Land Management

Flanders manages 41 properties outright while holding conservation easements on another 13 bringing the total to more than 2,100 acres, in Woodbury and surrounding towns…we carefully manage to retain the lands ecological habitats and ensure that the open space is enhanced for all future generations.

After acquiring land, in its role as steward, Flanders manages and monitors the properties on an annual basis preserving their natural beauty and caring for the system as a whole, through astute land-use practices, and the recruitment and training of approximately 36 volunteer monitors. This not only involves the greater mission of looking after the natural biological diversity of the ecosystems, but also the day-to-day tasks of maintaining the physical attributes of the land. For example, Flanders is responsible for the grooming of existing trails and construction of new ones; creation of special paths and “natural corners”; or the maintenance of structures on various properties to prevent them from falling into disrepair. In short, Flanders oversees the health of the nature preserves, ensuring that woodlands, lakes, meadows and trails remain open for everyone to use and enjoy.