Hillsdale’s Natural Resources Inventory to lead to open space plan

HILLSDALE — The Hillsdale Conservation Advisory Council (CAC) and its consultants have spent countless hours identifying and compiling the town’s natural resources. In May they held a virtual meeting, and the Hillsdale Natural Resources Inventory (NRI) was formally presented. In the months following the NRI presentation, the CAC has embarked on an open space plan for the town of Hillsdale, a project the CAC expects to complete some time next year.

The NRI Zoom presentation was on May 25. Hillsdale CAC member Gretchen Stevens credited the preparation of the NRI by consultants Nan Stolzenburg from Community Planning and Environmental Association and Rick Lederer-Barnes from Upstate GIS, both of whom worked in close collaboration with the CAC. 

Stevens said the project was funded by the New York State Environmental Protection Fund through a grant to the town of Hillsdale from the Hudson River Estuary Program of the New York State Department of Environmental Conservation (NYSDEC). As featured on the town’s website, www.hillsdaleny.com, the CAC sought and obtained funding for the NRI in the latter half of 2017; the final 203-page document was completed in February 2020.

Taking into account the physical, biological, agricultural, scenic and other naturally occurring resources, the NRI  features 22 maps showing its geology, water bodies, wetlands and aquifers, floodplains, forests, agricultural resources and other natural resources, as well as descriptions of the area’s plants, wildlife and scenic views and “recommendations for ways to maintain and protect resources of conservation concern.” 

One goal of the CAC was to introduce the public to different aspects of the NRI and how it can be utilized to inform decisions about land and water uses by residents, landowners and town officials.

Stevens guided the public through its various components, delineating the features included in the maps and highlighting the value of various resources — not only to the town of Hillsdale but also to local wildlife, plants and other natural elements. She noted the NRI also addresses a number of threats to natural resources, including from climate change; pollution of water and soils; fragmentation of habitats; infestation of non-native invasive species; human-subsidized wildlife (such as raccoons, skunks and other animals that do well in human-settled areas); and loss of farmland. 

In addition to demonstrating to the public how they might use the NRI to learn more about their land or any property of interest in Hillsdale, Stevens shared what the CAC learned about the land and waters examined in the inventory as well as how to be mindful of land uses and how distinct local features impact other natural resources.

“The great advantage of having the NRI is that it brings together lots of information from lots of different sources into a single document that you have at your fingertips,” Stevens said.

She pointed out the NRI’s recommendation for sustainable uses of Hillsdale’s natural resources and conservation measures that can be employed by individual land owners, developers, farmers, land managers and town agencies engaged in town planning and site specific reviews of land development projects. 

Along with describing recommendations for protecting water resources and biological resources (such as plants, animals and habitats), Stevens also outlined recommendations for protecting farmland and for using the NRI in environmental reviews for new subdivisions and site plans for land development projects.

The NRI can be viewed online at www.hillsdaleny.com/conservation-advisory-council; at the Roeliff Jansen Community Library (at 9091 Route 22); and at Hillsdale Town Hall (at 2609 Roue 23).

Since the formal presentation, Stevens said the CAC has been selling printings of the NRI to the public at the Copake-Hillsdale Farmers Market. 

She added the open space plan is a project “that is often undertaken once a Natural Resources Inventory is completed because it gives us a lot of information about what parts of the town might be most important for open space conservation.”

Stevens noted the CAC will work on the open space project with a professor and students at Cornell University and with the staff at the DEC’s Hudson River Estuary Program. Though the town is uncertain as to how long the project will take, she said it expects it to be completed by early next year.

From the elevations, scenic views and water bodies to the large forests and floodplain forests, the Hillsdale Natural Resources Inventory contains more than 200 pages of information and descriptions related to the town’s natural resources. Photo contributed by the Hillsdale CAC

Latest News

Beth Harlan

Beth Harlan
Beth Harlan
Beth Harlan

SALISBURY — Beth Harlan, 75, of Sheffield, Massachusetts, and Salisbury, Connecticut, passed away on March 2, 2026, in New York City. Her son, Zachariah Harlan Warner, and daughter-in-law, Olivia Baribeau, were by her side.

Born on July 22, 1950, in Dayton, Ohio, Beth brought a wonderful combination of energy, intellect and humor to those around her. She earned her Associate’s Degree from Stephens College in Missouri in 1970, followed by a Bachelor of Science in Communications from Emerson College in Boston in 1972, and a Master in Social Work from the University of Connecticut in 1993.

Keep ReadingShow less

George Ernest Phillips

George Ernest Phillips

AMENIA — George Ernest Phillips, 100, a lifelong area resident died peacefully on March 16, 2026, at Sharon Center for Health and Rehabilitation. From 1955 to 1972, Mr. Phillips owned and operated the Edgewood Restaurant in Amenia, with his wife Anne, and he was also a real estate broker for many years as well.

Born Sept. 13, 1925 in Poughkeepsie, New York, he was the son of the late Royal and Elizabeth (Piltz) Phillips. He was a graduate of Amenia High School and attended Cornell University. Mr. Phillips served his country in the United States Army from 1943 to 1946 in the Golden Acorn Infantry Division as well as in the 3rd Army of General George S. Patton. He also assumed a variety of roles during his time in the 87th Infantry Division, including platoon messenger and platoon sergeant. On Veterans Day in 2019 he was one of 108 veterans nationally that received a pin and certificate in recognition of 75-years of continuous service to his local legion post, the Millerton American Legion Post 178. Mr. Phillips also documented his experiences in a book, “Stories of My Life”, which he presented to the Amenia Historical Society.

Keep ReadingShow less

Valerie Anne Euvrard

Valerie Anne Euvrard

AMENIA­ — Valerie Anne Euvrard, 75, a lifelong area resident, died peacefully surrounded by her loving family at her home in Amenia, New York, on March 17, 2026. Valerie worked at the Waldorf Restaurant in Sharon as a dishwasher for many years before embarking on a long career in the food service department at the Wassaic Developmental Center in Wassaic. Valerie retired from New York State in 2000.

Born July 6, 1950 in Sharon, she was the daughter of the late Walter E. and Leah (Martyn) Euvrard. Valerie attended Webutuck High School in Amenia, and was a longtime member of the Stone Church Grange in Dover Plains. Valerie was also a longtime member of the Sharon United Methodist Church in Sharon, and the North East Baptist Church in Millerton. For many years Valerie enjoyed bowling at the Early Bird League at Cove Lanes in Great Barrington, Massachusetts. Valerie was an avid greeting card designer and her family members always looked forward to receiving one of her custom designed cards. She also enjoyed playing games on her tablet and spending time with her loving family. Truly a kind soul, she will be dearly missed by all.

Keep ReadingShow less
google preferred source

Want more of our stories on Google? Click here to make us a Preferred Source.

Jonathan Clapp Webster

Jonathan Clapp Webster
Jonathan Clapp Webster
Jonathan Clapp Webster

CANAAN — Jonathan Clapp Webster, a physicist and resident of Canaan since 1978, died peacefully on Tuesday, March 17, at the Geer Nursing Home in Canaan. He was 88 years old.

Jonathan designed experiments for industrial, medical and scientific uses, including MRIs, lasers, fiberoptics and telescopes. He began in the 1960s with apparatuses he made in a machine shop and transitioned in the 1970s to designing computer simulations. Most of his career was with Perkin Elmer Corp. and Hughes Danbury Optical Systems.

Keep ReadingShow less

David Munro Vickers

David Munro Vickers

LAKEVILLE — David Munro Vickers, 80, passed away on Feb. 22, 2026, after a brief illness. He was the loving partner of Diane Landucci, with whom he shared more than 20 years in Lakeville, Connecticut.

David was born on Oct. 15, 1945, in Queens, New York, the son of John Marter Vickers and Ethlyn Marie Munro Vickers. He served in the United States Navy and was a veteran of the Vietnam War.

Keep ReadingShow less

Patricia Benedict Blakey

Patricia Benedict Blakey

CORNWALL— A woman of great faith has passed. Patricia, “Pat” Benedict Blakey of Cornwall, passed quietly at her home on March 12, 2026. She was predeceased by her husband, Jerry Blakey; their daughter, Karen B. Fisher; her sister, Nancy B. Lawrence; and her parents, Lester and Jean Benedict.

She is survived by her son David Blakey of Cornwall Bridge, daughter Lori B. Welles and her husband David G. Welles of West Cornwall, granddaughter Melissa Root and great-granddaughter Devyn Root ofTerryville, and niece, Pam B. Hart and husband Doug of Belencia, California.

Keep ReadingShow less
google preferred source

Want more of our stories on Google? Click here to make us a Preferred Source.

google preferred source

Want more of our stories on Google? Click here to make us a Preferred Source.