Shawangunk Ridge land preserved and protected

ORANGE COUNTY, NY — Orange County Government Executive Edward Diana announced on October 21 the protection of five parcels of land atop the Shawangunk Ridge in the towns of Mt. Hope and Deerpark. The properties were protected as a result of collaboration between the Orange County Land Trust and the New York/New Jersey Trail Conference, with funding provided by Orange County.

The Shawangunk Ridge is home to an unusually large stand of healthy chestnut trees. These beautiful trees were the hallmark of Eastern forests and villages a century ago, but millions have been killed across the region by the chestnut blight. “This is the highest concentration of American chestnut trees I’ve seen in the area,” said Orange County Land Trust botanist, Tom Alford. “What’s exciting is that many of the trees are six to eight inches in diameter and bearing fruit.”

“We look forward working more with the County and the Orange County Land Trust in our efforts to create a protected trail corridor along the entire Shawangunk Ridge,” said Ed Goodell, executive director of the New York-New Jersey Trail Conference.

For more information call 845/343-0840.