The New York State Department of Environmental Conservation (DEC) and Finger Lakes Land Trust (FLLT) has announced the permanent protection of 86 acres in the Skaneateles Lake watershed through the use of a conservation easement. Protection of the property will safeguard the drinking water supply for the city of Syracuse and neighboring communities. DEC’s Water Quality Improvement Project (WQIP) Program awarded FLLT $1.69 million to support four source water protection projects, including the easement. [Read more…] about New 86-Acre Easement to Protect Skaneateles Lake Water
Finger Lakes
Fisheries Survey Profile: Conesus Lake
Conesus Lake is the westernmost Finger Lake and provides top-notch fishing for largemouth bass, smallmouth bass, walleye, and northern pike. [Read more…] about Fisheries Survey Profile: Conesus Lake
Historic Preservation: Landmark Society Names Five to Revive
The Landmark Society of Western New York has announced its 2022-23 Five to Revive – a list that identifies opportunities for targeted, strategic revitalization. The announcement was made at a news conference last week at the Landmark Society headquarters in the Warner Castle in Rochester. [Read more…] about Historic Preservation: Landmark Society Names Five to Revive
Forest Rangers Called On To Recover Two Bodies From Upstate Backcountry
New York State Forest Rangers were called on twice this past weekend to recover deceased bodies from Upstate New York’s backcountry. [Read more…] about Forest Rangers Called On To Recover Two Bodies From Upstate Backcountry
Catharine Creek Wildlife Area Meeting Planned
The New York State Department of Environmental Conservation (DEC) will host an open house to share details about a recently completed habitat management plan for Catharine Creek Wildlife Management Area, on Tuesday, November 1st.
The primary purposes of Catharine Creek Wildlife Management Area (WMA) are wildlife management, wildlife habitat management, and wildlife-dependent recreation. At the southern end of Seneca Lake, between Watkins Glen and Montour Falls, an unusual natural area has evolved. [Read more…] about Catharine Creek Wildlife Area Meeting Planned
A New Parking Area At Potato Hill, Finger Lakes
DEC and Finger Lakes Land Trust (FLLT) has announced the opening of a new parking area on Potato Hill State Forest in the town of Caroline, Tompkins County. With support from Finger Lakes Trail Conference, FLLT funded construction of the parking area on the State Forest property. [Read more…] about A New Parking Area At Potato Hill, Finger Lakes
DEC Launches Electric Boat in Finger Lakes
DEC has announced the launch of their first all-electric boat on the water. The vessel is being used by the Division of Water’s Finger Lakes Water Quality Hub to conduct water sampling operations on the smaller Finger Lakes. [Read more…] about DEC Launches Electric Boat in Finger Lakes
Skaneateles Lake Watershed Property Protected by Easement
The New York State Department of Environmental Conservation (DEC) and the Finger Lakes Land Trust (FLLT) have announced the permanent protection of 234 acres at Casa Farms in the town of Niles, Cayuga County, with a conservation easement.
[Read more…] about Skaneateles Lake Watershed Property Protected by Easement
Carpenter Falls Improved Access Opens
New York State Department of Environmental Conservation (DEC) has announced the completion of construction on a $1.27-million project to improve public access at Carpenter Falls Unique Area in the town of Niles, Cayuga County. [Read more…] about Carpenter Falls Improved Access Opens
Under Threat: Willard State Hospital at Seneca Lake
Willard State Hospital in Romulus, Seneca County, NY has defined the physical landscape and cultural environment of its rural corner of the Finger Lakes region for nearly 175 years. The hospital complex was the largest of its kind in the 1870s, with dozens of buildings, open space, and working farms.
Once comprising over 1,000 acres, its current size is about 400 acres including a mile of Seneca Lake shoreline and an institutional cemetery containing approximately 6,000 burials. Despite the loss of several architecturally important buildings, about 70 buildings still stand today. [Read more…] about Under Threat: Willard State Hospital at Seneca Lake