The Finger Lakes Land Trust has received a $100,000 state grant to kick off a new conservation initiative aimed at protecting more than 100,000 acres of forest in western New York.
Announced on June 4, the Hemlock to High Tor Initiative will focus on preserving a vast forested corridor stretching from Hemlock Lake to the High Tor Wildlife Management Area in Naples. The project is supported through the New York State Conservation Partnership Program, with funding from the Environmental Protection Fund and coordinated by the Land Trust Alliance and the Department of Environmental Conservation.
The 114,000-acre area includes some of the largest contiguous forests in the Finger Lakes. These woodlands stabilize steep terrain, help protect lake water quality, and provide habitat for species such as black bears, bobcats, and fishers.
Lindsay McMillan of Hemlock, NY, has been named Project Director. McMillan previously served as the Association Director of the Canandaigua Lake Watershed Association and helped establish the Lake Friendly Living Coalition of the Finger Lakes.
The Land Trust has already protected over 2,300 acres in the focus area through nature preserves, public parks, conservation easements, and joint acquisitions with New York State. The $100,000 grant will be matched with private donations to advance long-term conservation strategies, improve outdoor access, and support the region’s recreation economy.
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