Organization History

As of January 1, 2024, the Rensselaer Land Trust has merged with the Rensselaer Plateau Alliance. For all questions regarding donations, events, land, or other matters, please visit www.rensselaerplateau.org or call 518-712-9211. For questions about the merger, use extension 101 to speak with Jim Bonesteel. You can expect a new name and logo for our merged organization by Spring / Summer 2024 and a new website by the end of the year!

Below find a timeline detailing our organization's history.

History Timeline

2016

Mud Pond Nature Preserve expanded to 51 acres and further protecting this rare and fragile ecosystem. Second Annual water chestnut pull work day at Johnsonville Dam on the Hoosic River. Ninth Annual Tomhannock Reservoir shoreline cleanup workday. Trail crew continues work on public and private lands in the county. Continuation of Hudson River Fish Advisory Program. Fifth Annual Victorian Stroll Concert and open house. Acres protected 1,317

2015

Fifteenth conservation easement - Colehamer Road 1305. First annual water chestnut pull work day at Johnsonville Dam on the Hoosic River. Two land expansions to Kinderhook Creek Nature Preserve obtained. One land expansion to Ingalls Nature Preserve obtained. Bridge built over Black Brook at Ingalls Preserve. Trails developed at Ingalls and Kinderhook Creek Nature Preserves. Eighth Annual Tomhannock Reservoir shoreline cleanup workday. Eighth Annual Oktoberfest with Brown's Brewery. Trail crew continues work on public and private lands in the county. Continuation of Hudson River Fish Advisory Program. Fourth Annual Victorian Stroll Concert and open house. Acres protected: 1,305

2014

Renewal of National Accreditation received. Fourteenth conservation easement -- Sluyter conservation easement obtained. Eighth nature preserve - Kinderhook Creek Nature Preserve obtained. Stream spotter volunteer citizen science program training. Stream assessment citizen science training. Sixth annual Historic Cemetery Workday. Seventh Annual Tomhannock Reservoir shoreline cleanup workday. Seventh Annual Oktoberfest with Brown's Brewery. Sean Rowe Benefit Concert. Blue Bird Society launched. Parking area and kiosk constructed at Kinderhook Creek Nature Preserve. Fence installed and trees planted at Staalesen Nature Preserve. Invasive species removal work done at Bear's Den and Staalesen Nature Preserves. Partnered with RPA on second Forest Legacy grant application to protect 12,348 acres. Launch of Hudson River Fish Advisory Program. Trial Crew continues to work on public and private land in the county. Rensselaer County Watershed Educational poster map created. Watershed protection brochure created. Trail at Geiser Preserve developed. Third annual Victorian Stroll Concert and open house. Acres protected: 1,196

2013

Thirteenth conservation easement - Ridgeline Easement. Fifth annual Historic Cemetery Workday. Fifth annual tree planting workday. Sixth annual Tomhannock Reservoir shoreline cleanup workday. Sixth annual Oktoberfest with Brown's Brewery. Trail crew established and work done on public and private lands in the county. Endowment fund established. Second annual Victorian Stroll Concert and open house. Acres protected: 1,033

2012

Seventh nature preserve - Pine Swamp Nature Preserve. Community Garden granted to Capital Roots on our Staalesen Nature Preserve. Rensselaer Land Trust highlighted by Land Trust Alliance in Conservation Communities. Interactive online watershed map developed. Partnered with RPA on the first Forest Legacy grant application to protect over 2,500 acres. Fourth annual Historic Cemetary Workday. Fourth annual tree planting workday. Fifth annual Tomhannock Reservoir shoreline cleanup workday. Poetry Contest. Fifth Annual Oktoberfest with Brown's Brewery. Parking area and kiosk constructed at Staalesen Nature Preserve. Parking lot and kiosk built at Ingalls Nature Preserve. Staalesen Nature Preserve featured at Land Trust Alliance National Rally. First annual Victorian Stroll Concert and open house. Acres protected: 906

2011

Sixth nature preserve - John B. Staalesen Vanderhyden Nature Preserve. Twelfth conservation easement -- Shadbush Hill obtained. Third annual Historic Cemetery Workday. Third annual tree planting workday. Fourth annual Tomhannock Reservoir shoreline cleanup workday. Fourth annual Oktoberfest with Brown's Brewery. Acres protected: 852

2010

Fifth nature preserve -- Robert P. Ingalls Nature Preserve. Second annual Historic Cemetery Workday. Second annual tree planting workday. Third annual Tomhannock Reservoir shoreline cleanup workday. Third annual Oktoberfest with Brown's Brewery. Acres protected: 798

2009

Boat launch, shore riprap, parking area and kiosk constructed at Hoosic River Nature Preserve. Executive Director retires, and replacement hired. First annual historic cemetery workday. First annual tree planting workday. Second Annual Tomhannock Reservoir Shoreline cleanup workday. Second annual Oktoberfest with Brown's Brewery. Acres protected: 768

2008

National accreditation received (1 of 38 in the country of over 1,700 land trusts). Trail Vision Plan for Rensselaer County Completed. Eleventh conservation easement -- Mashodack Road. Fishing right easement completed with NYSDEC for Hoosic River Nature Preserve. First annual Oktoberfest with Browns Brewery. First annual Tomhannock Reservoir shoreline cleanup workday. Office moves to 415 River Street. Acres protected: 768

2007

Fourth nature preserve -- Hoosic River. Tenth conservation easement -- Randall Brook. Organization participates in national accreditation pilot program. Second part-time staff person hired. New Name - Rensselaer Land Trust, Inc. adopted. Acres protected: 614

2005

First staff hired -- a part time Executive Director. Nineth conservation easement -- Capital District Farms, Inc. Watershed education speaking circuit tour. High School watershed education program launched and completed. Acres protected: 505

2003

Eighth conservation easement - Common Farms. Acres protected: 497

2002

Seventh conservation easement - along the Poesten Kill in Brunswick. Second edition of the Natural Areas of Rensselaer County published. Assisted Friends of the Dyken Pond Center in fundraising for acquiring 40-acre parcel adjacent to the Center. Acres protected: 367

2001

History portfolio Granville Hicks and Rural Rensselaer County completed. Acres protected: 325

2000

Sixth conservation easement - Plateau Escarpment. Botany education project completed. Acres protected: 325

1999

Fifth conservation easement -- another of the Dyken Pond easements. Three history portfolios completed: Early Schools: Rural and Urban, Rensselaer County; Thro' a Country Not Well Settled: The "Albany Road" of 1752-1773 portfolio; and A Century of History of the Eddy Family Farm, Stephentown, NY 1794-1905 portfolio. Acres protected: 269

1998

Botany Resource Inventories for Dyken Pond, Butternut Hill and Grafton Lakes State Park completed. Acres protected: 236

1997

Fourth conservation easement -- another of the Dyken Pond easements. Acres protected: 236

1996

Third Nature Preserve - Mud Pond. Acres protected: 207

1995

Second Nature Preserve - Bear's Den. The Streeter Centennial Hike portfolio completed. Acres protected: 168

1994

Third conservation easement - Either Drive. Acres protected: 153

1992

Second conservation easement - Black River. Acres protected: 145

1991

First edition of the book The Natural Areas of Rensselaer County published. Acres protected: 133

1990

Our first conservation easement, adjacent to Dyken Pond Center; and our first nature preserve, Geiser Preserve. We also acquired 14 acres and donated it to Rensselaer County to add to the Dyken Pond Environmental Center. Acres protected: 133

1989

Not for profit 501(c )3 status obtained. Acres protected: 0

1988

We became Incorporated. Acres protected: 0

1987

Organization is started by a small group of volunteers as the Rensselaer Taconic Land Conservancy, Inc. Acres protected: 0

Rensselaer Land Trust
PO Box 790
Averill Park, NY 12018
RLT@rensselaerplateau.org
(518) 712-9211

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The Rensselaer Land Trust is a member of the Land Trust Alliance.