Columbia-Greene Media reports that Department of Environmental Conservation Commissioner Basil Seggos announced a plan to protect land and wildlife surrounding the Taghkanic Creek on Aug. 11. The Taghkanic Headwaters Conservation Plan was completed with the Columbia Land Conservancy, and community volunteers from the towns of Claverack, Copake, Hillsdale, and Taghkanic. The plan values large, connected forests and streams in the watershed to protect clean water, and wildlife such as eastern brook trout. Marissa Codey, Columbia Land Conservancy Director of Farmland, Forestry, and Land Use Programs, said, “The Taghkanic Headwaters Conservation Plan could not have been developed without the dedicated work of many local stakeholders, and we look forward to working with the broader community to protect and care for the lands and water systems within the watershed region.” Taghkanic Creek starts in Hillsdale and over 30.1 miles leads into Claverack Creek, which runs into the Hudson River. “Preserving natural connections between habitats is critical for wildlife movement, climate adaptation, and resilient ecosystems,” Seggos said. “DEC applauds the leadership of our Land Trust partners in working with local communities to create shared conservation visions for the eastern Hudson Highlands and for the Taghkanic headwaters watershed.” Read more about this story at HudsonValley360.com.