This 64-acre property borders High Tor Wildlife Management Area and Nundawao, the Finger Lakes Land Trust preserve named in honor of the Seneca people, in this valley that is central to the Seneca origin story.

Natural History

The FLLT partnered with the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service to restore 64 acres of grassland bird habitat on what was an overgrown, abandoned vineyard. The preserve sits at the south end of Canandaigua Lake within an Audubon Important Bird Area. A scenic overlook with signs interpreting the history of the valley welcomes visitors.

Recent History

The surrounding area is the birthplace of the Seneca people, who refer to themselves as The People of the Great Hill, or Onöndowa’ga:’. One of the earliest Seneca towns sat just south of the West River. The West River Preserve, dedicated in honor of Don and Skippy Raines, was established in 2011 through a donation of land by Constellation Brands and the generous support of the Raines family.

Land Acknowledgment

The Finger Lakes Land Trust recognizes that our nature preserves exist on the homeland of the Haudenosaunee. We hope to honor indigenous peoples’ ongoing relationship with the land by conserving wild places forever.

Public Use

Currently, there are no trails at this preserve.

These tracts of preserve land will be closed to the public from October 1-December 17 during the bow and gun hunting seasons, EXCEPT that hunters will not hunt within 1,000 feet of the scenic viewpoint with benches and interpretive signs at the height of land where Sunnyside Roads makes a sharp bend. The public may still visit this location for the scenic view.

Please see our public use policies for recreational activities on nature preserves.

SEE MORE PRESERVES ON GOFINGERLAKES.ORG

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