On Saturday, June 2, 2018, Westchester Land Trust (WLT) supporters gathered at the Rockefeller Estate in Pocantico Hills to celebrate WLT’s 30 year anniversary and to honor the conservation legacy of David Rockefeller and his significant contributions to local open space protection.  The Land Trust permanently protected 60 acres of the Hudson Pines Estate, the Westchester County home of the late David Rockefeller and his wife Peggy in early 2018. This major milestone marked the eighth conservation easement, totaling 180 acres that WLT has completed in partnership with members of the Rockefeller family.

Lead Sponsor Houlihan Lawrence, along with 14 additional corporate sponsors, dozens of local and national businesses that donated to a successful silent auction, and 350 guests contributed to the successful event which raised nearly $400,000 to benefit land preservation in Westchester and eastern Putnam Counties.

The historic Rockefeller Playhouse building and exquisite gardens were the perfect backdrop for the celebration. Michael Quattrone accepted the Westchester Land Trust Preservation ANGEL award on behalf of his Grandfather, the late David Rockefeller who once said, “Conservation is a continuous thread that runs throughout my family.”

Westchester native and local comedian, Scott Horwitz entertained guests as emcee. Mamaroneck High School student, Lizzy Kaplan, spoke about the award-winning research she conducted under the guidance of WLT scientists at Otter Creek Preserve (Mamaroneck, NY) reminding guests of the importance of local land protection and providing opportunities for all in our community to enjoy it. Favorite local band, The Shaves, played dance-worthy set lists and concluded the program with a song written about WLT which that highlighted WLT’s commitment to land protection as well as the powerful public benefit provided by open space.

“Virtually all the successes of our first three decades belong to our guests tonight and to others like them – the easement donors, the volunteers, the advocates for public investment in land, even the people who simply maintain their properties in a nature-friendly way,” said Lori Ensinger, Westchester Land Trust President. “We feel incredibly fortunate and grateful to everyone who joined with us to celebrate our 30^th Anniversary, the conservation legacy of David Rockefeller, and the protection of land where it matters most, right here at home.”

Among those attending the Benefit were New York State Senator Terrence Murphy, Vice Chair of the Westchester County Board of Legislators Alfreda Williams, Bedford Town Supervisor Chris Burdick, and Somers Town Supervisor Rick Morrissey.  In addition to Michael Quattrone, Rockefeller family members Carol & John Lyden and Tara & Michael Rockefeller joined the celebration. Bob and Betsy Stuart who protected their land – the oldest working farm in Westchester County—also attended. Representatives from WLT’s conservation partners the Land Trust Alliance, Trust for Public Land, Hudson Highlands Land Trust, Greater Irvington Land Trust, Highstead, and Bedford 2020 joined the celebration.

Image Caption: (L to R) Mamaroneck High School Student & WLT Student Mentee Lizzy Kaplan of Mamaroneck, NY; WLT Chairman of the Board Bruce B. Churchill of Pound Ridge, NY; Grandson of the late David Rockefeller, Michael Quattrone of Tarrytown, NY; WLT President Lori Ensinger of Katonah, NY; , Annual Benefit Emcee Scott Horwitz of Bedford Hills, NY

Photography by Chris Pope for Serendipity Magazine

ABOUT WESTCHESTER LAND TRUST

Based in Bedford Hills, 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—a densely populated region under persistent threat from the pressures of development.   Through the use of conservation easements and outright acquisition, WLT’s efforts benefit the long-term health of these communities by safeguarding air quality, food supply and community character, as well as critical watershed areas.  Since its founding in 1988, WLT has preserved almost 8,000 acres of open space including more than 700-acres of preserves owned by the organization which are free and open to the public year round.

For more information about WLT, please visit westchesterlandtrust.org and connect with us on Facebook (http://www.facebook.com/WLandTrust) and Instagram (@WestchesterLandTrust).