Rocky Ridge Easement
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Rocky Ridge Easement in Town of Henderson
Protects Scenic Ridge and Vast Hardwood Forestland The natural beauty of a scenic ridge and forestland overlooking Henderson Bay will be protected as part of a conservation agreement finalized recently with OBI Land Trust. |
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The conservation easement filed last month in Jefferson County is a partnership with landowner Stephen W. Yaussi to ensure that roughly 243 acres off Gilman Road in the northeast portion of Henderson will remain forever wild by preventing development on most of the land. It includes a vast hardwood forest and several hundred feet of what is known as the “rocky ridge” – a high bluff with shear limestone cliffs that are geologic feature as well as a local landmark for those driving along Route 3 in Henderson or boating in Henderson or White’s Bay. It is one of three distinctive bluffs of the ridge known by some as “the three sisters.”
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“It has open space value for the area and is visible from Henderson Harbor and it’s a well-known,” said OBI Land Steward Lee Ellsworth. “Having undeveloped forest on a significant ridge like this is really a great thing.”
The property includes two separate, adjacent parcels and is home to a mature forest with an impressive number of hardwood species, including cedar, maple, shag hickory, hickory, and oak. The nearby limestone cliffs are visible from the Great Lakes Seaway Trail (Route 3) and serve as a flyway and nesting area for migratory songbirds as they make their way up the lakeshore. The property represents the largest forestland ever protected by the Chaumont-based OBI Land Trust. It is one of several easement donations and part of nearly 1,000 acres protected by OBI since the non-profit land conservation group was created in 1993.
Mr. Yaussi knew the Henderson property was special in 1978, when he became a co-owner with the late Dr. Kenyon J. Plumpton. They raised beef cattle and horses on what was then Rocky Ridge Ranch. Productive hay fields, barn and a sugarbush converted into a hunting camp were part of the ranch, which is no longer operating.
An architect and co-founder of GYMO, Mr. Yaussi built his home there in an area tucked away to maintain the natural beauty of the ridge. Years later, the land was divided up and since then he has had an interest in protecting his 200-plus acres, especially with a trend toward the construction of large residential homes on scenic shoreline and ridge areas.
“We had a productive, educational and enjoyable time on the property over the years and it just seemed like this property was too nice to have it disturbed,” said Mr. Yaussi. “This is land that needs to remain open and natural.”
The land was once part of the sprawling Reed farm and includes ponds and streams and open grassy areas that were once grazing pastures. The easement allows for a 3-acre building envelope, some private hunting, forest management and thoughtful preservation of a place that is home to a thriving deer population as well as a variety of plant and animal species. The easement keeps the land on the tax rolls and in private hands.
Henderson Harbor and the Town of Henderson are part of an 8-town service area for OBI that follows along the shoreline communities of Jefferson County. OBI is a non-profit land trust, which means it is qualified to accept donations of land or easements of land. The land trust specializes in preserving open, scenic space and habitats such as grasslands, wetlands and that of endangered plant or animal species.
The property includes two separate, adjacent parcels and is home to a mature forest with an impressive number of hardwood species, including cedar, maple, shag hickory, hickory, and oak. The nearby limestone cliffs are visible from the Great Lakes Seaway Trail (Route 3) and serve as a flyway and nesting area for migratory songbirds as they make their way up the lakeshore. The property represents the largest forestland ever protected by the Chaumont-based OBI Land Trust. It is one of several easement donations and part of nearly 1,000 acres protected by OBI since the non-profit land conservation group was created in 1993.
Mr. Yaussi knew the Henderson property was special in 1978, when he became a co-owner with the late Dr. Kenyon J. Plumpton. They raised beef cattle and horses on what was then Rocky Ridge Ranch. Productive hay fields, barn and a sugarbush converted into a hunting camp were part of the ranch, which is no longer operating.
An architect and co-founder of GYMO, Mr. Yaussi built his home there in an area tucked away to maintain the natural beauty of the ridge. Years later, the land was divided up and since then he has had an interest in protecting his 200-plus acres, especially with a trend toward the construction of large residential homes on scenic shoreline and ridge areas.
“We had a productive, educational and enjoyable time on the property over the years and it just seemed like this property was too nice to have it disturbed,” said Mr. Yaussi. “This is land that needs to remain open and natural.”
The land was once part of the sprawling Reed farm and includes ponds and streams and open grassy areas that were once grazing pastures. The easement allows for a 3-acre building envelope, some private hunting, forest management and thoughtful preservation of a place that is home to a thriving deer population as well as a variety of plant and animal species. The easement keeps the land on the tax rolls and in private hands.
Henderson Harbor and the Town of Henderson are part of an 8-town service area for OBI that follows along the shoreline communities of Jefferson County. OBI is a non-profit land trust, which means it is qualified to accept donations of land or easements of land. The land trust specializes in preserving open, scenic space and habitats such as grasslands, wetlands and that of endangered plant or animal species.
