Grant Awards to Protect Genesee Valley Forestland

Genesee Valley Conservancy has received funding to protect 976 acres of forestland across the Genesee River watershed as part of the New York State’s Forest Conservation Easements for Land Trusts grant program.

In its fourth year, the Forest Conservation Easement program helps support land protection of privately held forestland to ensure continued wildlife benefits and sustainable productivity.  The program aims to protect properties that help achieve the goals of Statewide plans, including the New York State Open Space Conservation Plan, Wildlife Action Plan, and Forest Action Plan.

Genesee Valley Conservancy is the recipient of two of the nine grants made this round.  These two grants will protect two properties: a 152-acre forest located in Springwater, Livingston County and an 841-acre forest located in Steuben County that spans the townships of Rexville and West Union.

A total of $585,425 of grant funding has been awarded to the Conservancy, which will be matched by $440,000 in private dollars to support these two projects.

The 841-acre Steuben forest is one of the largest contiguous private forest parcels in the County and captures and holds the carbon equivalent of 56,000 vehicles.  New York State’s 2050 Climate Action Plan calls for at least 15% of emissions offsets through forestry efforts.  This project represents the first for Genesee valley Conservancy in the townships of Rexville and West Union and will be just the third project in the Steuben County portion of the Genesee River watershed for the organization.  The property contains two gullies and streams that drain into Cryder Creek, a public fishing creek that supports brook trout.

In Springwater, this will be Genesee Valley Conservancy’s first project in the town and will add to the more than 150 completed projects within Livingston County.  This forest is located at the very headwaters of Springwater creek, which flows north into Hemlock Lake – the drinking water source for the City of Rochester.  Protecting this forest will help ensure water is filtered and clean before it enters the lake, reducing the cost and treatment needs of this freshwater drinking source.

Landowners in the Genesee River watershed interested in pursuing conservation options for their property, whether it be forestland, farmland, or a potential public nature preserve for recreation and educational uses, should contact Genesee Valley Conservancy for more information.

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Genesee Valley Conservancy is a nationally accredited non-profit conservation organization working to protect the habitat, open space and farmland in the Genesee River watershed.  Over 39,706 acres of natural habitat and productive farm and forest land have been conserved by Genesee Valley Conservancy in partnership with private landowners.  The organization also owns nature preserves open to the public for recreation and education.  For more information visit www.geneseevalleyconservancy.org