The property is located in the north side of Baxter Road,
opposite the North Salem Open Land Foundation's Baxter South Preserve and
adjacent to its Baxter North Preserve. The property is lightly developed with agricultural
structures and will remain in agricultural use. The property consists largely
of fields, meadows and pastures; fenced-in paddocks; and areas of second growth
forest typical of northern Westchester, including red maple, sugar maple, black
birch, red oak, and white oak. A forested wetland corridor runs along the
eastern and the northwestern side of the property and is dominated by red
maples, winterberry, spicebush and tussock sedge. Both wetland areas are likely
to provide ideal habitat for species such as wood frog, gray treefrog, mole
salamander species and some reptile and bird species. ...
The conservation
easement will protect many important conservation values. The property
can be seen by hikers and horseback riders who use the preserves across the
street and in the area owned by North Salem Open Land Foundation and it can be
seen by many residents who drive by along rural Baxter Road. It protects forest and
wetland habitat for numerous species of plants and animals of native to the
area and the entire property is located within the Eastern Westchester Biotic
Corridor and connects to adjacent preserved land. The property also
protects wetlands and uplands located within the Titicus
River watershed, part of the Croton
River Reservoir system which provides drinking water for New
York City and parts of Westchester.
The property has significant public benefit and protects open space pursuant to
governmental policy (See attached baseline data report for more detail on
conservation values).