Bedford Hills, NY—Westchester Land Trust (WLT) announced the successful closing of a 200.6-acre forested watershed property in the Town of Southeast, marking the largest land protection acquisition in the organization’s 37-year history. Named Lodestone Preserve, this $2.2M project ensures the permanent protection of this critically important landscape safeguards drinking water, wildlife habitat, and climate-resilient forests for generations to come.

Bordered by the Croton Falls Reservoir, the Diverting Canal, and the East Branch of the Croton River, Lodestone Preserve plays a vital role in protecting drinking water quality for more than nine million people across Westchester County and New York City, including environmental justice communities in New Rochelle, Ossining, Mount Pleasant, Sleepy Hollow, and the Bronx, and other New York City boroughs. Conservation of these lands reduces the need for expensive water treatment infrastructure, ensures water quality remains high, and enhances the natural filtration systems that surrounding communities depend upon.

The land will also support hiking, birdwatching, photography, and other outdoor recreation experiences that draw visitors, strengthen small businesses, attract eco-tourism, and boost local economic activity.

“We are thrilled to share news of this land purchase with all of our supporters. Lodestone Preserve represents the very heart of our mission,” said Kara Whelan, president of WLT. “Protecting more than 200 acres of forested watershed—land that safeguards drinking water, wildlife, and climate resilience—marks a defining moment in Westchester Land Trust’s history and sets the stage for what conservation must look like moving forward.”

The Town of Southeast has identified the property as a potential Critical Environmental Area, citing its historic, scenic, drinking water, and habitat value. The land advances New York’s 30×30 conservation goals, adding approximately one percent to the Town’s protected land and water resources.

Lodestone Preserve takes its name from the magnetite mines that once operated on the property in the late 19th century. Lodestone, a naturally magnetized mineral, was historically used to guide navigation, a fitting reference for a landscape that will serve as a hub of conservation programming in the future, drawing people to each other and the land.

The preserve contains a diverse northern hardwood forest with rocky outcroppings, floodplains, and a vernal pool. The preserve’s varied topography and intact forest make it especially important for climate resilience. Wildlife documented on the property includes amphibians, migratory songbirds, barred owls, and multiple bat species, including the federally and state-endangered northern long-eared bat, which likely uses the site’s historic mine shaft as a hibernaculum.

While the successful closing of the land transaction has been completed, WLT emphasizes that the work is just beginning.

“Protecting the land is the first step,” said Janelle Robbins, vice president of conservation. “Caring for it, restoring forest health, safeguarding wildlife, and welcoming the public in thoughtful ways, requires an ongoing investment that we are thrilled to make.”

In the years ahead, WLT will focus on proactive stewardship, including forest health management and research to support bat conservation. WLT will also reuse the former mining roads as trails, including opportunities for accessible trail experiences.

The acquisition was made possible by The PCLB Foundation with support from Scenic Hudson Land Trust and WLT supporters.

“We are very grateful to our consortium of partners who came together to fund this project and make it a reality,” said Susan Leighton, vice president of philanthropy.

Westchester Land Trust has conserved 9,523 acres since its founding and continues to rely on community support to advance its mission of protecting open space, clean water, and local landscapes across Westchester and Putnam counties.

For more information about how you can get involved in funding future land projects, contact Susan Leighton at susan@westchesterlandtrust.org or 914-234-6992, ext. 23. To learn how you can help with stewardship projects to help get Lodestone Preserve ready for public access, contact Janelle Robbins at janelle@westchesterlandtrust.org or 914-234-6992 ext. 16.

We acknowledge that our region is within the traditional territories of the Lenape people and that their culture and traditions live on today.