Otsego Land Trust

11/05/2026

🌷Now booking weddings for 2027 and 2028! 🌳

Host your affordable wedding ceremony at Brookwood Point today! Starting at $500, enjoy an intimate lakeside ceremony in the gardens.

Contact us today at https://otsegolandtrust.org/elopements

11/04/2026

We are proud to announce the conservation of 280 acres of farmland in Manheim, for a total of 384 acres preserved in recent weeks!

Joan Lein worked with Otsego Land Trust and partners for several years to secure the conservation of Lyon Farm. Joan’s family has owned this land since the early 19th century, originally as a dairy farm. While the farm’s use has changed over the years, it has remained actively farmed. Thanks to Joan’s commitment and persistence, her family’s land will remain farmed for future generations!

Joan Lein shared her commitment to protecting this land: “This farm has now been in my family for over one hundred years; I’m hoping for it to stay in my family. But as farmland all around me is gobbled up for various other purposes, posted and restricted, we feel so much more confident. It remains a working, functional, contributing farm. And it’s going to stay that way.”

Thank you to Robert Besanceney, Elizabeth Newbold, and The Nature Conservancy for the support to make this closing possible!

10/28/2026

Join us during Film Days!

10/14/2026

Join OLT and Glimmerglass Film Days for a beaver walk at Lordsland Preserve. Heather Rolland will lead us as we encounter beaver habitat–and maybe spot wildlife!

Please leave your furry friends at home so they don’t spook the local fauna. Dress appropriately for the weather and prepare for ticks.

🦫Saturday, 11/14 at 3:00 p.m.
🌧️Rain date: Sunday, 11/15 at 3:00 p.m.;
announcements will be made on OLT Facebook and Instagram accounts

🌳Lordsland Preserve
512 Gage Rd
Roseboom, NY 13320

This event is free, but please register at otsegolandtrust.org/events
Contact Shaina Gormley with any questions at [email protected] or 607 547 2366 ext. 109

10/09/2026

Today we celebrate conserving 104 acres in the town of Otsego! With support from OLT and partners, Deborah and James Dalton protected their land in perpetuity.

Deborah and James shared their love for the land: “This particular piece of property offers a quiet retreat that we share with turkeys, at least one fox, a bobcat, possibly a bear, and of course deer – with paths weaving up the hill to a breathtaking view. We would like to preserve this view, the biome for the animals that live in it, human and non-human, and the peace and solace it offers to those who walk its trails.”

In addition to breathtaking views and a thriving wildlife habitat, the Dalton family’s land hosts a wetland. With a grant acquired with Upper Susquehanna Coalition, Otsego County Soil and Water Conservation District will begin wetland restoration, which will have a lasting impact on soil and water quality in the Susquehanna River, which flows into the Chesapeake Bay–ultimately impacting drinking water quality across state lines.

Thank you to Robert Besanceney, Elizabeth Newbold, Otsego Soil and Water Conservation District, and Upper Susquehanna Coalition, who have made this work possible!

10/07/2026

We broke our record during Mohawk Valley Gives! Our community has made it clear: protecting our local environment is a priority.

On the day of giving, we received $11,970. In the days following, we received several checks in the mail earmarked for Mohawk Valley Gives. These additional gifts brought our total to $13,400!

In addition to individual donations, several of our business partners generously provided monetary and in-kind donations throughout the day of giving–thank you!

We are incredibly grateful for your continued support.

10/02/2026

Last month, Emma Drake, our conservation easement and stewardship manager, attended the National Land Conservation Conference in Denver, Colorado. There, Emma attended seminars, connected with peers, and enjoyed Colorado’s beautiful landscape. She also connected with Elizabeth Newbold, one of OLT’s attorneys who assists us in establishing conservation easements.

Emma returned with fresh ideas that we are excited to implement to support our work of conserving the Upper Susquehanna region!

Land Trust Alliance

10/01/2026

There are so many beautiful trails to visit in our area this time of year. Thank you to Otsego Outdoors for including Fetterly Forest in this year's Fall Octet Challenge!

A new Fall Octet Challenge is here! Complete 8 of the following activities and earn a lot of beautiful memories, plus a Fall Octet embroidered patch, sticker and a listing on the Otsego Outdoors Challenge Roster.

Betty and Wilbur Davis State Park
Clark Tower trails
Fetterley Forest
Glimmerglass State Park
Goodyear Swamp Sanctuary on Otsego Lake
Friends of Rogers Environmental Education Center, Inc.
Star Field
Delaware-Otsego Audubon Society Sanctuary
Gilbert Lake State Park
Goodyear Lake Waterway Access
Hartwick College Pine Lake
Table Rock Trails, Hartwick College
"Your Choice" activity: hike, cycle, fish, paddle, pick apples, just enjoy being outside
Take part in a guided hike or outdoor event

Information, addresses, maps, events, and more at www.otsegooutdoors.org

09/28/2026

Due to invasive species management, please follow the guidance below:

🌳9/30/26: Parslow Preserve is closed
🌳 10/1/26: Compton Bridge is closed

Please allow 24 hours to pass before visiting each trail. Thank you very much for your attention to this issue.

09/26/2026

Enjoy the crisp fall weather during Brookwood Point’s annual cleanup day! There is a job for all skill levels as we prepare to close this site for the season. Bring a friend and help us take care of this beautiful preserve.

🍁Saturday, October 17th, 2026
🪏10:00 a.m. - 2:00 p.m.
🍂Brookwood Point
🌲6000 State Highway 80
🌾Cooperstown, NY 13326

All tools will be provided. Please dress appropriately for the weather and bring water.

RSVPs are encouraged to [email protected].