Mission: To promote and facilitate the protection of the rensselaer plateau's undeveloped and unfragmented forests.
Programs: The organization used a $150,000 award from the us forest service to close on a 353-acre parcel of forest land on january 30, 2017. This community forest is providing educational, recreational, environmental, and economic benefits to the plateau community. The organization received over $150,000 in donations to support this purchase in the village of east nassau, town of nassau, and town of stephentown. A road and parking lot were constructed, a kiosk and signage were erected, and hiking trails were formed on this property.
the organization purchased two additional parcels of forest land in 2017; a 97-acre parcel in the town of grafton and a 132-acre parcel in the town of berlin.
the organization, in partnership with dyken pond environmental education center and grafton lakes state park, hired a coordinator for rensselaer youth outdoors, a program that is part of the u. S. Forest service children's forest network. This program launched in 2017 with outreach for pilot programs in two school districts in rensselaer county. The organization hosted numerous programs and workshops, a monthly lecture series, and participated as part of a steering committee of the berkshire taconic regional conservation partnership. A restroom facility was constructed within the poestenkill community forest. Several boardwalks were added to various trails.
Rensselaer Plateau Alliance became an accredited land trust in February 2018, a status that can be renewed every five years. Accreditation means Rensselaer Plateau Alliance meets national quality standards for protecting important natural places and working lands forever. Rensselaer Plateau Alliance, Inc. demonstrated to the Land Trust Accreditation Commission its commitment to excellence. Accredited land trusts meet national quality standards for protecting important natural places and working lands forever. These land trusts demonstrate the commitment to excellence by adopting Land Trust Standards and Practices, the ethical and technical guidelines for the responsible operation of a land trust, and meeting the accreditation requirements drawn from them. To learn more about land trust accreditation and the current accreditation status of Rensselaer Plateau Alliance, visit http//www.landtrustaccreditation.org/about.
