NARROWSBURG, NY and ONLINE — The Upper Delaware Council (UDC) will host a presentation titled “Save Orange County’s Last Remaining Wilderness” on Thursday, January 4 at 7 p.m. at the UDC office.

The talk will be given by Orange County Land Trust (OCLT) director of conservation Kyle Sanduski.

The meeting will also include the election of UDC officers by ballot vote for 2024.

In his talk, Sanduski will describe OCLT’s 2024 launch of a multi-year land conservation initiative within the Delaware River Watershed. It’s intended to prioritize an area dubbed “Orange County’s Last Remaining Wilderness,” which comprises 35,000 acres of privately owned, unprotected land.

The campaign’s goal is to help maintain the quality of the Mongaup, Basher Kill and Neversink Rivers, as well as the Port Jervis Watershed, by partnering with willing landowners on conservation easements. 

OCLT is also seeking like-minded organizations to sign on as supporting organizations.

Sanduski will discuss the land trust’s active projects in the area and describe upcoming efforts. He will also take questions. 

The mission of the Orange County Land Trust is to protect watersheds, habitats and working farms that sustain communities now and for future generations.

To date, OCLT has helped protect over 6,500 acres of crucial landscapes through conservation agreements. These provide the tool for conserving natural resources while keeping the land on the tax rolls and in private stewardship. 

The UDC’s monthly meeting to follow will include status reports from the Delaware River Basin Commission, the New York State Department of Environmental Conservation, the Pennsylvania Department of Conservation and Natural Resources, the National Park Service, and the UDC executive director; discussion of old and new business; and public comment.

The UDC office is located at 211 Bridge St.

All UDC meetings are open to the public. For further information on how to participate via a Zoom option, call 845/252-3022 or email stephanie@upperdelawarecouncil.org. 

Check www.upperdelawarecouncil.org or UDC social media pages for any meeting updates.