Conservancy to Open New Island Preserve Trailhead with Pollinator Garden in Geneseo
Genesee Valley Conservancy will officially open a new public trailhead onto Island Preserve from Steeplechase Drive in Geneseo with a ribbon cutting ceremony on Monday, June 22, 2026, from 1 to 3 p.m. The event is free and open to the public of all ages.
The new trailhead, made possible in part through funding from the New York Community Trust's Pollinator Fund, is designed not just as a point of access to the preserve, but as a living demonstration of native pollinator gardening. A quarter-acre plot adjacent to Island Preserve — donated to the Conservancy in 2024 to expand community access — has been transformed into a native pollinator garden planted with wildflower plugs by volunteers.
The site was chosen for its visibility and proximity to Geneseo Central School District, SUNY Geneseo, and surrounding neighborhoods, making it an ideal location for public education and community engagement.
What to Expect at the Event
Attendees will be welcomed to a "Do-It-Yourself" native pollinator garden event where Conservancy staff will present on the dangers of pesticides to pollinators, the importance of pollinators in local agriculture, and how residents can create their own native gardens at home. Every attendee will receive a wildflower starter kit, along with materials to design a native pollinator garden for their own backyard.
Mallory Bailey, a third-grade teacher at Geneseo Central School District who incorporates pollinator education into her curriculum, will attend with students from the district. The event brings classroom learning into the field, giving students a hands-on connection to conservation happening in their own community.
Free bee boxes, bird boxes, and pinecone bird feeders will be available while supplies last.
Event Details
Date: Monday, June 22, 2026
Time: 1:00 – 3:00 p.m.
Location: 82 Steeplechase, Geneseo, NY 14454
Cost: Free and open to all ages
Registration: Please register here.
Parking: Limited on-site parking. Additional parking information to be announced.
A follow-up nature walk is being planned for Friday, June 26, 2026, from 3 to 5 p.m. at the same location. More details to follow.