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Spring Edition
June, 2024
Spring Snapshot
Dear Friends of the Trust,
As spring comes to a close and summer is on the horizon, we wanted to take a moment to share with you all of the exciting happenings from Spring 2024! We hosted our annual Walk for Nature, moved into our new headquarters in Fayetteville, and conducted several stewardship outings.
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Looking ahead to summer, more ways to get involved await. Join us for a Woodchuck Hill Workday, help us repair the boardwalk at Old Fly Marsh, and more! Just browse our list of upcoming volunteer workdays and join us for the dates that fit your schedule. We'll see you there!
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In this issue of The Journal, we'll update you on recent happenings, outline upcoming events, and highlight one local preserve that holds a special place in our hearts. Enjoy!
What's New?
Friends of Woodchuck Hill: Thank You!
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The Friends of Woodchuck Hill have truly outdone themselves! Their dedication and hard work have been instrumental in our recent move to the new office, and we couldn’t be more grateful. Thanks to their incredible efforts and the funds raised from last year's Evergreen/Everblue event, we’ve invested in a dedicated lawnmower for Woodchuck Hill. This purchase has allowed us to establish a consistent mowing regime, a task previously undertaken with personal equipment by our committed volunteers.
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We extend our appreciation to Brian, Bernie, Chuck, Terry, and all our wonderful friends for their ongoing dedication to maintaining the landscape of Woodchuck Hill. Their contributions over the years have been invaluable, and we are thrilled to have this new equipment to support their efforts.
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In addition to the exterior work, we’ve commissioned a local painter to refresh the house's exterior. This marks the first new coat of paint in over 30 years, ensuring our new office makes a great first impression on visitors. It’s a small but significant step in the ongoing care of our beloved Woodchuck Hill.
Our new headquarters!
But our work isn’t done! We’re calling on our community to help rebuild the stone rock wall lining the driveway. We need volunteers on the following dates: Thursday, July 25, from 9 to 12; Monday, August 12, from 9 to 12. Your assistance would be greatly appreciated. You don't need to RSVP unless you're bringing a large group—just come ready to lend a hand!
The rock wall along the driveway at headquarters.
Speaking of community, we have some unusual friends visiting our property: Rat Snakes! These nonvenomous snakes, which help control the rat population, were spotted around our stone fireplace and on the property. They remind us of the vibrant and diverse ecosystem we’re all helping preserve.​ Looking ahead, we still need funds to ensure the Central New York Land Trust can continue its mission and make necessary updates to Woodchuck Hill. Major projects include repairing the windows in our office and refurbishing the old horse barn, a piece of history that requires about $100,000 in renovations. We need your support to keep these treasured spaces thriving.​ Together, we’re not just maintaining a property but preserving a legacy for future generations. Thank you to all our friends for your ongoing support and commitment. Let’s continue this journey together!
Our new neighbors a.k.a Rat Snakes (don't worry, they're non-threatening to humans!)
Showing off those Walk 4 Nature tees.
A Wonderful Walk-4-Nature!
​We are overjoyed by the incredible support and enthusiasm we witnessed at The Central New York Land Trust’s Walk-4-Nature/Walk-a-Thon held on May 4, 2024, at Marcellus Town Park. Thanks to everyone who participated. It was a day filled with sunshine, camaraderie, and a shared commitment to protecting our natural environment.​ The event was a true celebration of nature, featuring fantastic performances by Kambuyu Marimba that added a vibrant rhythm to our steps. We were blessed with lovely weather and a great turnout, all coming together to enjoy the great outdoors and support a worthy cause.​
Our heartfelt thanks go to the many volunteers and sponsors who made this event possible. Special recognition goes to Cayuga Tree Service for their generous sponsorship and tireless support. We also extend our gratitude to the schools that embraced our initiative over the winter, inviting us into their classrooms to promote the walk-a-thon to their students.
A round of applause for Skaneateles Central School, which had the most students in attendance! Their outstanding participation earned them a well-deserved pizza party for the entire class—a delicious reward for their enthusiasm and effort.
​The Walk-4-Nature/Walk-a-Thon is more than just a community event; it is a cherished tradition that reflects our collective dedication to conservation. Fun Fact: Our very first walk-a-thon took place on April 22, 1972, and the proceeds from that historic event were instrumental in purchasing what is now Baltimore Woods. It’s inspiring to see how far we’ve come from our early days as an all-volunteer organization to one that now boasts a professional full-time staff working out of our new office space in Manlius, New York.​
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Pizza party-winning Skaneateles Central School students!
The growth of the Central New York Land Trust is a testament to the power of community support and the enduring love we all share for our natural landscapes. We look forward to continuing this journey with you, preserving and enhancing the beauty of Central New York for generations to come.​Thank you once again for your participation and support.
Kambuyu takes a final bow after a fun-filled day of performing.
Upcoming Events and Opportunities
We’re hiring!
The Central New York Land Trust is excited to announce an opening for a Development and Fundraising Manager to spearhead our funding and communication initiatives. Thanks to a $100,000 Professional Development Grant awarded by Governor Hochul’s Conservation Partnership Program, we are expanding our team to broaden our impact in Central New York.
Learn more about this exciting opportunity here: https://www.indeed.com/viewjob?jk=d4e2a264f9a38dd5
The scenic trail at Old Fly Marsh in Pompey, New York.
Dedicate a Brick!
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No time to attend a volunteer event? No problem! You can support the Central New York Land Trust from anywhere, just visit https://polarengraving.com/cnylandtrust to dedicate a brick! All bricks will be installed at our new headquarters in Manlius. Leave a legacy and customize yours today!
Never a dull moment at CNYLT headquarters!
Upcoming Volunteer Days
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Old Fly Marsh "Trail clearing, beaver debris removal, bird blind work"
Friday, June 21, from 10:00 a.m. - done
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Old Fly Marsh "Boardwalk repair & extension"
Friday, June 28, from 10:00 a.m. - done
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Woodchuck Hill Workday "Rockwall Building with Friends"
Thursday, July 25, from 9:00 a.m. - 11:30 a.m.
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Woodchuck Hill Workday "Rockwall Building with Friends"
Monday, August 12, from 9:00 a.m. - 11:30 a.m.
*Please bring gloves, boots or rubber boots/waders, loppers, lunch, and water to all stewardship activities!
Volunteers installing a sign to protect our turtle friends.
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Preserve Spotlight
Exciting developments are underway at Baltimore Woods! We’re thrilled to announce the recent acquisition of additional acreage owned outright by our partner, Baltimore Woods. This 90-acre expansion, situated adjacent to the Central New York Land Trust (CNYLT) property, marks a significant milestone in our shared environmental stewardship and conservation mission.
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Plans are already in motion to transform this new land. Baltimore Woods is set to develop and plant trees, creating a flourishing habitat that will enhance the local ecosystem. A new trail system is also in the works, promising new adventures and explorations for nature enthusiasts.
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This expansion is not just about growing land—it’s about nurturing a vision that dates back to the legacy of John Weeks. Weeks, a revered environmental naturalist and former director at the Rogers Environmental Education Center in Sherburne, NY, played a pivotal role in shaping our region’s environmental landscape. His efforts led to the establishment of multiple conservation sites, including Baltimore Woods, Rice Creek Field Station, and Beaver Lake & Sterling Centers.
Taking in the scenery. (Photo Courtesy of Baltimore Woods Nature Center on Facebook)
Wildlife sighting! (Photo Courtesy of Baltimore Woods Nature Center on Facebook)
Baltimore Woods holds a special place in our hearts at CNYLT. It was the first property we saved in the 1970s, setting the foundation for our ongoing conservation efforts. The growth of Baltimore Woods is a testament to Weeks’ enduring legacy and our continued dedication to preserving and enhancing the natural beauty of Central New York.​
As we look forward to the new possibilities this expansion brings, we invite you to join us in celebrating this exciting chapter. Your involvement is crucial in sustaining and growing our shared vision through volunteering, exploring new trails, or simply spreading the word.​
Stay tuned for updates on Baltimore Woods's development, and thank you for being part of our community dedicated to conservation.
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