Dutchess Land Conservancy

Mission Statement

Dutchess Land Conservancy is a private non-profit land conservation organization dedicated to preserving for the public for present and future generations the scenic, agricultural and environmental resources of Dutchess County, New York, including open spaces, forests, water resources and wildlife habitats.

DLC carries out its mission by obtaining through donation or purchase, conservation easements on privately held land and monitoring these easements in perpetuity. Conservation easements are legal agreements limiting future development in order to protect land for conservation purposes. DLC also holds land obtained through donation or purchase.

In addition, DLC provides technical land planning assistance, educates the public on matters of land conservation and works with government organizations to encourage environmentally sound planning.

Values

In fulfilling its mission, DLC’s policies and actions are guided by the following values:

• DLC recognizes the need to balance open space with well planned development.

• Working with private landowners in a constructive, non-confrontational manner is an important element in DLC’s success.

• Monitoring and assuring compliance with the terms of easements held by DLC is a vital obligation of DLC to the public.

• Education and public outreach are important ways to foster conservation goals.

• Recognizing the increasing role of government in environmental and conservation matters, DLC may actively seek to influence legislation and regulation, within the limits of its not-for-profit status.