The Land Steward NEWSLETTER OF THE LAND TRUST

working to protect the natural integrity of the Finger Lakes region Vol. 32, No. 4 • Autumn 2020 Partnership Secures Shoreline

A rare stretch of undeveloped shoreline on Otisco Lake is now conserved forever thanks to a partnership between the Land Trust, Onondaga County, and the State Department of Environmental Conservation (NYSDEC). BILL HECHT

he Land Trust recently acquired land back in 1942 at a public auction. perpetual conservation easement. the 35-acre property with 2,300 He was 15 years old at the time During the coming months, the Land feet of lakeshore at the very and rode his bicycle to the auction. Trust will work with partners to plant south end Otisco. Henderson subsequently maintained approximately 600 native trees and TThe property features meadows with the land for 76 years until his passing in shrubs to serve as buffers to the lake and scattered trees as well as several shallow 2018. two tributary streams. The Land Trust ponds, two seasonal tributaries to the NYSDEC provided significant will also work with Onondaga County lake, and forested wetlands. Flocks funding for the project through its Water to develop a long-term management of waterfowl utilize the area during Quality Improvement Project Program. plan that provides for the restoration of migration and herons are frequently The Land Trust also secured a grant from wildlife habitat as well as appropriate observed feeding in the ponds. The site the Onondaga Lake Natural Resource public access for hiking, wildlife also provides habitat for Bald Eagles. Damage Assessment Fund. Onondaga observation, and fishing. The Land Trust acquired the land County will own and manage the site The property will remain closed from the estate of William “Bill” as a public conservation area while the to the public until restoration efforts Henderson. Henderson purchased the Land Trust will retain and monitor a are complete. It is anticipated that the continued on page 2 2 environment andpublichealth. DECis water quality forthebenefitofour investments toprotectandenhance New York Stateismakingstrategic Improvement Projectgrant program, “Through New York’s Water Quality celebrated theacquisition,saying that, otisco20. about theproject,pleasevisitfllt.org/ beautiful aerialvideoandlearnmore sometime during2021. To watch a and formallyopenedforpublicaccess site willbeconveyed tothecounty •

NYSDEC CommissionerBasil Seggos THE LAND STEWARD PERSPECTIVES WE and get a distraction from the frequently grimnews fromthefrequently oftheday.and get adistraction have taken to to helpmanage andtrails anxiety, ourparks reconnect withnature, For mostofus,itfeels like ofthepandemic.Many since alongtime thestart Preserve near Auburn thatfeaturessceniclakeshore accommodate thepublic,includingourOwasco Bluffs preparing several newpreserves thatoffertrails to wild placesaswell. wildlife thatlives there,aswellushumansthatneed maintain moreoftheseareas—forthebenefit these landsforthebenefitofeveryone. Thank you! dedicated corpsofvolunteers andstaffwho steward valuing ourtrails andpreserves. We are grateful forour a lifesaver,” saidathird. stress,” saidanother. Your trails have been“somethingof member. “The trails have allowed metorelieve my found solaceinyour naturepreserves,” saidone Toward thatend,theLand Trust iscurrently We alsorecognizethatweneedtoconserve and We aregladtoseethatthepublicisenjoying and continued fromcover Partnership Secures Otisco Lake Shoreline and received plentyoffeedback: “Myfamily have notedtheincreasedusageofourtrails

acquired property, which willbe added water forour community. This newly protecting sources ofcleandrinking remains committedtosecuring and McMahon added,“Onondaga County as apublicdrinkingwater source.” safeguard water qualityin Otisco Lake for adiverse array ofwildlife,andto recreation opportunities,protecthabitat parcel toenhance publicaccessto on theconservation ofthisshoreline Land Trust andOnondagaCounty proud topartnerwiththeFinger Lakes Onondaga CountyExecutive Ryan Executive Director, Finger LakesLand Trust Andrew Zepp this fall! nearby natural area. future when everyone inourregionhaseasyaccesstoa opportunities togetoutdoors. We lookforward toa Trust isconnectingpeoplewithnatureandproviding sometime in2021. a newnaturepreserve willbeopenedtothepublic Similar work isalsounderway inCanandaigua,where Branchport thatwillprovide accesstoaruggedgorge. views andournewBotsfordNaturePreserve near We alsolookforward toseeingyou outonthetrails These arejustafewoftheways inwhich theLand

the shore. leads visitorsdown asteephillside to shoreline andhasahikingtrail that protects over 1,300feetofundeveloped the westsideoflake,this preserve Located inthetown ofSpaffordon 36-acre OtiscoLakePreserve in2015. watershed. The organizationopenedits conservation projectintheOtiscoLake the residentsofOnondagaCounty.” to beasource of safe drinkingwater to will ensurethatOtiscoLakecontinues to theOnondagaCountyParks system, This istheLand Trust’s second overlooking CanandaiguaLake Nerw nature preserve naturepreserve Nerw

STEFANIE DELANEY Land Trust Raises Funds for Conservation through Land Donation in Ithaca’s Emerald Necklace When dedicated Land Trust members go above and beyond their unwavering support to make donations of land, conservation in the Finger Lakes receives an enormous boost. Thanks to the generosity of Cornelia “Nelly” Farnum and Jack Booker who recently donated their 97-acre property and home in Caroline, Tompkins County, future land and water protection projects have an important source of funding.

2011, Nelly and Jack donated a conservation IN easement on their property where they shared a home for over 30 years. The property includes a steeply sloping forest with a cascading creek and a beautiful 19th century Greek Revival surrounded by gorgeous native plant gardens. Just last year, they donated the property to the Land Trust with the clear understanding that it would be sold to a private buyer subject to the easement, the sale of which would fund future conservation efforts. Proceeds from the sale were placed in the Land Trust’s Opportunity Fund, a dedicated account created by the organization to make time- sensitive acquisitions possible. The Farnum-Booker property lies within the Emerald Necklace, an ambitious effort to link 50,000 acres of existing public open space that extends in an arc around Ithaca—from Finger Lakes National Forest in the west to Hammond MAX HEITNER Hill and Yellow Barn State Forests FLLT in the east. These same level of certainty about the lands host 78 miles permanence of the land’s protection of the Finger Lakes could not have been achieved. The Trail, two Audubon- CE solidified a perpetual connection designated between ourselves and the land we Important Bird loved.” Areas, and several The Land Trust would like to dozen Tompkins extend their sincere thanks to Nelly County-designated and Jack for this generous gift which Unique Natural will continue to benefit future Areas. The property generations for many years to come. is also located within Tompkins The Land Trust gratefully County’s Caroline acknowledges Attorney William Pinnacles Unique Shaw of the law firm Shaw & Murphy Natural Area and PLLC in Ithaca, NY, for providing pro in close proximity bono legal services in support of this to other protected project. lands, including Shindagin Hollow conservation easement was “forever,” State Forest and a Cornell Botanic the depth of the significance of Gardens natural area. The Finger Lakes having a CE on our land became even Trail is easily accessed just south of clearer after there were new owners,” the property on White Church Road. said Nelly and Jack. “Without a CE “Although we always knew that a in partnership with the FLLT, the AUTUMN 2020 • 3 Land Trust Acquires 38 Acres in the Owasco Flats BILL HECHT

The Owasco Flats looking north toward —the recently protected property is in the upper right, bordered by the inlet.

The Owasco Inlet weaves its way northward from the upper reaches of Tompkins County, through Cayuga County, until it empties into Owasco Lake. A mix of farmland and wetlands along the inlet are locally referred to as “the flats,” the final area of filtration prior the inlet’s release into the lake.

he Land Trust recently purchased National Audubon Society-designated the Finger Lakes,” said Max Heitner, 38 acres in the flats containing Greater Summerhill Important Bird Area Director of Conservation for the Land T785 feet of frontage along the (IBA), and visitors often find Bald Eagles Trust. “But we also recognize that Owasco Inlet from the Estate of soaring overhead. Protection of lands agriculture is not the ideal use of land David Hall. The property is primarily in this area also safeguards the water everywhere, and the Owasco Flats area comprised of agricultural fields, is quality of Owasco Lake by filtering is a great example of a place that has adjacent to Owasco Flats Wildlife runoff to the inlet. more to offer the community as a water Management Area, and is in close The Land Trust intends to partner filter and home for wildlife.” proximity to other conservation lands with the U.S. Fish & Wildlife Service to This is the Land Trust’s fifth land owned by Cayuga County and the City conduct wetland restoration activities protection project at the Owasco Flats. of Auburn. on the land prior to conveyance to The area is popular for both paddling When funds become available, the NYSDEC. Conversion of pasture lands and birdwatching. Information about Land Trust will partner with the New to wetlands will enhance the water visiting the flats can be found at www. York State Department of Environmental filtration capacity of the watershed and gofingerlakes.org, a resource created by Conservation (NYSDEC) to transfer the create excellent habitat for birds and the Land Trust to encourage people to parcel to the Owasco Flats Wildlife other wildlife. get outdoors. Management Area. An important area “The Land Trust puts a lot of effort ecologically, the flats are part of the into the conservation of farmland in 4 • THE LAND STEWARD Land Trust Completes Eighth Acquisition on Bare Hill The Land Trust acquired 20 wooded acres on the steep southeast-facing slope of Bare Hill—an area that has long been a priority for protection by the Land Trust. Bare Hill dominates the southeastern shore of Canandaigua Lake and is recognized for its cultural significance in the creation story of the Seneca Nation. New York State Department of Environmental Conservation (NYSDEC) owns and manages 393 acres on Bare Hill’s summit as a State Unique Area.

he property provides an important connection between state lands and two other parcels previously acquired Tby the Land Trust. When public funds are available, all three parcels will be transferred to NYSDEC as a single 45- acre addition to state ownership that will create a connection to North Vine Road. This process of patiently stitching together smaller properties to enhance protection of intact habitats and public access to our region’s natural beauty is emblematic of the Land Trust’s approach to conservation in the landscape focus areas identified in our strategic plan. Elsewhere in the Canandaigua Lake watershed, the Land Trust owns and manages five nature preserves including the recently acquired 100-acre Canandaigua Vista property in the town of Canandaigua. The organization has worked in partnership with Ontario County to establish Grimes County Park, the Town of South Bristol to create Carolabarb Park, and with NYSDEC to enhance protection of Conklin Gully and High Tor Wildlife Management Area. Additionally, the Land Trust holds conservation easements on 22 properties here, representing more than 900 acres conserved in private ownership and remaining on local tax rolls.

The Land Trust gratefully acknowledges Attorney Aaron Mullen of the law firm Mullen Associates PLLC in Bath, NY, for providing pro bono legal services in support of this project.

Bare Hill, the iconic promontory overlooking Canandaigua Lake’s eastern shore, where the Land Trust recently secured 20 acres. NIGEL KENT

AUTUMN 2020 • 5 The view from the Otisco Lake Preserve in Onondaga County, where the Land Trust has protected over 1,300 feet of wild shoreline on the west side of the lake.

SCENES from Around Our Region… MAX HEITNER

6 • THE LAND STEWARD The Land Trust’s Sweedler Preserve at Lick Brook in Ithaca, Tompkins County DAN DIGIOVANNA

Starry night at the West River Preserve, located near the south end of Canandaigua Lake BRIAN MALEY

BILL HECHT The growing Land Trust staff on a field trip to the Lindsay-Parsons Biodiversity Preserve in West Danby, Tompkins County

The 259-acre Dorothy McIlroy Bird Sanctuary in Summerhill, Cayuga County— located along the Lake Como outlet, this serene preserve includes frontage on Fall Creek near its headwaters. BILL HECHT

AUTUMN 2020 • 7 Vernal Pools Created within Watershed Throughout history, humans have proven to be innovative and efficient, and one needs to look no further than local agriculture to see how farmers in the Finger Lakes have created technologies and implemented practices to improve crop yields and farmland production.

or years, one of the biggest region. initiative in 2019, these were the types concerns for farmers has been how Vernal pools do more than protect of projects the organization envisioned Fto drain their fields and move water water quality. They are also important to enhance its typical land conservation off their land as quickly and efficiently wildlife habitat—providing temporary work. The ability to protect water quality as possible. The Finger Lakes region wetlands for a variety of insects, and improve wildlife habitat with key has signs of this throughout, including amphibians, and reptiles. Birds flock local partners is what the Land Trust drainage tiles underneath farm fields to the pools as a seasonal source of hopes to continue to do throughout the that flow into deep roadside ditches, food and water. When the Land Trust Finger Lakes region with the support of quickly moving water off roadways and launched its five-point water quality its members and donors. carrying it into our streams and lakes. In some areas, there is an opportunity to counter these efficiencies A constructed vernal pool at the Land Trust’s by giving stormwater a place to settle Logan Hill Nature Preserve in Tioga County and filter out pollutants before they enter our creeks and lakes. At a Land Trust-owned conservation area on the east side of Skaneateles Lake, the Land Trust has done just that. In partnership with the U.S. Fish & Wildlife Service’s Partners for Fish and Wildlife Program, five vernal pools were created to retain water on the property prior to its release into Skaneateles Lake, the unfiltered drinking water source for local communities and the city of Syracuse. This area, also known as the Staghorn Cliffs, is contiguous to the organization’s Cora Kampfe Dickinson Preserve and

contains some of the most pristine LITTELL HARRY shoreline remaining in the Finger Lakes

Bob Werner, longtime Finger both an expert scientist and FLLT, the organization protected nearly Lakes Land Trust board member, AS committed Skaneateles Lake 2,000 acres within the watershed. advisor, and dear friend, passed advocate, Bob encouraged the FLLT to Bob is survived by his beloved wife increase its focus on land and water Jo, his children and grandchildren, away on September 13 following protection projects along the lake’s and the very many friends he made a brief battle with cancer. major tributaries—especially Grout along the way. We will miss his quiet Brook. During his involvement with the determination and infectious smile. BILL BANASZEWSKI 8 • THE LAND STEWARD Land Trust’s GoFingerLakes.org New Ithaca Web Site Adds Two New Locations Bakery Bread he Land Trust Cards Available Trecently added two new locations to ITHACA BAKERY is generously its outdoor recreation offering bread cards to all current web site, Go Finger

SARAH WEEDEN Land Trust members again this year. Lakes: the Finger The bread card entitles members Lakes Museum and to one FREE loaf of bread per month Ganondagan State with a $5 minimum purchase at Historic Site. Visit the 400 N. Meadow Street location gofingerlakes.org to learn more about only. Please visit the Land Trust’s exploring these main office at 202 E. Court Street Finger Lakes gems. in Ithaca if you would like to pick up your bread card. HELEN HEIZYK

inger Lakes Land Trust Double Your Impact members do so much Public Comment with Our $100,000 Feach year to support our Period Open as conservation work in the Mathing Gift region. Thank you! This year, Land Trust Applies your support will go even Challenge further, advancing land and for Accreditation water protection across the region. An anonymous family Renewal will match any increase over your 2019 giving dollar for he Land Trust is applying for dollar, up to $100,000. Not a Taccreditation renewal through member yet? All new gifts will the Land Trust Accreditation be matched 1:1. Commission, an independent Please give generously program of the Land Trust Alliance. today at fllt.org/give so that The Commission invites public we can protect more land and input and accepts signed, written water in the beautiful Finger comments on pending applications. Lakes region. Comments must relate to how the Finger Lakes Land Trust complies with national quality standards. To learn more about the accreditation program and to submit a comment, visit www.

BILL BANASZEWSKI MARIE READ landtrustaccreditation.org. AUTUMN 2020 • 9 Our appreciation Our deepest gratitude for thoughtful gifts in for gifts in memory of... honor of... Rosalie “Poe” Jill and Monty Bauer Outlet Rod & Gun Deborah Homsher Florence Brantley Sara and Ed Beale Club, Inc FROM Jon Cheetham FROM Lisa Bobo Katherine Phillips Nick Salvatore and and Her grandson’s Ann Sullivan Peter Buttrill Alphonse Pieper and Pip Johnson colleagues at the James and Mary Betsy Shrier Stuart Krasnoff FROM Rockefeller Foundation Cleveland Eileen Pines and FROM Joe McMahon and Joanna Daeschner David Binsack Carol S. Palmer Gail Steinhart Jim Compton FROM Lisa and Bob Dreste Ann Prince Donna Lockett Betsy Darlington John and Robin M. John Duford Donna Raines and Elizabeth Farnham Bruce Clemens FROM FROM Hinchcliff Vicki Wilkins Jean Darlington and Sherman and Anne Peggy Savlov Eduardo Marchena Albert and Sybil Craig Farnham Carol Sherwood Catherine Mancini FROM John and Kim Katherine K. Frame Patricia G. Sladden FROM Hadley Matarazzo Haines-Eitzen Michael T. Frame Shelly Strachan Michael Mancini

Tyrrell C. Dryer John and Lindsay Martha Sullivan Michael A. Hayward Garrett William Sykes Skippy Raines FROM FROM FROM Jason Hall The Kabat Family Michele V. Dryer An Earthwatch Costa Helen Launt James Hankin Katy Tidd and Rica friend Ann Erickson Charlie Hargrave Christie Lutzer Ann Hinchcliff FROM Doris Braine David, Anne, Charles, John van der Stricht FROM Helen Wivell Gary and Brooke Homer Garden Club Mackenzie, and Sue van der Stricht Palumbo Robert Gullotta Caroline Hargrave Sally and John J. Donna Raines and Paul Weidhaas FROM Lindsay Henderson Vaughan FROM Mary Anne Bergamo Bruce Clemens Madonna Stallmann Thomas Huber Bob and Robin Vavrina and Family David Jacobstein Erik and Judy Margie Stackhouse Andrew Zepp David Killius Peter King von Bucher FROM FROM Cheryl Lynn Koester Anonymous Linda Komenski Kevin Walsh Alice and Don SRC, Inc. Susan MacKenzie Rudolph and Muriel Elwin Zepp Shardlow Lois Warlick-Jarvie Rick and Kate Massie Margaret Warren FROM Padraic McConville MacKenzie “Mac” Ned Holmes Nancy E. Pegues Hargrave Paul McGurn FROM FROM Thomas Middleton Stephen Lewandowski Anonymous Patsy and Jim Moran Frank Barbero Rosemary Olmstead

Our Forever Work Our Forever Home

Your gift will help us protect the lands and waters of the Finger Lakes region, the special places we call home.

Planned gifts come in many forms and can help you live your values. Learn more at fllt.org/planned-giving or call (607) 275-9487. NIGEL KENT

10 • THE LAND STEWARD A CLOSER LOOK Nature and the Microcosm of Snails Our protected natural areas are teeming with life. Highly complex interactions take place continually between the plants, animals, fungi, microbes, and physical elements. hile ecologists have untangled some of the science morning glory. Researcher Khoisnam Sarma and his surrounding the main players with key roles in colleagues showed that on rainy days, a small snail was Wkeeping balance, mysteries remain about the successfully pollinating more flowers than by bees. seldom-seen molluscan denizens of natural places that play In addition to supporting vascular plants, snails an active role in supporting the ecosystem: the land snails. and slugs are also recognized for their role in fern and By day, most land snails and their close relatives, the bryophyte spore dispersal. As with malacolophily, slugs, keep hidden in the leaf litter endozoochory—seeds or spores and under rocks and logs. About ingested, then pooped out later 95% of our snail species in North as viable entities—is also poorly America measure less than 5 studied in slugs and snails. millimeters in width. Finding them A study by Steffen Boch and is a challenge even for expert colleagues revealed more than malacologists (scientists who half of fern and bryophyte spores study snails). Among the most consumed by slugs successfully common questions are: “What are germinated after passing through the snails doing? What purpose do the gut. they serve?” Snails themselves are rich Though tiny, native land snails in essential nutrients for many (those endemic to our region, animals. A snails’ soft tissue is which is the majority) perform high in calcium and protein; myriad ecological services that the shell itself contains calcium support natural areas. While and protein, and also serves as some are invasive, these tend a good source of these nutrients to hang out around areas of for animals that can digest shell. human habitation. Fortunately, Firefly larvae, some adult beetles, the majority of our 115 species in toads, salamanders, snakes, birds, New York State are native, thriving and mammals rely on snails MARLA COPPOLINO in places with minimal human and slugs for all or part of their influence. nutritional needs. Land snails spend most of their time in the leaf Even after a snail has died, its shell may persist for some litter layer. There, they consume the dead and decaying time in the environment. By doing so, it provides a handy vegetation, helping to decompose it. With the nutrient-rich shelter for various species of insects, referred to in this case feces they leave behind, snails play a role in soil formation. as “snail shell adopters”. Some insects use the shell as a As environmental clean-up crews, snails’ nutrient-cycling winter retreat. Others use it as housing for their larval and activity extends also to fungi, and some species even pupal stages. Mason bees (Megachilidae) are solitary bees specialize as consumers of dead animals. From insects to that sometimes lay their eggs in snail shells. After laying a mammals, snails and slugs rasp away at soft tissues, leaving single egg inside, the female bee constructs a mud, pebble, exoskeletons and bones clean, all the while enriching the and plant-material barrier to seal the opening. The shell soil with their droppings. plus its bee-made door offers a perfect little nook to protect Snails and slugs are also known to play a role as the egg as it develops, and eventually emerges as an adult. pollinators. As with insects, the sweet nectar of flowers Indeed, the lowliest of critters play an indispensable lures them in. As they visit each blossom, pollen grains role in sustaining nature, and the need for more research stick to their bodies and shells and are transported to the on their life habits is clearly needed. When an organism next bloom, delivering pollen that can lead to the plant’s is shown to serve a key part of a biological process, the reproduction. Slugs are known to pollinate wild ginger argument for its conservation becomes more valid. Climate and Trillum flowers. Remarkably, they do their pollination change and loss of habitat are major threats to land snails services when most insect pollinators are inactive, that is, and slugs. Thanks to the work of the Land Trust, habitats during the nights and rainy days, when the slugs are most throughout our region are protected. Whether or not active. visitors of the properties realize it, the snail communities Scientists have hardly scratched the surface of this are doing their jobs, right beneath our feet. The next time phenomenon of snail and slug pollinaton, known as you enjoy a walk at one of the land preserves, take a malacophily. To date, one scientific study has been moment to reflect on the quiet, hidden, yet invaluable published on a species of snail in India that specializes members of the ecosystem—the snails and slugs.

NIGEL KENT in nectar feeding—and pollination—of one species of —Marla Coppolino

AUTUMN 2020 • 11 Finger Lakes Land Trust Finger Lakes NON-PROFIT Officers: U.S. POSTAGE Dave Birchenough, President Land Trust PAID Kristin Swain, Vice President 202 E. Court Street TRUMANSBURG, NY Patty Weisse, Secretary Ithaca, NY 14850 PERMIT NO. 1 Bill Eggers, Treasurer Lindsay Ruth, At-Large Return Service Requested Board Members: Maria Fernandez- Wade Sarkis Gaige Myra J. Shulman Holland C. Gregg, III Fred Van Sickle Hadley Matarazzo Jim Walsh Karen Meriwether Sean O’Keefe Kevin Parker Marjory Rinaldo-Lee Staff: Andrew Zepp, Executive Director Meghann Andrews-Whitaker, Director of Operations Julia de Aragón,­ Development Associate Jason Gorman, Nature Preserve Manager Max Heitner, Director of Conservation Edie Jodz, Assistant Director of Development Jillian Kreitman, Administrative Assistant Kelly Makosch, Senior Director Cat Massa, Annual Fund Manager Chris Olney, Director of Stewardship Chris Ray, GIS Projects Manager Annabel Roberts-McMichael, Conservation Easement Steward Gretchen Salm, Land Conservation Support Specialist Becky Sibner, Land Protection Specialist Nomi Talmi, Director of Administration Autumn Kris West, Senior Field Representative Newsletter Editor: Edie Jodz Events Newsletter Layout: Leigh Dezelan fllt.org/events Advisors: Forestry Consultant: Michael DeMunn Stewardship Advisor: Betsy Darlington

Barnes Gully, town of gofingerlakes.org NIGEL KENT Canandaigua instagram@gofingerlakes instagram@fingerlakeslandtrust oin Executive Director Andy Zepp online to learn about Land Trust’s conservation facebook.com/FingerLakesLandTrust Jprojects in your area, with plenty of time for questions. All programs start at @FLLandTrust 7:00pm and registration is required. Visit fllt.org/events for details. Ph: 607-275-9487 • email: [email protected] Eastern Lakes (Owasco, Skaneateles, & Otisco) Tuesday, November 10th Greater Ithaca & the Watershed Thursday, November 12th Keuka & Watersheds Tuesday, November 17th Western Lakes (Canandaigua & west) Thursday, November 19th Southern Tier & the Chemung River Corridor Tuesday, November 24th