The Corning-based financial services firm John Ullman & Associates has chosen to recognize 40 years of service by its Senior Vice President Karen Meriwether through a contribution of $4,000 to the Finger Lakes Land Trust (FLLT) made in her honor. The gift was made specifically to support the FLLT’s Bluff Point Conservation Initiative.

Meriwether lives on the east side of Keuka Lake with her husband, Tom Snow, and serves on the FLLT’s Board of Directors. She is passionate about conservation of the region’s lands and waters.

The FLLT’s Bluff Point Initiative began in January with the acquisition of two wooded parcels encompassing 58 acres on the east side of the bluff. This effort will involve creating public access to one of the parcels and protecting additional lands in the area through acquisition and the use of conservation easements.

“We are grateful for this meaningful contribution from John Ullman & Associates and to Karen for her strong commitment to conservation,” said FLLT Executive Director Andrew Zepp. “The Bluff Point Initiative will help ensure water quality within Keuka Lake and also make it easier for local residents and visitors to connect with nature.”

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.