Catskill Acquisition (catskills_acquisitionr2.pdf) The Nature Conservancy in New York Press Releases Search All Press Releases Sharon Pickett Phone: (914)244-3271 ext.27 Email: spickett@tnc.org

Nature Conservancy Completes Land Purchase in the Catskill Mountains

Seventy-six Acres of Westkill Wilderness Forest Preserved

Albany, NY — October 31, 2007 — The Eastern New York Chapter of The Nature Conservancy announced today that they have purchased a 76-acre parcel located in the town of Lexington in Greene County.

The property, consisting of evergreens and mixed northern hardwoods, is surrounded on three sides by the Catskill Forest Preserve and is located within the New York City Watershed (download a map, .pdf, 695kB). The region surrounding this parcel, known as the Westkill Wilderness, is recognized in the 2006 New York State Conservation Plan as a Priority Conservation Project.

Katie Dolan, the chapter’s executive director, says "We are thrilled to announce the completion of this purchase. The acquisition adds acreage and improves access to the Catskill Preserve. As a side benefit, it protects several small tributaries of West Kill Creek, a source of drinking water for New York City."

Adds Dolan, "With its remoteness and mountain views, this property was especially vulnerable to development and subdivision. The spectacular vistas and sweeping landscapes of the Spruceton Valley will now remain intact for future generations to enjoy."

The Nature Conservancy is a leading conservation organization working around the world to protect ecologically important lands and waters for nature and people. To date, the Conservancy and its more than one million members have been responsible for the protection of more than 15 million acres in the United States and have helped preserve more than 102 million acres in Latin America, the Caribbean, Asia and the Pacific. Visit The Nature Conservancy on the Web at www.nature.org/eastern.