Finger Lakes Land Trust secures property along Chemung River. How land will be utilized
The latest acquisition includes 24 acres with 1,680 feet of frontage along the Chemung River off county Route 60 in the town of Chemung.
The wooded property contains roosting habitat for bald eagles and migratory birds. Small ponds and stands of mixed hardwood trees define the parcel, which also contains scenic views of the surrounding hills, the Land Trust said.
The agency plans to ultimately transfer the parcel to the state Department of Environmental Conservation for future use as a public conservation area and fishing access site.
"The Chemung River is a remarkable natural resource that provides outstanding opportunities for outdoor recreation," Land Trust President Andrew Zepp said in a news release. "By working together with local partners, we can secure vital habitats for fish and wildlife while expanding public access to the river."
To date, the organization has protected more than 14 miles of streambank and over 3,000 acres in the Chemung River watershed. Protected lands include the Steege Hill, Houghton, and Plymouth Woods nature preserves, and three parcels acquired in partnership with New York state to create the Big Flats Wildlife Management Area.
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By working cooperatively with landowners and local communities, the Finger Lakes Land Trust has protected more than 34,000 acres of the region's undeveloped lakeshore, rugged gorges, rolling forest, and scenic farmland.
The agency owns and manages a network of over 45 nature preserves that are open to the public, and holds perpetual conservation easements on 200 properties that remain in private ownership.
For more information, go to fllt.org.
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This article originally appeared on Elmira Star-Gazette: Chemung River habitat to be preserved by Finger Lakes Land Trust
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