Woodstock Land Conservancy

Woodstock Land Conservancy Contact information, map and directions, contact form, opening hours, services, ratings, photos, videos and announcements from Woodstock Land Conservancy, Community Organization, P. O Box 864, Woodstock, NY.

The Woodstock Land Conservancy is a non-profit organization committed to the protection and preservation of the open lands, forests, water resources, scenic areas and historic sites in Woodstock and the surrounding area.

Our stewardship crew paused beside a patch of ferns at Sawkill Bend a few weeks ago. With the help of Barbara and Anne H...
06/24/2026

Our stewardship crew paused beside a patch of ferns at Sawkill Bend a few weeks ago. With the help of Barbara and Anne Hallowell’s classic pocket field guide, we identified Hay-Scented Ferns and several species of Wood Ferns. The real excitement, however, came when we looked closer.

Through a jeweler’s loupe and a macro lens, we discovered the remarkable diversity of sori on the undersides of the fronds. A sorus (plural: sori) is the small structure that forms on a fertile fern. Some are long and curved, others rounded or tightly clustered, and they can appear in different positions on each pinnule (the small leaf-like divisions of a frond).

Each sorus holds clusters of sporangia, the tiny cases that contain spores. Inside each sporangium are the spores themselves. When conditions are right—often in late summer—the sporangia split open and release their spores into the air. Each spore is a microscopic, single-celled structure that can remain dormant until it lands in the right environment. From that single spore, a new fern may eventually grow.

These spore cases are not only intricate and beautiful, they are also reminders that even the smallest details can reveal the astonishing diversity of our local fern community.

Did you know that the CVS Pharmacy on Mill Hill Road in Woodstock, NY participates in CVS’s safe medication disposal pro...
06/22/2026

Did you know that the CVS Pharmacy on Mill Hill Road in Woodstock, NY participates in CVS’s safe medication disposal program with an in-store drop-off kiosk for expired, unused or unwanted medicines?

When medicines are improperly disposed of by being flushed down drains or thrown away without safeguards, the active pharmaceutical compounds can pass through wastewater treatment plants or leach from landfills into surface water and groundwater. Because most treatment systems are not designed to remove these chemicals, once in water bodies even trace concentrations of drugs may disrupt aquatic life, altering fish reproduction, growth or behavior. Moreover, these pollutants may travel downstream into sources used for drinking water, making it harder (and more costly) to ensure safe water quality.

Visit CVS in Woodstock to safely dispose of your medicine and help to protect local waterways.

If you slow down while walking through Zena Cornfield, you might notice tiny snails tucked among the grasses. The snail ...
06/18/2026

If you slow down while walking through Zena Cornfield, you might notice tiny snails tucked among the grasses. The snail pictured here is a Common Amber Snail. It's teeny tiny--this one is about half an inch long and photographed through a jewler's loupe. Though these creatures are easy to miss, but full of fascinating anatomical details once you look closely. Today, we're talking about the basic anatomy of these small creatures.

A snail’s eyes sit at the very tips of the longer pair of feelers on its head (not at the base, like ours). These flexible stalks help the snail sense light and movement as it explores its surroundings.

Next, look at the foot. Snails don’t have feet like humans do, they have one broad, muscular “foot” that runs along the underside of their body. This foot ripples in slow waves, allowing the snail to glide forward, often leaving behind a thin trail of mucus that helps with movement and prevents injury.

As the snail moves, its soft body curls inward and upward, spiraling into the shell it carries on its back. This shell isn’t just a home, it’s protection from predators and drying out. Most snail shells curl to the right (called right-handed or dextral). A shell that curls to the left is extremely rare, and spotting one is a real treat for careful observers.

As part of the debut of our newest location, Rock Oak Preserve in West Hurley, we’re creating a monthly series where we ...
06/17/2026

As part of the debut of our newest location, Rock Oak Preserve in West Hurley, we’re creating a monthly series where we share about the local, native tree that gives Rock Oak Preserve its name.

Rock oaks, also called chestnut oaks, support a rich web of life. Here’s one example of the interconnected web of species that revolve around chestnut oak:

The oak leafminer thrives in a canopy of chestnut oaks, like the ones found at Rock Oak Preserve. Oak leafminers’ larvae feed on leaf tissue and contribute to the natural process of nutrient cycling; while their winding trails may appear damaging, these early-season feeders play a crucial ecological role by attracting insectivorous birds. Among the most striking of these is the Scarlet Tanager, which depends on the abundance of caterpillars and leaf-mining larvae to feed its young during the breeding season. The high canopies and open understories of oak-dominated forests offer ideal nesting and foraging grounds for tanagers, while the presence of insects like oak leafminers ensures a steady food supply. In this way, chestnut oaks serve as foundational species, supporting a complex food chain that sustains everything from flies to vibrant migratory songbirds. Protecting these oak habitats at places like Rock Oak Preserve means preserving the intricate relationships that make these forests resilient, diverse, and alive.

Rock Oak Preserve is located on Basin Road, near the intersection of Basin Road and 28A in West Hurley. Visit the loop trail and the historic rock-cut from sunrise to sunset to watch these nourishing food webs in action!

Nature is an undeniable rainbow, full of q***r biodiversity. Protect the dolls. Protect the gall wasps! Happy Pride, Woo...
06/14/2026

Nature is an undeniable rainbow, full of q***r biodiversity. Protect the dolls. Protect the gall wasps! Happy Pride, Woodstock!

On June 6 and 7, the Stream Stewards Program officially kicked off. This pilot partnership between the Town of Woodstock...
06/13/2026

On June 6 and 7, the Stream Stewards Program officially kicked off. This pilot partnership between the Town of Woodstock's Drinking Water Source Protection Program, Beth Reichheld and Jennifer Zackin's Mapping the Sawkill project, and the Woodstock Land Conservancy brings together 15 dedicated volunteers to learn how to "read" the condition of the Sawkill Creek and advocate for its care and protection.

Throughout the summer, stewards will work with river ecologist and community planner Mark Vian and fluvial geomorphologist Telly Olsen to conduct community assessments, perform basic water testing, and receive hands-on training in stream monitoring.

The program began with a classroom session at the Woodstock Land Conservancy office, where participants were introduced to stream science and mapping. Stewards explored concepts including hydrology, hydraulics, fluvial geomorphology, LiDAR imaging, and the 2007 Sawkill Creek Assessment, learning how scientists observe and document stream systems.

On June 7, the group headed into the field along the Sawkill near New Keefe Hollow Road. There, participants put their new vocabulary into practice, identifying stream features and processes in real time. Stewards also sketched the creek before and after the workshop, demonstrating how our understanding of waterways deepens through learning. A highlight of the day was a river otter sighting!

The Stream Stewards Program will continue through the summer, building knowledge, stewardship, and opportunities for hands-on restoration through riparian plantings and community advocacy.

On May 2nd, a group of amphibian enthusiasts gathered at Rock Oak Preserve to explore one of the Hudson Valley’s quieter...
06/11/2026

On May 2nd, a group of amphibian enthusiasts gathered at Rock Oak Preserve to explore one of the Hudson Valley’s quieter, often overlooked habitats: seasonal wetland pools. Guided by wetland expert Frank Parisio of the Department of Environmental Protection, we examined specimens and discussed how these small, temporary waters support entire ecosystems. These pools also filter water, recharge aquifers, and absorb floodwaters after heavy rain.

Though often called vernal pools, Frank prefers the term seasonal wetland pools. While many fill in spring, some persist in some form throughout the year. What defines them is not just timing, but conditions. These pools are typically small, shallow, low in oxygen, and fish-free, allowing amphibians to reproduce without heavy predation.

Depth plays a critical role. If a pool is too shallow, it may dry before larvae develop. Too deep, and it may support fish that disrupt breeding cycles. This narrow balance makes these habitats both fragile and highly specialized.

Rock Oak Preserve is an upland oak forest, which makes its pools especially notable. Unlike wetlands fed by streams or floodplains, these pools depend largely on rainwater. The surrounding forest shapes everything from soil composition to water chemistry to which species can survive there. In many ways, the forest defines the wetland.

During the workshop, we visited pools filled with wood frog tadpoles. Wood frogs are obligate breeders in these habitats, relying on seasonal pools to reproduce successfully. Their breeding behavior, called amplexus, involves the male clasping the female as she lays eggs while fertilizing them externally. At this stage, tadpoles feed primarily on algae rather than insects, and their long visible intestines reflect that diet.

We also discussed care and caution. Before approaching the pools, Frank had us clean our shoes and hands to avoid introducing contaminants. Amphibians are especially sensitive to pollution, with some species breathing partially or entirely through their skin. Because of this, their presence can reveal a great deal about water quality. Seeing tadpoles or salamanders is often a sign that these systems are functioning well.

Let the Fontyne Kill at Zena Cornfield guide your creativity in this upcoming workshop with Coryn Nadeau. Join us for a...
06/11/2026

Let the Fontyne Kill at Zena Cornfield guide your creativity in this upcoming workshop with Coryn Nadeau.

Join us for a calming, hands-on workshop where the sights and sounds of the creek will become part of the art-making process. Using natural pigments, participants will explore painting in a way that’s deeply connected to place: mixing earth, water, and creativity into something truly unique (and biodegradable). We’ll also share thoughtful practices for the ethical disposal of art water, keeping our watershed healthy.

Facilitated by local art therapist and educator Coryn Nadeau, this experience weaves together gentle guided meditation, simple painting techniques, and a sensory connection to the land.

This activity is open to anyone ages 5 and up whot is able to pause for a short meditation.

More about Coryn: Coryn is a licensed & board-certified art therapist, certified transformational coach, social-emotional educator, workshop & class facilitator, program & content developer, consultant, artist & art educator. Read more about Coryn at https://www.corynnadeau.com

Ever wonder how an interpretive panel comes together?The panel at Rock Oak Preserve began taking shape last year when Hu...
06/08/2026

Ever wonder how an interpretive panel comes together?

The panel at Rock Oak Preserve began taking shape last year when Hurley Town Historian Jim Decker guided WLC staff through historic town records to explore how this land was used long before the Ashokan Reservoir was built. While he noted that no Munsee settlements were located directly on the hill that is now Rock Oak Preserve, the original inhabitants of this region likely used the area for hunting and travel before their violent displacement during the Esopus Wars.

From there, we traced town records to the Tappert Estate (Slide 3), once located on the preserve. The remains of its foundations can still be seen today. Meanwhile, our then Communication Manager, Keisha Hoerrner authored the panel text, and Miranda Javid collaborated with local libraries to uncover historic photographs of Old West Hurley. Thanks to the generous support of librarians at the Olive Free Library, we discovered remarkable images, including one showing the rock cut when it was still used to transport materials for the Reservoir’s construction. Also extremely helpful in this search were https://nyheritage.org/ and its digital archive as well as the now out of print book "Old West Hurley Revisited" by Allen M. Rowe. (That's the rock cut on the cover! Slide 4)

This rock cut is not only a striking landmark within the preserve but also a monument to those displaced by the Reservoir. Today, the interpretive panel featured in this post stands at the mouth of the cut. We invite you to visit both the rock cut and the separate trail loop to explore the history of Rock Oak Preserve, open daily from sunrise to sunset, at the intersection of Basin Road and Route 28A.

Garter snakes, like this one spotted at Rock Oak Preserve, play a quiet but essential role in the Hudson Valley’s ecosys...
06/07/2026

Garter snakes, like this one spotted at Rock Oak Preserve, play a quiet but essential role in the Hudson Valley’s ecosystems. As adaptable predators, they feed on a wide range of animals, including insects, slugs, earthworms, frogs and small fish! They help keep populations in balance. By eating species that can otherwise become overly abundant, garter snakes support healthier wetlands, fields and forest edges. By preying on animals that host ticks, such as small mammals, garter snakes can even help reduce tick populations over time! They are an important link in the food web, both as hunters and as prey for birds, mammals and other wildlife, helping energy move through the ecosystem.

Despite their reputation, garter snakes are not dangerous. They are non-venomous and generally shy, preferring to slip away rather than confront people. While it’s always best to admire wildlife from a distance -- look but don’t touch, there’s no need to fear these snakes. Snakes are often misunderstood as “bad,” but garter snakes remind us that many creatures we overlook or fear are actually doing vital work to keep our habitats healthy.

Garter snakes are very common in the Hudson Valley. Though you may see them in your backyard and other human spaces, they are often seen at all of our preserves, especially Rock Oak Preserve, Zena Cornfield and, of course, Snake Rocks. Thank you, garter snakes.

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P. O Box 864
Woodstock, NY
12498

Telephone

+18456796481

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