CNY Land Trust announces new preserve
The Central New York Land Trust marked the beginning of the Thanksgiving holiday season with gratitude not only for the health of its staff, members and board of directors, but also for its newest preserve–the Michele and Margherita Albanese Preserve within the Robert J. Vitkus, DDS Conservation Area.
The Central New York Land Trust announced the acquisition of a 93.17-acre property featuring 600 feet of shoreline on Skaneateles Lake, in the Town of Spafford.
According to a press release, this acquisition furthers the land trust’s mission to protect our community’s clean water, clean air, wildlife habitat and create a chance for people to connect with the land.
The acquisition of the Michele and Margherita Albanese Preserve in the Robert J. Vitkus, DDS Conservation Area will further its effort to conserve land that can help prevent harmful nutrients from running into Skaneateles Lake.
“This expands our efforts in watershed protection and helps prevent HABs (harmful algal blooms) in our lakes,” said Richard Smardon, chair of the Board of Directors of the Central New York Land Trust.
Funding for this acquisition was made possible through the generous gifts from the late Robert J Vitkus, DDS and from Michael and Ellen Albanese.
“We are forever grateful to these two generous families and salute their commitment to watershed protection and wildlife conservation,” noted Albert Joerger, executive director of the Central New York Land Trust, in announcing this newest preserve.
The land trust will work with its multiple partners to develop a long-term management plan and conduct restoration activities on the site, including creating habitat for ruffed grouse, as well as forest and watershed protection measures which will create future opportunities for public use.
This is the Central New York Land Trust’s 47th preserve and its fourth preserve in the Skaneateles Lake watershed.
The Central New York Land Trust is a charitable organization protecting water quality in Central New York since 1972.
With 47 preserves comprising over 3,000 acres—all accessible to the public–the Central New York Land Trust seeks to preserve and protect natural areas in order to provide our communities clean water, clean air, wildlife habitat, and a chance to connect with the land. For more information please call 315-575-8839 or visit CNYLandTrust.org.
