Lovers of their land: Lava couple protects a cherished place

Conservancy assists through new office in Sullivan County

By SANDY LONG

LAVA, NY — A sound like shattering glass disturbs the silence permeating the dark forest fringing Beaver Pond on Michael Lovelace and Star Hesse’s magnificent property in Lava. The source proves to be a mink emerging at the pond’s frozen edge. Its presence is one of the factors behind the couple’s decision to contact the Delaware Highlands Conservancy (DHC) and place their 97-acre property in a conservation easement, thereby protecting it in perpetuity.

Founded in 1994 to conserve the forests, farms and waters of the Upper Delaware River region, the DHC serves Wayne and Pike counties in Pennsylvania, and Sullivan and Delaware counties in New York, and is based in Hawley, PA.

The DHC ranks as one of Pennsylvania’s top 20 land protection organizations, according to results of a PA Land Trust Association (PALTA) survey published in the Spring 2008 issue of ConserveLand.

Considered a small land trust according to PALTA, the DHC was ranked alongside large national organizations such as The Nature Conservancy and Natural Lands Trust.

The DHC recently achieved its goal of protecting 10,000 acres by 2007 and has set a new goal of protecting 10,000 more by 2012.

To make its services more available to New York landowners, the DHC has opened an office in the Sullivan County Government Center in Monticello.

“The conservancy continues to be pro-active in working with municipalities, towns and villages on both sides of the Delaware to identify critical areas that need to be protected,” said DHC executive director Sue Currier.

One such place is the beautiful property owned by Lovelace and Hesse. Laced with sparkling waterfalls that feed into wetlands and Beaver Pond, the mostly forested land meets important habitat needs for various wildlife. The couple regularly sees black bears, deer, bobcats, foxes, beavers, coyotes and more. In addition, a host of aquatic species call the wetlands, pond and streams home.

The couple bought the property, which contains a home built in 1889, in 1985 and have relished its charms ever since. “It’s a source of never-ending pleasure. It’s soothing to the soul,” said Hesse. “We sit on the porch and the sun streams in while the whole wild world goes by.”

After searching the region, Lovelace knew they had found home when they stepped from the car and were greeted by a tiny fawn. “A little head popped up and Star’s face lit up. We knew this was it,” he said.

Over the years, their appreciation for their special place has continued to grow. “We both felt that we would never want to see it developed,” said Lovelace. By chance, they read a story in The River Reporter about a regional land trust that had helped Alice Froelich preserve her property in Kenoza Lake. They contacted the DHC and commenced the process of placing an easement that prevents future development and preserves their beloved land beyond their lifetimes.

“We wanted to preserve this place as it is, and hope that others might be inspired to do the same,” said Lovelace. “There are a lot of people who are not happy with the development coming to the region,” added Hesse. “This is a way to help stem the tide of strip malls and housing developments.”

The couple stressed that their easement does not prevent future sale of the property, nor diminish its value. “You don’t lose control. In fact, you set the parameters based on what you want to see happen,” said Lovelace, who believes that such properties will become even more desirable to future buyers. “We were apprehensive at first, but the DHC dispelled our concerns by asking us, ‘How do you want to see this preserved?’” added Hesse.

“It’s a great comfort knowing there will be somebody there to watch over your land beyond your lifetime,” said Hesse. “The only thing that could make this better would be for more people to take this step.”

The DHC is sponsoring four upcoming seminars for landowners and conservation professionals in NY and PA. For more on the conservancy, visit www.delawarehighlands.org or call 570/226-3164 or 845/794-3000, ext. 3228.