The Columbia Land Conservancy (CLC) owns or manages 10 natural areas that are open to the public for hiking and outdoor enjoyment. They are maintained for wildlife habitat, recreation, and CLC’s educational programs. The areas offer a diversity of experiences and ecosystems. We have a nature quest book with 9 adventures. In addition to our 10 natural areas that we maintain, we also have a outdoor guidebook, walkbook, bike routes, and a list of public lands.

Public Conservation Areas

• Borden’s Pond Conservation Area – Chatham/Ghent
• Drowned Lands Swamp Conservation Area – Ancram
• Greenport Conservation Area – Greenport (owned by Open Space Institute, managed by CLC)
• Hand Hollow Conservation Area – New Lebanon
• Harrier Hill Park – Greenport (owned by Scenic Hudson and managed by CLC)
• High Falls Conservation Area – Philmont/Claverack
• Ooms Conservation Area at Sutherland Pond – Chatham (owned by Open Space Institute, managed by CLC)
• Round Ball Mountain Conservation Area – Ancram
• Schor Conservation Area – Canaan
• Siegel-Kline Kill Conservation Area – Ghent

Regulations

• CLC properties are open year-round, dawn to dusk.
• Admission is free.
• All properties have parking areas.
• Pets must be on leash at all times, except when swimming.
• “Carry in, carry out”. In an effort to minimize human impact on the conservation areas, no trash receptacles are located at the sites. Take your trash with you when you leave.
• Dog owners must remove dog waste from the site. Leaving dog waste on the site is harmful to wildlife and creates a major annoyance to site visitors and CLC maintenance staff. There are no trash receptacles located on the site.
• People are not allowed to swim.
• Camping and fires are prohibited.
• Motorized vehicles are not allowed unless they are part of an official CLC program.
• Fishing is permitted with NYS License.
• Limited hunting is allowed on some of the CLC properties as part of the overall management plans. Contact the CLC office at 518.392.5252, ext. 201 or tony@clctrust.org if you are interested in finding out more about our hunting policies and regulations.
• Audio equipment or radio use is allowed with earphones only.
• Please respect the plants, animals, and artifacts at the sites as they make the properties special.

CLC Public Conservation Area Brochure