The Finger Lakes Land Trust acquired 71 wooded acres in the town of Bristol, Ontario County. The property shares its western boundary with Stid Hill Wildlife Management Area and contains 5,365 feet of streambank on two tributaries to Canandaigua Lake.

A mixed hardwood forest defines the landscape here, set amongst the rolling Bristol Hills—a priority project of the New York State Open Space Plan. In the Open Space Plan, the New York Natural Heritage Program identifies the Bristol Hills as the largest occurrence of Appalachian oak-hickory forest in the state.

Photo: Bill Hecht

The FLLT was approached by the New York State Department of Environmental Conservation for assistance in acquiring the parcel. When funds become available, the FLLT intends to transfer the property to the state as an addition to Stid Hill WMA.

Conservation of this property will prevent future subdivision that would fragment wildlife habitat connectivity and disrupt recreational opportunities. The 1,035-acre Stid Hill WMA offers multiple outdoor activities including hiking, biking, fishing, and wildlife viewing.

The recently acquired property is located in a growing area of conserved lands including the FLLT’s Canandaigua Vista Preserve, Wesley Hill Nature Preserve, three properties protected by FLLT conservation easements, and Ontario County Park at Gannett Hill.

“This is a great addition to a growing network of conserved lands in the Bristol Hills,” said Finger Lakes Land Trust Executive Director Andrew Zepp. “Acquisition of this land will secure significant habitat, help protect Canandaigua Lake’s water quality, and expand recreational opportunities.”