The Finger Lakes Land Trust (FLLT) has announced the acquisition of more than 200 acres across two new properties in the Hemlock to High Tor corridor, along with contracts to purchase two key additions to existing nature preserves within the Canandaigua Lake watershed. These efforts are part of the organization’s ongoing initiative to create a connected greenbelt of conserved land from Hemlock Lake to Canandaigua Lake.
With support from the Canandaigua Watershed Council, FLLT purchased a scenic 122-acre property in the town of Naples, known for its glacially shaped hills visible from State Route 21. The property provides habitat for grassland birds and plays an important role in maintaining water quality in Eelpot Creek, a tributary of Naples Creek and Canandaigua Lake. FLLT plans to transfer the site to the New York State Department of Environmental Conservation (DEC) for management as a satellite of the nearby High Tor Wildlife Management Area.
In the town of Canadice, FLLT acquired 117 acres of forested hillsides at the south end of Honeoye Lake. The property features a rugged gorge that feeds the adjacent Honeoye Inlet Wildlife Management Area. This parcel is slated for transfer to the New York State Office of Parks, Recreation, and Historic Preservation as an addition to the Harriet Hollister Spencer Recreation Area. Nearby conservation lands include the Finger Lakes Community College’s Muller Field Station, the Cumming Nature Center, and the Wesley Hill Nature Preserve.
FLLT has also secured contracts to expand its existing preserves within the Canandaigua Lake watershed. Plans include adding 23 acres of woodlands to the Canandaigua Vista Preserve on the lake’s west side and protecting 300 feet of wooded shoreline at the Nundawao/Great Hill Nature Preserve on the east side. Both additions will provide critical wildlife habitat and support water quality protection in Canandaigua Lake.
The Hemlock to High Tor corridor, spanning from Hemlock Lake to the High Tor Wildlife Management Area at the south end of Canandaigua Lake, was launched in 2024 to address development pressures while preserving the region’s natural and recreational resources. FLLT continues to collaborate with state, municipal, and nonprofit partners to build on two decades of conservation accomplishments.
“The Hemlock to High Tor project will help ensure water quality within our precious lakes and will result in a network of conservation lands that provide outstanding opportunities for outdoor recreation,” said FLLT President Andy Zepp.
“These recent projects highlight the unique landscapes of the Hemlock to High Tor area—from glacially carved hills to intact forests and undeveloped shoreline,” added FLLT Project Director Lindsay McMillan. “We’re excited to continue protecting habitat and safeguarding water quality for future generations.”
