When we closed on the first properties in our new Yards Creek Preserve in December, we knew there was some work to be done in order to restore these 153 acres to their natural beauty. We are pleased to say that the work has already started! Last week a dilapidated house and shed were removed, and the next step is to plant hundreds of trees on about four acres of the property, including the former house site and several former deer plots that were cleared from the middle of the forest. It’s important for us to get the trees in this spring to act as a hedge against the spread of invasive plant species. We will eventually plant trees on the long, winding driveway leading from a parking area we will develop near the entrance to the property. Various culverts over the stream leading to the Paulinskill River will also be removed to let it flow freely. This will all take some time to accomplish, but it’s happening!