The Finger Lakes Land Trust (FLLT) has announced a $500,000 matching gift from an anonymous donor to support the creation of the Shotwell Brook Conservation Area, a new 101-acre nature preserve just outside the village of Skaneateles. The property, acquired by FLLT in October 2024, features 1,000 feet of frontage on Shotwell Brook, a key tributary to Skaneateles Lake, which supplies unfiltered drinking water to the city of Syracuse.
The conservation area will serve as a publicly accessible preserve, offering residents and visitors opportunities for outdoor recreation while enhancing water quality in Skaneateles Lake. Shotwell Brook enters the lake near Syracuse’s water intake, making its preservation critical for maintaining a clean water supply.
The FLLT is seeking community contributions to meet the $500,000 matching challenge. Donations from current members exceeding their 2024 giving, as well as gifts from new supporters, will be matched dollar for dollar. Contributions will fund the creation of a 2.1-mile trail network, including a universally accessible loop trail, scenic overlooks, wildlife viewing areas, and educational features such as an interpretive kiosk.
Ecological restoration is also central to the project. In partnership with the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service, the FLLT will restore wetlands, plant native trees and shrubs, establish grasslands, and manage invasive species on the property before opening it to the public.
“Community support will be essential to protect this vital watershed and create a lasting connection to nature for future generations,” the FLLT stated in its announcement.
The Shotwell Brook Conservation Area is the latest effort by the FLLT, which has safeguarded over 33,500 acres of land in the Finger Lakes region, including lakeshores, forests, and farmland. The organization manages 45 nature preserves and holds conservation easements on 200 privately owned properties.
To support the project, visit fllt.org/shotwellbrook or contact the FLLT’s Director of Development and Communications, Dawn Cornell, at (607) 275-9487 or dawncornell@fllt.org.
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