Lake George, NY – The Lake George Land Conservancy (LGLC) is launching a $1.8-million capital campaign for the purchase of a 431-acre property in the Gull Bay area of the Town of Putnam. The “Mud Pond West” property includes the western third of Mud Pond, more than 3,400 feet of Class AA-special stream corridor, and scenic lookouts to Lake George and the surrounding mountains.

As one of the largest privately-owned undeveloped parcels remaining within the Lake George watershed, the Mud Pond West parcel was attractive to builders, and the LGLC worked quickly to outbid another offer when it was listed for sale in fall of 2025.

The site had been authorized for development, which would have been visible from the lake and surrounding areas, and would have altered the scenic character of Gull Bay. Disturbance from development would have also caused erosion on the land’s steep slopes and impaired the water quality of its streams, Mud Pond, and Lake George.

Under LGLC protection, the land will remain in its natural state, permanently protecting its water quality, and scenic and habitat values.

LGLC Executive Director Mike Horn said, “We are grateful to have the opportunity to protect this beautiful property that provides dynamic wildlife habitat and vital water quality benefits.”

Mud Pond is a 55-acre open water wetland fed by groundwater and by the streams flowing from surrounding slopes. Wetlands like Mud Pond play a key role in protecting water quality by providing stormwater storage and acting as natural filtration systems. The land’s 3,400 feet of stream corridor and vegetated buffers also protect water quality by stabilizing soils, reducing erosion, and preventing nutrients and pollutants from reaching downstream waterways.

In purchasing Mud Pond West, the LGLC will also ensure the protection of wildlife habitat and land connectivity that is critical to maintaining healthy ecosystems.

Mud Pond’s surrounding forests provide important habitat for “umbrella species” such as bobcat, black bear, coyote, and fisher. Benefits from conserving habitat for umbrella species extend to entire ecosystems, including countless smaller or less-visible plants and animals.

The 431-acre Mud Pond West property sits between two significant stretches of protected land. To its north, it nearly connects to more than 1,700 acres of land that includes the LGLC’s Anthony’s Nose and Sucker Brook Preserves. To its south, Mud Pond West directly links to more than 1,000 acres and three miles of lake shoreline, including the LGLC’s Clark Hollow Bay property, protected in 2022.

The LGLC has been awarded a $50,000 grant for the purchase of Mud Pond West from The Nature Conservancy in New York’s Climate Resilience Grant Program. Through this grant, Mud Pond West is being recognized for its biodiversity and above-average rating for resilience, connectivity, and landscape diversity, according to TNC analysis.

The full $1.8-million must be raised before the anticipated closing in January, 2027. To help with the campaign, visit LGLC.org/Mud-Pond to donation online.

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Aerial photo by Luke Dow Photography.