As you are aware, there is a growing concern about saving critical open space in the Highlands region. Over the years many of us have attended various forums to discuss what lands should be protected. And more importantly, we have been progressively successful, individually and jointly, in protecting some important tracts of open space. However, we still struggle with creating an identity for the Highlands and a consolidated vision of what the pattern of protected open space should look like on a larger scale.

A joint effort of the Highlands Coalition, Regional Plan Association and the Appalachian Mountain Club has produced a concept map poster of a four-state Highlands Region (New York, New Jersey, Pennsylvania and Connecticut). This map is backed by various GIS layers of information, from which it is possible to create more detailed versions for each state to be used for more specific regional planning. 

With the benefit of this new map, now is an ideal time to update each other on the progress we have made, and to discuss the important tasks that lay ahead. The New York Committee of the Highlands Coalition is sponsoring a meeting to provide a forum for a Highlands open space update. It will be hosted by The Black Rock Forest Consortium at their brand new headquarters and interpretive center, on February 25, from 1:30 to 4:30 p.m. The new four-state Highlands poster-map will be on display.

Some examples of open space protection in the Highlands that have occurred since many of us met about two years ago are:

• The protection of most of Sterling Forest, and the creation of a new state park;
• The Indian Hill property and New York University lands adjacent to Sterling Forest;
• Cascade Lake in Warwick, Orange County;
• Additional buffer lands along the Appalachian Trail;
• A conservation easement over Con Hook on the Hudson River;
• A portion of Schunemunk Mountain;
• Foundry Cove in Cold Spring, former site of the historic West Point Foundry; and
• A conservation easement over the Garrison Golf Club in Philipstown.

We are certain that there are numerous other acquisitions or easements that you can bring us up to date on, but the “wish list” is long and getting longer. Enclosed is a list of properties or areas that are currently on the New York State Open Space Plan’s "long list" of land protection projects in the New York Highlands region.

1. Discussion of the new Highlands map and its intended use to promote public awareness of the Highlands region. Information will be provided on the GIS data layers and individual state maps that will be made available for future planning work.
2. Review progress on open space preservation in the Highlands.
3. Brainstorming on important target areas for future preservation, with an opportunity to recommend new sites for addition to the New York State Open Space Plan and for federal funding.
4. Discussion with Tim Dillingham, Executive Director of the Highlands Coalition, and Tom Gilbert of the Appalachian Mountain Club on the federal Land & Water Conservation Fund and its prospects for generating federal funding for Highlands preservation.

We hope you can attend. Directions to the new Black Rock Forest facilities are attached.