Bad Bear Hill: Our Biggest Project in 35 Years

The Finger Lakes Land Trust (FLLT) has announced a huge new conservation success near Corning, New York.

It is the biggest single project in our 35 years of protecting land and water across the region!

Just 10 minutes from downtown Corning, Bad Bear Hill comprises 992 acres of forest and a few small fields. The property also has almost a mile of shoreline on the Canisteo River, now protected to safeguard water quality and habitat. The land lies within a recognized wildlife corridor and is home to black bears and Bald Eagles. It is now conserved for the benefit of people and wildlife. The property boasts miles of trails. The FLLT intends to open Bad Bear Hill to the public for daytime use after first developing an interim management plan for the property.

See the full story at fllt.org/badbear.

ACT NOW

With your help, we can permanently save rare and beautiful places across the Finger Lakes region:

Give Online

Or call (607) 275-9487 to make your gift

Please contact us with any questions about how you can help save more land in the Finger Lakes!

Largest Conservation Project in the Skaneateles Lake Watershed

The Finger Lakes Land Trust (FLLT) has protected 690 acres at Jackson-Noel Farms in the town of Spafford, Onondaga County.

With nearly two miles of scenic frontage on State Route 41, this is the largest conservation project ever completed in the Skaneateles Lake watershed.

Owned by Bill Jackson and Jeri Noel Jackson, the property is now protected by three separate conservation easements held by the FLLT. The easements allow for continued agricultural use, require the maintenance of vegetated stream buffers, and conserve more than 200 acres of woodlands on the farm.

Located in an area of increasing development pressure, the property includes a mosaic of fields and forests including steep hillside creeks containing 8,500 feet of streambank. Several creeks on the property flow directly into Skaneateles Lake, the unfiltered drinking water supply for 200,000 people, including the city of Syracuse.

See the full story at fllt.org.

ACT NOW

With your help, we can permanently save rare and beautiful places across the Finger Lakes region:

Give Online

Or call (607) 275-9487 to make your gift

Please contact us with any questions about how you can help save more land in the Finger Lakes!

Cayuga Lake’s Bell Station Expands with Addition of Former Golf Course Land

The Finger Lakes Land Trust (FLLT) has announced a wonderful new conservation success that builds upon the major victory at Bell Station.

In 2021 and 2022, the community rallied to save Bell Station which had once been slated for a lakeside nuclear plant. You can see the original Bell Station movie below:

See the full story at fllt.org/cedarview and see the Bell Station preserve on Go Finger Lakes.

ACT NOW

With your help, we can permanently save rare and beautiful places across the Finger Lakes region:

Give Online

Or call (607) 275-9487 to make your gift

Please contact us with any questions about how you can help save more land in the Finger Lakes!

480 Acres of Lakeside Property, Once Planned for a Nuclear Plant, Now Conserved

The Finger Lakes Land Trust (FLLT) has acted on an unprecedented chance to protect land and water in the Cayuga Lake watershed north of Ithaca, New York!

The FLLT purchased the spectacular Bell Station site in Lansing that boasts 480 acres of wooded hillsides, extensive fields, and several small streams with cascading waterfalls. The effort has conserved over 3,400 feet of pristine shoreline and create a public recreation area, while an upland portion will be reserved for solar energy production!

The Bell Station property was the largest privately owned parcel of shoreline remaining in the Finger Lakes. It was originally acquired by New York State Electric & Gas for a nuclear power plant that was never built. The land is recognized as a priority project in New York State’s Open Space Plan and is specifically designated as “future public access conservation land” in the Town of Lansing Comprehensive Plan.

See the full story at fllt.org/savebellstation and see the preserve on Go Finger Lakes.

ACT NOW

With your help, we can permanently save rare and beautiful places across the Finger Lakes region:

Give Online

Or call (607) 275-9487 to make your gift

Please contact us with any questions about how you can help save more land in the Finger Lakes!

Finger Lakes Watershed Maps

The Finger Lakes Land Trust has created maps and charts to enhance your understanding of the watersheds in our region: See the page on our web site and find your lake!

Note that maps and charts on the FLLT page may be used for noncommercial purposes provided that they are not altered and are credited to Finger Lakes Land Trust unless otherwise noted.  Higher resolution files are available to members – join FLLT today.  Please contact us with questions.

Protecting Water Quality in the Finger Lakes Region of New York

Toxic algae blooms, or harmful algal blooms (HABs), have become the predominant threat to water quality in the Finger Lakes region.

The 11 Finger Lakes are the lifeblood of our region.  They provide drinking water for one million residents while attracting tourists from around the world.  The lakes have long been known for clean waters, but nutrient-laden runoff – exacerbated by a warming climate – has resulted in declining water quality. The Finger Lakes Land Trust protects water quality by permanently conserving thousands of acres and cooperating with partners to restore natural systems that safeguard our watersheds.

Please see our water quality web pages

Please help us protect our waters!

A Conservation Agenda for the Finger Lakes Region

Bold new report highlights 10 strategies for permanently protecting the priceless lands and waters of our region

The Finger Lakes Land Trust, in consultation with over 40 organizations, has identified 10 strategies for seizing timely opportunities, countering active threats, and securing the lands and waters that sustain agriculture, tourism, and quality of life.  The illustrated report, Lakes, Farms, and Forests Forever, is available free online so you can download digital copies, request free print copies, and see success stories.  Please visit fllt.org/top10 and share with friends who love the Finger Lakes.

The strategies were developed through a review of natural resource inventories and conservation plans, coupled with outreach to public conservation agencies, planning departments, watershed groups, nonprofit organizations, academic institutions, and other stakeholders.

The 10 strategies are grouped into 3 themes:

Protect Our Lakes, Streams, and Drinking Water

• Buffer Our Streams & Create New Wetlands
• Save Our Last Undeveloped Shoreline Now
• Protect the City of Syracuse Drinking Water Supply
• more about this theme

Save Farms, Wineries, and Rural Character

• Save Threatened Farms & Wineries
• Protect Scenic Vistas & Designated Byways on Cayuga and Seneca Lakes
• Maintain Rural Character Through Stronger Land Use Planning
• more about this theme

Keep Nature Wild and Enhance Public Access

• Create the Canandaigua Skyline Trail
• Complete Cayuga Lake’s Emerald Necklace
• Create the Chemung River Greenbelt
• Save the South End of Skaneateles Lake
• more about this theme

What can you do?

If you love the Finger Lakes region, please take a moment to read Lakes, Farms, and Forests Forever.  You can download a digital copy at fllt.org/top10 and request free print copies.  Please share with friends who love our lands and waters, and consider supporting the Finger Lakes Land Trust by becoming a member and getting involved at our events and volunteer opportunities.

PART OF OUR REGIONAL CONSERVATION AGENDA

Protect Our Lakes, Streams & Drinking Water

Theme 1 from our report on strategies for permanently protecting the priceless lands and waters of the Finger Lakes region

Here we share the first set of strategies from Lakes, Farms, and Forests Forever, our fully illustrated report which you can find on our web site at fllt.org/top10.

The eleven Finger Lakes are the lifeblood of the region.  They provide drinking water for one million residents while attracting tourists from around the world.  The lakes define local culture and traditions, creating bonds among families and communities that are cherished for a lifetime.

The lakes have long been known for their clean waters. In recent years, however, nutrient-laden runoff, exacerbated by a warming climate, has resulted in declining water quality.  Five of eleven lakes reported significant outbreaks of toxic algae in 2015 — resulting in health alerts warning against swimming and drinking the impacted water.  Toxic algae can cause nausea; skin, eye, and throat irritation; and breathing difficulties.  It is harmful for wildlife, pets, and humans.

Today, the stakes are high to save our remaining pristine lakeshore as development pressures increase. Soil erosion from farm fields and contamination from lakeshore septic systems both increase the likelihood of future toxic algal blooms. All 11 lakes are at risk. Let’s save our lakes by aggressively countering these threats.

The conservation strategies in this theme:

Buffer Our Streams & Create New Wetlands

Create permanent streamside buffers on farms and other lands that directly affect water quality for towns and cities across the region. Support a systematic effort to restore and create wetlands to filter runoff and protect our waters while providing valuable wildlife habitat.

Save Our Last Undeveloped Shoreline Now

Protect our last wild shoreline through the acquisition of parks and conservation land as well as the use of conservation easements (perpetual legal agreements that limit development while keeping land in private ownership).

Protect the City of Syracuse Drinking Water Supply

Restore the successful program that used conservation easements to secure environmentally sensitive lands adjacent to Skaneateles Lake, the primary drinking water supply for Syracuse residents.

What you can do

If you love the Finger Lakes region, please take a moment to read Lakes, Farms, and Forests Forever.  You can download a digital copy at fllt.org/top10 and request free print copies.  Please share with friends who love our lands and waters, and consider supporting the Finger Lakes Land Trust by becoming a member and getting involved at our events and volunteer opportunities.

PART OF OUR REGIONAL CONSERVATION AGENDA

Save Farms, Wineries & Rural Character

Theme 2 from our report on strategies for permanently protecting the priceless lands and waters of the Finger Lakes region

Here we share the second set of strategies from Lakes, Farms, and Forests Forever, our fully illustrated report which you can find on our web site at fllt.org/top10.

The Finger Lakes region is famous for sweeping expanses of farmland and picturesque lake views.  Millions of tourists flock to the region to explore over 50 farmers markets, 3 wine trails, u-pick apple orchards, and emerging beer and cheese trails.  Drawn by the lakes and agricultural tourism opportunities, visitors and residents alike are charmed by the rural character of our region.

Yet our agricultural land and iconic views are increasingly under threat.  Farmers are challenged by the conversion of land for residential and commercial development — a particular concern for farms that rely on significant amounts of leased land.  We are calling for sustained investment to save the farmland and scenic vistas that are most imperiled by development.  By increasing funding from public and private sources — and providing technical assistance to municipal planning boards — we can preserve our farms, vineyards, and rural character forever.

The conservation strategies in this theme:

Save Threatened Farms & Wineries

Preserve agricultural lands that are most threatened by development through increased funding for New York State’s farmland protection program.  Investment in this program will also spur economic development by aiding agricultural enterprises.

Protect Scenic Vistas & Designated Byways on Cayuga and Seneca Lakes

Inventory publicly accessible vista points across the region and lands bordering the Cayuga Lake and Seneca Lake Scenic Byways.  Secure the highest quality vistas and lands through the acquisition of conservation easements.

Maintain Rural Character Through Stronger Land Use Planning

Strengthen locally-based land use planning by providing increased technical assistance to town planning boards and producing a region-specific guide to best practices for rural land use.

What you can do

If you love the Finger Lakes region, please take a moment to read Lakes, Farms, and Forests Forever.  You can download a digital copy at fllt.org/top10 and request free print copies.  Please share with friends who love our lands and waters, and consider supporting the Finger Lakes Land Trust by becoming a member and getting involved with our events and volunteer opportunities.