To the Editor:

On Wednesday, May 2, at 7 p.m., at the Clarksville Community Church, Mark King will present a program about the latest work of the Mohawk Hudson Land Conservancy to protect open space in the Capital Region.

Three existing MHLC preserves are right here in the Clarksville area. Over the last few years, the conservancy has greatly expanded its efforts to preserve the landscapes and locations that help create our sense of place and influence how we view our “home.”

One aspect of the talk will be the relationship of preserving land to the preservation of local history.  Historical perspectives are an important part of the work of the conservancy. The Bennett Hill Preserve and the Hilton Barn are two examples of projects that were driven by local history.

The program will also consider how climate change is influencing efforts and its importance in the future of our landscapes. Public use and opportunities to explore local open spaces will also be highlighted.

Mark, a life-long resident of the Capital District, has been executive director of the MHLC for five years.  His career in working with nature and preservation of the natural beauty of our open spaces began at the Department of Environmental Conservation.

He then served as the director of land protection for the Eastern Chapter of The Nature Conservancy prior to becoming one of the founding board members of the Mohawk Hudson Land Conservancy in 1992.

All our programs are open to the public. We hope you will join us for an enjoyable evening.  Refreshments are served following the program. The church is located at 1997 Delaware Turnpike in Clarksville. For information call 518-768-2870.

Marilyn Miles

Program Chairwoman

Clarksville Historical Society