Somers Land Trust Restoring Angle Fly Preserve

At least a dozen volunteers from the Somers Land Trust showed up Saturday morning, chainsaws and weed-whackers in hand. They were there to clear the Angle Fly Preserve of the barberry, wisteria and honeysuckle vines clogging the White Trail. It was just a small part of the major scheme to redevelop the land and rehabilitate the wetlands at the 654-acre Preserve.

“It’s a big, bio-diverse area,” said Michael Barnhart, president of the Somers Land Trust.  “It’s got a large amphibian and turtle population because it’s very wet.” In addition to box turtles and spotted turtles, it is home to a number of wood turtles, which are nearly extinct in Westchester County.

“Turtles are dying out,” Barnhart explained, “because of habitat loss and road mortality. They live long, but they’re slow breeders.”

Mike Lubchenko of Somers said that he has watched the Preserve evolve from “very rough” to “definitely accessible.” It is “unique because there’s an enormous variety of scenic beauty: lakes, streams, pine trees, cedars. We even found an old apple tree, left over from the days when there was an orchard here. The scenery changes throughout the year. It’s especially nice in winter.”

The preserve gets its name from the Angle Fly Brook, which “is reputed to be the last in the county where brook trout spawn,” said Barnhart. “They need cold water and they’re disappearing fast because the conservation department stocks brown trout and the [smaller] brook trout lose out in competition.”

The land mass that comprises the Angle Fly Preserve was acquired from a private developer in 2006. It was an unusual tripartite purchase by Westchester County, New York City and the Town of Somers. In the early days it was the home of the Kitchawank tribe, whose word for the area was “Amapaugh,” meaning “fresh-water fish.”

Fishermen and hunters are still welcome to try their luck at Angle Fly. Valid permits are required. Hikers are also invited to admire its beauty. 

A long-term development plan includes clearing more and more paths, planting native species, and providing a wheelchair accessible trail.

Volunteer Days will continue throughout the summer. Contact the Somers Land Trust by email.

The time lapse video AFP bridge construction was made by Mike Lubchenko earlier this year.

Click here to follow Daily Voice North Salem and receive free news updates.