The Finger Lakes Land Trust (FLLT) has acquired 101 acres of open space just outside the Village of Skaneateles. Featuring prominent frontage on U.S. Route 20, and more than 1,000 feet of streambank on Shotwell Brook, the land will be protected permanently as a nature preserve, with trails open to everyone for quiet recreation!

The Shotwell Brook Conservation Area presents an extraordinary opportunity for community access to the outdoors and protection of lake water quality. The FLLT has launched a fundraising campaign to cover the purchase, ecological restoration, public access improvements, and long-term management. Please make a gift today:

Donate Online

To learn more about this opportunity, contact Dawn Cornell at dawncornell@fllt.org or (607) 275-9487.

Photo: Chris Ray

The property was identified as a conservation priority given its location near the headwaters of Shotwell Brook, one of four main tributaries to Skaneateles Lake. The brook starts near Route 20 on the east side of the Village of Skaneateles and flows into the lake near the intake of the unfiltered drinking water supply for the City of Syracuse, which serves over 200,000 people, totaling some 40 million gallons daily.

Illustration: Bob McNamara

The newly protected land also features more than 1,000 feet of frontage on U.S. Route 20, part of the “eastern gateway” to Skaneateles and the Finger Lakes region. The purchase will preserve scenic character in this area of intense development pressure, and welcome the community to explore nature just minutes from the village.

The FLLT will initiate ecological restoration efforts on the land through a partnership with the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service. This will involve restoring and enhancing wetlands on the property, planting native trees and shrubs, establishing native grassland, and controlling non-native, invasive plant species.

Additionally, the FLLT intends to develop more than 2 miles of walking paths on the land, including a universally accessible loop trail. The site will feature scenic overlooks and wildlife viewing areas along with an interpretive kiosk and a parking area.

What people are saying about the Shotwell Brook project:

“It’s a win-win for everybody.”

– Rich Abbott, Watershed Manager for the City of Syracuse Skaneateles Lake Watershed Protection Program

“The Skaneateles Lake Association applauds the tremendous effort set forth by the Finger Lakes Land Trust in supporting the protection of Skaneateles Lake.”

– Frank Moses, Executive Director, Skaneateles Lake Association

“This acquisition by the Finger Lakes Land Trust is an important and exciting contribution to preserving open space in the town of Skaneateles and supporting water quality for Skaneateles Lake. We look forward to the Shotwell Brook Conservation Area offering education and enjoyment through public access to outdoor recreation.”

– Chris Legg, Skaneateles Town Supervisor

“This project uniquely brings together two important missions of the Finger Lakes Land Trust – to expand public access to nature’s beauty around Skaneateles Lake and to help preserve the exceptional water quality that serves as the water supply for Syracuse and the central New York region.”

– Sean O’Keefe, Finger Lakes Land Trust Board Member and Skaneateles resident

“It is a total game changer for Skaneateles and the region, and we are so grateful.”

– Holland Gregg, Executive Director of The Citizens to Preserve the Character of Skaneateles and former President of the FLLT Board of Directors

Illustration: Bob McNamara

You can see the map of other Land Trust areas that have been protected and opened to everyone.

Illustration: Bob McNamara

With your help, we can permanently save this special place in the Skaneateles Lake watershed:

Donate Online

To learn more about this opportunity, contact Dawn Cornell at dawncornell@fllt.org or (607) 275-9487.

THANK YOU!