ITHACA, N.Y. — The Finger Lakes Land Trust (FLLT) on Thursday announced, “Finger Lakes Forever,” a $20 million capital campaign to protect lands and waters across the region.
The nonprofit has already raised $18 million, or 90 percent of the total, according to a release. FLLT says it is focusing on protecting the “steep hillsides and pristine shorelines that ensure water quality” in the Finger Lakes.
Campaign funds have enabled the FLLT to open several new nature preserves to the public, expand existing conservation areas across the region, and acquire lands in partnership with local and state agencies.
Over the course of the next year, the FLLT plans to protect an additional 2,000 acres and 4,400 feet of lakeshore through direct land acquisitions and perpetual conservation easements. Featured projects include the acquisition of the Bell Station property on Cayuga Lake, the creation of three new public-access points to the popular Finger Lakes Trail, protecting Seneca Lake shoreline, and securing key parcels within the Canandaigua and Skaneateles Lake watersheds, per the release.
Through these efforts, the organization also plans to secure 21 miles of streambank and initiate restoration projects to help filter runoff.