New Observation Deck Supports Birding for Everyone

More Accessibility Improvements Coming to Preserves

Just in time for the fall bird migration, an elevated observation deck with an accessible ramp, benches, and shade has opened at Salmon Creek Nature Preserve in Hilton.

Salmon Creek Nature Preserve

It’s an exciting addition for folks like Carol Cobia, a Village of Hilton resident who loves exploring nature and uses a scooter when navigating the outdoors. She and her husband Jim joined a birding session during the 2022 preserve opening and shared her need for greater access to nature that’s closer to home.

“Time in nature has brought me such hope and joy and gratitude. 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 shares.

While Carol is one of the 300,000+ people living with a disability in Greater Rochester, 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 with folks who otherwise might not have been able to be in nature,” explains Kevin Farrell, Director of Conservation Programs for the Land Trust.

Prioritizing Access and Inclusion

Starting in 2023, Land Trust staff have worked with Rochester Accessible Adventures (RAA) 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.

“We’re already getting strong community interest in visiting the new deck at Salmon Creek and look forward to co-organizing inclusive events to intentionally invite people with disabilities to these fabulous outdoor spaces.”

The community support 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 it from rot-resistant native black locust as part of their workforce development program.

“Jim and I have been married for 35 years, and getting outside in nature has been a key factor in helping us through some tough times,” reflects Carol Cobia. The Hilton couple live near Salmon Creek Nature Preserve and recently visited to explore the new accessible deck, wide grassy trails, and shady benches.

Creating Welcoming Outdoor Spaces

Earlier this year, Genesee Land Trust received one of ten national grants from Disabled Hikers and the Land Trust Alliance. This, when combined with local support, will help continue making improvements such as these:

• Instead of single-width footpaths, wherever possible trails will be wide enough for two people.

• Parking lots, which increase safety and accessibility for all visitors, will be built sooner at several new nature preserves.

• Adding shade, seating, and inclusive signage are priorities for new and existing preserves.

• Sign language interpreters can be requested in advance at all Land Trust events.

Upcoming Trail Improvements

Staff are exploring designs for fishing access, more seating, signs, and wheel-friendly, all-weather trail surfaces at Salmon Creek Nature Preserve.

Once funding is obtained, the newly opened Deer Creek Woods East and West (Town of Ontario) will include boardwalks, seating, signs, and smoother trails to make the land easier to enjoy.

And at Island Cottage Woods (Town of Greece), which closed in 2023 because of hazardous trail conditions resulting from dying ash trees, trails will be redesigned with elevated boardwalks for accessibility and in response to the changing climate.

To learn more about the Land Trust’s ongoing efforts and how you can help, visit geneseelandtrust.org/accessibility

Shade structure and bench located at Salmon Creek Nature Preserve

Progress Report

Over the past two years, thanks to your compassion and generosity, we’ve made great improvements. In addition to the observation deck, highlights include:

6 Parking lots created or expanded

6 Benches built for scenic resting — 3 at Salmon Creek Nature Preserve and 3 at Cornwall Preserve (Town of Williamson)

4 Ramps installed to replace steps up to bridges and boardwalks at Irene Gossin Nature Preserve (Town of Penfield) and Cornwall Preserve

2 New designs for trail signs created to improve readability

1 Shade structure built over a bench at Salmon Creek Nature Preserve

1 Boardwalk update with toe-kicks to keep wheels from rolling off at Cornwall Preserve

Fishing for Peace, Pleasure, and Preservation

Matt Belanger talks fondly about catching Brook Trout in the trickling stream that ran through his childhood neighborhood. But when Matt recently visited, things had changed.

“I drove down to take a look at the creek, and it wasn’t there anymore! Instead, there was a new neighborhood,” the avid fly fisherman recalls.

“I wish I was surprised, but you see it happening all over the place,” Matt adds. “With development destroying wetlands and climate change warming the water, I’m seeing a lot less fish these days.”

Casting a Line for Conservation

Matt, 63, has happily taught his daughters, neighbors, friends, and many strangers how to fish. Matt and his wife Carol McKenna have generously supported Genesee Land Trust since 2013. Their gifts have helped purchase places people can fish, including Salmon Creek Nature Preserve in Hilton.

Future Vision: Accessible Fishing

The Land Trust hopes to build an accessible fishing platform at Salmon Creek as funds become available in the future.

“Genesee Land Trust’s deep commitment to creating peaceful, inclusive places is such a gift to our entire community, especially the 300,000+ people living with disabilities in Greater Rochester,” says Anita O’Brien, Founder and Executive Director of Rochester Accessible Adventures (RAA).

“It’s a fast-paced and often inaccessible world for too many children and adults,” she adds. “Accessible trails and fishing spots make it possible for everyone to enjoy the health and wellness benefits that time in nature provides.”

Genesee Land Trust has partnered with RAA to become more inclusive as an organization and build more accessible nature trails, preserve features, and community programs.

Matt hopes to fish at Salmon Creek this fall when the salmon swim upstream to spawn and trout follow to eat their eggs. “Fishing is a quiet, zen-like pursuit in beautiful places,” he says. “It’s a great way to fall in love with nature.”

Photo courtesy of Matt Belanger

Photo courtesy of Rafi Krispel-Heyworth

First Bridging Communities Celebration Attracts 600+ People to Riverside Park in July 2024

Overview of party, created by Hill and Valley Creative LLC.

If you are interested in participating in Bridging Communities 2025, please fill out this form.

Special thanks to all of our partners who helped to plan, organize, and execute the event: City of Rochester, Greentopia, Lower Fall Foundation, Rochester Ecology Partners, The Next Generation and You, Agape Haven of Abundance, Luis Burgos, 14621 Community Rising Inc., and Cat Bauer.

Thank you to all the organizations and businesses that attended: Northwest Neighborhood Service Center, CASH, Rochester Accessible Adventures, Helio Health, Agape Haven of Abundance, City of Rochester Animal Services, Brown Girl Garden, WXXI, Charles Settlement House & Community Place of Greater Rochester, Seneca Park Zoo Society, Tour Blend, Foodlink, Climate Solutions Accelerator AMPED, SewGreen, Rochester Ecology Partners, Photosynthetic Farms, Rochester Refugee Resettlement Services, City of Rochester, Monroe County Department of Environmental Sciences, Motivated 4 Change LLC, Lower Falls Foundation, Genesee Valley Audubon Society, Department of Energy National Science Bowl, Dianatou Boutik, The Mocha Center at Trillium Health, Maplewood Neighborhood Association, Rochester Latino Rotary Club, Common Ground Health, Exploration Elementary Charter School for Science and Technology, J Mills Elite Treats, YMCA of Greater Rochester, 14621 Community Rising Inc., Your Inner Dreams Life Coaching, and ROC Indigenous Peoples’ Day.

Make sure you make it a point to stop through our selfie booth from DigiBooths. DigiBooths isn't just any photo booth company, they're a part of the DigiGroup Entertainment family. A great source for anything entertainment no matter where your event is!

Farming in a Changing Climate

“Farming has never been an easy job, and these days it’s getting harder for me and other farmers,” says Erin Bullock, founder of Wild Hill Farm in Bloomfield. “Due to all the weather changes, every year I feel like a first-time farmer again.” “

Just before Memorial Day, Erin sent an email to her 350 Consumer Supported Agriculture (CSA) members asking for help to overcome the challenges she’s already faced this season.

“We’re behind on planting due to the cold wet spring, and the weeds that have grown quickly in these conditions,” she wrote.

“Then the heat came, and yesterday’s rainstorms missed us completely so we’re running around getting irrigation on everything instead of planting…”

Adapting to Extremes

Erin is one of the thousands of farmers across our region working to keep their soil healthy and make food production sustainable in the face of a changing climate.

Higher temperatures and long droughts require expensive irrigation systems. Warmer winters aren’t killing invasive pests the way they used to. And extreme weather events can dramatically reduce crop yields, like last May’s late hard frost which damaged entire orchards of apples and grapes.

In recent years Erin has shifted her planting schedules, switched to hardier crop varieties, and now only grows tomatoes in high tunnels — also known as hoop houses.

Good Soil is Good Business

“Adapting my practices to keep this farmland healthy as the climate changes isn’t just good for the planet — it’s good for business,” Erin says. “Great soil produces great crops, and my customers want delicious, nutrient-rich, organic fruits and vegetables.”

Wild Hill Farm operates on “forever farmland” protected by Genesee Land Trust in 2016 with landowner Hank Stebbins.

Farmers on the Front Lines

“Farmers are on the front lines of climate change, and we know finding ways to keep agriculture viable isn’t easy,” says Amanda Grisa, our Farmland Protection Manager and a farmer herself.

Some of the farmers that have conserved their land with us have used some of the proceeds to invest in more sustainable practices. From organic vegetables to traditional crops like wheat, sustainable solutions are being implemented by more and more farmers every year.

Cover Crops Store Carbon

Bill Steimer, a long-time Land Trust volunteer and farmer in Chili, has focused on the health and protection of local farmland for decades.

To improve soil quality and reduce erosion, many years ago Bill started planting his fields in contour stripes and using cover crops (pictured above).

Cover crop roots prevent soil run-off during heavy rain, improve water retention, and restore important nutrients to the soil. They also help slow climate change by absorbing excess carbon dioxide from the air.

In 2023 Bill and his wife Audrey preserved their 132-acre farm on Reed Road.

“Local farms are vital to the future of our region and nation,” Bill says. “Land isn’t just a farmer’s life, it’s everyone’s.”

“Adapting my practices to keep this farmland healthy as the climate changes isn’t just good for the planet-it’s good for business.” - Erin Bullock

Doctor Says New Yorkers Need More Time Outside

Mervyn, pictured with his four granddaughters, has long realized that being outside in nature is critical for our health.

Courtesy of Mervyn Weerasinghe

Dr. Mervyn Weerasinghe, 81, says spending time in nature helps him stay active as he ages.

“Being exposed to nature definitely reduces stress and increases a sense of wellbeing,” the Pittsford resident and avid gardener explains. “Because we have chosen to live this far north of the equator, if we don’t spend enough time outside in the sun we don’t get enough vitamin D.”

Mounting evidence suggests low vitamin D levels increase the risk of respiratory illnesses, osteoporosis, dementia, diabetes, and some cancers.

Mervyn grew up and studied medicine in Sri Lanka before moving to the United States. He and his wife Jane have been long-time members, and Mervyn volunteered for many years as a Preserve Steward of Christine Sevilla Wetlands in Caledonia.

I felt a sense of responsibility to make sure it was safe,” Mervyn says. “Preserving precious lands — whether it’s a wetland, something by a stream, some farm — I’m glad to support something so important to our region and our future.”

Deer Creek Woods Opening!

For 30 years a group of passionate neighbors has worked with Genesee Land Trust to permanently protect old growth woods, grassy meadows, and creekside wetlands in the Town of Ontario.

The result is a high-impact conservation win — 294 acres near Lake Ontario will continue filtering our air and water, storing excess carbon, and supporting wildlife and people for generations.

Thanks to your ongoing support, Deer Creek Woods opens this fall as the 19th public nature preserve created and cared for by Genesee Land Trust.

Introducing West and East

Deer Creek Woods has two public areas buffering three private conservation properties (see map). Deer Creek Woods East — purchased from Bob Smith in early 2024 — has a loop trail along the creek and will be the focus at opening. Volunteers recently planted 200 tree saplings and a parking lot will be added this summer.

“I’m so glad this land my late wife Janet and I have loved for so long is in good hands,” Bob says. “Genesee Land Trust has been a good friend to our family. I feel good knowing Deer Creek Woods will be preserved as a natural treasure for our community to enjoy forever.”

Deer Creek Woods West, purchased from John Creatura in 2022, isn’t as easy to explore yet due to the terrain. The diversity of habitats makes it more resilient for birds and other wildlife as the climate changes.

The First Step Towards Forever

Genesee Land Trust began working in Ontario in 1994 when Janet Buchanan-Smith, Bob’s wife, donated her first voluntary conservation agreement (conservation easement) while retaining ownership of the land. That kicked off a series of protection projects (see map).

Our deepest thanks to Janet, Bob, John, Amanda Smith-Hatch and Keith Hatch, Ann and Floyd Welker, the Town of Ontario, and the Land Trust’s nearly 1,000 members for saving Deer Creek Woods.

Connecting River Neighbors at New “Bridging Communities” Party

To continue our work engaging riverside residents - particularly those from the Edgerton and El Camino neighborhoods - Genesee River Alliance will host a new summer celebration called “Bridging Communities.”

“We have a mixed history with our river, but the future is bright,” says Luis Burgos, former commissioner of Rochester’s Department of Recreation and Human Services (DRHS). “Connecting neighbors and building community support for the mighty Genesee is a great service to the entire city.”

A Party for All People

Driving Park Avenue Bridge (pictured) will become an entertainment stage featuring local talent during the party.

The bridge and nearby Maplewood Park will host local artisans, community resource tables, free

food, and fun activities for all ages. New York State Parks Department will run a Q&A session about the proposed state park at High Falls.

A photo booth from DigiBooths will promote our #RocYourNature summer campaign. And tours along the riverway trail to Lower Falls will focus on local history, like the connection to the Underground Railroad.

Building Community Support

Our thanks to our partners: the 14621 Rising, Agape, City of Rochester, Foodlink, Greentopia, Lower Falls Foundation, Maplewood Neighborhood Association, Next Generation and You, and NY State Parks.

Bridging Communities is currently sponsored by ESL Federal Credit Union, FIFCO/Genesee Brewing, DigiBooths/DigiGroup Entertainment, Coca Cola, and Canandaigua National Bank.

Driving Park Bridge crosses the Genesee River gorge at Lower Falls and connects the El Camino and Edgerton+Maplewood neighborhoods.

Bridging Communities River Party

Sat., July 27th • Noon -3 :30 pm

Maplewood Park Rose Garden (across from Maplewood YMCA)

For more information visit:

If you would like to become an event volunteer and/or sponsor, please contact Helen Dumas, Director of Urban Engagement, at

hdumas@geneseelandtrust.org or 585.450.3932.