Who We Are

Founded in 1988 by a dedicated group of local citizens, the Woodstock Land Conservancy is a non-profit land trust. We are run by a small staff and an all-volunteer Board of Directors. At its core, WLC is an ever-growing community of dedicated and generous volunteers, supporters, and community members who share a passionate love and respect for the land and the unique place we live. WLC owns and manages undeveloped land and works with landowners to permanently protect their property through conservation easements and by acquiring their land through donation or sale. We also provide nature education and outdoor activities to the community. Because we operate in the public interest, WLC depends on private donations to carry out its work. It is our strong foundation in the community that makes it possible to protect land that otherwise would be lost forever. This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it. to learn how you can become part of our work!

Breaking News!

The aerial photo shows cranes, other vehicles and equipment stored at a former quarry at 850 state Route 28 in the town of Kingston, N.Y.

Kingston town planners postpone hearing on concrete facility, stunning audience
By William J. Kemble for the Daily Freeman, July 15, 2019

TOWN OF KINGSTON, N.Y. — A planned public hearing on the application for a steel and concrete fabricating facility on state Route 28 was shut down before it even started when town officials said the audience size exceeded the meeting room's 150-person capacity.

The declaration in the Kingston Town Hall meeting room was made Monday evening after those attending were screened with a metal-detecting wand, required to sign in, and allowed to sit on the floor of the room after all the chairs were occupied.

Before the cancellation was announced, the Planning Board conducted other business with the same roughly 160 people in the room and granted conditional approval of a solar energy project.

At 7:30 p.m., nearly 20 minutes after the solar matter was settled, board attorney Richard Golden stood up and announced that the proposal by 850 Route 28 LLC would not be heard and that another meeting would be scheduled in a larger facility.

Read the full article here

A screengrab from neighbor Mike Ferraro’s security camera shows a truck at Joe Karolys’ Route 212 residence/dump.

Neighbors complain trucks still entering Saugerties construction & demolition debris dump despite DEC order

By Christina Coulter, July 12, 2019, for Hudson Valley One

"Despite an order from the state Department of Conservation to shut down, neighbors say trucks keep coming in to Joe Karolys’ controversial construction and demolition debris dumps.

Mike Ferraro, who lives across the street from Karolys’ Route 212 property, which contains both Karolys’ home and one of his dumps, said about six trucks a day are coming into the site — more than the four a day usually seen before the DEC’s July 2 stop-work order."

Click here to read the full Hudson Valley One article

Citizen Action

Photo by Greg Miller, OSI

Manufacturing Facility Proposed Adjacent to
Onteora Lake, Bluestone Wild Forest
and Newly Acquired OSI Property

July 16th Update

Thank you all for attending the Town of Kingston Planning Board Meeting last night for the proposed 850 Route 28 LLC cast-concrete and steel fabrication factory. WLC and our partner organizations hear loud and clear how much you care about protecting Onteora Lake, Pickerel Pond and the Bluestone Wild Forest from adjacent inappropriate development. 

Last night was proof positive that citizen engagement is already impacting the project and process. By 7pm the meeting room had already reached capacity with over 150 concerned citizens in attendance. And because the number of the public attending exceeded the capacity of the meeting room, the Planning Board announced the postponement of the Public Hearing on the project’s Site Plan. The Planning Board’s new outside attorney Richard Golden (recently retained specifically for this project at the applicant’s expense), advised the board that it would be a violation of the Open Meetings Law to proceed with a Public Hearing. Mr. Golden announced that they will look for a suitable venue that can accommodate all citizens wanting to attend. 

We do not know yet whether the rescheduled Public Hearing will be during the next scheduled Planning Board meeting (announced last night for Thursday, August 29th) or at a specially scheduled Public Hearing. We’re requesting that everyone stay tuned for updates from WLC and continue to spread the word.  If you know others who would like to join our Constant Contact email list, please email This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it.. One can also visit Woodstock Land Conservancy FB page, which includes project updates.  When the next public hearing is scheduled we will create a FB event. 

Lastly, although WLC is not organizing it, we are aware that last evening residents were distributing flyers encouraging the public to share their concerns with the Ulster County Legislature tonight (Tues. 7/16) during the Public-Be-Heard portion of their regular monthly meeting, at 7pm on the 6th Floor of the County Building at 244 Fair St. in Kingston. If you plan to attend and speak, make sure you arrive early to sign up and limit your comments to 2-3 minutes or less. Please be respectful in your comments and mindful that the Legislature has no formal approval on the 850 Route 28 project.

Many thanks for your advocacy.

A project fact sheet can be found here. 

Read the Kingston Freeman’s article about last night’s proceedings here

Read WLC’s Letter to the Editor published in the Freeman Online Monday morning here

Any questions, please contact Woodstock Land Conservancy Executive Director, Maxanne Resnick.
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Upcoming Events

First Saturdays on the Trail
Enrapturing Raptors
with Ellen Kalish of Ravensbeard Wildlife Center
August 3rd
The Comeau
10 am - 12 pm

Enjoy a rare opportunity to spend time in the company of these majestic birds of prey: red-tail hawk, great-horned owl, barred owl, barn owl, American kestrel, and more!

Kids and adults alike will be hypnotized by the beauty and presence of these powerful birds and Ellen's relationship with them.

Come meet these wonderful birds of prey on the field to the left of the Comeau driveway (the lawn near the summer stage). Tick repellent, sunscreen, camp chairs or a blanket to sit on are recommended. This event is free, family-friendly, and open to the public.

Please RSVP to This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it. for this event. In the case of steady rain or thunderstorms, this event will be canceled. For weather-related updates, check the Woodstock Land Conservancy Facebook page

Save the Date!
Longyear Farm Day 2019
October 12, 2019

WLC's annual "fun"raiser is coming back for its 6th year!

Come on down to Longyear Farm right in the heart of Woodstock enjoy delicious hamburgers, food from your favorite local restaurants, and a whole lot of fun for the whole family.

Special thanks to the Longyear family for graciously hosting this much-beloved event!

Would you like to volunteer at Longyear Farm Day? Would you like to join the Longyear Farm Day planning committee? Would your business like to sponsor the event? Email Ellie Reese at This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it. to find out how.

The Hidden World of Plants 
with Botanist Kris Garnier of Go Flower Go

All July Dates Canceled

Many thanks to Kris Garnier for these programs. We are very appreciative. Come see her at Longyear Farm Day, October 12th.