Sunday Hike Planned for Unique Land
The unusual life, geology and history of Gibraltar Point will be focal points of a hike on Dec. 17 to support interest in a Community Forest Program grant.
Will Brown was an economist at JP Morgan in Manhattan when, in 2000, he decided to farm beef cattle on the Warwick farm he had bought in the ‘80’s from a dairy farmer in financial straits. That land is now preserved as farmland.
He also bought 136 acres of Pine Island forested land from a developer that includes Gibraltar Rock in Pine Island, “dramatic” with flora and fauna, he says. He and Orange County Land Trust are working to preserve the land with a Community Forest grant.
Seeking support from community groups, Brown and a group of Warwickians planned an hour-long hike for Sunday, Dec. 17 at 2 p.m. to see the land and discuss the options. The plan is to gather at the Edenville General Store, at 240 Pine Island Turnpike,
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at 2 p.m., then arrange getting to the hike starting point, which has few parking spots.
Brown answered a few questions from the Lookout to elaborate on the project:
Lookout: When did the effort to preserve Gibraltar Rock begin, and what
prompted that effort?
William Brown: The effort to preserve Gibralter Rock started over a decade ago when the land was purchased by a developer and a major subdivision was proposed.
Lookout: What is special and important about the property?
William Brown: This property is special because of:
1) its dramatic "karstic" topography, where limestone has dissolved, leaving more weather-resistant rock, which forms outcroppings, steep rock faces, caves, and steep ravines with vernal pools.
2) The area supports a profusion of mosses, ferns, lichen and other lime-loving plants, unusual minerals, some named after neighboring hamlets, and threatened bat and amphibian species.
3) It is important historically as a community gathering spot from pre-colonial times to the 1970s.
4) It lies in an open space corridor running from the Appalachian Trail to the south and Mount Adam and Eve to the North. Its preservation would would assure both wildlife and trail connectivity.
Lookout: How many acres is it, and what is on the acreage?
William Brown: It’s 136 acres, almost all forested.
Lookout: How much is the grant money?
William Brown: The grant will pay half the cost of purchasing the property, which is expected to run $900,000-$1,000,000
Lookout: What are the options for using it?
William Brown: The land is good for hiking, horseback riding, picnicing, nature walks and study.
Lookout: What do you envision as optimal and possible?
William Brown: We hope to receive the grant award in 2024, have the OCLT purchase the property in early 2025 and open it to the public shortly thereafter.
Lookout: What will the Sunday hike include? How long will it be, and what
will you traverse and see?
William Brown: The hike will take about an hour and will not be too strenuous. It will provide a good overview of the property and its various features.
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