June 2024 Update: Bad Bear Hill is officially open to the public! See the trail map and parking instructions below.
The Finger Lakes Land Trust (FLLT) today announces a huge new conservation success near Corning, New York. It is our biggest single project in 35 years of protecting land and water across the region!
Watch the Bad Bear Hill video and see the maps below. You can also make a gift to help cover project costs and replenish our Opportunity Fund so that we can act fast when the best chances arise:
You can also call (607) 275-9487 to make your gift
Bad Bear Hill in springtime. Photo: Chris Ray
Just 10 minutes from downtown Corning, Bad Bear Hill comprises 992 acres of forest and a few small fields.
Bad Bear Hill (L) and Canisteo River, looking west. Photo: Chris Ray
Bad Bear Hill has almost a mile of shoreline on the Canisteo River, now protected to safeguard water quality and habitat.
Future trail network at Bad Bear Hill. Photo: Chris Ray
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 property is open during daylight hours for hiking, trail running, snowshoeing, cross-country skiing, and birdwatching. Mountain biking is allowed on forest roads only. A trailhead can be accessed from a small road shoulder parking area off of Reep Road in the town of Lindley.
Please be aware that while these trails are open for public use, they are not currently marked or being actively maintained. Please be prepared to deal with fallen trees, tall grasses, and other obstacles, and have a map and compass/GPS with you and know how to use them.
The conserved land will be transferred to New York State, enlarging McCarthy Hill State Forest which will more than double in size.
Canisteo River with steep slopes of Bad Bear Hill to left. Photo: Chris Ray
The Canisteo River is a tributary to the Tioga River in the Susquehanna River basin of the Chesapeake Bay watershed.
Bad Bear Hill (top) and Canisteo River. Photo: Chris Ray
Bad Bear Hill meets the Canisteo River with pristine forested shoreline, habitat for great blue herons and other species.
Creek flowing through Bad Bear Hill. Photo: Chris Ray
Bad Bear Hill acquired its name many years ago when the property owner was planting trees for reforestation. Plastic tree protectors were placed around the young trees to guard against depredation by the deer population. Unfortunately, curious bears found that the tree tubes were great chew toys, and pieces were found chewed up and scattered throughout the forest. The bears were only doing what bears do, but the name stuck. Many of the young trees were destroyed, though natural regeneration came to the rescue.
ACT NOW
While the funds needed for the purchase of Bad Bear Hill have been covered by an internal loan from the Land Trust’s Opportunity Fund, additional contributions are needed to cover transaction costs associated with the project – and to replenish the Opportunity Fund!
With your help, we can permanently save rare and beautiful places across the region:
You can also call (607) 275-9487 to make your gift
Please contact us with any questions about the Bad Bear Hill project and how you can help save more land in the Finger Lakes region.
