For Immediate Release
April 21, 2005

LOCAL ACTION CELEBRATED ON EARTH DAY, EVERYDAY

It was 15 years ago when the idea of preserving natural habitats before they were lost to progress was born in a Brighton family room. The parents of this dream realized that the special places in our community – the streams and marshes, the family farms and wild woodlands -- needed to be protected before they were threatened, preserved rather than mourned. That day in Brighton, when Genesee Land Trust was created - a new way of looking at local natural places and new tools to insure their protection was begun. This spring, as we celebrate not only Earth Day, but also cyclical renewal of the land, Genesee Land Trust wishes to thank all those individuals and community partners who help us preserve all the wild and wonderful places in Greater Rochester.
The list of Genesee Land Trust Preserves speaks to the commitment of its volunteers and donors and demonstrates the extent of enrichment to the quality of life for Rochesterians:
Salmon Creek -- 40 acres of black tern nesting habitat in the marshes of Greece
The Caledonia Wetland -- 23 acres of wooded and cattail "sweet wetland"
Hipp Brook - 94 acres of wooded swamp, cattail mash, flowing stream and upland grasslands in the Town of Penfield
Ganargua Creek Meadow - 56 acres in Macedon, protecting floodplain meadow, wooded hillside and wetlands
Braddock Bay Bird Observatory - the two acre home of the BBBO bird research station near Lake Ontario in Greece plus additional acreage protecting the southeastern shore of Lake Ontario
Island Cottage Woods - 61 acres of the Island Cottage Woods wetland and woodland complex, a critical stopover point for migratory birds in Greece
Brookdale - 275 acres of woodland, wetlands, and meadows in Chili, adjacent to the Genesee Valley Greenway Trail
Weitz - 4 acres of cattail marsh on the west side of the Salmon Creek in Greece
Reed Road Bird Refuge - 130 acres of wooded wetland that provides excellent bird habitat

In addition, the Trust boasts 398 acres of permanently protected lands of individual landowners in Greater Rochester who have granted easements to Genesee Land Trust and over 600 acres of land protected with local municipalities, including Corbett's Glen in the Town of Brighton. This important partnership, begun through the fundraising efforts of Genesee Land Trust members, resulted in the establishment of a wondrous town park. The waterfalls of Corbett's Glen that have entranced young and old for generations will continue to be there for families in the future thanks to Genesee Land Trust, its members, and its volunteers.
In a time of continued development expansion into the farming and rural communities around Rochester without real population growth combined with a time of tight municipal budgets, Genesee Land Trust focuses on leveraging private and public resources to build a bank of preserved natural habitats for the benefit of all of the area residents. This monumental effort can not be achieved alone. Partnerships are important and in these past fifteen years a number of municipalities have stepped up to face the issues caused by expanding development: the loss of community character and a healthy environment – and have, in different ways, taken action to protect their valuable natural habitats and working farms. We are thankful to town supervisors and other community leaders who have helped, encouraged and promoted the work of the Genesee Land Trust.
Genesee Land Trust thanks Rochesterians for helping to preserve 1600 acres in our hometown.

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Contact:
Margaret Potter
Assistant Director
GENESEE LAND TRUST
500 East Avenue, Suite 200
Rochester NY 14607
ph: (585) 256-2130
fax: (585) 271-4292
info@geneseelandtrust.org