Grant Award to Help Protect City of Rochester Water Supply

Genesee Valley Conservancy has received funding to protect 129 acres of forestland and grassland in the City of Rochester’s primary water supply, the Hemlock Lake watershed. 

One of just five projects awarded across New York State, this grant funding will allow the Conservancy to work with Larry and Carol Myer’s to place a forestry easement on their Livonia property to ensure the land remains undeveloped as forestland and grassland, forever.

Keeping these acres undeveloped is critical to ensure water flowing into Hemlock Lake is naturally filtered by the forests and fields, so the water entering the lake is clean, before it is sent to the residents that rely on Hemlock Lake as their drinking water supply. In addition to providing water to the City of Rochester, Hemlock Lake also supplies drinking water to residents in the towns of Livonia, Henrietta, and Rush.

The Myers have spent decades stewarding this property for the benefit of wildlife habitat.  The property consists of forestland, meadows, wetlands, and ponds.  The landowner has planted more than 6,000 trees over the past decade with the goal to provide a variety of habitat types for wildlife and maintaining varying ages of forestland so species that prefer young forests can thrive as well as those seeking out mature forestland.

The property contains forests that are diverse in species composition, age, and structure, and support bird species of Special Concern including the golden-winged warbler and American woodcock.

This is Genesee Valley Conservancy’s second Forestland Protection project awarded through the Forest Conservation Easements for Land Trusts grant program, which is in its third year. The program funds the transaction costs and purchase price of placing conservation easements on critical forest properties that advance New York State goals, like the State’s 30x30 Plan, Open Space Plan, and Climate Goals.

1,800 feet of scenic road frontage will be protected as part of this project, which will remain as intact vistas of the rural and forested landscape that defines Livonia’s character and that of the broader Livingston County.

Landowners in the Genesee River watershed interested in pursuing conservation options for their property, be it forestland, farmland, or a potential public nature preserve, 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 35,062 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