Photo: Bill Hecht

Finger Lakes Forever Campaign Succeeds with $22.4 Million!

The Finger Lakes Land Trust is thrilled to announce that thousands of individual donors and dozens of organizational partners have helped us raise over $22,400,000 for conservation in our beautiful region!

Thank you to everyone who contributed to this monumental and collective effort to protect land and water permanently. Together we have completed the “Finger Lakes Forever” campaign successfully!

Some 79 conservation projects have been advanced through the campaign, resulting in the protection of 5,937 acres of land, 33.5 miles of streambank, and 14,124 feet of lakeshore.

With your overwhelming support, the Land Trust has surpassed major milestones including 5 miles of lakeshore saved, 29,000 total acres under protection, and 53 miles of trails open to the public!

Please take a moment to celebrate the campaign’s success and all that we achieved! You can see highlights below, including a new video, regional map, and photos of key conservation projects.

We accomplished so much through the campaign, but still have work to do. Together, we can save priceless lands and waters and fulfill the promise of permanent protection.

You can help us do even more by making a gift. Thank you!


MAP

The campaign has already advanced 79 conservation projects across the region.


VIDEO

Please enjoy this short movie highlighting our conservation successes across the Finger Lakes region.  See fllt.org/video for more videos.


NATURE PRESERVES FOR EVERYONE

The Finger Lakes Land Trust opened new nature preserves, expanded existing preserves, and worked with organizational partners to add to public lands.

Photo: Bill Hecht

Canandaigua Vista

Read Story | Watch Video | Visit Preserve

Photo: Andy Zepp

Botsford Nature Preserve

Read Story | Visit Preserve

Photo: Peter Carroll

Bell Station

Read Story | Watch Video | Visit Preserve

Photo: Tom Reimers

Hinchcliff and High Vista Addition

Read Story | Watch Video | Visit Hinchcliff | Visit High Vista

Photo: Bill Hecht

Owasco Bluffs Nature Preserve

Read Story | Watch Video | Visit Preserve

Photo: Bill Hecht

Otisco Shores Conservation Area

Read Story 1 | Read Story 2 | Watch Video | Visit Preserve

Photo: Chris Ray

Great Hill Addition

Read Story | Visit Great Hill

Photo: Bill Hecht

Kriss Family Nature Preserve

Read Story

Photo: Andy Zepp

Lands Along the Chemung River

Read Story

Photo: Jeff Katris

Sims-Jennings Preserve

Read Story | Watch Video

Photo: Matt Champlin

Staghorn Cliffs

Read Story | Visit Staghorn Cliffs

Photo: Bill Hecht

Eberhard Nature Preserve

Read Story | Visit Preserve

Photo: Chris Ray

Tapan Mitra Nature Preserve Addition

Read Story | Visit Preserve

Photo: Andy Zepp

Estate of Margaret Bald

Read Story Part 1 | Read Story Part 2

Photo: Scott Levine

Summerland Farm Preserve

Read Story 1 | Read Story 2 | Visit Preserve


HABITAT RESTORATION & TREE PLANTINGS

The Finger Lakes Land Trust and its partners planted trees and shrubs, created vernal pools, and restored wetlands to benefit water quality and wildlife habitat.

Photo: Chris Ray

Chemung River Planting

Read Story

Photo: Bill Hecht

Otisco Lakeshore Planting

Read Story

Photo: Bill Hecht

Owasco Flats Wetland Restoration

Read Story

Photo: Bill Hecht

Skaneateles Watershed Vernal Pools

Read Story | More About Vernal Pools

Photo: Chris Ray

VanRiper Stream Restoration

Read Story

Photo: Max Heitner

SUNY ESF Partnership

Read Story

Photo: FLLT

Goetchius Wetland Restoration

Read Story


PROTECTED LANDS & WATERS

A few highlights from DOZENS of important conservation easement projects that protect key lands and waters. Conservation easements are voluntary legal agreements that permanently limit future land use in order to protect the land’s conservation value. Lands subject to conservation easements remain in private ownership, on local tax rolls, and available for traditional uses such as farming and hunting.

Photo: Bill Hecht

CAYUGA LAKE WATERSHED

Read Story

Photo: Chris Ray

SIX MILE CREEK

Read Story

Photo: Kris West

HEMLOCK LAKE WATERSHED

Read Story

Photo: Bill Hecht

James Kennedy State Forest

Read Story


PUBLIC ACCESS IMPROVEMENTS

Safe parking areas, informational kiosks with maps, and well-maintained trails help make nature more accessible. The Finger Lakes Land Trust continues to invest in public access and remains deeply committed to keeping our nature preserves free and open to everyone.

Photo: Chris Olney

Wesley Hill Nature Preserve

Visit Preserve

Photo: Tasha Ferris

Steege Hill Nature Preserve

Read Story | Visit Preserve

Photo: Andy Zepp

Summerland Farm Preserve

Read Story | Visit Preserve

Photo: Eric Mastroberti

Tapan Mitra Preserve

Visit Preserve


SAVE MORE LAND

Make a Gift >

You can also call (607) 275-9487 or email kellymakosch@fllt.org