Land Trust has successful year-end appeal

SUGAR LOAF — Orange County Land Trust received nearly $40,000 in charitable donations from its year end giving campaign, as well as earned nearly $9,000 from its 2014 calendar sale, it was announced recently by Land Trust President Marlena Lange.

Lange stated she is confident that with these donations the Land Trust can remain committed to the completion of several land protection projects and programs in 2014, as well as fund a portion of the improvements to the Jack and Louise Birnberg Preserve. The preserve consists of 184 acres located in the towns of Chester and Blooming Grove, adjacent to the Heritage Trail. The acreage was a combined gift and bargain sale from the Birnberg family of Bergen County.

“This level of support from people and businesses throughout the county lets us know that the work we do to protect and preserve our local landscapes, wetlands and working farms remains a priority for the people of Orange County,” said Jim Delaune, executive director of the nonprofit land trust. Delaune added that about 60 percent of the Land Trust’s support comes from contributions from the community. The remainder of support comes from the County of Orange, interest from two endowment funds managed by the Community Foundation of Orange and Sullivan, and grants from private and public entities.

Photography for the annual calendar was donated by Sugar Loaf photographer Nick Zungoli. Sponsors of the 2014 calendar are Lowland Farm, Central Hudson Gas & Electric Corporation, Shop Rite Supermarkets, Valuation Consultants, Inc., Hill-N-Dale Abstracters, Inc., Lehman & Getz Engineering, and Rider, Weiner & Frankel, PC. The Land Trust calendar was sold by the following businesses: The Exposures Gallery, Downing Film Center, Goshen Gourmet Café, Jones Farm, Mainframe Gallery and Frame Shop, Nature’s Pantry, Newhard’s - The Home Source, Noble Coffee Roasters, Otterkill Animal Hospital, Pennings Orchard and Farm Market, Roe’s Orchard, Soho Salon in Chester, Soons Orchard and Warwick Valley Winery & Distillery.

Orange County Land Trust has helped protect nearly 5,000 acres of land, including 12 working farms.

For more information, and for volunteer opportunities and ways of giving, visit www.oclt.org or call 845-469-0951.