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SMHT Schapiro, and Gateway Reserves trails
are open to the public from dawn to dusk.
Leland Reserve is CLOSED during the hunting season. Locations map =>
Dairy Farm Succession Grant: SUCCESS!
SMHT has received a grant from the NY State Farmland Protection Implementation Program to protect the 528 acre Rocky Top Acres farm
in Brookfield, Madison County .
Through this program, proceeds from the purchase of development rights on agricultural land will allow farmers an opportunity to diversify their operations and/or to transition their farms to the next generation at more affordable costs, while ensuring the land forever remains used for agricultural purposes. We plan to close the project by mid-year 2025.
Dairy Transitions Farmland Protection Initiative - Round 17 - Phase 2, 2019
Restoration of Native Vegetation at the Schapiro Reserve: SMHT engaged in a restoration project with the Upper Susquehanna Coalition, an organization aimed at improving the general water quality of streams feeding into the Susquehanna River watershed, and ultimately the Chesapeake Bay. This USC restoration project was aimed at restoring the Schapiro Reserve to something like its historical character, with a mix of 4300 native trees and shrubs, reducing runoff and improving overall water quality of Payne Brook, which becomes part of the Chenango River a few miles downstream. A dense are of honeysuckle was shredded into mulch and planted with trees which will eventually shade out any regrowth of the honeysuckle. More=>
Projects for 2024 and Beyond
Trail Connection from Schapiro Reserve to the O&W Village Trail
The trail connection crosses Village of Hamilton land from the end of the O&W RR Trail on the Schapiro Reserve to College Street a short distance from the southern terminus of the Village O&W Trail. The route passes close to the wastewater treatment plant, past the dog park, and along the access road to College Street. The trail traverses only Village of Hamilton property and will likely require grant funding and Village approval to proceed with the project More=>
Bridge to Brackett Woods
The plan is to provide trail access to special features of Brackett Woods by crossing the Madison Feeder with a footbridge. The Madison Feeder Trail would provide access to the Woods with parking at the Gateway Reserve.
Extension of the Madison Feeder Trail
The Madison Feeder Trail currently ends at Route 12B. The plan is to extend the trail along the feeder to the O&W RR Trail adjacent to the Hamilton Municipal Airport.
Click picture for larger version.
Accreditation
SMHT hopes in the long term to gain national accreditation through the Land Trust Alliance and the Land Trust Accreditation Commission. The requirements are extensive and involve all aspects of the land trust’s operations.
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