Finger Lakes Land Trust expands greenbelt with 200+ acres of new conservation land

The Finger Lakes Land Trust (FLLT) has acquired more land as part of its ongoing initiative to form a greenbelt of conserved land that connects Hemlock Lake to Canandaigua Lake.

The trust stated it got two parcels, encompassing more than 200 acres within the Hemlock to High Tor corridor. FLLT stated it also secured contracts to purchase two additions to the existing nature preserves in the Canandaigua Lake Watershed.

“These recent projects highlight the unique and varied landscapes of the Hemlock to High Tor focus area – from glacially carved hills to undeveloped shoreline to intact forested hillsides,” FLLT Project Director Lindsay McMillan said. “We’re excited to continue building on this work to protect habitat and safeguard water quality for future generations.”

What land was acquired?

FLLT announced that it purchased a 122-acre property in the Town of Naples with assistance from the Canandaigua Watershed Council. The site, known for glacially shaped hills that are visible from State Route 21, provides habitat for grassland birds.

This parcel, according to FLLT, is also important for the water quality in Eelpot Creek, which flows into Naples Creek and Canandaigua Lake. FLLT stated it plans to transfer this property to the New York State Department of Environmental Conservation (DEC) where it will be managed as a satellite of the High Tor Wildlife Management Area.

The other parcel acquired was 117 acres of forested hillsides located at the south end of Honeoye Lake in the Town of Canadice. This property consists of a gorge that provides water to the adjacent Honeoye Inlet Wildlife Management Area and beyond to the lake.

FLTT stated it plans to transfer the property to the New York State Office of Parks, Recreation, and Historic Preservation as an addition to the Harriet Hollister Spencer Recreation Area.

The trust also secured contracts to purchase two additions to add to its existing nature preserves within the Canandaigua Lake watershed, which FLLT stated will secure wildlife habitat and help to maintain Canandaigua Lake’s water quality. The two additions include:

• 23 acres of woodlands on the west side of the lake, adjacent to the Canandaigua Vista Preserve;

• and 300 feet of wooded lakeshore on the east side of the lake to be added to the Nundawao/Great Hill Nature Preserve. Both acquisitions will secure productive wildlife habitat while helping to maintain…