Orange County Land Trust

Since 1993, Orange County Land Trust has worked to preserve Orange County's important natural resources, scenic landscapes and working farmland, resulting in the protection of nearly 5,000 acres of land, including twelve working farms. The Land Trust works closely with landowners who voluntarily want to protect their land from development, or ensure it remains in agricultural use. In addition, the Land Trust owns and stewards eleven nature preserves, seven which are open to the public every day at no charge for outdoor recreation and nature study. Two preserves are leased to farmers and are in active agricultural production, and one preserve is inaccessible, protected wildlife habitat. The 184-acre Jack and Louise Birnberg Preserve, located in the towns of Chester and Blooming Grove and adjacent to the Heritage Trail, is slated to open by summer 2014. Orange County Land Trust works with state and local government and agencies on open space planning initiatives. As a member of the national Land Trust Alliance, the organization adheres to LTA Standards and Practices in the placement of conservation easements and in stewarding protected lands in perpetuity.