Baltimore Woods, Central New York Land Trust awarded state REDC funding to expand the nature center

MARCELLUS, N.Y. — Baltimore Woods Nature Center and Central New York Land Trust will use a state grant to “acquire and protect” land directly adjacent to the 182-acre Baltimore Woods nature preserve in Marcellus.

The state awarded the matching grant of more than $189,000 to Baltimore Woods as part of the 2019 Regional Economic Development Council awards announced in December.

The two nonprofits will purchase 90 acres in the joint land-acquisition project.

The organizations will use the state grant, along with donations from individuals, businesses, and foundations, to acquire the property. They want to expand the existing preserve by nearly 50 percent by 2022, per a Baltimore Woods news release.

This additional land will conserve green space, preserve a natural corridor in the Nine Mile Creek Valley, and create new opportunities for both outdoor recreation and environmental education.

The land expansion is part of a larger, multi-year capital campaign for Baltimore Woods Nature Center. It includes an endowment for stewardship of the new property, an expansion of the interpretive center at Baltimore Woods, and development of new trails on the expanded acreage.

For more than 40 years, the Central New York Land Trust and Baltimore Woods Nature Center have “partnered to protect and preserve” Baltimore Woods. They see it as a “unique place for the Central New York community to access, appreciate, and learn about nature.”

Central New York Land Trust in Skaneateles 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.” The 47-year-old nonprofit currently holds more than 3,000 acres in 46 preserves.

Contact Reinhardt at ereinhardt@cnybj.com