Since assuming the presidency of Columbia Land Conservancy in 2020, Troy Weldy has negotiated the preservation of nearly 3,500 acres of forest and farmland.
He’s been studying and conserving the lands of the Hudson Valley, including Columbia County, since 1995. Over that time, he has conducted multiple botanical and ecological surveys in New York State Parks, other state lands and on private properties.
Prior to joining Columbia Land Conservancy, Weldy had a long career with The Nature Conservancy in various roles including botanist, lobbyist, fundraiser, and forest carbon developer.
Some of his career highlights include helping create the New York Flora Atlas and the NY PRISM Network, working to pass legislation to ban the sale of certain invasive species, and assisting with the creation two forest carbon credit programs.
His love of Columbia County, including Taconic State Park and the important farmland found throughout Copake drew him to seek the leadership role at Columbia Land Conservancy.
Weldy will headline the Friends of Taconic State Park’s 17th Annual Meeting and Luncheon on Sunday, July 27th beginning at noon at the Copake Iron Works National Heritage Area Site, 35 Valley View Road in Copake Falls, NY.
He’ll talk about his great passion, “Saving the Forests and Farms of Columbia County.”
Friends of Taconic State Park was established in 2008 to support cultural, recreational and educational activities within the park with the preservation of the Copake Iron Works Historic District its priority.
The group is implementing a 20-year plan to create a preeminent site of historic iron-making and a national destination for tourists in Copake Falls. Most recently, the group completed the construction of a narrow-gauge railway replicating the one that circumnavigated the Copake Iron Works in its operating heyday.
The Copake Iron Works Visitor Center features a video documentary chronicling the history of the site and an extensively interpreted trail from the Copake Iron Works to the Bash Bish Falls, for which trail maps are available.
Tickets are $40 at FTSPAnnualMeeting.eventbrite.com.
Tickets are expected to sell-out and will not be available at the door.
For more information about the Copake Iron Works call (518) 966-2730. To learn more about Friends of Taconic State Park, visit www.FriendsofTSP.org.
Photo of Columbia Land Conservancy President Troy Weldy provided.
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