More Than 135 Acres Newly Protected
A new conservation easement closed today, protecting more than 135 acres in Exeter. Private landowners have a variety of reasons for working with Otsego Land Trust to conserve their land in perpetuity. OLT staff work with the property owners to identify the key conservation values and draft a legally binding easement that expresses their vision for the land.
Patrick Clearey, along with his sister Vicki, has chosen to protect the family’s 135-acre property in the town of Exeter with a conservation easement. Clearey recently explained his interest and motivation.
“I grew up in Schuyler Lake at a time when the dairy community was flourishing. It was a different place than it is today. Myself and the other kids in the village spent our time fishing Oaks Creek during the summer and ice fishing Canadarago Lake during the winter. We ran long traplines for muskrats, beaver, and mink in the swamps and creeks associated with the lake. We made sod dams in Herkimer Creek to create summer swimming holes. We could hike and hunt the hills surrounding the hamlet without worry. It was a first-rate outdoor sportsman’s childhood.
Patrick Clearey on his property in Exeter
These experiences in my youth formed my bond with all things wild and natural. I always knew I wanted to spend my life working in and defending the great outdoors. To achieve this dream I secured a degree in biology and eventually found myself working for the New York State Department of Environmental Conservation. The mentorship of Joe Homburger at DEC taught me valuable insights about conservation.
During my years with the agency, I realized how difficult it was to protect the environment. Even with environmental laws and regulations, many times politics would circumvent the protections in place.
When my older sister Vicki and myself acquired as much of my grandmother's homestead in Exeter as we could afford, I knew I wanted it to stay as wild as possible. My family had been on Angel Hill since before the 1840s. Some family members saw the property just as an asset to be sold off. But with perseverance, my family retained 135 acres of the original 190 acres.
Patrick Clearey on his property in Exeter
Now it is time to ensure that the property will remain in a natural state in perpetuity. Thus here we are, finalizing our Conservation Easement with Otsego Land Trust. A place I have desired to be at for a long time”
The property contains managed stands of hardwoods as well as extensive wetland and riparian areas at the headwaters of Butternut Creek. The Clearey conservation easement will help to protect water quality and mitigate the risk of flooding downstream.
