Upcoming Events
Join us for nature walks, birdwatching, luncheons, work days and more throughout the year in the beautiful Finger Lakes Region. Walks go, rain, sun, or snow. Bring food, water, and layered clothing. Call the Land Trust at (607) 275-9487 for details.Talks & Treks: Tree Indentification Walk
03/28/2015, 2:00 p.m., Roy H. Park Preserve SOUTH, Town of Dryden
Akiva Silver, naturalist, landscaper, and outdoor educator, will lead a walk that will focus on identification, natural history, wildlife value, the role of invasive plants, as well as survival uses of trees and shrubs. The walk will last two hours or more so please come prepared with appropriate clothing and footwear for the weather and terrain.
From Ithaca, take Rt. 13 north towards Dryden. Go approximately 12 miles and turn right on Irish Settlement Rd. Continue on Irish Settlement approximately 5 miles (you will pass the NORTH parking area on the left) to find the SOUTH parking area on the left just after Goodband Rd. If you get to Midline Rd. you've gone too far. PLEASE park on Goodband Rd. if the parking lot is full; there is not adequate space to park on the shoulder of Irish Settlement Road.
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Talks & Treks: Morning Bird Walk
05/16/2015, 8:00 a.m., Van Riper Conservation Area/Whitlock Nature Preserve
Town of Romulus
Co-sponsored and led by the Eaton Birding Society. Located on the western shore of Cayuga Lake, the Van Riper/Whitlock Preserves provide a unique opportunity to listen for and observe a variety of resident and migratory birds. Bring binoculars if you have them. Beginning birders welcome!
From the South: The preserves are approximately 23 miles north of Ithaca; 2.6 miles north of County Rt. 138; and 2 miles north of the Thirsty Owl winery. The gravel parking area is on the right side of Rt. 89. From the North: The preserves are approximately 15 miles south of Seneca Falls; ½ mile south of Swick Road; and 800 feet south of North Cayuga Lake Road. The gravel parking area is on the left side of Rt. 89. There are brown binocular signs along the road, in both directions, announcing the entrance to the preserve. Parking is right next to the green preserve sign.
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Talks & Treks: Night Sensory Awareness Walk
06/13/2015, 8:30 p.m., Wesley Hill Nature Preserve, Town of Honeoye
Co-sponsored by the Finger Lakes Museum and Aquarium. Angela Cannon-Crothers, naturalist, author, instructor for Finger Lakes Community College, and educator at the Finger Lakes Museum and Aquarium, will lead a night hike on Saturday, June 13 at 8:30 p.m. at the Wesley Hill Nature Preserve. Tune in to the summer night, learn how our senses adjust to the darkness and explore the nocturnal world. We'll set off in search of various plant and animal species. Please no flashlights (unless covered with red cellophane). All ages welcome. Children must be accompanied by a responsible adult.
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Talks & Treks: Watching a Swarm of Honey Bees Choose its Home
06/27/2015, 2:00-4:00 p.m. Roy H. Park Preserve NORTH, Town of Dryden
Tom Seeley, Cornell University biologist and the world's leading expert on honey bee behavior, will provide the rare opportunity to watch and discuss the fascinating, democratic process of a honey bee swarm choosing its home. This outing will involve watching, up close, a live swarm of honey bees. Although honey bees can sting, swarm bees are homeless and are not defensive, so the risk of being stung is exceedingly low. Honey bees are fair-weather creatures, so this talk will only be held if the weather is warm and dry at the appointed time. Please call the Land Trust with any questions at (607) 275-9487.
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Talks & Treks: Frogs, Snakes, Salamanders, and Toads!
07/11/2015, 10 a.m.-12 p.m., High Vista Preserve, Town of Scott
It's amazing what can be found in our nearby forests and streams if we look carefully in unusual places. Past Land Trust President, Tom Reimers will lead a "herp hike" along marked trails in search of frogs, snakes, salamanders, and toads at this forest preserve on the east side of Skaneateles Lake. Bring rain gear if needed, drinking water, a snack, and appropriate footwear for climbing rocky hillsides and a stream bed.
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