Finger Lakes Land Trust

06/02/2026

🌲 Join the Finger Lakes Land Trust for a free informational workshop on oak wilt presented by Austin Shay of the NYS Department of Environmental Conservation on Thursday, June 4, 2026, at 6:30 PM at the South Bristol Town Hall, 6500 West Gannet Hill Road in Naples, NY.

🍃 Landowners and community members will learn how to identify the signs and symptoms of oak wilt, properly report suspected cases, and take steps to help prevent its spread.

🌳 DEC staff will also share the latest updates on monitoring and management strategies being implemented locally, along with practical guidance for protecting oak trees on your property and across our region’s forests.

🌲 This workshop is part of the FLLT’s Hemlock to High Tor Initiative and is free and open to the public. More info at https://www.fllt.org/events/understanding-oak-wilt-a-free-workshop-for-landowners-and-the-community/

Photo by Julie Bertram

This workshop is part of the Land Trust's Hemlock to High Tor Initiative and is free and open to the public.

06/01/2026

🐦 Hosted by the Chemung Valley Audubon Society, Birding Is for Every Body, is a family-friendly inclusive birding event for all ages and abilities! Take a guided bird walk, participate in a bird ID workshop, make a bird feeder, and more at this free event at Harris Hill Youth Camp in Elmira on Saturday, June 6, 2026, from 1-4 PM.

05/29/2026

🌳 We have a couple of open spots for our Guided Nature Walk at the Stevenson Forest Preserve in Enfield tomorrow, Saturday, May 30, at 10:00 AM.

🌎 Learn more > https://www.fllt.org/events/talks-treks-guided-nature-walk-at-the-stevenson-forest-preserve/

🌞 You can also check out additional spring and summer events at https://www.fllt.org/events

🦉 We hope to see you outside!

The Finger Lakes Land Trust is a non-profit land conservation organization working in the Finger Lakes region of upstate NY

05/28/2026

You can help save this forest gem in the heart of Ithaca's Emerald Necklace!

https://fllt.org/irishhill

When woodlands in the heart of Ithaca’s Emerald Necklace came on the market, the Finger Lakes Land Trust (FLLT) moved quickly to negotiate a purchase. These aren’t just any woodlands – they are 127 acres of towering oaks, maple, hemlock, and beech on Newfield’s beautiful Irish Hill, amid a 6,000-acre block of conservation lands.

The FLLT has launched a $500,000 fundraising campaign to acquire the property and establish a nature preserve, with hiking trails to connect with two miles of paths on the adjacent Greensprings Cemetery. The campaign includes funds needed to demolish two abandoned structures and build the Stewardship Fund for long-term management. You can advance the campaign with a gift online!

05/22/2026

🌞 Enjoy this little Song Sparrow singing his heart out at the Dorothy McIlroy Bird Sanctuary in Cayuga Co.

🌎 Directions and more: fllt.org/mcilroy
🎥 Video by Max Root

05/19/2026

🌲 Interested in visiting Bear Swamp State Forest? Join us for an afternoon visit on Saturday, May 30 at 1 PM!

🐢 Finger Lakes Land Trust and NYS DEC Forestry staff will lead a hike on the red trail network to observe and discuss land use history, forest wetlands, recreation on state forest, and an explanation of forest management activities and current forest health concerns.

🌳 Learn more and register: https://www.fllt.org/events/woods-walk-at-bear-swamp-state-forest/

📷 Photos by Chris Ray

05/18/2026

Green season is back in the Finger Lakes region! Find your new favorite trails in the FREE "Go Finger Lakes" monthly newsletter.

We've mapped over 1,000 MILES of the best hikes, bikes, skis, paddles, and adventures in our beautiful corner of the world.

Good for beginners and seasoned hikers alike, since EVERYBODY can use a friendly nudge to explore new places :-)

Brought to you by the Finger Lakes Land Trust with over 37 YEARS working in the splendid natural areas of New York's Finger Lakes.

Photo by Nigel Kent.

Find your new favorite places!

05/14/2026

American Toad in the Finger Lakes of New York The Finger Lakes Land Trust gives special thanks to nature recordist and cinematographer Lang Elliott.

05/13/2026

🐦 Interested in learning a new hobby enjoyed around the planet by millions of people? We have a few spots left for our upcoming event - Birding for Beginners at the Hinchcliff Family Preserve in Onondaga County this Saturday, May 16, from 9:00 to 11:00 am.

🦉 FLLT Nature Preserve Manager Jason Gorman will teach us how to interpret a bird’s size, habitat, distinct markings, and behavior. Learn more: https://www.fllt.org/events/talks-treks-birding-for-beginners-2

🦅 Photo by Chris Ray

05/12/2026

🎉 We recently celebrated the completion of public access improvements to the 241-acre Roy H. Park Preserve in Dryden, Tompkins County, on Friday, May 8, 2026!

🌿 FLLT staff and volunteers were joined by town, county, and state representatives for a ribbon-cutting ceremony to mark the reopening of the preserve’s north entrance, where new, universally accessible public access features, in compliance with the Americans with Disabilities Act, are available to all visitors.

👩‍🦼‍➡️ The new features include two scenic overlooks as well as trail extensions that provide easy access to wetlands which are home to beaver, waterfowl, and other wildlife. In addition, the existing boardwalk has new leveling and handrail modifications; the parking area contains two accessible parking spots; and there is improved access to the adjacent Hammond Hill State Forest.

🦉 See the story: https://www.fllt.org/finger-lakes-land-trust-celebrates-first-universally-accessible-trail-at-the-roy-h-park-preserve-in-tompkins-county/

🌻 Photos by Chris Ray