Search Results

Land Donations and Easements “We abuse land because we regard it as a commodity belonging to us. When we see land as a community to which we belong, we may begin to use it with love and respect.” - Aldo Leopold The Chautauqua Watershed Conservancy gratefully considers all land donations, and we are humbled by those who seek our help in preserving their land for future generations. If you would like to discuss a property donation or establish an easement on your property, please contact John Jablonski III, Special Projects Coordinator 716-664-2166 x1003 john@chautauquawatershed.org When deciding whether you are interested in donating your land, please consider the following: Our properties are operated as publicly accessible nature preserves so a donor should be comfortable with the general public accessing any properties that have been donated to us. We cannot accept donations that have existing environmental concerns, such as dumping or chemical contamination. We cannot accept donations of land free of charge. Each of our properties must have a formal boundary survey, title search, appraisal, and contribution to an endowment fund for perpetual management. Some properties will need a Phase I Environmental Site Assessment as well, depending on past land use. These costs add up and must be budgeted for before we can accept the land donation. All land donations are carefully considered by the our staff, conservation committee, and board of directors. When an offer of a land donation is made, we first conduct a preliminary biological investigation to assess ecological value and overall fit with our mission and conservation priorities. Findings are reported to the conservation committee, who then makes a recommendation to our board, which officially accepts or rejects the project. Land donations require a number of steps and careful consideration by all parties. Try to keep your expectations realistic, and do not base any immediate needs on ensuring that a potential donation closes in a constrained time frame.

About Us Who We Are Chautauqua Watershed Conservancy is a nationally accredited land trust and 501(c)3 nonprofit organization established in 1990 with a mission to preserve and enhance the quality, scenic beauty, and ecological health of the Chautauqua region’s lands and waters for our community. We diligently pursue this mission so that the Chautauqua region will remain an attractive, healthy, and enjoyable place for those who live in, work in, and visit the Chautauqua region now and in the future. What We Do We pursue our mission through land conservation, restoration, and education. We conserve lands with high ecological, hydrological, and scenic value on Chautauqua County’s natural lakeshores, along tributaries and within its watersheds and currently own and manage more than 1,250 acres of land and 35 nature preserves, all of which are open to the public for outdoor recreation and refreshment. We promote proactive best land, wildlife, and water resource management practices and provide educational programs to raise the community’s awareness of the connection between land use and the quality and quantity of our water resources, our quality of life, and the economic prosperity of our region. We also provide technical assistance to landowners, businesses, and municipalities so that they can better understand and implement the best land, wildlife, and water resource management practices for our region.

Trail Reporting See an issue or have a concern about the trail conditions at one of our nature preserves? Use this form to let us know! Photos may be emailed to our Land Specialist, Bethany O'Hagan, at bethany@chautauquawatershed.org . Thank you for helping us care for our presereve trails and keep them safe for everyone! Your Name Phone Number Email Preserve Name Issue or Concern to Report Submit Thanks for submitting a report! * = All fields are required so that we can find the correct trail and co ntact you if more information is needed.

In the cheerful town of Chatty Creek, everyone wanted the greenest lawn on the block. Families spent weekends mowing, watering, and sprinkling fertilizers like fairy dust to keep their grass thick and bright. The kids loved it - playing tag, watching cloud parades, staging backyard bug battles, and pretending the perfect carpet of grass was their enchanted kingdom.   Trouble Beneath the Turf But while the grass looked great, trouble was brewing. The fertilizers started sneaking into Lilypad Lake, turning the once-sparkling water into murky green soup. Algae took over, the fish disappeared, and the kids' favorite spot to splash, swim, and skip stones became a stinky mess.   The Garden That Faded The more the grass grew, the fewer wildflowers popped up. Bright blooms and busy bees were replaced by endless, boring lawns. Yards all looked the same – green and lifeless. Milkweed and coneflowers vanished, crickets stopped chirping, frogs stopped croaking, and the kids’ insect jars stayed sadly empty. Even the nighttime sparkle of lightning bugs went dark.     The Lawn Lesson The kids of Chatty Creek started to notice. Their bright green lawns weren’t all that magical anymore. They realized that the “perfect” grass had pushed nature away. They missed the buzzing bees, the colorful flowers, and the splashy fun at Lilypad Lake.   A Brave New Bloom So the residents of Chatty Creek got brave and tried something new. Families planted native flowers, cut back on lawn chemicals, and let parts of their yards go wild again. Nature returned - birds sang, bees hummed, butterflies danced, and Lilypad Lake began to sparkle again. The kids found rekindled joy in messy meadows, muddy toes, and nature’s backyard bounty.   And from that day on, Chatty Creek bloomed happily ever after! Article by Conservationist Carol Markham

The invasive Spotted Lanternfly was reported in Chautauqua County on April 26th is Stow. This insect feeds on over 70 species of plants, including grapes, fruit trees, and maples, and its sugary excretions can lead to mold growth and attract other pests. It’s a major threat to the agricultural industry and our enjoyment of outdoors. If you see one, take a photo if you can, report it to www.reportslf.com  (you can also use the QR codes below), and then squash the bug.   Please take a moment to click the links below to learn more and also share this post to help spread awareness! (Click the three dots at the top right hand of the page.)   https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ehbox8CHWEY   https://lergp.com/spotted-lanternfly   https://dec.ny.gov/nature/animals-fish-plants/spotted-lanternfly

Spotted Lanternfly Nymphs (photo credit: WNY PRISM) Ever heard of the Spotted Lanternfly? How about the Red Swamp Crayfish? No, they're not band names – they're invasive species creeping into Western New York, and they could be wreaking havoc on local ecosystems. But what exactly are invasive species, and are they all that bad?   What Are Invasive Species ?   An invasive species is non-native to the ecosystem under consideration and whose introduction causes, or is likely to cause, economic or environmental harm, or harm to human health. Invasive species may be plants, animals, or pathogens or even microorganisms that make their way into an environment where they don’t belong. Unlike a friendly neighbor who moves in next door, these species tend to overstay their welcome, disrupt the balance of native ecosystems, and sometimes cause serious damage to agriculture, wildlife, and biodiversity.   Meet the Uninvited Guests   Western New York is currently facing a number of invasive species challenges. Some notable troublemakers include: Spotted Lanternfly  – This little pest feasts on fruit trees, vineyards, and native plants, making it a major agricultural threat. It has been spotted in the Buffalo area and was just spotted in Chautauqua County last weekend (at Hogan’s Hut General Store in Stow). Red Swamp Crayfish  – A feisty crustacean known for burrowing into aquatic environments, causing habitat disruptions and competing with native species. Policemen’s Helmet (Himalayan Balsam)  – This invasive plant spreads rapidly, outcompeting native vegetation and altering local landscapes. Wavyleaf Basketgrass  – A seemingly harmless grass, but don’t be fooled! It spreads aggressively and crowds out native plant life.   Other invasives that are on the high priority list of the Western New York Partnership for Regional Invasive Species Management include: Porcelain Betty, Mile-a-Minute, Slender False Brome, Amut Corktree, Scotch Broom, Water Lettuce, Water Hyacinth, and Sticky Sage.   Why Should We Care?   At first glance, some invasive species might not seem like a big deal. After all, what’s wrong with a few extra plants or critters in the mix? But their effects can be far-reaching and often come with unintended consequences:   1. Competition with Native Species These invaders have a knack for outcompeting native plants and animals for essential resources, sometimes driving local species to extinction. 2. Ecosystem Disruptions They change the very structure of habitats. Think of invasive plants like kudzu that blanket forests and the sides of freeways, or aquatic species that alter water ecosystems. 3. Biodiversity Decline When invasive species dominate a habitat, native species often get pushed out, reducing biodiversity and affecting ecological balance. 4. The Disease Factor Some invasives bring along harmful pathogens or parasites that spread to local wildlife, leading to unexpected population declines. Think of the Pilgrams and First Nations people. Or anywhere Christopher Columbus went. 5. Food Chain Chaos Predatory invasive species can disrupt natural food webs, leaving native species struggling to survive. 6. Environmental Degradation Many invasive species damage soil, water quality, and vegetation, making it harder for ecosystems to recover.   Fighting the Invasion   Western New York isn’t sitting idly by while these species take over. Public awareness campaigns, prevention programs, and partnerships like the WNY PRISM are working to stop their spread.   Want to help? Stay informed, and report sightings of invasive species with an amazing app called iMapInvasives. You can find it on any phone operating platform. It’s free and easy to use. It would be extremely helpful in identifying invasives that no one even knows about around where you live and play!   New York’s Invasive Species Awareness Week (NYISAW) is June 9th- 15th!   NYISAW promotes knowledge and understanding of invasive species and the harm they can cause, just like this article. Organizations across all of New York State (including the Chautauqua Watershed Conservancy) will offer a variety of engaging events, such as interpretive hikes, volunteer days, webinars, movie screenings, and fun family activities. By participating in NYISAW, you can help protect your community’s natural spaces, learn about the emerging invasive species, meet your neighbors, and get outdoors.     So, stay vigilant, report any invasives to your local environmental groups, document it in the app, and most important of all, support native plant restoration projects! Article by Land Steward Bethany O'Hagan