Release date: October 7, 2019
Bedford Hills, NY  – Westchester Land Trust (WLT) announced today the acceptance of a conservation easement on Somers Land Trust’s (SLT) Rhinoceros Creek Reservation. The 115-acre property on Route 202 in Somers had been donated to SLT in April 2017 by the Beshar family. Once part of Gerard Crane’s farm and circus menagerie in the 19^th century, the Reservation’s name was inspired by the rhinoceros that was reputed to have bathed in the stream that flows through the property.

The conservation easement ensures that the environmentally sensitive property will be preserved in perpetuity in order to protect forest, wetlands and watershed lands that provide natural wildlife habitat and filter drinking water vital to the surrounding community. The protection of the Reservation will also provide the public with passive recreational opportunities and will serve as an important connectivity corridor for a north-south trail network that is an integral part of the Town of Somers Master Plan.

“Westchester Land Trust has partnered with Somers Land Trust for years, and we are delighted to have joined with them to preserve the Rhinoceros Creek Reservation and further conserve clean air, drinking water, and wildlife habitat in perpetuity,” said Lori Ensinger, President of Westchester Land Trust. “Collaborations between land trusts enable us to have an even greater impact on our environment than any single organization could have alone.”

A conservation easement is a voluntary legal agreement between a landowner and a land trust that permanently limits the uses of a property in order to protect the land’s important conservation values. SLT will continue to own and manage the property as a nature preserve, but they have given up the right to develop it, with the exception of a 1.9-acre envelope that may be developed in the future as a residence. As the holder of the conservation easement, WLT is responsible for monitoring the property at least annually to ensure that the terms of the easement are being upheld. This obligation is perpetual and provides an additional level of protection should the property’s intended use as a nature preserve ever be threatened.

“The protection of Rhinoceros Creek was a momentous occasion in Somers Land Trust’s history, and this conservation easement with Westchester Land Trust was envisioned from the very beginning,” noted Michael Barnhart, President of Somers Land Trust. “The community should rest assured that with the extra layer of protection afforded by WLT, the Reservation will always remain a natural asset for the public’s benefit.”

Somers Land Trust will be hosting future volunteer events at the Reservation, including opportunities for trail building and habitat restoration. Somers Land Trust and Westchester Land Trust invite community members of all ages to Rhinoceros Creek Reservation in Somers, NY, on Sunday, October 20, 2019, from 2:00 – 4:00 pm for a ribbon cutting ceremony and fun-filled afternoon full of activities including a plant walk, arts and crafts, an archery class and more! The Rhinoceros Creek Reservation Pavilion is located about 1/4 mile north of the Elephant Hotel at 405 Rte 202.  Enter a small driveway on the left before the Stone House property. Contact info@somerslandtrust.org for additional information.

Westchester Land Trust

The Westchester Land Trust works with public and private partners to preserve land in perpetuity, and to enhance the natural resources in Westchester and eastern Putnam counties. WLT’s conservation efforts impact the long term health of these communities through the protection of watershed areas, air quality, and food supply. In total, WLT has preserved over 8,500 acres of open space including 785 acres of preserves owned and managed by the organization. For more information visit www.westchesterlandtrust.org.

Somers Land Trust

The Somers Land Trust is a 501(c)(3) non-profit organization committed to preserving open space in the town of Somers, NY. We work to protect the natural landscape of our community through stewardship, advocacy and education. For more information visit www.somerslandtrust.org.