The DLC is excited to share the news of the inspiring conservation of 66 acres of farmland containing woodlands and streams in the Town of Amenia. This noteworthy achievement was made possible thanks to conservation-minded landowners working in partnership with the DLC. The protection of this property not only enhances the beauty of our local landscape but also plays a crucial role in safeguarding essential resources such as clean water and fresh air for future generations. The decision made by these landowners reflects a profound commitment to the well-being of our community. It creates a lasting effect that reaches across the landscape, furthering ecological benefits throughout the region for wildlife and people forever.
Comprised of pastureland, woodlands, fens, wetlands, and streams this land provides rich habitat for a wide variety of wildlife, including butterflies, songbirds, turtles, snakes, hawks, flying squirrels, bats, waterfowl, fishers, black bears, bobcats, salamanders, and dragonflies. Plant species include a diverse array of hardwood trees – maples, oaks, hickory, birches, and white ash – as well as red cedars, native shrubs, wildflowers, grasses, ferns, and sedges. Among the plants and animals are species of special concern. The property lies within the Ten Mile River Watershed, a major tributary of the Housatonic River and highly regarded trout waters thanks to the clear cold streams that flow into it. The newly-preserved land also contains 18 acres of prime farmland soils and 44 acres of farmland soils of statewide importance. Much of this soil overlays Stockbridge marble, famed as the bedrock of the Harlem Valley and responsible for the varied and abundant habitats found here. The viewshed contains scenic vistas of the Harlem Valley along with the stunning Rattlesnake Ridge rising above the lowlands. Importantly, there are 2,900 acres of DLC-protected land within a three-mile radius of the property providing vital wildlife connectivity with an additional 605 acres in the works.
Since 1985, the DLC has been honored to partner with hundreds of landowners to conserve more than 47,500 acres of our treasured countryside and vital natural resources. The commitment of so many to preserving and bettering the world around us is uplifting and further reason to give thanks for the gifts that the land provides.
