Spring 2021 (PDF)

The Land Steward NEWSLETTER OF THE FINGER LAKES LAND TRUST working to protect the natural integrity of the Finger Lakes region Vol. 33, No. 2 • Spring 2021 Farmland Forever: 600 Acres Conserved in Canandaigua In 2020, the American Farmland Trust released a report analyzing the impacts of development pressure on America’s farmland. The report reveals that in New York State, 78% of farmland conversion results in low-density residential development which fragments farms piece-by- NIGEL KENT piece, and limits the long-term viability of nearby farms. protect our region’s viable Kim-Mar Farms is located just acres in 1991 and continue to purchase agricultural lands, the Land off State Route 332, north of the city neighboring parcels to grow their TO Trust works with the New of Canandaigua. In recent years, operations. Almost 500 acres of their York State Department of Agriculture and residential development pressure has property’s soils are classified as prime Markets (NYSDAM) to secure funding become intense in this area of Ontario or soils of statewide significance. They through their Farmland Protection County, given its proximity to the are committed to best management Implementation Grant program (FPIG). Rochester metropolitan area. The farm practices and work with the Ontario In partnership with NYSDAM and the is owned and operated by Kim and County Soil & Water Conservation Town of Canandaigua, the Land Trust Mark Stryker, first-generation farmers District to control erosion and recently protected 606 acres at Kim- who produce corn, wheat, soybeans, stormwater runoff. These practices are Mar Farms in the towns of Canandaigua hay, straw, and beef cattle—all of which important ecologically, as the farm and Hopewell, Ontario County, with a are sold to local markets. drains into Beaver Creek and Padelford conservation easement. Kim and Mark bought their first 84 continued on page 2 For more than 30 years, the Land Trust has been working “to conserve forever the lands and waters of the Finger Lakes region, ensuring scenic vistas, local foods, clean water, and wild places for everyone.” As you can see in this issue of The Land Steward, our work continues. PERSPECTIVES RICK LIGHTBODY hat is not highlighted is the collective effort of the Haudenosaunee (Hodinöhsö:ni’) who lived on of the Land Trust staff and board to ensure these lands and waters long before their first contact Wthat our work truly benefits everyone in with Western settlers. How can we partner more our region. closely with the Haudenosaunee to achieve shared Our preserves are free and open to the public, but goals? not everyone who wants to visit has the opportunity to We are wrestling with these and many related do so, or will feel a sense of safety while there. How questions right now. We have embarked on a journey can we best ensure that our network of preserves is of discovery – a journey that promises to strengthen truly open for everyone? the Land Trust and allow us to better meet the diverse There are stressed communities within our region needs of our region. that suffer from poverty and other major challenges. How can we best help these communities connect with nature? Our work takes place on the traditional homeland Andrew Zepp, Executive Director Farmland Forever: 600 Acres Conserved in Canandaigua continued from cover Brook, tributaries of the Canandaigua and water quality,” the Stryker family of the family’s stewardship of that land.” Outlet. stated. “With the help of NYSDAM, This is the fifth project done in The Stryker easement provides Ontario County, the leadership of the partnership with the NYSDAM, the for a forested buffer and “Resource towns of Canandaigua and Hopewell, Town of Canandaigua, and the Land Protection Area” to protect Padelford and the Finger Lakes Land Trust, this Trust. Recent projects include the Brook. The Town of Canandaigua project has come to fruition.” protection of Catalpa Farm and Brock created the “Padelford Brook “The commitment of the Stryker Acres, both large-scale crop farms Greenway,” an area designated for family to protecting their farm is located two miles away, conservation in the town’s Padelford outstanding,” said Elizabeth Newbold, By protecting farms with Brook Greenway Plan. The Greenway Project Manager for the Land Trust. conservation easements, the Land contains a significant portion of prime “They first started the process with the Trust can ensure long-term agricultural farmland as well as wetland and town nearly 10 years ago, showing their viability. The organization has protected riparian areas worthy of protection. long-term dedication to preserving their over 4,000 acres of farmland, helping “We would like to thank all of land. This project protects not only a to sustain the Finger Lakes agricultural those involved in this project for their beautiful farm, but also an important community for generations to come. foresight and commitment to preserving water resource and development buffer our great natural resources, farmland, for the town, and the history and legacy 2 • THE LAND STEWARD Land Acquisition A Win for Skaneateles Lake The Land Trust recently acquired 102 acres nestled among the rolling hills of southern Cayuga County in Sempronius. The property is bordered to the north by Bear Swamp State Forest and contains 2,275 feet of frontage on Bear Swamp Creek, a critical tributary to Skaneateles Lake. The property also contains 26 acres of wetlands, many springs and streams, mature forest, and a well-maintained trail system. he Land Trust those adjacent to Bear purchased the Swamp State Forest. Tproperty from The organization Brenda (Bean) Contento, intends to transfer the who spent her childhood property to the state in farming, hunting, and the future as an addition foraging on the land to Bear Swamp State with her family. “We Forest. The forest is picked every kind of part of an Audubon- berry imaginable to eat or designated Important Bird freeze for pies,” Brenda Area, hosts a popular said. “Neighbors stopped network of recreational by sometimes to play trails, and features cards and have a slice of extensive wetlands and my mom’s famous pie.” rare flora. The family also spent “Bear Swamp is time exploring the forests one of the most pristine and wetlands on the wetlands remaining property, and Brenda in our region,” said remembers waking up Finger Lakes Land early in the mornings, Trust Executive packing a snack, and Director Andrew Zepp. leaving a note for her “Acquisition of this land parents as she went out alone to the swamp. She seems to is a win for wildlife, water quality, and outdoor recreation.” have memories of every corner of the property and describes This is the Land Trust’s seventh conservation project herself as being “both sad and thrilled” to have sold the land on Bear Swamp Creek, where it has protected 4.5 miles and to know that it will continue to be protected. of streambank. Other protected lands in the area include Conserving the property will help protect Skaneateles Carpenter Falls State Unique Area, the Land Trust’s Bahar Lake—the source of drinking water for the city of Syracuse. Nature Preserve, and three privately owned properties that Ongoing efforts by the Land Trust focus on securing hillsides have entered into conservation easement agreements with in this area, known as the Skaneateles Highlands, especially the Land Trust. ROB HOWARD SPRING 2021 • 3 Six Mile Creek Watershed Projects Help Protect Ithaca’s Drinking Water Supply March, the Land Trust and meadows to provide habitat for results in higher oxygen concentrations accepted the generous a variety of birds and other wildlife, and a corresponding increase in the IN donation of a 170-acre nearly 85% of the property will remain abundance and diversity of aquatic life. conservation easement from longtime forested forever. Protecting the Walcott property members and supporters Charles and The role forests play in protecting with a conservation easement will Jane Walcott. Avid conservationists, the water quality cannot be overstated, also prevent their land from being Walcotts wanted to protect the land especially on this property which is subdivided and developed into smaller they love, located in Dryden, Tompkins entirely underlain by erodible soils. housing lots. More importantly, it County, in perpetuity. Complex associations between roots maintains more than 140 acres of The property is wholly located and fungi hold soil in place and forest which will continue to live, in the Six Mile Creek watershed, the cycle nutrients and water back into grow, thrive, and ultimately, protect municipal water supply for the city the living system. Above ground, leaf the drinking water that flows to nearly of Ithaca. Situated off of Besemer Hill litter, branches, and fallen logs (what every tap in the city of Ithaca. Road, high above the Six Mile Creek ecologists like to call “coarse woody The project was supported by a valley, the largely wooded property debris”) absorb and slow the flow of generous grant from the City of Ithaca’s includes part of Cooks Corner Gully, water across the land, allowing it to Six Mile Creek Watershed Protection a Tompkins County Unique Area, and soak into the ground. This moderates Fund. “This donation is a welcome and several intermittent streams that drain the impact of both heavy rains and important addition to other efforts of the to the creek. While portions of the prolonged dry spells. Trees cast shade Finger Lakes Land Trust to protect the property are maintained as brushlands over streams, cooling the water which Six Mile Creek watershed,” said Ithaca City Mayor Svante Myrick. “My sincere thanks to the Walcotts and the FLLT for their visionary generosity and work in keeping the source of the city of Ithaca’s drinking water safe and clean.” The Land Trust gratefully acknowledges attorney Christopher K.

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