Signs of a Loving Legacy

Ann Parks, right, smiles next to Diane Cass (one of our founders) at a 2012 Land Trust event. Ann has short white hair, wire-rim glasses, and is wearing a red turtleneck and blue sweater.

A quiet steady person with a passion for history and the outdoors, Ann Parks loved birding along Lake Ontario and taking early morning horse rides.

An active member of the Crescent Trail Hiking Association in Perinton, she also enjoyed caring for local trails.

In 1995, Ann became a member of Genesee Land Trust. Her devoted generosity included many hours of volunteering, and nearly 30 years of consistent annual gifts that helped our local conservation movement grow stronger.

“Ann’s legacy of generosity protects our region’s past, supports our community’s present, and helps prepare for our future.”
— Gay Mills, retired Executive Director of Genesee Land Trust

We miss her, and we are immensely grateful Ann also named Genesee Land Trust as a beneficiary to her IRA.

Thanks to Ann’s care and foresight, we’ll install historical markers at 30 protected family farms. The signs honor each family’s legacy. From the few signs already installed, we’ve seen how they raise awareness about local conservation and inspire more landowners.

And when our neighbors are ready to act, part of Ann’s gift will also make it easier for us to respond quickly and overcome barriers, including the funding needed to support a property’s long-term stewardship needs.

Ann’s gift reminds us that planned giving is about more than just generosity; it is also about believing in the work of the Land Trust to protect and steward lands and waterways now and forever.

If Your Neighbor Knows, Conservation Grows

Martin Farm protected their farmland and installed our very first historic preservation marker in 2010 in the Town of Parma.

Since then, the Zarpentine, DeMeyer, and Adams families have protected their nearby farmland.

Today, 559 acres in the Town of Parma are safe forever — and that’s a great sign!

From left: Linda Judd, Pat Buskey, Marilyn DeMeyer, Scott Copey, David Martin (owner), and Tim Thomas stand around a blue metal historic marker at Martin Farm. It says “MARTIN FARM In 2010, this farmland was permanently preserved by the Martin family, together with the Town of Parma, Monroe County, and Genesee Land Trust. Parma Farmland and Open Space Preservation Committee.”







2nd Annual Bridging Communities Celebration Returns to Driving Park Bridge on July 26th, 600+ Attendees Anticipated

Genesee Land Trust and Genesee River Alliance Host Free Event to Connect Neighbors in Edgerton and El Camino to Nature, Gather Input on River Projects

Genesee Land Trust, our region’s land and water conservation organization since 1989, will close Driving Park Bridge to host Bridging Communities 2025 on Saturday, July 26th.

Genesee River Alliance – a Land Trust initiative since 2019 – organizes the annual riverside celebration in partnership with the City of Rochester to help more people connect to the river and their neighbors – especially families and elders in the Edgerton and El Camino areas.

Bridging Communities offers free outdoor fun for everyone – right in the urban core of Rochester. A hot lunch will be provided thanks to generous support from Land Trust members, partners, and event sponsors.

More than 600 people – including 200 youth – joined last year’s inaugural event. Organizers anticipate 50+ community organizations and similar neighborhood attendance this year.

Bridging Communities 2025 will feature additional health resources, including free Zumba classes hosted by the YMCA. Rochester Regional Health’s mobile healthcare clinic will also provide free blood pressure and blood sugar screenings, and help applying for health insurance.

Attendees can also join historic tours of Lower Falls and will have a chance to learn about river-related projects, including the upcoming High Falls State Park, Inner Loop North, and ROC the Riverway.

 

Event Details:

Bridging Communities 2025

Sat. July 26th, Noon – 4 pm

Guided history walk of Lower Falls at 12:30, 1:45, 3 pm

Driving Park Bridge & Maplewood Park Rose Garden

Free – including hot lunch and all activities

 

Activities Include:

ROC City Circus, bounce house, face painting, costumed characters, bike raffle, DJ, guided walks

 

Quotes:

"Bridging Communities is more than a celebration, it brings neighbors together to uplift our heritage, improve our health, and create community connections along the Genesee Riverway. It's about belonging, bridging gaps, and building-together."

 – Helen Dumas, Sr. Director of Programs and Community Engagement

 

Bridging Communities Press Kit: https://geneseelandtrust.mediavalet.com/portals/bridgingcommunities25

 

2025 Bridging Communities Sponsors include:

Bridge Builder: ESL Federal Credit Union

River Keepers: FIFCO USA, Wegmans Food Markets

Water Advocate: Canandaigua National Bank

Friends: Allied Financial, Climate Solutions Accelerator, CMIT Solutions, Heveron & Heveron, UR Institute for Human Health and the Environment

 

About Genesee Land Trust:

Genesee Land Trust preserves and protects natural lands and waterways that enhance the quality of life in the Greater Rochester region—providing wildlife habitat, locally grown food, and connections to nature—for everyone. Genesee Land Trust works across Monroe, Wayne, Ontario, Genesee, Orleans, Livingston, Cayuga, and Seneca counties. Founded in 1989, Genesee Land Trust has permanently protected more than 9,700 acres of land, including 19 public nature preserves, 40 family farms, and more than 30 privately owned woods, wetlands, and meadows. A growing group of about 1,000 members support the non-profit organization, which also connects people to nature through complimentary events and educational programming. In 2019 the Land Trust founded the Genesee River Alliance, a leading advocacy group working with city and state leaders on river-related projects like the new state park at High Falls.

 

Media Contact:

Elliotte Bowerman

Director of Communications

Genesee Land Trust

(585) 256-2130 x200

(585) 450-3938

ebowerman@geneseelandtrust.org

Genesee River Alliance Report: Community Feedback on High Falls State Park

Genesee River Alliance — a Genesee Land Trust initiative since 2019 — is focused on the upcoming High Falls State Park in downtown Rochester.

As a close partner with the City and New York State, we’re working to ensure our diverse community members - especially park-side residents in Edgerton and El Camino - are heard in the process. You can see a project and community engagement timeline here.

Since the project was announced in 2022, we’ve organized special visits to the base of High Falls, surveyed 1,347 community members in English and Spanish, co-produced a project video with Tour Blend and Greentopia to raise awareness and survey engagement, and hosted a series of public community forums. In 2024 we also started the Bridging Communities riverside celebration with 600+ attendees, which will return to Driving Park Bridge this summer. And in April 2025, Genesee River Alliance announced our initial findings.

This is what we’ve learned so far:

Top 5 Community Requests:

ADA Accessibility, Bathrooms, Benches, Pedestrian Trails, Lighting

Top 10 Activities:

Walking, Relaxing, Reading Signs, Special Events, Picnics, Photography, Biking, Kayaking, Bird Watching, Dog Walking

Community Concerns:

Safety & Cleanliness

You can review the full survey results here.

For more information, please contact:

Helen Dumas, Senior Director of Programs and Community Engagement

hdumas@geneseelandtrust.org

(585) 256-2130 x130

Community Forum Gathers Input on Variety of Rochester Projects Transforming the Genesee River

Rochester residents and nearby neighbors came out on Sunday, Nov. 17th, 2024 to learn more about the future of the Genesee River, asking questions and sharing their input as part of the planning process for a collection of transformational projects in progress. 

Most attendees were excited about improving access and bringing out the beauty of the Genesee River, but concerned about accessibility for people living with disabilities, planners using native species, ongoing funding for trail maintenance, and the potential impacts to their homes and neighborhoods. Residents also shared their ideas for ways to make the river more appealing, from community event spaces and learning opportunities to safety features and street-level shade. 

Genesee Land Trust, Genesee River Alliance, and the City of Rochester hosted the gathering. Presentations and information tables covered ROC the Riverway updates, the Genesee Riverway Trail Extension to Lake Ontario, the Inner Loop North transformation project, and High Falls State Park. 

“With the support of Governor Hochul, local leaders at the Genesee Land Trust and the Genesee River Alliance, and our residents, we’re making huge strides toward revitalizing our waterfront and creating a unique destination that strengthens our region and fuels economic growth,” said Mayor Malik D. Evans. “This forum and other opportunities for public feedback will help ensure that final plans take into account the intimate knowledge of those who enjoy the river or live near its banks.” 

Residents also learned about organizations and resources serving riverside communities, and ways to enjoy the river year-round. They got to meet with City planners, project leaders and community organizations engaged in the various projects. Special thanks to New York State Parks, OLIN (the design firm leading the state park), Seneca Park Zoo, Climate Solutions Accelerator, Tour Blend, and Rec on the Move.

Genesee Land Trust has advocated for the Genesee River for more than 20 years and formed the Genesee River Alliance in 2019 to build city, county, and state support for our vital waterway running through the heart of Rochester. The forum was part of an ongoing effort to engage and support more riverside residents, especially marginalized and under-represented people in the Edgerton and El Camino neighborhoods.  

“Right now we’re at a pivotal moment for our mighty Genesee, the heart of Rochester and a critically important resource for our entire community,” says Helen Dumas, Director of Urban Engagement for Genesee Land Trust. “From big decisions to small details – these projects will transform our river and region. We need more diverse voices throughout the decision-making process to prioritize the needs and concerns of our entire community.”  

In July of this year, the Land Trust hosted its first riverside celebration - Bridging Communities. More than 600 people came together to enjoy beautiful waterfall views and have fun in nature. Bridging Communities will return to Driving Park Bridge and the Maplewood Park Rose Garden on July 26, 2025.  If you are interested in participating in Bridging Communities 2025, please fill out this form.

Information about current river-related projects, community resources, and more feedback opportunities are available below.  

The City of Rochester invites anyone interested in signing up for updates or leaving comments about the ongoing Genesee Riverway Trail study to visit:

For anyone interested in contacting the Inner Loop North Project Team with any questions, ideas, and comments about the Inner Loop North Project, fill out this form:

Check out the media coverage of the forum:

Genesee Land Trust Opens Accessible Observation Deck at Salmon Creek Nature Preserve in Hilton

Just in time for fall birding, local conservation organization improves access to nature for everyone, especially the region’s 300,000+ people living with disabilities

HILTON, NY, OCOTBER 28, 2024 — Genesee Land Trust, the local conservation organization protecting and caring for land and water forever, opened a new observation deck at Salmon Creek Nature Preserve with a ribbon cutting ceremony on Monday, October 28th. The observation deck is the latest – and largest – step in Genesee Land Trust’s ongoing commitment to create more welcoming and inclusive outdoor spaces.

“The observation deck at Salmon Creek Nature Preserve in Hilton is an exciting improvement that benefits everyone,” says Lorna Wright, Executive Director of Genesee Land Trust. “We couldn’t do it without the support and generosity of our members and community partners. Together we’ll keep protecting the places people love and continue working to create opportunities for folks of all ages and abilities to enjoy nature for generations to come.”

The elevated deck features an accessible ramp, benches, and shade. It’s located 1/3 mile from the parking lot along a wide grassy trail that is still bumpy in places. Genesee Land Trust plans to smooth the trail and make other accessibility improvements to Salmon Creek Nature Preserve and other properties.

Starting in 2023, the Land Trust has partnered with Rochester Accessible Adventures to improve access at nature preserves, community events, and throughout the organization.

“Improving accessibility is an ongoing journey that requires truly operating through a lens of inclusion all of the time, and Genesee Land Trust is making real progress,” says Anita O’Brien, Founder and Executive Director of RAA.

Over the past two years, Genesee Land Trust has improved access to its 19 nature preserves in a variety of ways. In addition to the accessible observation deck, the Land Trust has:

·       created and/or expanded six parking lots

·       built six benches for scenic resting

·       built one shade structure over a bench

·       updated one boardwalk

Community support for these improvements has been inspiring. Rochester Birding Association provided funding to help create the accessible observation deck and volunteers from Rochester Davis-Fetch and the Carpenters Union Local 276 built the deck as part of their workforce development training.

Representatives from those organizations attended the ribbon cutting ceremony alongside Town of Parma Supervisor Jim Roose, State Assemblyman Josh Jensen, and staff from the offices of US Senator Joe Morelli and NY State Senator Rob Ortt.

“Every time the outdoor places I love to visit improve their trails, it’s like another wonderful world that opens to me… Even little things like a ramp make a really big difference,” says Carol Cobia, a resident of Hilton, NY, that uses an electric scooter. “While I never let my disability stop me, it’s really wonderful that the Land Trust is working to make more local places available to folks like me.”

Carol is one of more than 300,000 people living with a disability in Greater Rochester, but this number doesn’t reflect the full impact of people who need better and more welcoming access to nature.

“We know that when we create more welcoming nature experiences it opens the doors for families and friends to share the joy of being outdoors,” says Kevin Farrell, Director of Conservation Programs for Genesee Land Trust.

Links:

Salmon Creek Nature Preserve details and trail map

 Channel 13 News: https://13wham.com/news/local/accessible-observation-deck-now-open-near-hilton-salmon-creek-nature-preserve-bennett-road-parma-birding-genesee-land-trust#

Channel 8 News: https://www.rochesterfirst.com/news/accessible-raised-deck-opened-at-salmon-creek-nature-preserve/

About Genesee Land Trust:

Genesee Land Trust supports our community – people, plants, and wildlife - by permanently protecting lands and waterways in Monroe, Wayne, Ontario, Genesee, Orleans, Livingston, Cayuga, and Seneca counties. Founded in 1989, Genesee Land Trust has permanently protected more than 9,500 acres of land, including 19 public nature preserves, 38 family farms, and more than 30 privately owned woods, wetlands, and meadows. A growing group of about 1,000 members support the non-profit organization, which also connects people to nature through complimentary events and educational programming. In 2019 the Land Trust founded the Genesee River Alliance, a leading advocacy group working with city and state leaders on river-related projects like the new state park at High Falls. Learn more at https://www.geneseelandtrust.org/

 

Haudenosaunee Ceremonial Planting of the White Pine Tree of Peace at Deer Creek Woods East

The September opening of Deer Creek Woods East (600 Lake Road, Ontario, NY 14519) included the ceremonial planting of a White Pine Tree of Peace. We’re grateful to Trish Corcoran (below) and flutist Dr. Jefferson Svengsouk for sharing this special Haudenosaunee ceremony with the 160+ event attendees.

Trish Corcoran is Tonawanda Onondowaga, Bear Clan. She teaches Indigenous and Environmental studies at the Harley School to all grade levels. The Pollinator Garden and Wild Wood are under her care and have gained over one hundred trees planted by students.

She is chair of planning Rochester’s Indigenous Peoples’ Day each year and running educational events throughout the year. Trish also serves on the indigenous Advisory Council for the Climate Solutions Accelerator, the Seventh Generation Land Defenders, and the Indigenous Peoples’ Health Coalition.

She is a collaborator on “Remnants”, an immersive walking art installation that uncovers the history of the land. Most of all she is the proud mom of Bjarne and Eva, who love to hike and camp amongst all their relations.

Conservation Helps Farms Transition to Next Generation

Marilyn De Meyer

As dark storm clouds roll closer, Marilyn De Meyer talks about the future of her family farm while checking a drying field of red kidney beans.

She and her son are business partners. Rich (30) has brought more research and seed trials, crop management, and marketing to their business. Started in 1921 as a fruit and vegetable farm, the De Meyers switched to grains and other crops like kidney beans to spread out risk.

“One of the most difficult hurdles for farmers is competing for land against developers,” the 63-year-old farmer shares as it starts raining. “The farmland protection grant is allowing us to purchase a neighbor’s farm, and the additional acreage will help Rich make this his full-time career.”

In May of 2024, Genesee Land Trust permanently protected 595 acres of world-class soil and helped two successful farm transitions — De Meyer Family Farms in the Town of Parma and Goodell Farms in the Town of Shortsville.

These conservation wins — which take 3 to 5 years and 3,500 staff hours each — couldn’t happen without sustaining support from Land Trust members like you.


Marilyn De Meyer and her son, Rob

Farms Facing Hard Times

Marilyn says encroaching development, more extreme weather, skyrocketing costs, widespread labor shortages, and wildly fluctuating markets have made farming tougher than ever.

New York State lost 2,800 farm businesses and 364,000 acres of farmland between 2017 and 2022, according to the recent US Agricultural Census.

“Protecting farmland and helping our hardworking local farmers isn’t just a personal or regional issue,” Marilyn says. “If we can’t produce enough food to feed ourselves, that becomes a major threat to our national security.”

“There are so many older farmers struggling to find a person to take over, it’s adding up to a serious problem. Without a transition plan, unprotected farmland is often sold for development and stops producing food.” –Marilyn De Meyer

Conservation Can Help

Without a transition plan or conservation easement in place, when a farmer retires or passes away the land is often lost forever to development.

That worry inspired Bill and Brycie Goodell to list their farm on the NY Farmland Finder website, a state-wide program Genesee Land Trust participates in as a Regional Navigator to connect current farmland owners with prospective buyers.

Bill and Brycie Goodell

After 18 months of searching, Bill met Mike Verstraete and knew it was the right fit. Over the past few years the younger farmer and his wife Julia have taken over farm operations and Bill has retired.

The Land Trust’s agricultural conservation easement played a critical role in the transition by making the Goodell’s valuable farmland more affordable for the Verstraetes.

“I wish I could have continued on with a next generation, but the farm will continue,” Bill says. “I’m sure there will be changes now, but I do believe we made the right choice.”

If you or a farmer you know is interested in learning more about transition planning, please join us for our Farmer Information Session. Registration is appreciated for planning but not required.

5 Fast Facts About Conservation Easements

Landowners that choose to protect their farmland or wildlife habitat see the land they love as part of their legacy and share a commitment to the future of their community.

Conservation is always a big decision. Here are some important points to consider.

Ownership Retained

You retain your private property rights and can sell, lease, or pass your land on to your family.

Tax Benefits

If you donate at least part of your conservation easement, there can be both federal and state tax benefits.

Tailored to You All

conservation easements are unique to the land it protects and to your vision.

Voluntary

Conservation easements are voluntary and do not require public access.

Estate Planning Benefits

Conserving your land can help with your estate planning, reduce your estate taxes, and can help with a transition to the next generation.

Interested in learning more?

For farmland, please contact Amanda Grisa at agrisa@geneseelandtrust.org.

For wildlife habitats, please contact Cassidy May at cmay@geneseelandtrust.org.

Conservation Success: Fishers Returning to Protected Woods

During the late 18th and early 19th centuries rampant logging and development, combined with unregulated fur hunting, nearly drove the fisher to extinction.

The fisher — sometimes called a “fisher cat” — doesn’t typically eat fish and is not a cat at all. It’s actually a large member of the weasel family with a big appetite, short legs, and thick dark fur.

Found only in Canada and the northern United States, fishers live in large sections of old-growth woods.

Brought Back from the Brink

Thanks to woodland conservation, trapping regulations, reintroduction programs, and extensive habitat restoration the fisher is no longer endangered.

But around here the rebound has been slow because it’s hard for the fisher to find a good home.

Many local woodlands have been cleared, and most of the remaining lands are not big enough or densely wooded enough, or the trees are too young and small for a fisher to build its den inside.

But your support is turning things around for the local fisher population. Thanks to passionate people like you protecting high-quality woodlands like Brookdale Preserve (Town of Chili), we’re seeing more and more fishers and their tracks.

Managing Woodland Critters

Fishers are skilled tree climbers, excellent swimmers, and stealthy hunters.

Because they eat a wide range of prey, from squirrels and porcupines to songbirds and rabbits, fishers manage the populations of smaller woodland animals that could overeat native plants.

Genesee Land Trust staff look for signs of the fisher because they indicate the woods are healthy.

“I’m always glad to see fisher tracks or spot one on my nature cam because they’re so unique and for decades they didn’t even exist in this area,” Jim Miller says. “This one fisher keeps showing up and it feels almost like our neighbor,” he adds with a chuckle. “It’s fun to watch, and a great sign for the future.”

Martha and Jim Miller have loved and cared for Miller Woods (left) in North Rose for more than 40 years. The passionate land protectors donated a conservation easement to make sure their 62 acres of mature woodlands and creekside wetlands will always be safe. Miller Woods is teeming with wildlife, including the fisher.

Do You Have a Special Place?

There are many conservation options available to keep your land private or open it to the public. If you have a woods, meadow, wetland, creek, or other wildlife-friendly place you want to protect forever, we’d love to learn more.

Please contact Cassidy May, our new Land Protection Specialist, at cmay@geneseelandtrust.org or (585) 580-3121.

Keeping Miller Woods Safe Forever

Jim and Martha Miller once sold a small piece of unprotected woods they owned for more than 40 years and quickly saw what can happen when you give up control.

“A lot more trees were cut down before the land was ready, and that’s his right but not what I would do,” Jim sighs. “We’re so relieved it can never happen in Miller Woods.”

In 2018 the Millers donated a conservation easement to the Land Trust and now work with local scientists to study the land’s plants and wildlife.

Winter Signs of Wildlife

January 25th at 11 am Miller Woods in North Rose Join Jim and Martha Miller for a special walk on their private property to learn where and how to look for signs of wildlife — including the elusive fisher. For more details and to register, please visit https://tinyurl.com/MillerWoods2025

Estate Attorney Takes Stock of What Matters

Kate McCurdy, 37, was an “indoor introvert and scared of nature” until her college’s freshman year backpacking trip.

Kate soon discovered spending time outside helped manage her stress, especially when she went to law school. After returning to Rochester to start her own practice, Kate began attending Land Trust events and volunteering.

“Visiting a nature preserve or protected farm feels so grounding and centering to me. I love how the land connects and unites us all, even though we each might care most about birds or trees or farming,” she shares. A Land Trust member since 2017, Kate especially enjoys kayaking and birding along Lake Ontario.

Recently Kate started making gifts of stock to the Land Trust because it’s “the most efficient and tax-effective way to significantly help the causes I care about.”

“I’ve had stocks that have appreciated a lot over time, so I can make a donation from that growth without having to pay any capital gains,” she adds. “Giving with stocks is money I don’t miss because it was never in my bank account.”

Making a gift of stock can be as simple as calling your financial planner. Delivery instruction can be found here.

“Giving with stocks is money I don’t miss because it was never in my bank account.” –Kate McCurdy

More Ways to Give

Become a Sustaining Monthly Donor

Setting up a monthly gift provides critical financial stability to the Land Trust and ensures we can continue the everyday work of maintaining trails and organizing outdoor activities.

Use Your Employer Match

Check to see if your company offers to match charitable donations and/or make a financial gift if you report time volunteering with the Land Trust.

Give From Your Retirement

If you are 70.5 years or older, making a gift from your traditional IRA account can potentially reduce taxable income while supporting conservation.