From the Rensselaer Plateau Alliance:
Happy New Year!
Our long awaited news has arrived. The Rensselaer Plateau Forest Legacy Area has been approved by the US Forest Service.
The RPA is extremely pleased with the decision to designate the Rensselaer Plateau a forest legacy site, for it recognizes the unique and special character of this region. The Forest Legacy Program will add an important tool and resources for conservation in the region. The program provides opportunity to permanently conserve forest lands with conservation easements that maintain the traditional uses of the land while conserving it forever. The programs reliance upon private landowner rights and willing sellers, and respect for home rule make this a great addition to conservation tools available to landowners and towns in the region. We applaud the approval and appreciate the support of local people, towns and state government to support the designation, for it is the grassroots support for such programs that achieved this result.
Thank you to all who helped us show local grassroots support for the Forest Legacy Area last spring. Without your support this may not have happened.
Thank you again and Happy New Year from all of us at the RPA. Rensselaer Plateau Alliance Website.