Central & Western:
Western Finger Lakes

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Why the Conservancy Selected This Site
This area contains the most intact portion of the Finger Lakes region.  From one of New York's largest silver-maple ash swamps, to an exemplary Appalachian oak-hickory forest, to the undeveloped shorelines of Hemlock and Canadice lakes, this landscape harbors a wide variety of life that is characteristic of this unique region of the state.  This landscape is located in Ontario, Livingston, Steuben and Yates Counties.

Threats
Residential development, water level regulation and incompatible forestry are considered threats in this area.  As sprawl creeps outward from the City of Rochester NY, land is increasingly being developed and demand for water is on the rise.

Plants
In the wetlands, silver maple, red maple and green ash abound. In the Appalachian oak-hickory forest, look for shagbark hickory, red and white oak, and eastern hemlock and maples in ravines.  Rare species like the spreading globeflower, concentrations of orchids, wild gentian and some of the most diverse fern assemblages in the state occur here.

Animals
River otters, woodland salamanders, bald eagles, native salmonids, and black bear are characteristic of the western finger lakes.  Some uncommon species including the northern coal skink and timber rattlesnake occur here as well.  In the spring, look for migrating warblers and songbirds of all types.

Our Conservation Strategy
The Nature Conservancy's goal is to protect an intact forest and enhance water quality in Hemlock, Canadice, Honeoye and Canandaigua Lakes and their tributaries.  Land protection has been an important tool.  Working with our partners and other stakeholders to develop management strategies that promote forest connectivity, maintenance of interior habitat and restoration of natural aquatic processes is also a critical conservation step here.  Our 315-acre West Hill Preserve was established in the 1980s as one of our chapter's first large preserves. Today, we have protected more than 3,000 acres of land in the Western Finger Lakes and are making great strides towards a common conservation vision shared by our partners.

Springwater Valley © Elinor Osborn

• In 2003, the Conservancy helped protect a 900-acre tract of land in the Bristol Hills that includes more than one mile of steep ridgeline adjoining the Honeoye Inlet wetlands complex. This property is now part of the New York State Department of Environmental Conservation's 2,100-acre Honeoye Inlet Wildlife Management Area.
• In 2002, we acquired 200 acres of sensitive lands on the west side of Hemlock Lake.
• In 2000, The Nature Conservancy received a donation of nearly 700 acres of wetlands from Mrs. Florence Muller. Located at the south end of Honeoye Lake, this large swamp system is one of the best examples of a silver maple-ash swamp in the entire state. Its ability to filter and purify water is critical to the water quality in Honeoye Lake.
• Also in 2000, we teamed up with the New York State Department of Environmental Conservation, Finger Lakes Community College, Rochester Gas & Electric, and Seneca Park Zoo to release seven river otters on our property.
• In 1998, the Conservancy moved quickly to purchase at auction a 430-acre property at the south end of Honeoye Lake.

How to Visit
Drive south from the village of Honoeye at the north end of Honeoye Lake on West Lake Road (County Road 36) for 5-6 miles.  The wetlands complex begins immediately at the south end of the lake. Access is available at two small parking areas on the east side of the road where NY State Department of Environmental Conservation posted signs are visible. The property also can be accessed by driving north on County Road 36 for 5-6 miles from Naples.

Partners

• NY State Department of Environmental Conservation
• Finger Lakes Community College
• Mrs. Florence Muller
• Finger Lakes Land Trust
• NY River Otter Project
• City of Rochester
• Rochester Area Community Foundation