The Finger Lakes Land Trust has recently secured 850 feet of pristine shoreline at the south end of Skaneateles Lake along with wooded hillsides over the iconic Staghorn Cliffs. This extends the protected lakeshore to some 3,000 feet stretching south from Staghorn Point.

The Land Trust has launched a campaign to raise $1.1 million to cover the cost of the purchase and long-term stewardship of the site. You can advance the campaign by making a gift online:

Make a Gift

To learn more about this opportunity, contact Development Specialist Karinna Browning at karinnabrowning@fllt.org or (607) 275-9487.

Story

Staghorn Cliffs on Skaneateles Lake | Photo: Chris Ray

THE SOUTH END OF SKANEATELES LAKE hosts one of the most pristine stretches of shoreline remaining anywhere in the Finger Lakes region. Known as the Staghorn Cliffs, this rugged lakeshore features a remarkable fossilized coral reef as well as resident Bald Eagles and mature woodlands that provide a scenic backdrop to the lake.

At the north end of these cliffs, the Land Trust recently acquired 850 feet of lakeshore that includes the southern half of Staghorn Point along with 15 acres of adjacent wooded hillsides that feature more than 1,000 feet of frontage on Barber Gulf, a tributary to Skaneateles Lake.

Benefits for Watershed Protection, Outdoor Recreation, and Wildlife Habitat

This acquisition extends the Land Trust’s protected shoreline to 3,000 feet in this area, preserving the remarkable staghorn coral fossils as well as habitat for Bald Eagles and other wildlife.

Conserving the property’s steep slopes and undeveloped shoreline will also help safeguard Skaneateles Lake, the unfiltered drinking water supply for 220,000 area residents of the city of Syracuse, the village of Skaneateles, and other communities.

The property will be owned and managed by the Finger Lakes Land Trust. Due to the hazardous nature of the steep hillsides above the cliffs, the preserve will only be accessible by canoe or kayak that can be anchored offshore.

The newly conserved land is adjacent to the organization’s 90-acre Staghorn Cliffs Preserve and 21-acre Cora Kampfe Dickinson Conservation Area. Other nearby conservation lands include the High Vista Preserve and Hinchcliff Family Preserve.

The shoreline was identified as a priority for protection as part of the Land Trust’s effort to create a greenbelt around the south end of Skaneateles Lake. The greenbelt is recognized as a priority project within New York State’s Open Space Plan and, because of its value for migratory birds, it is also recognized by National Audubon as one of the state’s Important Bird Areas.

“The quality of our lakes depends on the condition of the landscapes that surround them,” said FLLT President Andrew Zepp. “This acquisition will secure steep slopes and sensitive shoreline areas that would lead to increased erosion and runoff if they were developed.”

Community Support is Needed

The Land Trust was able to take action to secure this important property through an internal loan from its “Opportunity Fund” – a revolving account for funding time-sensitive purchases. The organization has now launched a $1.1 million campaign to cover the cost of acquiring the property, including the purchase price of $1 million and an additional $100,000 for long-term management of the site. Please help advance the campaign!

Make a Gift

To learn more about this opportunity, contact Development Specialist Karinna Browning at karinnabrowning@fllt.org or (607) 275-9487.