Finger Lakes Land Trust

08/24/2026

🍄 Some fungi from a recent hike at the Steege Hill Preserve in Big Flats, Chemung Co. Steege Hill features seven miles of trails that weave through a predominantly oak-hickory forest, high above the Chemung River.

🦉 Learn more: fllt.org/steege
🌎 Photos by Chris Ray

08/19/2026

👏 Can we get a round of applause for our hardworking nature preserve stewardship team, who care for over 45 public conservation areas in the region?!

🌳 These folks represent a small portion of our staff and work tirelessly to keep the trails open, clear downed trees, remove invasive plants, create new nature preserves, host volunteer workdays, and much, much more. If you see them out on the trails, say hello!

🦉 Learn more about volunteering at https://www.fllt.org/volunteer

Photo: Chris Olney

08/17/2026

🌲 We have more free events planned for you in September and October. See our events calendar at fllt.org/events and join us outside!

🍄 Fantastical Fungi at the Wesley Hill Nature Preserve - Sat, Sept 12
🌿 Nature Photography at the Roy H. Park Preserve - Fri, October 2
🍂 Fall Foliage Hike at the Lindsay-Parsons Biodiversity Preserve - Fri, October 16

🌊 In September, we'll also be in Honeoye for a happy hour and in Canandaigua for a free presentation. Learn more at fllt.org/events!

08/04/2026

🌲The Finger Lakes Land Trust moved quickly when it learned that 300 feet of shoreline on Canandaigua Lake were for sale and successfully negotiated a contract to purchase the property as an addition to its Great Hill Preserve! fllt.org/greathill

🌊 The acquisition will ensure the future of lakeshore that is used by migratory waterfowl, Bald Eagles, and the occasional fisherman looking for a quiet spot on Canandaigua Lake.

🌼 A fundraising campaign is currently underway to cover transaction costs and contribute to its Stewardship Fund for long-term monitoring and stewardship of the land.

🦉 Learn more and support the project at fllt.org/greathillshoreline. SHARE if you 💚 Canandaigua Lake!

🌿 Photo by Matt Sitler

07/29/2026

💚 A BIG thanks to all the amazing trip leaders and attendees who joined us this spring and summer on our conserved lands to learn about the natural world!

🐾 We are always thrilled to connect with you to discover the birds, plants, geology, and animals of the Finger Lakes region.

🌎 We have a few more trips planned for September and October - see our events calendar at fllt.org/events and join us out on the land!

07/23/2026

✨ There are a few open spots for the Forest Health Hike at the Wesley Hill Nature Preserve in Ontario County this Saturday, July 25, at 10:00 am.

🌲 Nature Preserve Manager Jason Gorman will discuss plant and tree identification, forest health, and how land managers respond to threats like the hemlock woolly adelgid (HWA). We’ll learn to spot common invasives, see conservation work in action, and gain a deeper understanding of what it takes to care for forests in the Finger Lakes.

🐾 This will be a moderate, 3-mile hike lasting approximately 1.5–2 hours.

🦉 Learn more and register: https://www.fllt.org/events/forest-health-hike-at-the-wesley-hill-nature-preserve/

🌟 Photo by Matt Sitler

Join us for a free guided hike to explore invasive plants and the Land Trust's ongoing efforts to protect hemlock forests.

07/21/2026

🌲The Finger Lakes Land Trust recently purchased 83 acres in West Danby, Tompkins County, as an addition to the Lindsay-Parsons Biodiversity Preserve, representing the 15th acquisition for this diverse natural area.

🐢 Bordering Danby State Forest, the new parcel features wetlands adjacent to the Cayuga Inlet, a natural kettle pond, and steep forested hillsides. With this latest addition, the Lindsay-Parsons Preserve now spans more than 630 acres.

🦉 See the story: https://www.fllt.org/land-trust-acquires-15th-addition-to-lindsay-parsons-biodiversity-preserve/

🐦 Photo by Chris Ray

07/20/2026

🍄 Finger Lakes Land Trust President Andy Zepp will provide a report on the organization’s efforts to create the 100-acre Shotwell Brook Conservation Area on Wednesday, July 29, from 7:30 to 8:30 PM at St. James Episcopal Church in Skaneateles. A brief presentation will be followed by time for questions.

🌲 Environmental scientist and Land Trust board member Charles Driscoll will introduce the program, which is co-sponsored by the Skaneateles Lake Association. This event is free and open to the public.

🐦 Photo by Chris Ray
🌎 St. James Episcopal Church is located at 96 E Genesee St.
in Skaneateles, NY.

07/13/2026

🌲 The Finger Lakes Land Trust has protected 90 acres at Eastmere Farms along East Lake Road and Pork Street in the town of Skaneateles. Located just east of Skaneateles Lake, Eastmere Farms contains a mix of woodlands, wetlands, and agricultural fields used to grow both corn and hay.

🌊 Funds from New York State’s Water Quality Improvement Project (WQIP) program and private donors were used to purchase a perpetual conservation easement to protect the property.

🌾 Conservation easements are voluntary legal agreements that permanently limit future land use in order to protect the land’s conservation value. Lands subject to conservation easements remain in private ownership, on local tax rolls, and available for traditional uses such as farming and hunting.

🦉 See the story: fllt.org/news
🦋 Photo by Chris Ray

07/06/2026

The Finger Lakes Land Trust (FLLT) is celebrating 20 years of conservation in Ithaca’s “Emerald Necklace” – a greenbelt of protected lands around the south end of Cayuga Lake. Please watch this short video to learn about this extraordinary natural resource and our efforts to protect it... and check out the 78-mile Challenge Hike on the Finger Lakes Trail! See the webpage at https://fllt.org/emerald20

Produced by Jeff Katris. Photography by Peter Carroll, Lang Elliott, Bill Hecht, Edie Jodz, Jeff Katris, Scott Levine, Photosynthesis Productions, Chris Ray.

Finger Lakes Trail Conference