The Putnam County Land Trust was founded in 1969 as a non-profit organization dedicated to the preservation of open space in Putnam County. The organization offers educational opportunities to the public, including hiking and canoe trips, lectures, and special programs. The Land Trust owns properties in Patterson that are open to the general public.
The Sterling Farm Preserve is located on Couch Rd. between Cornwall Hill Rd. and Route 164. There is a small, marked, parking area a short distance from the entrance to the Preserve. There is a steep and moderately strenuous loop trail through the property. Atop Cornwall Hill are views of the surrounding area, including the Great Swamp and Cranberry Mountain. Plant species include black, red, and chestnut oaks, blueberry, mountain laurel, and wild rhododendrons. The bottom of the trail follows a swamp and a creek.
| The entrance to Sterling Farm Preserve on Couch Rd. | |
The Twin Hills Preserve is located on Farm to Market Rd., near Big Elm Rd. The entrance is via a dirt road that is the south end of a pond that is across from Big Elm Rd. The entrance to the preserve is 500 feet down the dirt road on the left. Twin Hills is adjacent to the Clough Preserve, which is owned by the Town of Patterson. The preserve is 37 acres in size, and includes a vernal pool and an old rock-lined root cellar. The trail provides opportunities to see migrating birds, views of the Ice Pond and the hills across the Pond. Plant species include scrub shrubs, red maples, and mixed hardwoods.
| Interesting stone chamber marks the entrance to Twin Hills Preserve |  |
| View of the marsh at Twin Hills |  |
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