The Finger Lakes Land Trust is thrilled to announce that thousands of individual donors and dozens of organizational partners have helped us raise over $22,400,000 for conservation in our beautiful region!
Thank you to everyone who contributed to this monumental and collective effort to protect land and water permanently. Together we have completed the “Finger Lakes Forever” campaign successfully!
Some 79 conservation projects have been advanced through the campaign, resulting in the protection of 5,937 acres of land, 33.5 miles of streambank, and 14,124 feet of lakeshore.
With your overwhelming support, the Land Trust has surpassed major milestones including 5 miles of lakeshore saved, 29,000 total acres under protection, and 53 miles of trails open to the public!
Please take a moment to celebrate the campaign’s success and all that we achieved! You can see highlights below, including a new video, regional map, and photos of key conservation projects.
We accomplished so much through the campaign, but still have work to do. Together, we can save priceless lands and waters and fulfill the promise of permanent protection.
You can help us do even more by making a gift. Thank you!
MAP
The campaign has already advanced 79 conservation projects across the region.
VIDEO
Please enjoy this short movie highlighting our conservation successes across the Finger Lakes region. See fllt.org/video for more videos.
NATURE PRESERVES FOR EVERYONE
The Finger Lakes Land Trust opened new nature preserves, expanded existing preserves, and worked with organizational partners to add to public lands.
Photo: Bill Hecht
Canandaigua Vista
Read Story | Watch Video | Visit Preserve
Photo: Andy Zepp
Botsford Nature Preserve
Photo: Peter Carroll
Bell Station
Read Story | Watch Video | Visit Preserve
Photo: Tom Reimers
Hinchcliff and High Vista Addition
Read Story | Watch Video | Visit Hinchcliff | Visit High Vista
Photo: Bill Hecht
Owasco Bluffs Nature Preserve
Read Story | Watch Video | Visit Preserve
Photo: Bill Hecht
Otisco Shores Conservation Area
Read Story 1 | Read Story 2 | Watch Video | Visit Preserve
Photo: Chris Ray
Great Hill Addition
Photo: Bill Hecht
Kriss Family Nature Preserve
Photo: Andy Zepp
Lands Along the Chemung River
Photo: Jeff Katris
Sims-Jennings Preserve
Photo: Matt Champlin
Staghorn Cliffs
Read Story | Visit Staghorn Cliffs
Photo: Bill Hecht
Eberhard Nature Preserve
Photo: Chris Ray
Tapan Mitra Nature Preserve Addition
Photo: Andy Zepp
Estate of Margaret Bald
Read Story Part 1 | Read Story Part 2
Photo: Scott Levine
Summerland Farm Preserve
Read Story 1 | Read Story 2 | Visit Preserve
HABITAT RESTORATION & TREE PLANTINGS
The Finger Lakes Land Trust and its partners planted trees and shrubs, created vernal pools, and restored wetlands to benefit water quality and wildlife habitat.
Photo: Chris Ray
Chemung River Planting
Photo: Bill Hecht
Otisco Lakeshore Planting
Photo: Bill Hecht
Owasco Flats Wetland Restoration
Photo: Bill Hecht
Skaneateles Watershed Vernal Pools
Read Story | More About Vernal Pools
Photo: Chris Ray
VanRiper Stream Restoration
Photo: Max Heitner
SUNY ESF Partnership
Photo: FLLT
Goetchius Wetland Restoration
PROTECTED LANDS & WATERS
A few highlights from DOZENS of important conservation easement projects that protect key lands and waters. 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.
Photo: Bill Hecht
CAYUGA LAKE WATERSHED
Photo: Chris Ray
SIX MILE CREEK
Photo: Kris West
HEMLOCK LAKE WATERSHED
Photo: Bill Hecht
James Kennedy State Forest
PUBLIC ACCESS IMPROVEMENTS
Safe parking areas, informational kiosks with maps, and well-maintained trails help make nature more accessible. The Finger Lakes Land Trust continues to invest in public access and remains deeply committed to keeping our nature preserves free and open to everyone.
Photo: Chris Olney
Wesley Hill Nature Preserve
Photo: Tasha Ferris
Steege Hill Nature Preserve
Photo: Andy Zepp
Summerland Farm Preserve
Photo: Eric Mastroberti
Tapan Mitra Preserve
SAVE MORE LAND
You can also call (607) 275-9487 or email kellymakosch@fllt.org
