Local Scout Presents Eagle Project for Settles Mountain Nature Preserve

Above photo: Aidan Rotman presented his Eagle Scout project at the Town of Cobleskill Board Meeting.

COBLESKILL — At the Town of Cobleskill Board Meeting, Aidan Rotman from Troop 56 presented his plans to build a lean-to on the property of the Schoharie Land Trust at Settles Mountain Nature Preserve as his project working toward the rank of Eagle Scout. 

Werner Hampel, Town of Cobleskill Supervisor stated, getting Eagle Scout is quite an accomplishment, you are in interesting company including President Gerald Ford, Neil Armstrong, Steven Spielberg, Sam Walton from Walmart, Mike Roe from Bon Jovi, Hank Aaron, Mike Bloomberg and many others. You should be very proud of yourself.

Aidan Rotman, a member of Troop 56 in Lawyersville, is working toward the rank of Eagle Scout by planning a service project at the Settles Mountain Nature Preserve.

Rotman recently presented his project to the Cobleskill Town Board as part of the planning process. Rotman's next step is to present his project to the Code Enforcement Officers of the Town of Cobleskill to discuss any permits that might be needed.

The project will benefit the Schoharie Land Trust, which owns and manages the preserve. Rotman plans to build a lean-to and an outhouse at the scout campsite on the property. The lean-to will provide shelter for scouts and serve as an emergency shelter for hikers using the preserve’s trail system.

The Settles Mountain Nature Preserve was opened to the public in October 2024. The land was generously donated by local resident Richard Norton.

The Schoharie Land Trust is a nonprofit organization dedicated to conserving the county’s natural and agricultural lands and promoting the stewardship of outdoor recreational spaces.

As part of the Eagle Scout process, Rotman will plan, organize, and lead volunteers to complete the project. Rotman hopes the improvements will encourage scouts and visitors to spend more time exploring the preserve.