Westchester Land Trust Protects 15-Acre Bedford Woods

BEDFORD, NY — A Hudson Valley woodlands will be safe from developers after a 15-acre donation to the Westchester Land Trust (WLT).

The wilderness is described as having uncommon ecosystems and being of high conservation value by the group. The property on Pea Pond Road in Bedford is said to feature remarkably healthy forest ecosystems, with remarkable examples of chestnut trees, oak trees, wild berries and a number of ancient trees more than a century old.

The land was donated by Janice and Robert Diamond and will be named the Diamond Family Preserve. The property will be owned and managed by WLT as a nature sanctuary.

“We’re thrilled that we were able to work with the Westchester Land Trust to protect this beautiful land and ensure it will forever remain free from development,” Robert Diamond said in a statement announcing the gift. “This property is a striking example of the natural beauty that makes our community so special and we’re proud to know it will provide benefits for generations to come.”

The acquisition will bring the total lands protected by the WLT to more than 8,800 acres.

The Diamond Family Preserve land is considered key to conservation efforts, in part, because of its elevation. The property is home to ecosystems and soil types not common to the region. The land has also been fenced in recent years, protecting the woods from invasive species and deer browsing.

“WLT will be forever grateful to the Diamond family for making this selfless gift of nature,” Westchester Land Trust President Lori Ensinger said. “They understood the importance of preserving this property and were wonderful partners in making it happen.”

The new nature preserve is in the New Croton Reservoir watershed. It is also near several other substantial preserves. The property does not have a maintained trail system and will not be open to the public initially, but the WLT has plans to conduct ecological research to study the unusual biodiversity on the property.