Protected Lands
Oblong has preserved more than 1000 acres to date through a combination of easements (932 acres) and preserves (157 acres) in the Pawling/Dover area. Click here for a map of all the protected lands in the area.
Oblong has preserved more than 1000 acres to date through a combination of easements (932 acres) and preserves (157 acres) in the Pawling/Dover area. Click here for a map of all the protected lands in the area.
We currently own 6 preserves:
Scudiere Preserve
A "marsh" is defined as a wetland that is inundated for a sufficient period of time during the course of a year, as to prevent the survival of trees and shrubs. Woody plants literally drown. Only a small percentage of the Great Swamp consists of marshland. Typical dominant vegetation in a marsh in this region, consists of cattails, certain sedges, purple loosestrife, mosses, and the fearful "phrag" (Phragmites australis). Depth of water determines the species that are able to survive in this environment. In the edges of the Scudiere Preserve, where submergence is less extreme, a large variety of species will be found; many are undoubtedly remaining survivors from the old days, less than a generation ago, when this land was a "wet meadow", and hay was harvested. This was part of Henry B. Dutcher's Farm.
Over the course of the years, numerous landowners upstream of this watershed have mindlessly filled in small tributary wetlands, and stream banks and riparian areas, leaving heavy rainfall no place for run off except the lowest lying area (Scudiere). A number of homes and backyards in low lying areas in the Village, fed by this same stream, suffer periodic flooding.
Meanwhile, at Scudiere, marsh birds have taken up housekeeping. "Thin as a rail", is the peculiar Virginia rail. A nocturnal species, the Lord flattened this creature (a bit smaller than a crow), so it could fit between the reeds and scurry through the muskrat tunnels. Several other rail species have been recorded at Scudiere, but the Virginia is the common one and definitely nests here. Seeing a rail is a challenge. They are more often heard, and their calls are unbirdlike.
Other rare marsh birds are the Least and American bittern. Related to the herons, both bitterns are elusive, and more often heard than seen. Experienced birders learn the calls and songs, because in many cases, vocals can be reliably identified. All members of the heron family have been recorded at Scudiere, more often as flyovers. Bring your binoculars! Also, keep your eyes peeled overhead for vultures and various raptors in flight.
At the edges of the Preserve, the resident song sparrow will scold you for invading his territory, and at any time of the year, that mite of fluff, a marsh wren, may join momentarily join the sparrow in the scolding, or if you are fortunate, treat you to his charming little song! Marsh wrens can be found at only a few locations in The Great Swamp. Willow flycatchers nest in summer near the railroad tracks (stay off the tracks!) and Yellow warblers weave their exquisite nests of spider webs in the bushes, while the Warbling vireos and orioles sing overhead. Swamp sparrows sing from tops of the phrag and of course, the MANY Red-winged blackbirds will drown out almost everything else, in their season.
In the spring of 2009, two Olive-sided flycatchers, denizens of the North Country, stopped by on their long migration, to rest and catch a few mayflies.
Rare Rusty blackbirds show up in migration, in small flocks. But, almost every visit will treat you to a small band of Bluebirds, who will land in the tops of the willows for your delight, and regale you with their cheery, "Cheery, cheery, cheerful timer".
Slocum-Mostachetti Preserve
When the Oblong Land Conservancy became the new stewards of 106 acres along the Swamp River in Wingdale, it engaged
in a productive partnership with FrOGS. The largest portion of the purchase price came from FrOGS' North American Wetlands
Conservation Act (NAWCA) Grant. Funds from The National Fish and Wildlife Foundation picked up another large portion of the
acquisition price. Substantial shared donations from FrOGS and Oblong provided the last pieces needed to acquire the property.
The property had been part of a large farm originally owned by Egbert Slocum then passed to his son Homer and his wife Marion Judson and inherited by their daughter, Helen Slocum and her husband Leo Mostachetti. At one time the farm had a horse barn, a dairy barn, tenant houses, an icehouse, a cider mill and an orchard. Leo and Helen always loved the farmland on the ridge behind their home and Leo brush-hogged trails through the property so Helen could take long walks and just sit quietly at some favorite spot.
The 106-acre preserve starts as wetlands by the Swamp River on the east and then runs up and over a ridge of limestone/marble and down into a wooded valley on the west. Leo's trails give the hiker access to a variety of habitats. The swamp trail is quite wet. A trail on the south end of the swamp reveals a section of sedges and cattails. Moving west the land rises gently up to a limestone ridge covered with extensive stands of cedar (a sure sign of sweet soil). The dark greens of the cedar branches sprinkled with blue berries contrasts nicely with the yellow-browns of the wildflowers and grasses beneath them. The winter landscape on the ridge appears soft and gentle. The vista from this location takes in the distant ridges that bracket the Harlem valley.
Local butterflyer, Bill Wallace, has spotted more than 30 species of butterflies here in mid-July. Among the wildflowers that thrive in these sweet (calcium rich) soils are lady's tresses and the ragged fringed orchis. There are also signs of bobcat, otter, fox, coyote, rabbit, squirrel, purple finch, flickers, red-winged blackbirds, bluebirds, and many other birds.
- Scudiere Preserve in the Village of Pawling (open to the public)
- Zaengle on River Road
- Carruth in Dover
- Chase on Route 55
- Slocum-Mostachetti (open to the public)
- Douglas on Dutcher Ave.
- Top Gallant Farm Easement
- Achieved the conservation of a Quaker Hill 137 acre farm with rolling hills, fields and forest, and trails.
- Development of Pawling Village Pathway Project
- OLC has assisted the Village of Pawling in planning and obtaining grant funding for this project, consisting of an off street path through preserved land which remains in the planning stage, and connecting sidewalks which are completed.
- Scenic Road Preservation
- Acquisition of a critical corridor along Route 55 and the historic Beekman-Pawling Turnpike
- North Quaker Hill Farm Easement
- Preservation of 136 acres of an historic Quaker (Taber) Farm
- Great Swamp Wetland Park in the Village of Pawling
- Cushman Road Easements
- 200 acres of open space in a new subdivision, permanently protected with a conservation easement, which conserves portions of The Great Swamp, rare plants, and a very special mature hemlock grove. Public trail access is a feature of this acquisition.
Scudiere Preserve
| Location | Parking/Access |
| Village of Pawling Dutcher Avenue and South Street (opposite Pawling Firehouse) |
Park off Dutcher Avenue on shoulder near South Street Never park or leave standing vehicle near Firehouse (emergency vehicular access must not be blocked) |
A "marsh" is defined as a wetland that is inundated for a sufficient period of time during the course of a year, as to prevent the survival of trees and shrubs. Woody plants literally drown. Only a small percentage of the Great Swamp consists of marshland. Typical dominant vegetation in a marsh in this region, consists of cattails, certain sedges, purple loosestrife, mosses, and the fearful "phrag" (Phragmites australis). Depth of water determines the species that are able to survive in this environment. In the edges of the Scudiere Preserve, where submergence is less extreme, a large variety of species will be found; many are undoubtedly remaining survivors from the old days, less than a generation ago, when this land was a "wet meadow", and hay was harvested. This was part of Henry B. Dutcher's Farm.
Over the course of the years, numerous landowners upstream of this watershed have mindlessly filled in small tributary wetlands, and stream banks and riparian areas, leaving heavy rainfall no place for run off except the lowest lying area (Scudiere). A number of homes and backyards in low lying areas in the Village, fed by this same stream, suffer periodic flooding.
Meanwhile, at Scudiere, marsh birds have taken up housekeeping. "Thin as a rail", is the peculiar Virginia rail. A nocturnal species, the Lord flattened this creature (a bit smaller than a crow), so it could fit between the reeds and scurry through the muskrat tunnels. Several other rail species have been recorded at Scudiere, but the Virginia is the common one and definitely nests here. Seeing a rail is a challenge. They are more often heard, and their calls are unbirdlike.
Other rare marsh birds are the Least and American bittern. Related to the herons, both bitterns are elusive, and more often heard than seen. Experienced birders learn the calls and songs, because in many cases, vocals can be reliably identified. All members of the heron family have been recorded at Scudiere, more often as flyovers. Bring your binoculars! Also, keep your eyes peeled overhead for vultures and various raptors in flight.
At the edges of the Preserve, the resident song sparrow will scold you for invading his territory, and at any time of the year, that mite of fluff, a marsh wren, may join momentarily join the sparrow in the scolding, or if you are fortunate, treat you to his charming little song! Marsh wrens can be found at only a few locations in The Great Swamp. Willow flycatchers nest in summer near the railroad tracks (stay off the tracks!) and Yellow warblers weave their exquisite nests of spider webs in the bushes, while the Warbling vireos and orioles sing overhead. Swamp sparrows sing from tops of the phrag and of course, the MANY Red-winged blackbirds will drown out almost everything else, in their season.
In the spring of 2009, two Olive-sided flycatchers, denizens of the North Country, stopped by on their long migration, to rest and catch a few mayflies.
Rare Rusty blackbirds show up in migration, in small flocks. But, almost every visit will treat you to a small band of Bluebirds, who will land in the tops of the willows for your delight, and regale you with their cheery, "Cheery, cheery, cheerful timer".
Slocum-Mostachetti Preserve
| Location
Town of Dover (Wingdale) 134 Pleasant Ridge Road (north side) Signage in process Parking/Access Park at side of driveway access in front of gate; walk in. Best to call days ahead (855-3266). Visitor facilities in process of being provided. We thank you for your patience. Watch Oblong web site (events) for visitor scheduled walks. No public hunting. click here for larger trail map |
|
The property had been part of a large farm originally owned by Egbert Slocum then passed to his son Homer and his wife Marion Judson and inherited by their daughter, Helen Slocum and her husband Leo Mostachetti. At one time the farm had a horse barn, a dairy barn, tenant houses, an icehouse, a cider mill and an orchard. Leo and Helen always loved the farmland on the ridge behind their home and Leo brush-hogged trails through the property so Helen could take long walks and just sit quietly at some favorite spot.
The 106-acre preserve starts as wetlands by the Swamp River on the east and then runs up and over a ridge of limestone/marble and down into a wooded valley on the west. Leo's trails give the hiker access to a variety of habitats. The swamp trail is quite wet. A trail on the south end of the swamp reveals a section of sedges and cattails. Moving west the land rises gently up to a limestone ridge covered with extensive stands of cedar (a sure sign of sweet soil). The dark greens of the cedar branches sprinkled with blue berries contrasts nicely with the yellow-browns of the wildflowers and grasses beneath them. The winter landscape on the ridge appears soft and gentle. The vista from this location takes in the distant ridges that bracket the Harlem valley.
Local butterflyer, Bill Wallace, has spotted more than 30 species of butterflies here in mid-July. Among the wildflowers that thrive in these sweet (calcium rich) soils are lady's tresses and the ragged fringed orchis. There are also signs of bobcat, otter, fox, coyote, rabbit, squirrel, purple finch, flickers, red-winged blackbirds, bluebirds, and many other birds.