Westchester Land Trust protects 200 forested acres

The 200-acre forested watershed property in Southeast, the Lodestone Preserve. WESTCHESTER LAND TRUST PHOTO

Largest land protection acquisition in its history

The Westchester Land Trust has closed on 200.6-acres of forested watershed property in Southeast, marking the largest land protection acquisition in the organization’s 37-year history.

The land trust, based in Bedford Hills, has named it Lodestone Preserve. 

The land trust said its $2.2 million effort ensures the permanent protection of this critically important landscape safeguards drinking water, wildlife habitat, and climate-resilient forests for generations to come.

“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, Westchester Land Trust. “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 land is bordered by the Croton Falls Reservoir, the Diverting Canal, and the East Branch of the Croton River. The preserve plays a vital role in protecting drinking water quality for more than 9 million people across Westchester County and New York City, the WLT said.

“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,” officials said.

The land will also support hiking, birdwatching, photography and other outdoor recreation experiences.

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 state’s conservation goals, adding approximately 1% 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 used to aid navigation by ancient travelers.

The preserve contains a diverse northern hardwood forest with rocky outcroppings, floodplains and a vernal pool, the land trust said. The 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 a historic mine shaft.

For more information, visit westchesterlandtrust.org.