Vassar Preserve Agroecological Master Plan
At Vassar College, the Vassar Farm & Ecological Preserve (VFEP) stood as a 527-acre sanctuary of untapped potential. Despite being the same size as the core campus, this extraordinary space had been historically underutilized. Recognizing this, the college sought out One Nature to serve as ecological planners and develop a comprehensive vision for the future of the VFEP. Tasked with this responsibility, we at One Nature brought our expertise in sustainable design, land management, and community engagement to the project. Our goal was to transform the VFEP into a model of ecological restoration, agroecology, and education, while ensuring that it became a welcoming space for students, faculty, and the surrounding community.
From the beginning, our approach was grounded in collaboration. We worked closely with representatives from the college, the Poughkeepsie Farm Project (PFP), students, and local residents to understand the challenges and opportunities of the Preserve. Through site investigations, feedback sessions, and creative planning, we crafted a vision that balanced ecological integrity, educational value, and community connection. The result was a plan that reimagined the VFEP as a vibrant hub of sustainability, inspiration, and engagement.
Our vision began with a commitment to agroecology and holistic land management. We identified the farm and preserve as a space where science and sustainability could converge to demonstrate innovative land stewardship practices. Through native plant habitats, carbon farming, and regenerative agricultural techniques, we planned to offset the environmental impact of Vassar’s operations. Beyond that, we envisioned the VFEP as a living laboratory where students and faculty could engage in hands-on research and learning across disciplines. This focus on agroecology would allow the Preserve to play a critical role in advancing sustainable practices while reinforcing Vassar’s leadership in environmental education.
Beyond its ecological mission, we envisioned the VFEP as a space for immersive and tranquil experiences. We designed plans to create a car-free, environmentally immersive environment where visitors could disconnect from the pace of daily life and reconnect with the natural world. Trails were to be enhanced to encourage walking and cycling, allowing visitors to experience the beauty of the landscape without the disruption of vehicular noise. We proposed features such as scenic overlooks, shaded rest areas, and even artist-in-residence accommodations. Our goal was to make the VFEP a haven for creativity and reflection, a place where nature could inspire art, research, and education.
We also saw the VFEP as an opportunity to strengthen connections between the college and the local community. The Preserve already hosted the Poughkeepsie Farm Project (PFP), which ran a successful Community Supported Agriculture (CSA) program and provided fresh produce to the region. Building on this foundation, we proposed improvements to public trailheads, better signage, and expanded community gardens. These enhancements aimed to make the Preserve more inviting to the Poughkeepsie community, fostering a shared sense of environmental stewardship.
Infrastructure played a critical role in our vision. Recognizing the need for both functionality and sustainability, we planned for ADA-accessible trails to connect the Preserve to the core campus. We also reimagined the Horse Barn, proposing its restoration as a food distribution hub and event space. By relocating food distribution activities to the barn, we could reduce vehicular congestion within the Preserve while reinforcing its agrarian identity. Improvements to parking areas and roadways were carefully planned to balance logistical needs with the overarching goal of minimizing environmental disturbances.
Ecological restoration was another cornerstone of our plan. One of the most exciting initiatives we designed was a research orchard featuring native edible plants like pawpaws, blueberries, and juneberries. This orchard would expand the farm’s agroecological identity while providing critical habitat for pollinators and other wildlife. Additionally, we proposed implementing meadow carbon farming, a cutting-edge approach to soil management that stores carbon while supporting biodiversity. These meadows would have been carefully managed to create essential bird and pollinator habitats, showcasing how sustainable agriculture and conservation could work hand in hand.
We also prioritized protecting the natural ecosystems of the Preserve. One of our most ambitious recommendations was the designation of certain areas as “forever wild.” These untouched spaces, particularly in the southern sections of the Preserve, were to be permanently protected from human disturbance, except for permitted academic research. This designation underscored our commitment to preserving biodiversity and allowing sensitive ecosystems to thrive.
In addition to conservation efforts, we wanted to create educational and recreational opportunities that would enrich the Vassar experience. The Environmental Cooperative, already a hub for conservation education, was slated for expansion with new programming that would bring visitors into direct contact with the Preserve’s unique ecosystems. Bird blinds, shaded structures, and a stunning overlook platform at the highest point of the Preserve were all part of our design, intended to inspire visitors and deepen their connection to the land.
In crafting this vision, we drew inspiration from precedents at other institutions. Cornell University’s Dilman Farm, for example, demonstrated the potential of a student-run CSA and a large-scale composting facility to serve educational and environmental goals. Similarly, Hampshire College had transformed large areas of its campus into native meadows and energy-efficient buildings, reducing greenhouse gas emissions while creating habitats for wildlife. These examples informed our approach and reinforced the transformative potential of a well-planned ecological preserve.
Community input was central to our process. We worked closely with Vassar students, faculty, and local residents to gather feedback and refine our plans. While many were excited about the proposed improvements, some expressed concerns about balancing accessibility with conservation. We addressed these concerns by proposing controlled access points and carefully managing human activity within the Preserve, ensuring that its ecological integrity would remain intact.
The transformation of the VFEP was envisioned as a phased process. We outlined immediate steps such as controlling invasive species, expanding seed collection, and planting shade trees along key pathways. Medium-term goals included infrastructure improvements like new trails, restored habitats, and features such as the overlook platform and artist residences. Long-term objectives focused on fully realizing the Preserve’s agroecological and educational potential, with continued investments in research, community engagement, and habitat restoration.
Publicizing this vision was another critical aspect of our work. We recommended open presentations, media engagement, and collaboration with Vassar’s fundraising staff to generate excitement and secure the resources needed to bring these plans to life. We believed that by sharing this vision widely, we could inspire stakeholders across the community to support this transformative project.
Looking back, we are proud of the role we played in reimagining the Vassar Farm & Ecological Preserve. By integrating sustainability, education, and community engagement, we helped create a vision for a space that inspires, educates, and connects people. The VFEP is now more than just a preserve; it is a model for how humans can live in harmony with the natural world. We are grateful for the opportunity to contribute to this legacy of stewardship and sustainability, and we are excited to see how this vision will continue to grow and evolve in the years to come.