Exeter Landowner Preserves

79 Acres, Land Trust Reports

COOPERSTOWN – Pam Lea, a veterinarian for 40 years, has completed a conservation easement on her 79 acres of forests, hills, farmland, creeks and wetlands in the Town of Exeter, the Otsego Lake Trust announced yesterday.

“I bought my property in 1998 and have grown quite attached to it,” she said, “with its creek, wetlands, open fields and trails. The peace and quiet there is indescribable. I figured the best way to ensure it stays that way was to put it in the land trust.”

Conservation easements allow landowners to continue enjoyment of their properties and may allow limited develop while restricting inappropriate development.

“Because of Pam’s generosity, generations to come will benefit from the protection of nearly 1.5 miles of streams, including 1,700 feet of Herkimer Creek, one of only four Canadarago Lake tributaries,” said Land Trust Executive Director Pat Szarpa.  “Pam has also protected carbon sequestering trees, prime and important farm soils, pollution absorbing wetlands, and critical critter habitat.”