History of the Conservancy
2001 → Mokoma Foundation & Conservancy (MFC) organized in July. IRS recognizes as a 501(C)(3). First annual membership meeting held with By-Laws approved, Trustees elected, & committees formed. 167 charter members elected Scott Williams, Pres.; Tom Dempsey, VP; Ben Duke, Secr.; Jim Rogers, Treas.
2002 → Applied for a DCNR grant for $350K, ½ of $700K required to procure 244 acres from Conklin Run Development Corp. LMA contributed $172K. MC signed a note for $177.5K.
2003 → Adopt an Acre program established. First Sizzler held. Change of name to Mokoma Conservancy (MC) approved. Midge Crystle elected Pres.
2004 → Conklin Run Wilderness Area established. Initial clearing of trails completed for hiking.
2005 → Established 40 acre deer fence area and planted 500 trees. Enrolled in the Clean & Green Program saving tax obligations to the County. John Deckard worked with Forester Jim Roberts to complete first Forest Stewardship Plan.
2006 → MC paid off the $181K note due LMA. Qualified as a Land Trust after being established for 5 years.
2007 → Erected the current Adopt-an-Acre sign along Conklin Run trail.
2008 → Established website www.mokomaconservancy.org
2009 → Found Lake deck and destination point built.
2010 → Established increased and broader Conklin Run Wilderness Area trail network.
2011 → Worked with the Marc1 Pipeline Crossing Conservancy property
2012 → Worked on trail establishment
2013 → Established Face Book account
2014 → Grant to plant trees in 40 acre deer fence area
2015 → Conservancy approved LMA Central Sullivan County Watershed Plan
2017 → Researched proposed land acquisition from LMA
2018 → Cleared 14 acres for Golden Winged Warbler project
2019 → Started the “Buy the Farm” campaign to acquire 131 acres of nearby, undeveloped woodland property
2020 → Erected a deer fence around the 14 acres Golden Wing Warbler area. We continued a very successful “Buy the Farm” campaign
2021 → Applied for a grant from DCNR for $ 226,213, ½ of the cost of the nearby and available 131 acres. We planted 1520 trees inside the Golden Wing Warbler Area in partnership with the USDA (650 Black Cherry, 350 Sugar Maple, 200 Northern Red Oak, 100 Yellow Poplar, 100 Chestnut Oak, 120 Serviceberry).
2022 → Closed on 131-acre wooded property (now named Elklick Wilderness Area) on Jan. 28, 2022 for $414,864. Obtained a bridge loan from C&N Bank for $215k. Then, added $100k from the Conservancy Treasury and $99,864 from the “Buy the Farm Campaign” funds. The MC received the $216k DCNR grant funds in June 2022. The property becomes debt free in 5 months and paid for. We erected signs, established a parking lot, developed Elklick trail and an Adopt an Acre recognition area. Finished all grant requirements for Golden Wing Warbler Area. Kyra Lopiccolo planted 30 sets of American Chestnut trees inside the Golden Wing Warbler enclosure.
2023 →Refreshed/updated the Mokoma Conservancy website. Established a formal Fund Raising Committee, established a Finance Committee. Had the inaugural Uptown Collective Concert to benefit the MC. Blazed/painted trails on the Elklick property. Establish permanent trail signs for Elklick Trail. Installed adopt-an-acre plaques at Elklick recognition area. Investigated Woolly Adelgid treatments for Hemlock trees.
2024 → New service road constructed to link the Elklick parking area to upper trail. Benches placed in Elklick Wilderness area – one President’s Bench honoring past presidents, plus two honoring Legacy Society Members. New brochure printed to include the Elklick property. Began first-ever development of a Strategic Plan. Uploaded past and present information to the Cloud.
2025 → Initiated Elklick Forest Management Plan efforts to protect against Hemlock wooly adelgid & beech leaf disease. Implemented first 5-year strategic plan. Initiated plans for Elklick pollinator meadow conversion with DCNR.