Land Preservation

organization organization_description first name address city state zip contact_phone available resources available services available programs

Adirondack Mountain Club - Finger Lakes Chapter The Adirondack Mountain Club is a non-profit membership organization dedicated to broadening public understanding and support for the NYS Forest Preserve through education programs and publications. The Club also provides opportunities for environmentally responsible outdoor recreation and opportunities to work on conservation issues. They are also actively working to preserve New York’s open space. Steve Schwartz 2 Woodland Rd. Ithaca NY 14850 607-539-7683
The Finger Lakes Chapter produces a quarterly newsletter listing regional weekend outings, such as hikes, nordic skiing, canoeing, and camping.

American Farmland Trust, New York Field Office American Farmland Trust’s mission is to stop the loss of productive farmland and to promote farming practices that lead to a healthy environment. Jerry Cosgrove 77 Van Dam St. #8 Saratoga Spgs NY 12861 518-581-0078
AFT publishes a handbook, “Agricultural and Farmland Protection in NY,” and provides farmland protection and estate planning presentations, information on conservation easements, and a public education program.

Common Place Land Cooperative The Land Cooperative provides an example of an innovative and practical approach to land ownership. There are currently 16 adult members living in this rural cooperative land trust and community. Ecological land management practices and strong social and economic principles have been incorporated into the by-laws of this permanent trust, set up in 1982. CPLC is located in central New York State, on Rt. 13, 1.5 miles north of the Village of Truxton. Priscilla Colletto 4211 Rt. 13 Truxton NY 13158 607-842-6849
Maps of the site, brochures, and legal packets are available for purchase. Site tours and meeting facilities are provided. CPLC manages 432 acres of land held in trust.

Cornell Plantations The Cornell Plantations include botanical gardens, an arboretum, and many natural areas managed by Cornell University. The Plantations attract and inspire visitors while providing opportunities to learn about plants, natural sciences, and the preservation of natural resources. Nancy Ostman One Plantations Rd, Cornell University Ithaca NY 14850 607-255-9638
Educational programs include: classes, tours, lectures, and other special events related to horticulture and natural history. The Plantations offers maps and inventories of Cornell’s natural areas, slide collections of plants and habitats, and a gift shop offering books and field guides.

Finger Lakes Land Trust The Finger Lakes Land Trust works to preserve the integrity of the Finger Lakes Region by holding conservation easements and owning nature preserves, educating for responsible stewardship, and by collaborating with other groups. Gay Nicholson 121 E. Buffalo St. Ithaca NY 14850 607-275-9487
FLLT publishes a quarterly newsletter, offers nature walks at several preserves, and provides information for land owners on ways they can protect their land.

Historic Ithaca, Inc. Historic Ithaca is an historic preservation organization interested in arresting urban and suburban sprawl in order to preserve green space and rural lifestyle. It is part of a national trust for historic preservation, which provides information and publications on historic preservation. Barbara Ebert 120 N. Cayuga St. Ithaca NY 14850 607-273-6633 Maps, slides of buildings, grant and technical information. Historic Ithaca provide maps, slides of buildings, and grant and technical information. It also operates a revolving loan fund for historic exterior rehabilitation.

Lansing Trailways Lansing Trailways is a grassroots volunteer group, which won federal Intermodal Surface Transportation Efficiency Act funding for creation of a trail system. The group provides leadership and technical expertise to the Town of Lansing in building and managing the trail.
Dan Broadway 6 Maple Ave. Lansing NY 14882 607-533-7078
Lansing Trailways provides a multipurpose trail system for the Town of Lansing.

Natural History Society of the Finger Lakes, Inc. The goal of the Natural History Society is to establish a center that will be a “living history museum,” interpreting the geological features of the region and the vital relationships among its native plants and animals. The center will also explore humans’ role in the environment. Ron Schassburger 94 Genung Rd. Ithaca NY 14850 607-273-6316

Open Space Institute, Inc. The Open Space Institute administers charitable donations and grants to citizens working to protect environmental quality in their communities. The mission of the OSI is to preserve, for public use and enjoyment, the diverse beauty of New York through direct land acquisition and by working with citizens to ensure the environmental health of their communities. Though the geographical focus for its land protection program is in the Adirondacks, Hudson River Valley, Shawangunks and Catskills, it administers grants to groups throughout New York State. Susan Barbarisi 666 Broadway, 9th Floor New York NY 10012 212-505-7480
Grants are available for the following program areas: land trusts, historic preservation, planning, and environmental action. Grant information is available through the New York office.

The Nature Conservancy, Central and Western NY Chapter The Nature Conservancy’s mission is to preserve plants, animals, and natural communities that represent the diversity of life on earth by protecting the lands and waters they need to survive. TNC does this by purchasing and managing land that encompasses fragile ecosystems and endangered species. David Klein 315 Alexander St., Suite 301 Rochester NY 14604 716-546-8030
TNC’s Central New York Chapter has 20 ecologically diverse preserves within 19 upstate NY counties. In addition to a local newsletter, it provides hiking, nature study and slide presentations. Volunteer program for workdays, field trips

Tompkins County Environmental Management Council The Environmental Management Council is the official advisory body on environmental matters to the Tompkins County Board of Representatives. The EMC is made up of 28 appointed voting members and volunteer associate members from across the county. The EMC researches environmental topics; prepares and distributes educational materials for the public; reviews development proposals; updates information on unique natural areas; and encourages long range environmental planning in the county. Katherine Borgella 121 E. Court St. Ithaca NY 14850 607-274-5560
The EMC provides information on the county’s unique natural areas and maintains a library on environmental issues. Educational materials are also available. Unique Natural Areas Survey, publications, reports, other documents.

Tompkins County Greenway Coalition The Greenway Coalition is a volunteer organization whose members represent a diverse range of greeway interests, including: natural areas, hiking trails, scenic views, bicycle paths, rails-to-trails, land use planning, urban walkways, and historic preservation. The coalition has produced a countywide greenway plan to provide a framework for future development in the county. Its mission is to encourage local communities to participate in a coordinated planning process. Thomas Reimers 3C Wildflower Drive Ithaca NY 14850 607-272-8679
The Greenway Coalition sponsors greenway walks, workshops, lectures, and slide presentations. “Building Greenways for Tompkins County: An Action Plan,” maps, brochures, displays, and a slide show are all available through the Greenway Coalition.

Tompkins County Planning Department The County Planning Department is comprised of several divisions: natural resource planning, comprehensive long range planning, local government planning, and economic development planning. The Department assists many citizen committees and task forces, and provides the public with maps and information on topics such as demographic trends, census data, flood zones, housing density, and natural resources. Specific environmental programs include: water quality, agricultural viability, county-owned forest management, and unique natural areas. James Hanson, Jr. 121 E. Court St. Ithaca NY 14850 607- 274-5560
The Planning Department provides mapping services, demographic information, and various reports and plans.

Town of Ithaca Conservation Board The Town of Ithaca Conservation Board is appointed to advise the Ithaca Town and Planning Boards on matters of environmental significance. The Conservation Board is currently working on a Park, Open Space & Greenway Plan, an environmental atlas, and environmental protection ordinances. It is also involved in programs designed to educate the public about environmental impacts and issues. Phil Zarriello 126 E. Seneca St. Ithaca NY 14850 607-273-1721
Conservation Board resources include greenway development, environmental impact assessment, maps, resource library, planning staff, and public reports.

Town of Ithaca Planning Department The Town of Ithaca Planning Department coordinates a comprehensive planning program; provides support to Ithaca Town boards in environmental and development review; coordinates land use, transportation, environmental concerns with other governmental agencies; and provides technical assistance to individuals and organizations. Current projects include updating the Park, Recreation, and Open Space Plan, and developing an Environmental Atlas (natural resource inventory). Jonathan Kanter 126 E. Seneca St. Ithaca NY 14850 607-273-1747
The Planning Department provides technical assistance to the public and organizations, and helps applicants by offering expertise in the SEQR law. Base maps, aerial photographs, slide photos of open space, parks, environmental references, and publications are available at the office.

Village of Lansing Greenway Committee The Greenway Committee is responsible for implementing the “Village of Lansing Greenway Plan,” advising the Planning Board about recreation and land exactions in new subdivisions, applying for grants, and involving the community in the construction of a network of trails and neighborhood parks. Carol Klepack 9 Coventry Walk Ithaca NY 14850 607-257-8310 Maps, display of maps photographs, and brochures.

organization	organization_description	first name	address	city	state	zip	contact_phone	available resources	available services	available programs
Adirondack Mountain Club - Finger Lakes Chapter	The Adirondack Mountain Club is a non-profit membership organization dedicated to broadening public understanding and support for the NYS Forest Preserve through education programs and publications. The Club also provides opportunities for environmentally responsible outdoor recreation and opportunities to work on conservation issues. They are also actively working to preserve New York’s open space.	Steve Schwartz	2 Woodland Rd.	Ithaca	NY	14850	607-539-7683		The Finger Lakes Chapter produces a quarterly newsletter listing regional weekend outings, such as hikes, nordic skiing, canoeing, and camping.
American Farmland Trust, New York Field Office	American Farmland Trust’s mission is to stop the loss of productive farmland and to promote farming practices that lead to a healthy environment.	Jerry Cosgrove	77 Van Dam St. #8	Saratoga Spgs	NY	12861	518-581-0078		AFT publishes a handbook, “Agricultural and Farmland Protection in NY,” and provides farmland protection and estate planning presentations, information on conservation easements, and a public education program.
Common Place Land Cooperative	The Land Cooperative provides an example of an innovative and practical approach to land ownership. There are currently 16 adult members living in this rural cooperative land trust and community. Ecological land management practices and strong social and economic principles have been incorporated into the by-laws of this permanent trust, set up in 1982. CPLC is located in central New York State, on Rt. 13, 1.5 miles north of the Village of Truxton.	Priscilla Colletto	4211 Rt. 13	Truxton	NY	13158	607-842-6849		Maps of the site, brochures, and legal packets are available for purchase. Site tours and meeting facilities are provided. CPLC manages 432 acres of land held in trust.
Cornell Plantations	The Cornell Plantations include botanical gardens, an arboretum, and many natural areas managed by Cornell University. The Plantations attract and inspire visitors while providing opportunities to learn about plants, natural sciences, and the preservation of natural resources.	Nancy Ostman	One Plantations Rd, Cornell University	Ithaca	NY	14850	607-255-9638		Educational programs include: classes, tours, lectures, and other special events related to horticulture and natural history. The Plantations offers maps and inventories of Cornell’s natural areas, slide collections of plants and habitats, and a gift shop offering books and field guides.
Finger Lakes Land Trust	The Finger Lakes Land Trust works to preserve the integrity of the Finger Lakes Region by holding conservation easements and owning nature preserves, educating for responsible stewardship, and by collaborating with other groups.	Gay Nicholson	121 E. Buffalo St.	Ithaca	NY	14850	607-275-9487		FLLT publishes a quarterly newsletter, offers nature walks at several preserves, and provides information for land owners on ways they can protect their land.
Historic Ithaca, Inc.	Historic Ithaca is an historic preservation organization interested in arresting urban and suburban sprawl in order to preserve green space and rural lifestyle. It is part of a national trust for historic preservation, which provides information and publications on historic preservation.	Barbara Ebert	120 N. Cayuga St.	Ithaca	NY	14850	607-273-6633	Maps, slides of buildings, grant and technical information.	Historic Ithaca provide maps, slides of buildings, and grant and technical information. It also operates a revolving loan fund for historic exterior rehabilitation.
Lansing Trailways	Lansing Trailways is a grassroots volunteer group, which won federal Intermodal Surface Transportation Efficiency Act funding for creation of a trail system. The group provides leadership and technical expertise to the Town of Lansing in building and managing the trail.	Dan Broadway	6 Maple Ave.	Lansing	NY	14882	607-533-7078		Lansing Trailways provides a multipurpose trail system for the Town of Lansing.
Natural History Society of the Finger Lakes, Inc.	The goal of the Natural History Society is to establish a center that will be a “living history museum,” interpreting the geological features of the region and the vital relationships among its native plants and animals. The center will also explore humans’ role in the environment.	Ron Schassburger	94 Genung Rd.	Ithaca	NY	14850	607-273-6316
Open Space Institute, Inc.	The Open Space Institute administers charitable donations and grants to citizens working to protect environmental quality in their communities. The mission of the OSI is to preserve, for public use and enjoyment, the diverse beauty of New York through direct land acquisition and by working with citizens to ensure the environmental health of their communities. Though the geographical focus for its land protection program is in the Adirondacks, Hudson River Valley, Shawangunks and Catskills, it administers grants to groups throughout New York State.	Susan Barbarisi	666 Broadway, 9th Floor	New York	NY	10012	212-505-7480		Grants are available for the following program areas: land trusts, historic preservation, planning, and environmental action. Grant information is available through the New York office.
The Nature Conservancy, Central and Western NY Chapter	The Nature Conservancy’s mission is to preserve plants, animals, and natural communities that represent the diversity of life on earth by protecting the lands and waters they need to survive. TNC does this by purchasing and managing land that encompasses fragile ecosystems and endangered species.	David Klein	315 Alexander St., Suite 301	Rochester	NY	14604	716-546-8030		TNC’s Central New York Chapter has 20 ecologically diverse preserves within 19 upstate NY counties. In addition to a local newsletter, it provides hiking, nature study and slide presentations.	Volunteer program for workdays, field trips
Tompkins County Environmental Management Council	The Environmental Management Council is the official advisory body on environmental matters to the Tompkins County Board of Representatives. The EMC is made up of 28 appointed voting members and volunteer associate members from across the county. The EMC researches environmental topics; prepares and distributes educational materials for the public; reviews development proposals; updates information on unique natural areas; and encourages long range environmental planning in the county.	Katherine Borgella	121 E. Court St.	Ithaca	NY	14850	607-274-5560		The EMC provides information on the county’s unique natural areas and maintains a library on environmental issues. Educational materials are also available.	Unique Natural Areas Survey, publications, reports, other documents.
Tompkins County Greenway Coalition	The Greenway Coalition is a volunteer organization whose members represent a diverse range of greeway interests, including: natural areas, hiking trails, scenic views, bicycle paths, rails-to-trails, land use planning, urban walkways, and historic preservation. The coalition has produced a countywide greenway plan to provide a framework for future development in the county. Its mission is to encourage local communities to participate in a coordinated planning process.	Thomas Reimers	3C Wildflower Drive	Ithaca	NY	14850	607-272-8679		The Greenway Coalition sponsors greenway walks, workshops, lectures, and slide presentations. “Building Greenways for Tompkins County: An Action Plan,” maps, brochures, displays, and a slide show are all available through the Greenway Coalition.
Tompkins County Planning Department	The County Planning Department is comprised of several divisions: natural resource planning, comprehensive long range planning, local government planning, and economic development planning. The Department assists many citizen committees and task forces, and provides the public with maps and information on topics such as demographic trends, census data, flood zones, housing density, and natural resources. Specific environmental programs include: water quality, agricultural viability, county-owned forest management, and unique natural areas.	James Hanson, Jr.	121 E. Court St.	Ithaca	NY	14850	607- 274-5560		The Planning Department provides mapping services, demographic information, and various reports and plans.
Town of Ithaca Conservation Board	The Town of Ithaca Conservation Board is appointed to advise the Ithaca Town and Planning Boards on matters of environmental significance. The Conservation Board is currently working on a Park, Open Space & Greenway Plan, an environmental atlas, and environmental protection ordinances. It is also involved in programs designed to educate the public about environmental impacts and issues.	Phil Zarriello	126 E. Seneca St.	Ithaca	NY	14850	607-273-1721		Conservation Board resources include greenway development, environmental impact assessment, maps, resource library, planning staff, and public reports.
Town of Ithaca Planning Department	The Town of Ithaca Planning Department coordinates a comprehensive planning program; provides support to Ithaca Town boards in environmental and development review; coordinates land use, transportation, environmental concerns with other governmental agencies; and provides technical assistance to individuals and organizations. Current projects include updating the Park, Recreation, and Open Space Plan, and developing an Environmental Atlas (natural resource inventory).	Jonathan Kanter	126 E. Seneca St.	Ithaca	NY	14850	607-273-1747		The Planning Department provides technical assistance to the public and organizations, and helps applicants by offering expertise in the SEQR law. Base maps, aerial photographs, slide photos of open space, parks, environmental references, and publications are available at the office.
Village of Lansing Greenway Committee	The Greenway Committee is responsible for implementing the “Village of Lansing Greenway Plan,” advising the Planning Board about recreation and land exactions in new subdivisions, applying for grants, and involving the community in the construction of a network of trails and neighborhood parks.	Carol Klepack	9 Coventry Walk	Ithaca	NY	14850	607-257-8310	Maps, display of maps photographs, and brochures.