The Finger Lakes Land Trust (FLLT) accepted the donation of two perpetual conservation easements on eight acres in the town of South Bristol, Ontario County, from local residents John and Josephine Ingle. Located on Canandaigua Lake’s western shore just south of Seneca Point, the forested lakefront property contains just over 350 feet along a pristine undeveloped cove.

The two easements protect habitat for wildlife such as herons and Bald Eagles and also prevent development on the property, located in an area of intense development pressure. Open space in this area is quickly disappearing, threatening water quality, wildlife habitat, and public lake access.

Photo: Kate Riley

To date, the Ingles have protected over 80 acres of their land holdings. The family previously donated an easement in 2010 on 73 acres of woodlands and fields located on a portion of their property furthest from the lakeshore.

“Josephine and I take great pleasure in being part of the Finger Lakes Land Trust and helping to preserve this very special region that we are blessed to live in,” said John Ingle.

“This is an incredible gift and we are grateful to John and Jo Ingle for their commitment to conservation,” said FLLT Executive Director Andrew Zepp. “Canandaigua Lake’s shoreline is almost entirely developed and this conservation easement will ensure the future of one of the last undeveloped coves on the lake.”

Additional conserved lands in this area include the Stid Hill Wildlife Management Area, three private properties protected with conservation easements granted to the FLLT, and the organization’s Canandaigua Vista Nature Preserve.

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.