DONATE: PROTECT 25 ACRES OF WETLAND AT ISRAEL WITTMAN SANCTUARY

You can help us acquire 25 acres of irreplaceable freshwater wetland adjacent to WLC's largest preserve, protecting it forever from development. We have until October 30, 2026 to raise $100,000 to complete the purchase. Wetland parcels like this rarely become available.

GIVE NOW

The Details

25 acres of freshwater wetland just north of Israel Wittman Sanctuary in the Town of Saugerties. Approximately 85% wetland, including emergent marsh and shrub swamp. Closing deadline: October 30, 2026. Permanent conservation is the only guarantee. Regulations change; WLC's commitment won't.

Why It Matters

  • Wetlands mitigate flooding, protect clean water, and provide sanctuary during drought.
  • Freshwater wetlands are among the most carbon-dense ecosystems in the Northeast.
  • The parcel supports NYS Species of Greatest Conservation Need, including two species of salamander, as well as River Otter, American Mink, Beaver, Wood Duck, American Woodcock, and Great Egret.
  • It creates a 1.5-mile north-to-south protected habitat corridor, growing the sanctuary from 210 to 235 acres.
  • Combined with the adjacent 43-acre DEC Highwoods Multiple Use Area, it creates nearly 300 contiguous acres of protected land.
  • It's part of the Hudson Valley Core Forest, ranked in the top 5% of the Forest Condition Index, and WLC's 2020 Strategic Conservation Plan ranked it in the highest priority category for climate resilience.
The proposed acquisition (green) sits just north of the sanctuary (red), linking the two along the stream corridor.

Trails and Education

Israel Wittman Sanctuary is open to the public, with three walkable, bikeable trails through mixed hardwood and coniferous forest, and a fourth in the works. This acquisition will let WLC expand wetland education programming at the sanctuary. Visit the sanctuary page →

Your Gift's Impact

  • $500 funds our biological inventory of the new parcel
  • $1,000 supports boundary surveying and mapping
  • $5,000 contributes directly to the purchase price
  • $10,000 protects approximately 5 acres of wetland habitat in perpetuity
  • Any amount brings us closer to the October 30 closing date

Funds raised above $100,000 will be added to WLC's general land acquisition fund.

How to Help

Give online: Help grow Israel Wittman Sanctuary

Give by check: payable to Woodstock Land Conservancy, memo "IWS Wetland Acquisition," mailed to P.O. Box 864, Woodstock, NY 12498.

Questions? Contact Andy Mossey at andy@woodstocklandconservancy.org or (845) 679-6481.

Download the one-pager (PDF)