Pollinator Garden Weeding at Island Preserve
Come help us keep our pollinator garden thriving! We'll be spending the afternoon weeding around wildflowers at the Island Preserve Steeplechase Trailhead. It’s a great way to support native plants and the bees, butterflies, and other pollinators that depend on them.
What to Expect
This is a green level (low intensity) event, so it's a great option if you're looking for a more relaxed volunteer outing. We'll be working right near the parking lot, using wheelbarrows and hand forks and doing some good old-fashioned hands-and-knees weeding to clear out unwanted growth from around the wildflowers.
What to Wear & Bring
Closed-toe shoes, long pants, and clothes you don't mind getting dirty. Gloves will be provided, but feel free to bring your own pair if you prefer. Check the forecast before you head out — you may want to pack sunscreen and a hat, or a rain jacket depending on the day!
Getting There
Island Preserve Steeplechase Trailhead is located at 82 Steeplechase, Geneseo, NY 14454. Limited street parking is available.
Steeplechase Trailhead & Pollinator Garden Ribbon Cutting at Island Preserve
We're opening a brand new trailhead onto Island Preserve from Steeplechase Road, and we want you to be part of it! This trailhead doubles as a native pollinator garden — a living demonstration of how beautiful and impactful planting for pollinators can be.
Our staff will share why pollinators matter, how pesticides affect them, and how you can make a difference in your own backyard. Every attendee goes home with a wildflower starter kit and materials to design your own native garden!
We'll also be joined by students from Geneseo Central School District, bringing their classroom pollinator learning to life. Free bee boxes, bird boxes, and pinecone bird feeders will be available while supplies last.
Free and open to the public. All ages welcome!
✅ Please register so we know you’re coming!
Grant funding for this project was made by the Office of the New York State Attorney General and The New York Community Trust through the New York Pollinator Conservation Fund.
Genesee Valley Quiz Night
Gather your team and join us for a fun evening of diverse trivia!
Registration will open soon — check back shortly! The cost per table is $300 for 8 people.
Oak Tree Half Marathon & 5K Run/Walk
Registration opens June 1, 2026 for our Annual Oak Tree Half Marathon & 5k in Geneseo, NY!
Invasive Species Awareness Week Event at Indian Fort Nature Preserve
Join us at Indian Fort Preserve for a hands-on celebration of Invasive Species Awareness Week! We'll kick things off with a guided nature hike through the preserve, learning to identify invasive plants versus native species along the way. Then we'll roll up our sleeves and get to work removing Common Buckthorn, Multiflora Rose, and Honeysuckle — three invasive shrubs that threaten the health of our local ecosystem.
What to Expect
Expect approximately 1–2 miles of hiking on potentially muddy trails, followed by hands-on cutting and digging of shrubby invasive species. Be aware that poison ivy and ticks may be present, so come prepared!
What to Wear & Bring
Closed-toe hiking boots, long socks, long pants, sun protection, and a water bottle.
We'll Provide Everything Else
All tools, gloves, water, snacks, bug spray, sunscreen, and informational pamphlets will be provided on-site.
No experience necessary — just a willingness to get a little dirty for a great cause. We hope to see you there!
Genesee River Float
Come float down the Genesee River and enjoy the access points installed by Genesee River Wilds!
Pollinator Garden Clean-Up - Volunteer Event
Join Conservancy staff at Island Preserve for a pollinator garden clean-up from 11:00am–1:00pm. Help care for the garden by weeding around native wildflowers and spreading mulch while enjoying a relaxed morning outdoors. This is a great opportunity to lend a hand, meet staff, and learn more about the preserve.
What to know:
Green level activity with low physical activity near the parking area
Street parking is available
We’ll be using wheelbarrows and hand forks, and some tasks will involve working on hands and knees to pull weeds
Wear closed-toe shoes, long pants, and clothes you don’t mind getting dirty
Gloves will be provided, but feel free to bring your own
Check the weather beforehand and bring sun protection or rain gear as needed
Please register so we know you’re coming!
Trail Maintenance at Island Preserve - Volunteer Event
Join us at Island Preserve for a volunteer workday helping care for the trails and forest habitat. We’ll be laying cardboard and mulch along the forest trail, pulling Garlic Mustard and other invasive weeds, and trimming back branches along the path.
What to know:
Expect hiking over uneven, sometimes muddy terrain to and from the project site (about 1 mile total)
Poison ivy and ticks are present in the area
Wear closed-toe hiking boots, long socks, and long pants
Bring sun protection and a water bottle
We’ll provide all tools, gloves, water, snacks, bug spray, and sunscreen
Please register so we know you’re coming!
Walk at Indian Fort with Niagara Frontier Botanical Society
Join our friends from Niagara Frontier Botanical Society for a walk at Indian Fort Nature Preserve
Walk at Indian Fort with Finger Lakes Native Plant Society
Join our friends from Finger Lakes Native Plant Society at Indian Fort Nature Preserve for a Spring Flower Walk
Bluebell Hike
Every spring, the fields come alive with a sea of bluebells. Don't miss your chance to walk through one of nature's most stunning seasonal displays.
Postponed: Genesee Valley Landowner Workshop
⚠️ This event has been postponed.
We regret to share that the Genesee Valley Landowner Workshop has been postponed due to unforeseen circumstances. We hope to host this event in the fall of 2026, so please check back then for more details! If you have any questions, please contact us.
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Join Genesee Valley Conservancy and Cornell Cooperative Extension of Livingston County for a comprehensive day of learning and collaboration at the Livingston County Conference Center in Mount Morris. This workshop offers a unique "Mix 'n Match" schedule, allowing farms of all sizes and interested landowners to tailor your morning to your specific interests:
Choose from “In the Office” sessions focused on:
Succession planning
Land rental agreements
Family business dynamics
Or head to “In the Field” to explore:
Climate resilience
Moving beyond monocrop systems
Soil health strategies
Opportunities within organic agriculture
After a shared lunch, the afternoon features a World Café Forum. This facilitator-led discussion provides a space for the agricultural community to voice challenges and brainstorm collaborative solutions together.
Whether you are looking to secure your farm's legacy or improve its environmental and financial resilience, this event offers the tools and community connections to help you succeed.
Intern Reception
Come hear Erin Riedel and Ella Hinckley share the work they've been doing as paid interns at Genesee Valley Conservancy
Tree Planting at Island Preserve - Earth Week Event
Join us for Tree Planting Day at Island Preserve!
Tree Potting Day - Earth Week Event
Come get your hands dirty and help us grow something great for our local landscape!
Farmland Protection Workshop: Wyoming County
Workshop for Wyoming County farmland owners interested in the NYS Farmland Protection Program.
Farmland Protection Workshop: Livingston County
Workshop for Livingston County farmland owners interested in the NYS Farmland Protection Program.
Farmland Protection Workshop: Genesee County
Workshop for Genesee County farmland owners interested in the NYS Farmland Protection Program.
Hemlock Woolly Adelgid Workshop
Join us for a training on how to survey for Hemlock Woolly Adelgid.
ROC the Day & Giving Tuesday
Support Genesee Valley Conservancy this Giving Tuesday as we participate in ROC the Day to raise funds to help save Little Italy!
Genesee Valley 100: Opening Reception
Join us to open this year’s Genesee Valley 100 display at the Silver Lake Brewing Project!
ARTIST PREVIEW
Participating artists are invited to a preview reception to see their work in this year’s Genesee Valley 100.
Supporter Reception
Join us at Woodlawn Distilling for a celebration of 35 years protecting habitat, open space, and farmland in the Genesee Valley region!
Genesee Valley Quiz Night
Like trivia? Come for a diverse and challenging set of trivia questions as you help support local land conservation in the Genesee Valley!
Workshop: Planning a Farm Transfer
Are you a farmer or farm family who needs help starting or moving along a succession plan?
ROC the Day & Giving Tuesday
Support Genesee Valley Conservancy this Giving Tuesday as we participate in ROC the Day to raise funds to help protect the water, air, and soils of the Genesee Valley!
Genesee Valley 100: Opening Reception
Join us to open this year’s Genesee Valley 100 display at the Silver Lake Brewing Project!
ARTIST PREVIEW
Participating artists are invited to a preview reception to see their work in this year’s Genesee Valley 100.
Oak Tree Half Marathon & 5
Registration opens June 1st for our 20th anniversary Oak Tree Race!