By Marc Brodkin
In the mid-1800s the Hudson River School of artists Frederick Church and Thomas Cole, immortalized
in their inspiring paintings, the Hudson River Valley. And yet, at the same time, they worried over the
fate of this natural treasure. They feared the coming industrial age and its impact on the landscape.
Nonetheless, development at that time was necessary for the prosperity of this area.
We are however well past that industrial age. Development is no longer seen as unquestioned
progress. The proposed development project at Winston Farm would be devastating to the
ecosystem, its wildlife, and plants.
It would destroy large areas of habitat, much of it forested, and fragment much of the remaining
forest. This would severely reduce the capacity of that forest to support numerous wildlife species
(the Red-Headed Wood Pecker, Bald Eagles, numerous amphibian species) that require large
unfragmented areas.
We are at a cross roads. The loss of Winston Farm and the inevitable loss of our native flora and
fauna is not something we should accept. The world has changed since the time of Church and Cole –
we now need a different approach that respects the habitat and the numerous plant and animal
species that have been developing there over 1000s of years; a habitat that we can extinguish in a
matter of weeks. In minutes, one chain saw can undo 200 years of oak tree growth.
Reliable scientific sources tell us:
That more than 1 million species are on the brink of extinction, because of uncontrolled development. (E. O.Wilson - Biodiversity Foundation, 08_25_2024.)
The Cornell Laboratory of Ornithology states that there has been a decline in bird species that scientists call “staggering.” Our bird populations are down by 2.9 billion breeding adults. (Cornell Lab of Ornithology (https://www.birds.cornell.edu/home)_08/25/2024)
Is the extinction of our plants and animals to be our legacy? Do we want two hundred more acres of
hard surfaces, and another fancy hotel. Or will we acknowledge that we live in a changed world, of
our making, and preserve at least 73% of the more than 800 acres of natural habitat that sits at our
door step. Winston Farm distinguishes Saugerties. No other town in this region has such a large tract
of forested, unfragmented habitat minutes from the town center. If this plan goes forward, we will
be one more congested small town. Shouldn’t we be remembered by future generations, as a town
that honored the legacy of Winston Farm and our commitment to open space? One that honors the
beauty captured in the paintings of Frederick Church and Thomas Cole. This is a worthy legacy.
-Marc Brodkin
