Winnakee Acquires 159 Acres in Hyde Park, Protecting Key Forest Linkage
Acquisition protects intact forestland and a wildlife-rich wetland complex, plus will offer future public access to existing trails in an area with few recreational opportunities
Winnakee Land Trust announces the donation of nearly 159 acres of forest and wetlands in the Town of Hyde Park, named The Omamori Nature Preserve. The land comes to Winnakee from a generous donor who wishes to remain anonymous, and the land is adjacent to Robert’s Refuge, another 218-acre Winnakee preserve. Together, the two properties form about 377 acres of connected, protected land and an important wildlife migration corridor.
“We are excited to protect this intact forestland and wetland complex that is home to important animal species. This new preserve will also bring hiking trails to the communities of Hyde Park and greater Dutchess County, in an area with few outdoor recreational opportunities.”
–Jen Adams, Winnakee’s Senior Conservation Biologist and Director of Parks and Ecological Preserves.
An ecological treasure
Omamori Nature Preserve adds permeant protection of 126 forested acres, within a larger 773-acre Hudson Valley Core Forest that also includes Robert’s Refuge. According to the New York Natural Heritage Program, that forest ranks in the top 5% for local connectedness, making it a valuable wildlife corridor. The forest is made up of hardwood and hemlock trees, swamp and a series of intermittent woodland pools. The property also holds a buttonbush pool, a habitat that is uncommon in Dutchess County and often supports plants and animals of conservation concern.
“As forest habitats become increasingly fragmented, preserving intact areas like this one is critical to ensuring the survival of species that depend on these environments. We are grateful to the land donor for their vision to ensure Omamori remains a protected place for wildlife and the community for generations to come.”
–Bob Davis, Winnakee’s CEO
The acquisition also protects a DEC Class A stream that runs through the property in the watershed of Crum Elbow Creek, a 14-mile tributary of the Hudson River that provides critical habitat for migratory fish. There is a small pond on the property, the site of a remediated sand and gravel mine, but the preserve will not be open for swimming.
Several other features make this land donation a significant conversation protection. The preserve falls within New York Natural Heritage Program’s Known Important Areas for rare wetland animals, rare terrestrial animals, and bat foraging, and its upland meadow supports grassland birds, reptiles, and mammals. It is also part of the Dutchess County Wetlands Significant Biodiversity Area, a network of wetland complexes recognized by New York State for uncommon amphibians, reptiles, and birds.
Omamori: A Gift of “Honored Protection”
The name Omamori was chosen by the land donor from the Japanese word for protection, mamori, with an honorific “o” that brings it closer to “honored protection.” The name also honors omamori, the small amulets offered at Shinto shrines and Buddhist temples that are said to bring luck and protection to those who carry them.
The land donor hopes the preserve can be a good luck charm of its own: for the nature it shelters and for the people and families it brings together. The name is a gentle reminder to protect the things we cherish, and to remember that they are all tied together.
Protected twice over
As part of the donation, Winnakee worked with its longtime partner, Dutchess Land Conservancy (DLC), to place a conservation easement on the property. Winnakee owns and cares for the land, while the easement held by DLC adds a second, permanent layer of protection that stays with the property forever.
“The DLC is thrilled to have had the opportunity to collaborate with our long-time partner, The Winnakee Land Trust, to place a conservation easement on its Omamori Nature Preserve. We truly admire Winnakee’s commitment to the care of this important land and its future, not only via this perpetual protection with the DLC, but through their ongoing stewardship and skilled land management in this important forested area of Dutchess County.”
–Erin Hoagland, Senior Director of Conservation and Stewardship at Dutchess Land Conservancy
Looking ahead
Omamori Nature Preserve already contains a network of trails, which Winnakee plans to open to the public once funds are raised for an entrance parking area and trail stewardship. There are also plans to monitor wildlife on preserve, such as bats, amphibians and turtles.
“Omamori is an important addition to the protected lands in our region. It adds to a rare, large tract of intact forest and the habitats within it, expanding wildlife habitat and deepening the community’s connection to nature.”
–added Jen Adams
Note: The Omamori Nature Preserve is not currently open to public access.
If you would like to volunteer at this property, please email Jen Adams at jen@winnakee.org.
