10,140 acres protected.
1,462 acres of forest habitat conserved.
816 acres of conserved wetlands.
42 family farms protected, forever.
Genesee Land Trust celebrates as it passes a significant milestone in protecting and conserving over 10,000 acres of land across 8 counties, with a primary focus on Monroe & Wayne counties. As of this month with the Land Trust’s newest acquisitions — Black Creek Wetlands donation (Chili), Mud Creek donation (Farmington/Victor), and Lake Plains Waterfowl Association parcel purchase (Greece) – the non-profit organization oversees 10,140 acres of protected land.
“This achievement represents the permanent conservation of a variety of habitats for wildlife, family farmlands protected forever, and public access to these lands to enjoy recreation as well as the immense health benefits of natural spaces,” shared Lorna Wright, Executive Director of Genesee Land Trust, “this benefits us all, forever.”
Over thirty years of conservation work throughout the organization’s history has aided in this accomplishment. Genesee Land Trust’s aims to continue acting as a valuable resource that focuses on protecting natural wildlife habitat, supporting local farms, connecting people to nature, and conserving important lands and waterways for our collective future.
Mud Creek Nature Preserve
Genesee Land Trust’s most recent accomplishment after surpassing this 10,000-acre milestone is a project that keeps even more land protected in the form of a new nature preserve along Ganargua “Mud” Creek (Farmington/Victor), which will be free to visit and open to the public in late July. Stay tuned for opening details. The varying terrain on the property sets up a great opportunity for strengthening climate resiliency in the area, and will additionally create even more public access to nature adjacent to Mertensia Park.
Victor Hiking Trails has been working with the previous landowner and Genesee Land Trust to create a trail that will go past the creek and up a ridge, while protecting important native plants in the area. Visitors can look forward to fishing access, scenic lookouts along a ridge trail, and the popular Virginia Bluebells that blanket woodlands in the spring.
Photo by Adam Montoya
Black Creek Wetlands
Black Creek Wetlands is a property donated to protect a significant amount of Class II wetlands and wildlife habitat – including a portion of forested wetlands along Black Creek, which runs through it. “Protecting local lands and waterways is important not only for wildlife and plants, but for people too. This milestone shows the importance land conservation has in making our region a place that people love,” said Kevin Farrell, Senior Director of Conservation at Genesee Land Trust. The Black Creek Wetlands ares home to a Great Blue Heron rookery, beavers, silver maple-ash swamp, and resilient wetlands in the face of climate change challenges.
“Now, as you fly in and out of the Rochester airport, if you look down, you will know that those wetlands are protected. Maybe you’ll even see a heron’s nest,” shared Lorna Wright, Executive Director of Genesee Land Trust.
Photo by staff.
Island Cottage Woods Nature Preserve Addition
Lastly, the Spring 2026 purchase of the Lake Plains Waterfowl Association’s headquarter property, which sits adjacent to Island Cottage Woods, is a key piece to expanding the entrance of the Land Trust’s already existing Island Cottage Woods Nature Preserve (Greece). The preserve already serves as an important stopover habitat for migratory birds, and visitors can look forward to an enhanced & even more welcoming entrance for its future reopening.
Genesee Land Trust is eternally grateful to its members, founders, board, partners, and volunteers whose hard work and advocacy have all contributed to the organization’s collective success in protecting lands in our region.
Photo by Adam Montoya.