As the town of Gallatin continues to develop and grow in the upcoming years, it is good to remember all that has been done to help conserve our “Great Little Town”. So here is some GOOD news about how the environmental challenges are being faced in our community.
1. We have approximately 10-15% of the private lands under protection from from
development because of the great efforts of The Columbia Land Conservancy. Much
of the land is along of it along the banks of the Roeliff Jansen Kill, which helps
protect the waterway for unmitigated runoff.
2. In the next few years we expect that number to increase as more landowners realize
the value of conservation.
3. Lake Taghkanic State park protects an additional 700—800 acres within our town.
And helps preserve one of the county’s significant lakes at 168 acres in area.
4. We have a significant contiguous intact forest the runs through the broader town
and is estimated to be between 4000-5000 acres. (From Large patches of
contiguous forest in Columbia County, New York. Columbia County Natural
Resources Inventory, 2018.)
5. We have some significant areas of known importance such as Northern- Hemlock
and Hardwood Forest as well as an Inland Poor Fen found within Gallatin (Areas of
Known Importance for exemplary ecological communities and rare plants and
animals, delineated by the New York Natural Heritage Program. Many other areas of
the county are also important for plants, animals, and communities of conservation
concern. Columbia County Natural Resources Inventory, 2018.)
6. Dormant farms springing back to life and finding new purpose for the land.