Photo: Brian Maley

The Living Land: Monthly News for September 2017

Sign up free to get the top conservation stories in our monthly email newsletter, The Living Land.  Now the latest news…

Photo: Bill Hecht

Photo: Bill Hecht

State Forest in Tompkins County Expands through Land Trust Partnership

Made possible by a loan from the Finger Lakes Trail Conference, the Land Trust acquired 50 wooded acres in the town of Caroline. When state funding is available, the Land Trust will convey the property to the New York State Department of Environmental Conservation as an addition to the adjacent Danby State Forest. See the Story.

Photo: Bill Hecht

Photo: Bill Hecht

Opening October 18!  Houghton Land Preserve!  See the Video and Join the Conversation on Facebook

Announcing a new nature preserve only minutes from downtown Corning!  Protected forever and open to everyone, the Houghton Land Preserve will feature 194 acres with hiking trails for quiet recreation and nature education.  Land once clearcut for timber and farming is now hardwood forest and fields providing scenic views and wildlife habitat.  A tremendous gift to the community from Jamie and Maisie Houghton.  See the Facebook post.

Photo: FLLT

Photo: FLLT

Land Trust Protects 1,000 Feet of Chemung River Streambank 

1,000 feet of Chemung River streambank along with six acres of associated floodplain forest in the town of Big Flats have been acquired by the Land Trust. The property will be permanently protected with a conservation easement which will allow for appropriate public access to the river for kayaking and canoeing. See the Story.

Photo: Nigel Moll

Photo: Nigel Moll

Toxic Algae a Growing Problem in the Finger Lakes

Increased nutrient runoff into the lakes, including soil erosion from farm fields and contamination from lakeshore septic systems, is raising the risk of toxic algae outbreaks across the region. While all of the factors contributing to outbreaks are not completely understood, the increasing intensity of storm events is washing more nutrients into the lakes — putting all eleven Finger Lakes at risk. Outbreaks threaten human health as well as the region’s tourism economy. Thus the stakes are high to counter these threats as development pressure increases. The Finger Lakes Land Trust is working to buffer our streams, create new wetlands, and save our last undeveloped shorelines. You can see our Top 10 conservation strategies in our free report, “Lakes, Farms, and Forests Forever.”  See the Facebook post and join the conservation.

Photo: Bill Hecht

Photo: Bill Hecht

Take a Guided Hike at the Hinchcliff Family Preserve on Saturday, September 30

Join naturalists Sandy Bonanno and Fran Lawlor to learn about the birds, flowers and other natural wonders at the Hinchcliff Family Preserve.  The Hinchcliff Preserve features sweeping views of Skaneateles Lake and a 1.4-mile trail loop that passes through forest and fields as well as several ephemeral and perennial streams, gullies, and waterfalls. Learn more.

Video of the Month

Big news!  Introducing the Houghton Land Preserve, opening to the public on October 18, 2017, just minutes from downtown Corning.  Please enjoy this short video and plan your visit to the new conservation area that will be protected forever and open to everyone.

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