Bedford Hills, NY— Westchester Land Trust (WLT) has completed an access easement with the Town of Bedford that enables the development of new public drinking water infrastructure at Guard Hill Preserve, advancing a shared commitment to protecting clean water for the Bedford community.

The agreement grants the Town a permanent, carefully defined easement across a limited portion of the preserve, allowing for the installation of multiple water supply wells, underground transmission lines, and related infrastructure needed to support the Town’s potable water system.

Guard Hill Preserve will remain protected and open to the public, with strict safeguards in place to ensure that the project is carried out with minimal environmental and visual impact. Following construction, the Town will restore all affected areas and remain responsible for the long-term maintenance and operation of the system.

“This project shows what becomes possible when a community chooses to care for the place it calls home,” said Kara Whelan, President of Westchester Land Trust. “Protecting land is not just an environmental act—it is an act of care for our neighbors and for future generations. By investing in the stewardship of nature preserves that naturally filter and safeguard our drinking water, Westchester Land Trust and the Town of Bedford are ensuring that our Bedford neighbors will have access to clean water from a landscape that thrives because our community has chosen to protect it.”

The project builds on longstanding water rights associated with the property and is part of a broader, ongoing collaboration between WLT and the Town of Bedford to safeguard critical natural resources. In recent years, the two have partnered on multiple conservation efforts, including the protection of 13.4 acres of forestland near the Muscoot Reservoir, a project that helps protect a key source of drinking water for the region.

“This is an important investment in the long-term health and resilience of our community,” said Ellen Calves, Bedford Town Supervisor. “We’re proud to work alongside Westchester Land Trust to strengthen our local water supply in a way that respects and preserves the natural environment.”

By thoughtfully integrating essential infrastructure into protected land, the project highlights the critical role conserved landscapes play in supporting both ecological health and public well-being. It also underscores WLT’s continued commitment to conservation in Bedford and across the region, where the organization has protected more than 9,660 acres of land to date.

Guard Hill Preserve remains open year-round for passive recreation, offering the public the opportunity to experience the connection between healthy landscapes and the resources they sustain.

We acknowledge that our region is within the traditional territories of the Lenape people and that their culture and traditions live on today.