The Finger Lakes Land Trust (FLLT) purchased 74 acres including the heart of “Kashong Glen”—a classic Finger Lakes gorge located in both Geneva, Ontario County, and Benton, Yates County. The Town of Geneva readily agreed to partner with the FLLT and committed to own and steward the land as an addition to its nearby Kashong Conservation Area.
Featuring more than 5,500 feet of frontage along Kashong Creek, this property is important for maintaining water quality in nearby Seneca Lake. The parcel also features several scenic waterfalls and provides habitat for a variety of wildlife.
Photo: Kyle Hobart
“When I learned this property was for sale, I immediately contacted the Land Trust with a plea: ‘We have to obtain this property and save it from development,’” said Geneva Town Supervisor Mark Venuti. “True to form, the Land Trust came through.”
Both the FLLT and Town of Geneva worked together in 2008 to establish the nearby 84-acre Kashong Conservation Area, with land that was donated by Polly Spedding. The Town owns the land and maintains a network of hiking trails, while the FLLT holds and monitors a deed restriction that ensures the land will not be developed.
New York State provided 75% of funding for this project through a grant from the Water Quality Improvement Project (WQIP) program. The FLLT has established a fundraising goal of $75,000 to cover a portion of the remaining costs. The Town of Geneva matched 12.5% of the acquisition cost with the FLLT. If you would like to contribute to this project, make a gift online:
To learn more about this opportunity, contact Director of Development Cherise Tolbert at cherisetolbert@fllt.org or (607) 275-9487.
