Photo: FLLT

Charles Spencer Nature Preserve

This 304-acre preserve in Newfield harbors mature forests, streams, meadows, and grasslands that offer sweeping views of the surrounding valley.

Natural History

Protecting these lands safeguards wildlife habitat for wide-ranging species such as black bear and bobcat, as well as the headwaters of a tributary to Cayuta Creek and the Susquehanna River. Located in close proximity to Cornell University’s Arnot Forest, the preserve is also nestled in the heart of the Emerald Necklace project, an ongoing effort to link 50,000 acres of existing public conservation land extending in an arc around Ithaca.

Recent History

Four friends, known as the LUA Corporation, purchased this unspoiled land in 1976 to serve as a retreat from a rapidly changing society. In 2014, the LUA Corp. donated 196 acres to the Land Trust and requested that the land be named in honor of the members who maintained, to the end, the vision to protect and preserve the land. With the addition of a 70-acre parcel in 2017 and another 38 acres in 2019, the preserve now covers 304 acres of protected land.

Land Acknowledgment

The Finger Lakes Land Trust recognizes that our nature preserves exist on the homeland of the Haudenosaunee. We hope to honor indigenous peoples’ ongoing relationship with the land by conserving wild places forever.

Public Use

Access is by permission only. There are no marked or maintained trails on the preserve.

The preserve will be closed to public access for the full hunting season from October 1 – December 17.

Please see our public use policies for recreational activities on nature preserves.

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SEE MORE PRESERVES ON GOFINGERLAKES.ORG

Go Finger Lakes is the free web site created by the Finger Lakes Land Trust to promote recreation and conservation. Use the interactive map of 50+ hiking, biking, paddling, skiing, and outdoor adventure destinations across the region!

Directions

Currently there is no parking at this preserve. Stay tuned for updates.