Syracuse.com - Finger Lakes Land trust receives $49,450 federal grant that will be used to buy land in southern Cayuga County

[HuntingNY-News]

The money will be used to acquire 83 acres of wetlands and adjacent wetland butter that borders Fall Creek in the town of Summerhill.

The following is a press release from the Finger Lakes Land Trust:

Ithaca, NY: The Finger Lakes Land Trust announced today that it has been awarded a federal grant to be applied toward the acquisition of 83 acres of wetlands and adjacent upland buffer that borders Fall Creek, the largest tributary to Cayuga Lake and the source of Cornell University's drinking water supply.

Located in the Town of Summerhill, Cayuga County, the property is adjacent to the Land Trust's Dorothy McIlroy Bird Sanctuary--a 198-acre natural area that is open to the public for hiking, bird watching and other forms of quiet recreation. The site is part of an Audubon-identified Important Bird Area (IBA) which encompasses 29,000 acres of wetlands, upland forest, agricultural and shrub lands and supports 125 probable nesting bird species, including 22 species of nesting warblers.

The easternmost portion of this IBA hosts several hundred acres of high quality wetlands located just east of Summerhill State Forest near the headwaters of Fall Creek. These lands are recognized as a priority for protection in New York State's Open Space Plan and are known for their productive wildlife habitat, outstanding opportunities for outdoor recreation, and distinctive wetland fens that host 18 native orchid species. Fall Creek also supports trout in this area.

The $49,450 grant was awarded on a competitive basis by the US Fish and Wildlife Service's Migratory Bird Conservation Commission through the North American Wetlands Conservation Act (NAWCA). The funds will be used for the purchase of the property. The Land Trust continues to raise funds for the project, which has a total budget of $140,000 to cover acquisition and management costs.

The North American Wetlands Conservation Act program is the only federal grants program dedicated to the conservation of wetland habitats for migratory birds. In this funding round, the panel approved $23.7 million in grants that will restore or enhance 89,000 acres of habitat for migratory birds in the US and Canada and will leverage $28.5 million in matching funds. More information about the grants program is available at http://www.fws.gov/birdhabitat/Grants/NAWCA/Small/2013.shtm

The Finger Lakes Land Trust is a membership supported not for profit land conservation organization that is dedicated to protecting those lands that define the character of the Finger Lakes region. Since it was established in 1989, the Land Trust has worked with landowners and local communities to conserve more than 15,000 acres of the region's most cherished wetlands, forests, farmland, grassland and gorges.

Through a network of 30 nature preserves and conservation areas, the Land Trust hosts visitors to sites featuring undeveloped shoreline, scenic vistas, abundant wildlife, and miles of trails for hiking, bird watching and cross country skiing,

The Land Trust also holds over 100 conservation easements on lands that remain in private ownership and on the tax rolls. More information, see the Land Trust's website.

View the full article on The Syracuse Outdoors Blog