Ecological restoration, including the removal of invasive plants and the planting of native trees, assists in the recovery of ecosystems that have been degraded by various forms of land use.
These efforts are a growing priority for the Land Trust, and this fall, two projects in the Skaneateles Lake watershed were completed on recently acquired lands. Stewardship staff planted over 600 native perennials at the south end of Skaneateles Lake, on a property that features 850 feet of shoreline. The land was acquired in 2025 and includes a portion of the Staghorn Cliffs, the site of an ancient, fossilized coral reef. Planted species include common boneset, flat-topped white aster, grass-leaved goldenrod, Indiangrass, and wrinkleleaf goldenrod.
Photo: Blake Enos
Due to the hazardous nature of the steep hillsides above the cliffs, the property is accessible by boat only. This necessitated a creative solution, with staff filling a rowboat with plants and tools, towed by a larger boat, to complete the project. Reintroducing native plants on this stretch of shoreline favors additional native plant growth, improves water quality by absorbing excess nutrients like nitrogen and phosphorus, and creates wildlife habitat.
Photo: Blake Enos
Additionally, the acquisition of this property 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. The property is adjacent to the organization’s Staghorn Cliffs Preserve and Cora Kampfe Dickinson Conservation Area, which together encompass some of the most pristine shoreline remaining in the Finger Lakes region.
Work is also underway at the Shotwell Brook Conservation Area in Skaneateles, with additional native tree plantings. Volunteers from the Skaneateles Rotary Club recently assisted staff with the planting of 40 native trees and shrubs, including white pine, Canadian serviceberry, red maple, and staghorn sumac. The Land Trust partnered with Go Native! Perennials who donated the trees for this project, an effort to reestablish wildlife habitat, reduce soil erosion, and mitigate flood risk from major storm events.
Photo: Jason Gorman
Purchased by the Land Trust in 2024, the Shotwell Brook Conservation Area features 1,000 feet of frontage on Shotwell Brook, a key tributary of Skaneateles Lake, and more than 1,000 feet of frontage on U.S. Route 20. To prepare the land for public access in 2027, the organization is also establishing native grassland, and developing 2.1 miles of walking paths, including a universally accessible loop trail, scenic overlooks and wildlife viewing areas.
The Land Trust will own and manage the land in perpetuity as a publicly accessible nature preserve, providing local residents with valuable opportunities for outdoor recreation and connection to nature. The project will also enhance Skaneateles Lake’s water quality by protecting Shotwell Brook, which enters Skaneateles Lake near the water intake for the city of Syracuse’s unfiltered drinking water supply.
