The Finger Lakes Land Trust (FLLT) has secured 101 acres of fields, wetlands, and woods adjacent to the Village of Skaneateles. Featuring prominent frontage on U.S. Route 20, and more than 1,000 feet of streambank on Shotwell Brook, the land will be protected as a nature preserve, to be opened after public access improvements are made.
The Shotwell Brook Conservation Area presents an extraordinary opportunity for the protection of lake water quality and community enjoyment of the outdoors. The project helps maintain the drinking water supply for the City of Syracuse.
The FLLT has launched a fundraising campaign to invest in public access improvements and long-term management of the preserve. Please make a gift today:
To learn more about this opportunity, contact Dawn Cornell at dawncornell@fllt.org or (607) 275-9487.
Watch the video to get inspired and support the project.
Illustration: Bob McNamara
Upon completing watershed restoration and enhancement projects, the FLLT will develop two miles of walking paths, including a universally accessible loop trail, to connect residents and visitors to nature.
Photo: Chris Ray
The property was identified as a conservation priority given its location near the headwaters of Shotwell Brook, one of four main tributaries to Skaneateles Lake. The brook starts near Route 20 on the east side of the Village of Skaneateles and flows into the lake near the intake of the unfiltered drinking water supply for the City of Syracuse, which serves over 200,000 people, totaling some 40 million gallons daily.
Photo: Jeff Katris
The newly protected land features more than 1,000 feet of frontage on U.S. Route 20, part of the “eastern gateway” to Skaneateles and the Finger Lakes region. The purchase will preserve scenic character in this area of intense development pressure, and welcome the community to explore nature just minutes from the village.
The FLLT will initiate ecological restoration efforts on the land through a partnership with the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service. This will involve restoring and enhancing wetlands on the property, planting native trees and shrubs, establishing native grassland, and controlling non-native, invasive plant species.
Photo: Paul Danese
The new conservation area hosts a variety of nesting bird species including the Common Yellowthroat, a migratory warbler that breeds here and winters in Mexico.
Along the planned hiking trails, the site will feature scenic overlooks and wildlife viewing areas. There will be an interpretive kiosk and a parking area accessible from U.S. Route 20.
Photo: Chris Ray
The Finger Lakes Land Trust purchased the property through an internal loan from its Opportunity Fund – a source of capital to facilitate time-sensitive acquisitions. The New York State Department of Environmental Conservation has pledged a grant of $1.3 million through its Water Quality Improvement Program (WQIP), the Town of Skaneateles has pledged $50,000, and the FLLT has received a number of private contributions, including a grant of $150,000 from the Central New York Community Foundation.
Photo: Jeff Katris
A few key partners speaking about the project:
“The Skaneateles Lake Association applauds the tremendous effort set forth by the Finger Lakes Land Trust in supporting the protection of Skaneateles Lake.”
– Frank Moses, Executive Director, Skaneateles Lake Association
“This acquisition by the Finger Lakes Land Trust is an important and exciting contribution to preserving open space in the town of Skaneateles and supporting water quality for Skaneateles Lake. We look forward to the Shotwell Brook Conservation Area offering education and enjoyment through public access to outdoor recreation.”
– Chris Legg, Skaneateles Town Supervisor
“It’s a win-win for everybody.”
– Rich Abbott, Watershed Manager for the City of Syracuse Skaneateles Lake Watershed Protection Program
“This project uniquely brings together two important missions of the Finger Lakes Land Trust – to expand public access to nature’s beauty around Skaneateles Lake and to help preserve the exceptional water quality that serves as the water supply for Syracuse and the central New York region.”
– Sean O’Keefe, Finger Lakes Land Trust Board Member and Skaneateles resident
“It is a total game changer for Skaneateles and the region, and we are so grateful.”
– Holland Gregg, Executive Director of The Citizens to Preserve the Character of Skaneateles and former President of the FLLT Board of Directors
Illustration: Bob McNamara
You can see the map of other Land Trust areas that have been protected and opened to everyone. With your help, we can permanently save this special place in the Skaneateles Lake watershed:
To learn more about this opportunity, contact Dawn Cornell at dawncornell@fllt.org or (607) 275-9487.
THANK YOU!
