The Open Space Institute, a national leader in land conservation efforts, has completed the purchase of 3,100 acres of forested property within the Town of Neversink. This property, known as “Kerilands” or “Blue Hill” and encompassing Slawson Mountain, was one of the largest privately owned undeveloped properties remaining within the Catskill Park Blue Line.

Dating back decades, the property had been slated for development, most recently as a large-scale mix of high-end housing and a resort. The remnants of never-finished ski slopes can still be viewed on a couple of the tract’s hillsides.

OSI intends to transfer the land to the NYS Department of Environmental Conservation for incorporation into the Willowemoc Wild Forest. The acquisition will play a significant role in safeguarding water quality as runoff flows into the Delaware River watershed, and as it enters the Neversink River, Fir Brook and the Willowemoc Creek. It will be the largest addition to the Catskill Forest Preserve this century.

Erik Kulleseid, OSI’s president and CEO said, “OSI’s conservation of this property is a monumental win for clean water, habitat and recreation in the Catskills. The acquisition is a rare find both for its sheer size and for the wealth of benefits it provides.”

According to Tom Gravel, senior project manager at OSI, the organization had its eye on Kerilands for many years, but the owners did not have any interest in making a conservation sale. After they decided not to pursue their most recent development idea, a real estate broker reached out to OSI about the property. The sale of the land then came together fairly quickly.

A small network of logging roads crisscrossing the property will provide an opportunity to establish trails for hiking, cross-county skiing, horseback riding, fishing and hunting. OSI and the DEC will now be proceeding to put together a master stewardship plan for the property.

“We welcome the benefits that this acquisition will bring to the water quality in our watershed,” said Chris Mathews, supervisor of the Town of Neversink. “On a personal note, I look forward to the many recreational opportunities that this will provide to the public.”

OSI purchased the property for $6.2 million. An anonymous foundation contributed $4 million towards the purchase, with the Delaware River Watershed Protection Fund putting up another $1.75 million and the balance coming out of OSI’s resources.