The Land Steward NEWSLETTER OF THE FINGER LAKES LAND TRUST working to protect the natural integrity of the Finger Lakes region Vol. 32, No. 4 • Autumn 2020 Partnership Secures Otisco Lake 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 New York 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 For most of us, it feels like a long time since the start of the pandemic. Many have taken to our parks and trails to help manage anxiety, reconnect with nature, and get a distraction from the frequently grim news of the day. have noted the increased usage of our trails views and our new Botsford Nature Preserve near WEand received plenty of feedback: “My family Branchport that will provide access to a rugged gorge. found solace in your nature preserves,” said one Similar work is also underway in Canandaigua, where member. “The trails have allowed me to relieve my a new nature preserve will be opened to the public stress,” said another. Your trails have been “something of sometime in 2021. a lifesaver,” said a third. These are just a few of the ways in which the Land We are glad to see that the public is enjoying and Trust is connecting people with nature and providing valuing our trails and preserves. We are grateful for our opportunities to get outdoors. We look forward to a dedicated corps of volunteers and staff who steward future when everyone in our region has easy access to a these lands for the benefit of everyone. Thank you! nearby natural area. We also recognize that we need to conserve and We also look forward to seeing you out on the trails PERSPECTIVES maintain more of these areas—for the benefit of the this fall! wildlife that lives there, as well as us humans that need wild places as well. Toward that end, the Land Trust is currently preparing several new preserves that offer trails to accommodate the public, including our Owasco Bluffs Andrew Zepp Preserve near Auburn that features scenic lakeshore Executive Director, Finger Lakes Land Trust STEFANIE DELANEY STEFANIE Nerw nature preserve overlooking Canandaigua Lake Partnership Secures Otisco Lake Shoreline continued from cover site will be conveyed to the county proud to partner with the Finger Lakes to the Onondaga County Parks system, and formally opened for public access Land Trust and Onondaga County will ensure that Otisco Lake continues sometime during 2021. To watch a on the conservation of this shoreline to be a source of safe drinking water to beautiful aerial video and learn more parcel to enhance public access to the residents of Onondaga County.” about the project, please visit fllt.org/ recreation opportunities, protect habitat This is the Land Trust’s second otisco20. for a diverse array of wildlife, and to conservation project in the Otisco Lake NYSDEC Commissioner Basil Seggos safeguard water quality in Otisco Lake watershed. The organization opened its celebrated the acquisition, saying that, as a public drinking water source.” 36-acre Otisco Lake Preserve in 2015. “Through New York’s Water Quality Onondaga County Executive Ryan Located in the town of Spafford on Improvement Project grant program, McMahon added, “Onondaga County the west side of the lake, this preserve New York State is making strategic remains committed to securing and protects over 1,300 feet of undeveloped investments to protect and enhance protecting sources of clean drinking shoreline and has a hiking trail that water quality for the benefit of our water for our community. This newly leads visitors down a steep hillside to environment and public health. DEC is acquired property, which will be added the shore. 2 • THE LAND STEWARD 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 Owasco Lake—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.