Land Acquisition Helps Protect Canandaigua Lake
08/22/2012
The Land Trust today announced its recent acquisition of 32 acres of woodland within the Canandaigua Lake Watershed from Ontario County residents Kevin & Kathy Armstrong. The property acquired is actually located in the Yates County town of Italy, bordering Sunnyside and South Hill Roads and encompassing a portion of South Hill’s steeply sloping hillsides. The land was purchased from the Armstrongs and will be managed as an addition to the Land Trust’s nearby Great Hill Nature Preserve.
The Armstrong property was identified as a priority for protection due to its steep slopes and its location between other protected lands, including Land Trust holdings and New York State’s High Tor Wildlife Management Area (see attached map for additional detail). The entire High Tor area is recognized by the National Audubon Society as one of the State’s Important Bird Areas and is a popular destination for outdoor recreation. These undeveloped lands also help maintain water quality within the Canandaigua Lake watershed and the West River, the lake’s largest tributary.
The Great Hill Nature Preserve features a hiking trail that traverses more than a mile of hillside woodlands and the Land Trust is now working on the development of a scenic overlook and wildlife watching trail on nearby land that was donated to the organization last year by Constellation Brands.
“This is a wonderful addition to our conservation lands on South Hill,” says Land Trust Executive Director Andrew Zepp. “This area is truly one of the gems of the Finger Lakes and we look forward to working with partners to ensure its future while providing for appropriate public access to the area.”
With this latest acquisition, the Land Trust has worked with partners to complete 16 land protection projects within the Canandaigua Lake Watershed. Earlier projects include the acquisition of the heart of Grimes Glen in partnership with Ontario County and the establishment of Carolabarb Park in partnership with the Town of South Bristol. The Land Trust has also completed several conservation easement projects on lands that remain in private ownership.
Individual contributions provided the funds needed for this latest purchase and fundraising is still underway to provide for long-term management of the area, as well as the protection of other lands within the Canandaigua Lake Watershed. Anyone interested in supporting this effort may contact the Land Trust’s Director of Development Kelly Makosch for additional information or to make a contribution. Kelly can be reached at (607) 275-9487 or kellymakosch@fllt.org.
