With the acquisition of this land, the nonprofit nature preserve advances its mission to protect the region’s land, water and wildlife, while safeguarding a watershed vital to New York City’s drinking water supply.
Teatown Lake Reservation has purchased a 21-acre parcel of ecologically significant land adjacent to its preserve on Blinn Road. The acquisition marks a major milestone for the organization and secures critical habitat, wetlands, and forest. Newly accredited by the Land Trust Alliance, Teatown owns and manages over 1,000 acres in the heart of northern Westchester County.
The property, long identified as a conservation priority, includes a freshwater pond, wetlands, and predominantly forested uplands composed of native maple, birch, beech, and oak, along with a small hemlock grove. Bailey Brook flows from Teatown Lake through the property before continuing to the Croton Reservoir, a critical source of drinking water for New York City.
Protecting this land helps safeguard water quality for hundreds of thousands of residents who rely on this watershed. If left unprotected, it could have been developed—bringing septic systems, runoff, and long-term risk to a fragile watershed. This would have a negative effect on New York City’s drinking water, some of the cleanest in the country.
By securing this parcel, Teatown safeguards essential wildlife habitat, protects watershed health, and strengthens ecological connectivity. The west and north boundaries directly adjoin conserved lands held by Teatown and Westchester County Parks, creating an uninterrupted corridor for wildlife movement and long-term ecosystem resilience.
“This acquisition reflects exactly why Teatown exists,” said Meghan Leverock, Teatown’s Conservation and Stewardship Manager. “Protecting land, water, and wildlife is core to our mission. Every acre matters, especially when it connects and strengthens the landscape around it.”
The intended use of the property is an expansion of Teatown’s nature preserve. While a small section of the land includes existing structures, most of the parcel will remain natural, ensuring long-term protection of wetlands, forest, and flowing water.
Teatown is grateful for generous funding from a private family foundation and for the leadership of a dedicated board member whose support made this acquisition possible. Both have chosen to remain anonymous.
For more than 60 years, Teatown has been a steward of open space in Westchester County, protecting critical habitats while connecting people to the natural world. This 21-acre acquisition underscores the organization’s commitment to land conservation and environmental protection.
For more information, visit www.teatown.org. Follow on Instagram @teatown_lake_reservation or Facebook at Teatown Lake Reservation.