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A few years ago, Earth committee for the congregation raised the awareness of the newly elected leadership team about the possibility of a land trust. The property at Mt. St. Joseph includes a wooded area that features a stream corridor which feeds into Brown’s Pond. Brown’s Pond is the secondary water source for the city of Newburgh. The protection of this valuable natural resource aligns with the congregation’s commitment to economic, environmental and racial inequity, especially as it affects women and children.
Having been alerted to the need, the leadership team was then approached last August by the Orange County Land Trust, which has helped protect nearly 6,500 acres of land in Orange County. Representatives of the group met with the team and staff members to explore options for putting 13.54 acres into a land trust. The tree-lined areas on both sides of the road down to the cemetery on the Mt. St. Joseph property will be placed into the land trust. This does not include any part of the cemetery itself and the agreement assures access to the cemetery and the commitment of the congregation to prevent further development of the area.
On June 6, the congregation, along with the Dominican Sisters of Blauvelt, will be recognized for this initiative. Several members of the Earth committee and leadership team members will attend a dinner to accept the honor on behalf of the congregation.