The New York State Department of Environmental Conservation (DEC) and The Nature Conservancy in New York have announced the addition of 92 acres to the Owasco Flats Wildlife Management Area (WMA) in Cayuga County. The acquisition more than doubles the size of the protected area, enhancing wildlife habitat conservation and expanding public recreation opportunities.
“Doubling the acres of Owasco Flats Wildlife Management Area is great news for Owasco Lake water quality, habitat preservation of diverse wildlife and fish species, and public recreational opportunities for people of varying ages and abilities,” said DEC Acting Commissioner Amanda Lefton. She credited The Nature Conservancy for its role in securing the nearly 100-acre expansion, which includes wetlands, floodplain buffers, open fields, and forests.
Bill Ulfelder, Executive Director of The Nature Conservancy in New York, emphasized the importance of the newly protected land, noting its role in flood control and as a critical habitat for migrating birds, fish, and other wildlife. “The property sits in the Owasco Inlet floodplain and provides vital, natural flood storage during large storms, buffering communities from flooding and droughts,” Ulfelder said.
The acquisition provides public access to 5,000 feet of Owasco Inlet shoreline, a key spawning area for rainbow and brown trout as well as northern pike. Anglers will find enhanced fishing opportunities for several species, including smallmouth and largemouth bass, rock bass, brown bullhead, and white sucker.
Owasco Flats WMA is a crucial conservation area managed by the DEC, supporting wildlife-related recreation such as hunting, trapping, fishing, and birdwatching. The site is part of a major migratory bird corridor and provides nesting habitat for species such as mallard and wood ducks, Canada and snow geese, bald eagles, and songbirds. Raptors, deer, and wetland-dependent mammals such as muskrats and beavers also thrive in the area.
The Nature Conservancy originally received the land as a donation from the Dale C. Parmley Trust and later transferred it to the DEC. Since 2019, efforts have been made to restore the land’s ecological health, including planting 2,000 trees along the riverbank to reduce erosion and improve water quality.
Looking ahead, DEC and its partners plan to expand wetlands at Owasco Flats. Ducks Unlimited, Inc. (DU) received a $252,000 grant from the state’s Water Quality Improvement Project program to restore shallow floodplain wetlands on the WMA. DU’s regional biologist Matt Wagner praised the collaboration, saying, “We’re excited to partner with DEC and TNC to enhance these floodplain wetlands, showcasing the water quality benefits of wetland restoration and balancing multiple goals for wildlife, waterfowl, and people.”
The expansion aligns with the Owasco Lake Nine Element Plan, a conservation strategy aimed at improving the lake’s water quality. Owasco Lake serves as a drinking water source for more than 40,000 residents.
Governor Kathy Hochul’s 2025 State of the State address underscored the importance of preserving open spaces and ensuring public access to nature. Her administration has prioritized land conservation efforts, including streamlining acquisition processes and reducing financial barriers for nonprofit conservation groups. These efforts contribute to the state’s broader “30 by 30” initiative, which aims to conserve 30% of New York’s land and water by 2030.
More information about Owasco Flats Wildlife Management Area is available on the DEC website.
FingerLakes1.com is the region’s leading all-digital news publication. The company was founded in 1998 and has been keeping residents informed for more than two decades. Have a lead? Send it to [email protected].