Putnam County Land Trust has accepted the donation of 31 acres on Joe’s Hill Road
in the Town of Southeast.
The property is 90% woodland and consists of mature maple-beech and oak-
hickory trees, many of which are two to three feet in diameter (estimated to be 100
to 150 years old). Plant communities are Red Maple Swamp, Oak-Hickory Forest
and Maple-Beech forest. There are also rock outcroppings which make the preserve
interesting to walk and explore.
Visit the Putnam County Land Trust on the web for more information.
Accompanying photos provided by Putnam County Land Trust
Joe's Hill, 847-foot in elevation, is .5 miles to the south. This property's land slopes
westward to the reservoir from a peak elevation of 670 feet near the road along the
eastern boundary to a low point of 430 feet at the wetlands and reservoir at the
western boundary. This wetland along the western boundary is part of New York
State DEC wetland BR-31. A wetland just east of the property feeds a stream that
runs across the property's southern section, emptying into the East Branch
Reservoir.
These woodlands and wetlands provide high quality breeding, nesting, foraging and
stopover habitat for birds, reptiles, amphibians, beneficial insects and a variety of
other wildlife. Birds observed on a June 18, 2018 visit include Wood Thrush, Red-
Eyed Vireo and Veery, all of which are interior-forest dwelling migratory birds that
require large, un-fragmented blocks of woods such as these in which to breed.
Spotted turtle, bobcat and river otter may breed here or use this habitat.
This property helps to protect the quality of the water entering the East Branch
Reservoir and provide much needed wildlife habitat. Over the past 50 years, 3
billion birds have disappeared due to loss of habitat and use of pesticides. By
conserving this property, PCLT is helping to provide undisturbed habitat for them
The property requires work to make it accessible for visitors and plans to have it
open for walks by early 2022.