On Saturday, July 20, more than 30 community members gathered at the Rensselaer Land Trust’s Robert Ingalls Preserve in Stephentown for an official ribbon cutting ceremony in memory of Robert Ingalls.
During the ceremony, Christine Young, Rensselaer Land Trust’s Executive Director, reflected on Robert Ingalls’ years of dedication to the Land Trust as Vice-President and as a long time Board member who served on multiple committees to aid in the Land Trust’s success. “He touched the lives of many of us through his generous and humble spirit and extensive knowledge of plants and the land of the region – he is greatly missed,” said Young.
Nick Conrad, RLT’s President, spoke about the Robert Ingalls Preserve’s history and plans for the future. Ingalls Preserve is a permanently protected 30 acre property which was donated to the Rensselaer Land Trust in November 2010 by New York City resident Mrs. Barbara Goldberg. The land came littered with heaps of trash, tires and couches. It took several workdays and many hands of dedicated volunteers to get the land cleaned up. Each year there will be an annual clean-up workday to keep the preserve pristine for the natural habitat and visitors.
Recently there was a one mile loop trail cleared and marked, with plans to expand the trail system in the future. Last fall a small parking area was installed, and this past spring an informational kiosk was built by dedicated volunteers. The preserve is now open to the public for hiking, fishing, snowshoeing, cross-country skiing and birding. Conrad said that Black Brook, a native brook trout spawning stream, flows through the preserve’s scenic ravine, which is located on the Rensselaer Plateau, one of RLT’s priority areas for land conservation in Rensselaer County.
NYS Senator Kathleen Marchione and Rensselaer County Executive Kathleen M. Jimino attended the ceremony in support of RLT’s work to conserve open space and natural habitat in Rensselaer County. Each addressed the crowd, sharing their enthusiasm for preserving green space in Rensselaer County. Jimino commented on the importance and need for green space that is open to the public, and she is thankful that the RLT is making this possible through its work.
At the conclusion of the ceremony, RLT presented Naomi Ingalls, Robert Ingalls’ wife, with a small token of one of the Preserve’s survey markers mounted on a beautiful slab of wood that was cut into the shape of Rensselaer County. Sally Ingalls, Robert Ingalls’ mother, did the honors and cut the ribbon, inviting attendees down the trail to the serene Black Brook where a bench inscribed “Look Deep into Nature…” has been installed. The bench, made of recycled soda bottles, is a generous gift of Jean and Bob Poppei, long time friends of the Ingalls family, and is an ideal way to remember Robert Ingalls.
The Rensselaer Land Trust encourages the public to get out and enjoy this beautiful piece of Rensselaer County located in Stephentown at the intersection of Horse Heaven and Garfield/Nassau roads. If you are interested in getting involved with RLT call 518-659-5263. More information regarding the Rensselaer Land Trust can be found at www.renstrust.org.
