like Depot Hill and Camp Ludington, we aim to ensure the trail's integrity, conserve surrounding landscapes, protect critical climate habitat, and support local economies while connecting more people to the outdoors,” said TPL New York Project Manager Francis O’Shea. “Without the support and expertise of our partners at DEC and the Appalachian Trail Conservancy, this incredible conservation success for New Yorkers and all that enjoy the outdoors, including the nationally significant Appalachian Trail, would not be possible.”

TPL received funding from the Appalachian Trail Conservancy’s Wild East Action Fund and private donors, including the Peter and Carmen Lucia Buck Foundation, Leonardo Locascio, and the law firm Cleary Gottleib Steen and Hamilton LLP.

The new Grape Hollow State Forest provides an expanded natural buffer and viewshed protection for the adjoining Appalachian Trail Corridor as it runs through the town of Beekman. The Appalachian Trail, stretches 2,194 miles across 14 states from Georgia to Maine.

DEC purchased the parcel using $1.3 million from the State’s Environmental Protection Fund and $1.3 million provided by the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service through the Highlands Conservation Act.

The 2024-25 state budget maintains the historically high level of $400 million in EPF funding. The EPF supports climate change mitigation and adaptation efforts, improves agricultural resources to promote sustainable agriculture, protects water sources, advances conservation efforts, and provides recreational opportunities for New Yorkers.

“The U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service is pleased to help protect these lands in perpetuity through the Highlands Conservation Act program, a unique public and private partnership that protects threatened and endangered species, ensures clean drinking water, creates outdoor recreational areas and sustains working forests and farms in the 3.4 million-acre Highlands Region of New Jersey, Pennsylvania, New York and Connecticut," said Colleen Sculley, Assistant Regional Director for the U.S Fish and Wildlife Service’s Office of Conservation Investment in the Northeast. "These properties contain habitat for many species of conservation concern, including forest songbirds, vernal-pool breeding amphibians and New England cottontail — a rare native rabbit at risk of needing Endangered Species Act protection.”

This announcement comes as partners celebrate the 20th anniversary of the Highlands Conservation Act, which provides grants to state conservation agencies, counties, and municipalities in the Highlands Region to protect open spaces for the benefit of both people and wildlife.

“With both properties located adjacent to the Appalachian Trail, this land conservation effort demonstrates what it takes to successfully safeguard the Trail and the world-renowned hiking experience it provides — private and public partners stepping up to protect the A.T.’s many threatened landscapes from development pressure," Rachel Lettre, Mid-Atlantic Regional Director with the Appalachian Trail Conservancy. "We’re thankful to TPL and the DEC for their perseverance and dedication that helped ensure the viewshed from the Trail will remain undeveloped and enjoyed by hikers.”

The Trust for Public Land is a national nonprofit that works to connect everyone to the benefits and joys of the outdoors. Since 1972, TPL has protected more than 4 million acres of public land; created more than 5,364 parks, trails, schoolyards, and iconic outdoor places; raised $93 billion in public funding for parks and public lands; and connected nearly 9.4 million people to the outdoors. In New York, TPL has preserved over 123,891 acres of open land and completed more than 578 projects including the transformation of over 225 community schoolyards since 1996.

To learn more, visit tpl.org.

For more information on New York’s lands and forests, visit DEC’s website.