The Land Trust has received a donation of 43 acres with 1,480 feet of frontage on the Chemung River from Phyllis Kehoe, a resident of Pine City.

The property, once slated for residential development including more than 30 homes, will now become a publicly accessible nature preserve with stunning views of Frenchman’s Bluff. The Land Trust hopes that the generosity of the Kehoe family will inspire other landowners in the Chemung River watershed to seek permanent protection of their lands.

Photo: Bill Hecht

“This is truly one of the most beautiful stretches of the Chemung River,” says Land Trust Executive Director Andy Zepp. “Phyllis Kehoe’s wonderful gift to the community will help ensure the river’s water quality and also provide enhanced access to the public.”

The Kehoe Nature Preserve joins more than 2,000 acres protected by the Land Trust in the Chemung River watershed, including the newly-acquired 195-acre Houghton Land Preserve in Corning, the Steege Hill and Plymouth Woods Nature Preserves in Big Flats, and the Parker Nature Preserve in Bath.

A fundraising campaign is underway to support stewardship of the Kehoe Nature Preserve.  Please contact Kelly Makosch at (607) 275-9487 or kellymakosch@fllt.org if you would like to make a gift toward this project or would like to learn more.