State of New York Acquires OSI-Conserved ‘Mount Trembleau-Lake Champlain Shoreline’ Property

Scenic backdrop to Burlington, VT, 618-acre property with spectacular views and world-class recreation opportunities to be added to Adirondack Forest Preserve

APRIL 30, 2018 (CHESTERFIELD, NY)—A property first conserved by the Open Space Institute (OSI) is now permanently in the hands of the State of New York. Featuring more than a mile of undeveloped, pristine Lake Champlain shoreline, the land is being added to the Adirondack Forest Preserve.

The “Trembleau Mountain-Lake Champlain Shoreline” property totals 618 acres and was purchased by OSI in 2017 from the Gellert family. Just 90 minutes north of Albany, the property features more than 4,000 feet of Lake Champlain frontage, and is the scenic backdrop to Schuyler Island, renowned by kayakers and boaters.

Visitors to Trembleau Mountain-Lake Champlain Shoreline property will enjoy spectacular views of Lake Champlain and the Green Mountains to the east, and the Adirondack High Peaks to the north and west. They can also climb the property’s four rugged, recognizable peaks — Trembleau Mountain, at nearly 1,000 feet, is the tallest.

“The conservation of the Trembleau Mountain-Lake Champlain Shoreline property keeps this beautifully rugged land in the hands of the public. The property offers terrific recreational opportunities while protecting the Lake Champlain watershed,” said Kim Elliman, president and CEO of OSI. “OSI is delighted to continue our commitment to the Adirondack Forest Preserve, and grateful for the governor and legislature’s continued support for the state’s Environmental Protection Fund, which made this transaction possible.”

“Adding this magnificent property to the Adirondack Forest Preserve will strengthen protections of the Lake Champlain shoreline, provide waterway access to the lake for non-motorized recreational activities, and enhance hiking on Trembleau Mountain,” said Governor Andrew Cuomo. “New York State is proud to partner with the Open Space Institute to secure this valuable property for generations to come.”  

“Governor Cuomo recognizes that protecting open space is important in terms of environmental protection and as an economic driver for local communities,” said DEC Commissioner Seggos. “Thanks to the Governor’s environmental stewardship, New York is a national leader in protecting our open space resources.”

With regionally rare pitch pine populations, the property also provides important habitat for wildlife, including nesting bald eagle, goshawks, grouse, turkeys, and porcupine. To protect the land, OSI worked with the Lake Champlain Land Trust (LCLT), a regional land trust that has been protecting natural areas on both sides of Lake Champlain for more than three decades.

A railroad line separates the cobblestone lakefront from the inner part of the property. A network of forestry roads also threads through the property, providing opportunities for future trails. The peak of Trembleau Mountain will remain privately owned.

“This project permanently protects one of the lake's largest remaining undeveloped shoreline properties, featuring rare wildlife habitats and stunning panoramic views,” said Chris Boget, Executive Director of LCLT. “This important conservation effort advances several of the Lake Champlain Land Trust's regional conservation goals, including expanding public access, saving wildlife habitat, conserving scenic beauty, and safeguarding the Lake's water quality. All the people who love and enjoy Lake Champlain will forever benefit from this 'once-in-a-generation' conservation success story.” 

The Trembleau Mountain-Lake Champlain Shoreline property lies across from DEC-owned Schuyler Island, a 161-acre uninhabited island involved in a Revolutionary War battle. Currently managed as part of the Adirondack Forest Preserve, the island also features several primitive campsites. About half a mile south is the Port Douglas Boat Launch Area, a public-access put-in that can be used to access both Schuyler Island and the Trembleau Mountain-Lake Champlain Shoreline property.