Dear Friends of the Finger Lakes, thank you for another extraordinary year in land and water conservation. You helped the Land Trust surpass a milestone of 19,000 acres protected forever. Please enjoy the following top stories from our Year-in-Review. Many thanks for your contributions and hard work.
Photo: Bill Hecht
Land Trust Report Calls for $100 Million to Address Regional Threats
The Land Trust released Lakes, Farms & Forests Forever, a report highlighting both the threat of toxic algae and sprawling development on the region’s land and water resources and calling for an investment of $100 million over the next decade to address these threats. See the report.
Photo: Rick Lightbody
New 285-Acre Nature Preserve in Tioga County
The formal dedication of the Logan Hill Nature Preserve in the town of Candor, Tioga County took place in September. Land Trust staff and volunteers spent the spring and summer creating 2.5 miles of hiking trails on the property, which features stunning views of the surrounding hills and borders Catatonk Creek. Learn more.
Photo: Bill Hecht
Rare Stretch of Otisco Lake Shoreline Protected
The Land Trust acquired its first preserve on Otisco Lake, protecting 1,300 feet of shoreline and 38 acres of adjacent forested hillside. The site, located in Onondaga County just south of Syracuse, provides prime habitat for Bald Eagles and a variety of other water birds. See the Story.
Photo: Rick Lightbody
Land Trust Accredited by Independent National Commission
The Finger Lakes Land Trust (FLLT) achieved accreditation – a mark of honor in land conservation. The independent Land Trust Accreditation Commission awarded accreditation, signifying its confidence that lands protected by the FLLT will be protected forever. See the Story.
Photo: Nigel Kent
Expanding the Network of Conserved Lands at the South End of Canandaigua Lake
A scenic 18-acre parcel overlooking the south end of Canandaigua Lake and the West River in Naples, Ontario County is protected forever. Located on Greisa Hill Road, the property features meadows as well as a rugged gorge and hillside woodlands. Learn more.
Photo: Mike Smith
State Grant Funding to Protect Finger Lakes Farmland
The Land Trust was awarded $2.6 million in state grant funding to protect at-risk farmland in the Finger Lakes. Funded through the Farmland Protection Implementation Grant program, two of the Land Trust’s projects were selected—one in the town of Canandaigua and one in Cortland and Onondaga counties. See the Story.
Photo: Jonathan Brooks
Six Mile Creek Protection Project Launched
Six Mile Creek is beautiful in all seasons, treasured for recreation, and vital as the source of drinking water for thousands who live and work in the City of Ithaca. A rare chance to buy land that buffers 12,000 feet of shoreline along Six Mile Creek and its tributaries upstream of Ithaca presented itself last spring. Learn more and make a gift today.
Photo: Bill Hecht
470-Acre Ithaca Horse Farm Conserved Forever
A 470-acre horse farm on Ithaca’s West Hill is now conserved forever. The extensive property is one of the largest remaining privately owned parcels within the town of Ithaca and features extensive fields and woodlands. Landowners Jan and Susan Suwinski grew the farm from an original 62-acre parcel through a series of land purchases. See the Story.
Photo: FLLT
Longtime Corning Leaders Donate 195 Acres
Jamie Houghton, retired Chairman of Corning Incorporated, and his wife Maisie donated 195 acres in the town of Corning to the Land Trust. The property will become a public conservation area, thus adding to the Houghton family legacy within the Corning community. See the Story.
Photo: Bill Hecht
145 Acres of Wetlands and Woods Protected Near Bear Swamp Creek
The Land Trust acquired 145 acres of woodland, fields, and wetlands bordering Bear Swamp Creek – the largest tributary to Skaneateles Lake. The property been identified as a priority for protection due to its frontage on the creek, the quality of its natural habitat, its value to the health of Skaneateles Lake, and its proximity to existing protected lands. See the Story.
Video of the Month
“A Winter Night’s Tail” – See who’s gathering on the trail at night in this short video from protected land in Tompkins County. You can share it with friends on Facebook. Thank you again and here’s to a great new year in Finger Lakes conservation.
