Mendon Foundation

08/30/2026

🏃‍♀️ One week later, and we’re still smiling! 🌿

It’s hard to believe it’s already been a week since our 15th Annual Black Diamond Express Trail Races!

The rain held out, the trails were ready, and once again, our community showed up in a big way. With participation remaining strong and close to last year's numbers, the Black Diamond Express continues to be an important tradition, and an essential fundraiser for the Mendon Foundation.

Every registration helps provide the funding we need to maintain the Lehigh Valley Trail and care for our six land trust properties throughout the year. 🌲

Today, we're looking back at some of our favorite moments from race day. Scroll through the photos and see if you can spot yourself, a friend, or one of the many volunteers who made the day possible! 📸

A huge THANK YOU to everyone who ran, volunteered, sponsored, cheered, donated, or simply came out to support the race. We couldn't do it without you!

Until next year… 🏅💚

08/21/2026

🌿 Our volunteers are the heart of the Mendon Foundation—and we want to celebrate them!

We’re excited to introduce our new Volunteer Recognition Program, created to recognize the people who consistently volunteer their time and effort to preserve our green spaces.

Here’s how it works:

👕 3+ volunteer days: Earn an official Mendon Foundation volunteer T-shirt
🧢 10+ volunteer days: Earn an official Mendon Foundation baseball cap

We’re kicking things off by celebrating Allyson Bailey, who has earned her volunteer shirt by working with our lovely🌸gardening crew (led by Cindy Lau[right]).

Thank you, Allyson, and thank you to every volunteer who gives their time, energy, and enthusiasm to help care for these special places.

Want to earn some Mendon Foundation gear of your own? We’d love to have you join us at an upcoming volunteer day! 🌲Email [email protected] to learn more about getting involved. 💪

08/18/2026

Did you know our Black Diamond Races are the engine 🚂 behind our fundraising efforts for the year?! The proceeds from these races successfully power our year-long volunteer work including: fuel, insurance, land maintenance, and so much more!

Do you have any ideas that you'd like to see these funds used for? Drop a comment below, and don't forget to register - race day is Sunday, August 23rd!

https://runsignup.com/Race/NY/Mendon/BlackDiamondExpress

08/16/2026

We are proud of our Sibleyville Nature Reserve grasslands that we planted almost 25 years ago as part of the Wildlife Habitat Incentive Program (WHIP) through the NYS Department of Environmental Conservation (DEC) and the federal Natural Resources Conservation Service (NRCS). Late Summer is a beautiful time of year to stroll through them and experience the many wild flowers and butterflies!

08/14/2026

🚧 Parking lot improvements are complete! 🌿

A big thank-you to Mendon Highway Superintendent Pete Doyle and the Mendon Highway Department for partnering with us to resurface the parking lots at our Sibleyville and Rochester Junction properties.

Using ♻️recycled road tailings, the team created smoother, more durable surfaces for visitors. You may have noticed the piles of material while the work was underway, but we're happy to say the improvements are now complete!

Thank you for your patience, and to the Mendon Highway Department for helping to keep our spaces accessible and welcoming to all.

08/10/2026

Time is running out to register for our 15th annual Black Diamond Races! Follow the link below to register for our 5K or half marathon distances. Do you think you have what it takes to beat our standing half marathon record course times? The male course record was set in 2021 by Mason Coppi, at 1:10:04, and the female course record was set in 2023 by Laura Galeazzo, at 1:24:39. Your chance to find out is less than a month away 🏅We'll see you Sunday, August 23rd!

https://runsignup.com/Race/NY/Mendon/BlackDiamondExpress

08/06/2026

A New Name. A Lasting Legacy. 🌿

The Mendon Foundation is honored to announce that we have officially named our Taylor Road Property as the Small's Nature Preserve.

This new name recognizes Edie and Gordon Small, whose generous donation of 11.8 acres in 2003 ensured this beautiful landscape would remain protected for generations to come. Their vision was simple but profound: preserve the land they loved so others could enjoy it long into the future.

Today, visitors can experience a true woodland respite- a haven for wildlife, songbirds (and humans) alike!

We invite you to visit Small's Nature Preserve at 2 Taylor Road, Honeoye Falls, NY 14472 and celebrate the lasting legacy of two people whose love for nature continues to enrich our community.

💚 Thank you, Edie and Gordon, for helping preserve Mendon's natural beauty for future generations.

07/30/2026

Race day is fast-approaching! Register at the link below for the Black Diamond 5k or Half Marathon before 11:59 PM tomorrow and SAVE💸!

We'll see you on the trail Sunday, August 23rd.

The Black Diamond Express Half Marathon & 5K is on Sunday August 23, 2026 to Sunday August 30, 2026. It includes the following events: Half Marathon, 5K, Virtual 5K, and Virtual Half Marathon.

07/27/2026

Last week, a small but mighty 💪 group of volunteers joined us at the Sibleyville Nature Reserve to help with important stewardship work. They trimmed back overgrown branches, cleared fallen trees from the trails, widened pathways, and got started on some water mitigation work in the lower part of the property.

Some of these projects will be taking place over a few stages, so please pardon our mud as we continue caring for the land we all love.

Interested in helping with future volunteer days? Reach out via direct message here on Facebook or email [email protected] and stay tuned for opportunities to join along in the fun!

🎉Special thanks to🎉:
Jim W
Aiden B
Mike D
Mike S
Tom M

07/19/2026

🏅They're here!

Every year, our finishers earn something as unique as the trails they help protect and preserve.

Ours begin as clay in the hands of local artisan Geoff Gretton, who crafts each medal and pin individually. Every glaze, every texture, and every detail makes each medal truly one of a kind.

When you finish the race, you're not just earning a medal, you're taking home a handcrafted piece of local art that represents your achievement, all while helping to protect the green spaces that make this community special!

Sunday, August 23rd, 2026
🏃‍➡️ 5K
🏃‍♀️‍➡️ Half Marathon
🌲 Every registration helps support local conservation.

Register today and earn yours at the finish line!

https://runsignup.com/Race/NY/Mendon/BlackDiamondExpress