Van Akkeren Property

In 2015 Allison Van Akkeren conserved an 87-acre managed forest with a 10-acre homestead in Lowell in the headwaters of the Lamphear Brook watershed, which flows through Albany into the Black River. The land is rich in sugar maple and yellow birch on precipitous terrain rising to the Lowell Mountain ridge. It is relatively inaccessible at the end of the class IV section of Shuteville Road.

The 97-acre property, part of the original Potter lot, contains an old homestead foundation and remnants of small fields, now featuring successional forest. Much of the hardwood is excellent in quality but difficult to log. Multiple brooks traverse the landscape. The property provides excellent wildlife habitat.

Allison, husband Adrian Owen, and son Kestrel manage the land largely for recreational and educational purposes. A few trails lead to the interior, including to a camping area on a high plateau amid cliff bands. Allison, a former Sterling College faculty member, and Adrian, currently Sterling faculty, have introduced numerous students to the landscape. 

Allison had originally purchased the Lowell property in 1990, thinking of possibly establishing a homestead there for her family. The easement allows a 10-acre homestead complex. However, the parcel remains undeveloped; access along the discontinued road is currently a challenge. Allison and Adrian live closer to the Sterling College campus in a home they built and designed to be energy efficient and off the grid. 

The van Akkeran property is in an area of special interest to the NRLT and sits near Henry and Jesse Coe’s parcels in Albany. As ownership changes in this lovely natural watershed area, the land trust is interested in working with other property owners who want to permanently protect their land.