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Browns Creek Preserve Situated in the hills of the Ellery Township, this property was acquired in 2016 through a generous donation of land. As Browns Creek is a tributary of Bemus Creek, the water passing through the wetlands on site ultimately enters Chautauqua Lake. The property features well-maintained trails for hiking and wildlife spotting, and a future platform to be constructed near the pond will allow for birdwatching and fishing. Size: 31 acres Year Conserved by CWC: 2016 Address: 5040 Walker Road, Bemus Point, NY Conservation Values: The preserve’s forests allow rainwater to collect and slowly infiltrate, minimizing erosion and sedimentation downstream. Trees protect and stabilize the bank of the small stream passing through the property, which ultimately drains into Chautauqua Lake. Water is filtered through riparian vegetation, improving water quality in the watershed. Recreational Use: Trails established by the land donor have been well maintained and expanded by CWC volunteers. Hunting is permitted at this property. Other uses include birdwatching and botanical investigations. Location and Parking: Located on Walker Road in the Town of Ellery, the Browns Creek Tributary Forest Preserve has pull-in parking near the main preserve sign, as well as roadside parking. Features of Interest: An open and quiet woodland setting makes for a peaceful hike through this Preserve. A pond on site provides opportunity for wildlife watching as well as fishing. TRAIL MAP: SPECIES OF INTEREST: Trees: Eastern hemlock (Tusga canadensis), pignut hickory (Carya glabra), northern red oak (Quercus rubra), black cherry (Prunus serotina) Wildflowers: Canadian lily of the valley (Maianthemum canadense), Jack in the pulpit (Arisaema triphyllum), cardinal flower (Lobelia cardinalis), white turtlehead (Chelone glabra), eastern swamp milkweed (Asclepias incarnata), mayapple (Podophyllum peltatum) Shrubs: Witch hazel (Hamamelis virginiana), spicebush (Lindera benzoin), common elderberry (Sambucus canadensis), arrowwood viburnum (Viburnum dentatum) Birds: Belted kingfisher (Megaceryle alcyon), mourning warbler (Geothlypis philadelphia), wood thrush (Hylocichla mustelina)

Loomis Goose Creek Wetland Preserve The Loomis Goose Creek Preserve is located along the shoreline of Chautauqua Lake and is some of the last undeveloped land along the lake. The preserve is primarily wetlands, with Goose Creek flowing through the site. A short trail on the site connects users to a boat launch, and it’s a popular site for paddlers, anglers, birdwatchers and geocachers. For the past several years, it has also been home to a pair of Osprey (lovingly named Hauke and Femke) who have a nest near the entrance of the preserve. Size: 30.5 acres Year Conserved by CWC: 2011 Address: 2484 West Lake Road, Ashville, NY Conservation Values: With less than 1 mile of natural shoreline left on Chautauqua Lake, the Loomis Goose Creek Preserve protects an important 480 feet of naturally vegetated lakeshore and 3,600 feet of natural stream front along Goose Creek. The preserve floodplains allow slow percolation of water into the aquifer and utilization by riparian plant communities, which filter and improve Chautauqua Lake’s water quality. Recreational Use: The Loomis Goose Creek preserve is popular site for CWC-led tours, as well as a destination for hikers, fishermen, botanists, birdwatchers and geocachers. The site’s wetlands, thick mud and deep brush make hiking off-trail difficult. Paddlers can launch at the end of the primary trail. Hunting and trapping is strictly prohibited at this sanctuary. Location and Parking: The Loomis Goose Creek Preserve is located at the outlet of Goose Creek on the south shore of Chautauqua Lake at the border between North Harmony and Busti. The Ashville Bay Marina borders the preserve on the southwest. A main sign, parking area and informational kiosk are off the north side of Route 394 across from Fardink Road. Features of Interest: The preserve includes a portion of Goose Creek, which is a major tributary of Chautauqua Lake, and most of the land is forested wetlands. There is a kayak boat launch at the creek and an osprey nest near the entrance and parking area. A motion-activated, solar powered camera is installed near the Osprey nest from early spring to early fall providing up close still photos and short videos of the Osprey who reside there. SPECIES OF INTEREST: Trees: shagbark hickory (Carya Ovata), silver maple (Acer saccharinum), apple (Malus sylvestris), paper birch (Betula papyrifera), big-toothed aspen (Populus grandidentata), cottonwood (Populus sp.) Shrubs: red-osier dogwood (Cornus sericea), spicebush (Lindera benzoin) Wildflowers and berries: calico aster (Aster lateriflorus), common ragweed (Ambrosia artemisiifolia) choke cherry (Prunus virginiana), raspberries (Rubus spp.), wild onion (Allium sp.), white turtlehead (Chelone glabra), spring beauty (Claytonia virginica), marsh marigold (Caltha palustris), wild strawberries (Fragaria vesca), false Solomon’s seal (Maianthemum racemosum), black current (Ribes americanum), Allegheny blackberry (Rubus allegheniensis), narrow-leaed cattail (Typha angustifolia) Birds: spotted sandpiper (Actitis macularius), mallard (Anas platyrhynchos), great blue heron (Ardea Herodias), red-tailed hawk (Buteo jamaicensis), osprey (Pandoin haliaetus), wood duck (Aix sponsa), tufted titmouse (Baelophus bicolor), belted kingfisher (Ceryle alcyon), black-billed cuckoo (Coccyzus erythropthalmus), American kestrel (Falco sparverius), purple martin (Progne subis), American redstart (Setophaga ruticilla) Fish: blackchin shiner (Notropis heterodon), walleye (Stizostedion vitreum), pumpkinseed (Lepomis gibbosus) Mammals: bobcat (Lynx rufus) Amphibians: pickerel frog (Rana palustris), spring peeper (Pseudacris crucifer)

Cassadaga Creek Wetland Preserve Cassadaga Creek meanders through the center of the 151-acre Cassadaga Creek Preserve. The floodplains and wetlands on the preserve help ensure that runoff and floodwaters filter slowly through the creek. The Cassadaga Creek Preserve is one of the best CWC preserves for observing wildlife. It is home to beavers, river otters, fisher, mink, deer and other wildlife, and it’s an excellent spot to birdwatch. Size: 151 acres Year Conserved by CWC: 1998 Address: 3770 Bloomer Road, Sinclairville, NY Conservation Values: The preserve’s floodplain wetlands allow floodwater from Cassadaga Creek to collect and slowly infiltrate, minimizing erosion and sedimentation downstream. Trees protect and stabilize the bank of the creek. Water is filtered through riparian vegetation, improving water quality in the watershed. Recreational Use: There are currently no developed trails or other facilities within the preserve, although an abandoned county road bisects the property and makes for quick and easy access to the creek. Primary recreation use consists of deer hunting, and the preserve is ideally situated for canoe and kayak access, as it is located between two canoe launches on the Cassadaga Creek Marden E. Cobb Waterway, upstream on CR 71 and downstream on CR 66. Location: The preserve is located at 3770 Bloomer Road in Sinclairville. The entrance is accessible from Bloomer Road (County Road 56), half a mile West of County Route 380 in South Stockton. Parts of Bloomer Road are gated off from through traffic due to the deteriorating condition of two bridges. There is a sign near the west entrance of the preserve. Please note that the preserve is NOT accessible from the Sinclair Road/Route 60 side. Features of Interest: Cassadaga Creek flows north to south through the middle of the preserve. Wetlands, meadows, shrubs and three abandoned farm fields interrupt the otherwise forested area. SPECIES OF INTEREST: T rees: Black cherry (Prunus serotina), green ash (Fraxinus pennsylvanica), American elm (Ulmus americana), quaking aspen (Populus tremuloides), black willow (Salix nigra), box elder (A. negundo) Understory: American hornbeam (Carpinus carolinina), hawthorne (Crataegus spp.) Shrubs: Silky dogwood (Cornus amomum), buttonbush (Cephalanthus occidentalis), raspberries (Rubus spp.), staghorn sumac (Rhus typhina) Ground layer: Thinly vegetated due to dense shading, includes witch hazel (Hamamelis virginiana), Indian cucumber-root (Medeola virginiana), beechdrops (Epifagus virginiana), common wood-sorrel (Oxalis acetosella), sensitive fern (Onoclea sensibilis), ostrich fern (Matteuccia struthiopteris) skunk cabbage (S. foetidus) and sphagnum moss (Sphagnum sp.) Wildflowers: Goldenrod (Solidago spp.), blue flag iris (Iris versicolor), swamp milkweed (Asclepias incarnate), asters (Aster spp.), turtlehead (Chelone glabra), pink lady’s slipper (Cypripedium acaule), Turk’s cap lily (Lilium superbum), cardinal flower (Lobelia cardinalis), square-stem monkey flower (Mimulus ringens), water purslane (Ludwigia palustris) Mammals: North American beaver (Castor canadensis), river otter (Lontra canadensis), muskrat (Ondatra zibethicus), fisher (Martes pennanti), mink (Neovison vison) Birds: Spotted sandpiper (Actitis hypoleucos), wood duck (Aix sponsa), chestnut-sided warbler (Dendroica pensylvanica), belted kingfisher (Ceryle torquata), veery (Catharus fuscescens), red-eyed vireo (Vireo olivaceus), red-shouldered hawk (Buteo lineatus) Mussels: 15 species, including rayed bean (Villosa fabalis), clubshell (Pleurobema clava) Fish: Redfin shiner (Lythrurus umbratilis)

Prendergast Creek Preserve The Prendergast Creek Preserve protects a portion of Chautauqua Lake shoreline, as well as Prendergast Creek streambank, at Whitney Point. The Prendergast Creek Preserve is largely wetland and floodplain, making it difficult to access, but it is a popular spot for anglers. Size: 8 acres Year Conserved by CWC: 1997, and expanded in 2013 and 2018 to include wetlands on Whitney Point Address: 5910 Whitney Bay Road, Mayville, NY Conservation Values: The Prendergast Creek Preserve permanently protects 930 feet of naturally vegetated Chautauqua Lake shoreline, as well as 1,600 feet of natural stream front on Prendergast Creek. The preserve maintains the natural functions of the wetlands and streams, as well as the floodplain, to slow and filter water on its way to Chautauqua Lake. The preserve also provides important shoreline habitat for birds, waterfowl and wildlife. Recreational Use: There are no developed trails or any other facilities within the preserve due to the very wet and mucky conditions typically found there. Fishing is allowed on this preserve. Location and Parking: Located at the mouth of Prendergast Creek in the town of Chautauqua, the Prendergast Creek Preserve can be accessed through Snug Harbor Marina to the north. Features of Interest: Forested streamline and lakefront wetlands. The preserve includes Whitney Point and is bordered along the northwest by Chautauqua Lake. SPECIES OF INTEREST: Trees: elms (Ulmus spp.), hickories (Carya spp.), silver maple (Acer saccharinum), Freeman’s maple (A. x freemanii), speckled alder (Alnus incana rugose), black willow (Salix negra) Shrubs: red-osier dogwood (Cornus sericea), silky dogwood (C. amomum), willows (Salix spp.), highbush blueberry (Vaccinium corymbosum) Wildflowers: cuckoo flower (Cardamine pratensis), joe pye weed (Eupatorium sp.), cardinal flower (Lobelia cardinalis), true forget-me-not (Myosotis scorploides), eastern skunk cabbage (Symplocarpus foetidus), thyme-leaved speedwell (Veronica serpyllifolia), wild strawberry (Fragaria vesca), dame’s rocket (Hesperis matronalis) Birds: wood duck (Aix sponsa), great blue heron (Ardea Herodias), Baltimore oriole (Icterus galbula), Eastern phoebe (Sayornis phoebe), belted kingfisher (Megaceryle alcyon), red-bellied woodpecker (Melanerpes carolinus) Fish: northern pike (Esox Lucius), walleye (Stizostedion vitreum), blackchin shiner (Notropis heterodon), pumpkinseed (Lepomis gibbosus), smallmouth bass (Micropterus dolomieui), oligochaetes (Oligochaeta) Reptiles: painted turtle (Chrysemys picta), water snake (Nerodia sipedon) Insects: eastern tiger swallowtail (Papilo glaucus), six-spotted tiger beetle (Cicindela sexguttata), little yellow butterfly (Eurema lisa)

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.

Wells Bay Lakeshore Preserve The Wells Bay Lakeshore Forest Preserve protects 200 feet of Chautauqua Lake shoreline. Covered in wetlands, the preserve can be difficult for hiking and adventuring, but it’s a popular spot for botanists and birdwatchers observing the local flora and fauna, and it offers an excellent spot for anglers. Size: 3.5 acres Year Conserved by CWC: 2011 Address: 5560 Wells Bay Lakefront, Ashville, NY Conservation Values: Protects approximately 200 feet of naturally vegetated lakeshore. Trees along the lake offer natural bank protection and stabilization. Water is filtered as it passes through wetland plant communities en route to Chautauqua Lake. Recreational Use: There are currently no developed trails or any other facilities within the preserve. Because the preserve does not have trails and is characterized by wetlands with deep mud, traversing the preserve can be difficult for those not accustomed to walking off-trail. It is primarily used by naturalists, birdwatchers and fishermen. Location and Parking: Located on the south shore of Chautauqua Lake in Chautauqua County. The preserve can be easily accessed at the end of Wells Bay Road north of Route 394 in the town of North Harmony. There is a small parking area. There are two main CWC Preserve signs at this preserve: one at the end of Wells Bay Road and one on the lakeshore. Features of Interest: The preserve is bordered on the north by Chautauqua Lake. The land is currently vacant and forested, dimpled with wetlands in the lower-lying areas. There is a small, shallow stream running through the west side of the property and into the lake. SPECIES OF INTEREST: Trees: eastern hophornbeam (Ostrya virginiana), yellow poplar (Liriodendron tulipifera), cucumber tree (Magnolia acuminate), Norway spruce (Picea abies), Scotch pine (Pinus sylvestris), eastern cottonwood (Populus deltoides), American elm (Ulmus americana) Shrubs: black currant (Ribes nigrum), elderberry (Sambucus sp.) Wildflowers: marsh marigold (Caltha palustris), purple trillium (Trillium erectum), jack-in-the-pulpit (Arisaema triphyllum), starflower (Trientalis borealis), trout lily (Erythronium americanum), false hellebore (Veratrum viride), Indian pipe (Monotropa uniflora), Lowrie’s aster (Symphyotrichum lowrieanum) Understory: eastern skunk cabbage (Symplocarpus foetidus), ostrich fern (Matteuccia struthiopteris), ginseng (Panax sp.) Birds: common loon (Gavia immer), belted kingfisher (Megaceryle alcyon), hairy woodpecker (Picoides villosus) Amphibians: red backed salamander (Plethodon cinereus)

Goose Creek Valley Greenway Preserve Near ly 1,000 feet of Goose Creek meander through the Goose Creek Valley Greenway Preserve. With remnants of trails surrounded by native wildlife, the preserve is a popular site for botanists and birdwatchers. Size: 21 acres Year Conserved by CWC: 2015 Address: 1955 Hoag Road, Ashville, NY Conservation Values: The Goose Creek Valley Greenway Preserve protects 1,000 feet of Goose Creek’s streambank, as well as 3.6 acres of wetlands. The wetlands play and important role in filtering water, and the preserve as a whole acts as a buffer for the creek and downstream Chautauqua Lake from the agricultural uses upstream. Recreational Use: Rudimentary trails offer ideal access for studying the plants and birds that call the preserve home. A nature immersion platform was constructed near Goose Creek in 2017, creating a great place to relax or watch wildlife. Location and Parking: The preserve is located about 2 miles west of Chautauqua Lake, extending west of Hoag Road in the town of Busti, near the village of Ashville in Chautauqua County. There is a roadside sign on Hoag Road. Features of Interest: The majority of the preserve is wooded. It is bisected by Goose Creek running in a north-south direction. SPECIES OF INTEREST: Trees: tulip tree (Liriodendron tulipifera), green ash (Fraxinus pennsylvanica), American elm (Ulmus americana), yellow birch (Betula alleghaniensis), shagbark hickory (Carya ovata), big-tooth aspen (Populus grandidentata) Understory: American hornbeam (C. caroliniana), cucumber tree (Magnolia acuminate) Shrubs: witch hazel (Hamamelis virginiana), elderberry (S. canadensis), spicebush (L. benzoin), buttonbush (Cephalanthus occidentalis), wild currant (Ribes americanum), pink azalea (Rhododendron periclymenoides) Wildflowers and other plants: jack-in-the-pulpit (Arisaema triphyllum), wild leek (Allium tricoccum), dutchman’s breeches (Dicentra cucullaria), nodding trillium (Trillium cernuum), white turtle-head (Chelone glabra), blue cohosh (Caulophyllum thalictroides), New York fern (Thelypteris noveboracensis), cinnamon fern (Osmunda cinnamomea) Birds: red shouldered hawk (Buteo lineatus), black throated green warbler (Setophaga virens), hairy woodpecker (Picoides villosus), white breasted nuthatch (Sitta carolinensis)

Fern Island Preserve This refuge for birds and waterfowl is located on a peninsula between the middle and lower Cassadaga Lakes. Accessibly only by boats, many who enjoy this preserve paddle up to the shoreline to birdwatch or fish. Size: 12.4 acres Year Conserved by CWC: 2011 Address: Dale Drive, Cassadaga (accessible only by water) Conservation Values: The Fern Island preserve helps protect the water quality of the Cassadaga Lakes, as well as important bird and wildlife habitat. The preserve protects approximately 2,270 feet of naturally vegetated lakeshore, which directly benefits Cassadaga Lake. This large tract of undisturbed land provides important resting, foraging, and breeding habitat for many species. It provides refuge for waterfowl and other birds. Recreational Use: There are no developed trails or other facilities within the preserve. The wet conditions and lack of road access make the preserve unsuitable for tours or visitors. The CWC prohibits hunting of any kind on this preserve, but fishing is allowed. Location and Parking: Located on a peninsula south of Dale Drive on the south side of Cassadaga Lake in the town of Stockton, Chautauqua County. The preserve is bordered on all but the northern boundary by the lake and can be accessed by boat only. There is a main CWC Preserve sign installed on the lakeshore of the preserve. The northern boundary is private land. There are no designated parking spots. Features of Interest: The entire preserve is federally and state-regulated wetlands. SPECIES OF INTEREST: Swamp Shrubs: red osier dogwood (Cornus sericea), willows (Salix spp.), highbush blueberry (Vaccinium corymbosum), smooth alder (Alnus serrulata), arrowwood (Viburnum recognitum) Fish: redside dace (Clinostomus elongatus), pumpkinseed sunfish (Lepomis gibbosus), mottled sculpin (Cottus bairdii), grass pickerel (Esox americanus vermiculatus) Mammals: muskrat (Ondatra zibethicus), North American beaver (Castor canadensis) Birds: belted kingfisher (Megaceryle alcyon), great blue heron (Ardea herodias), green heron (Butorides virescens) Reptiles: painted turtle (Chrysemys picta) Amphibians: spring peeper (Pseudacris crucifer)

Elm Flats Wetland Preserve A rugged and marshy locale, the Elm Flats Preserve and the First Site at Elm Flats are most frequently visited by naturalists, botanists, hunters and birdwatchers looking to explore the site’s extraordinary flora and fauna. Located at the headwaters of Chautauqua Lake, these preserves are the only properties on Chautauqua Lake’s Big Inlet that are not privately owned. Size: 83 acres Year Conserved by CWC: 1995 (Elm Flats Preserve) and 2015 (First Site at Elm Flats) Address: 6540 Lawson Road, Mayville, NY Conservation Values: These preserves include a significant portion of the upper headwaters of Chautauqua Lake and therefore play an integral role in conserving the water quality of the lake and the ecological health of the region. The Elm Flats Preserve and the First Site at Elm Flats protect the only portion of Chautauqua Lake’s Big Inlet that is not privately owned. Recreational Use: There are currently no developed trails or other facilities within the preserves due to the extensive wetland, thick brush and deep mud. Most visitors are naturalists, botanists, hunters and birdwatchers. Location and Parking: The main Elm Flats Preserve is north of Lawson Road in the Town of Chautauqua. The preserve is by a sign west of the entrance that is set back approximately 25 feet from the road and may be obscured by vegetation at times. The First Site is just south of Lawson Road with three entrances, each a narrow dirt track over the culvert. Currently there are no designated parking areas. Features of Interest: Mostly forested wetland, which serves as the headwaters for Big Inlet, the largest tributary to Chautauqua Lake. Many minor tributaries to Big Inlet also traverse the preserve. Forest canopies are interrupted by small treeless areas consisting of shrub and wetland meadows. A logging road extends from the eastern entrance on Lawson Road almost to the southeastern boundary. SPECIES OF INTEREST: T rees: American elm (Ulmus Americana), black ash (Fraxinus nigra), cucumbertree (Magnolia acuminate), basswood (Tilia americana), quaking aspen (Populus tremuloides) Understory: witch hazel (Hamamelis virginiana), American hornbeam (Carpinus caroliniana) Reptiles and Amphibians: The following species of streamside salamanders, which are considered species of concern, include the northern dusky salamander (Desmognathus fuscus) and Allegheny dusky salamander (D. ochophaeus). Mudpuppy (Necturus punctatus) and short-headed garter snake (Thamnophis brachycepaha). Turtles include the spiny softshell turtle (Apalone spinifera) and painted turtle (Chrysemys picta). Fish: redside dace (Clinostomus elongatus), pumpkinseed sunfish (Lepomis gibbosus), mottled sculpin (Cottus bairdii), grass pickerel (Esox americanus vermiculatus) Mammals: bobcat (Lynx rufus), muskrat (Ondatra zibethicus), northern raccoon (Procyon lotor) Birds: red-shouldered hawk (Buteo lineatus), green heron (Butorides virescens), American woodcock (Scolopax minor), ovenbird (Seiurus aurocapilla), pileated woodpecker (Dryocopus pileatus), cedar waxwing (Bombycilla cedrorum) Wildflowers, shrubs, mosses and grasses: spicebush (Lindera benzoin), common elderberry (Sambucus canadensis), winterberry (Ilex verticillata), partridgeberry (Mitchella repens), goldthread (Coptis trifolia), sphagnum moss (Sphagnum sp.), Canadian lily of the valley (Maianthemum canadense), Joe Pye weed (Eupatorium maculatum), timothy (Phleum pretense), New England aster (Aster novae-angliae), rattlesnakeroot (Prenanthes sp.), willows (Salix spp.), silky dogwood (C. amomum), staghorn sumac (Rhus typhina) Amphibians: northern spring peeper (Pseudacris c. crucifer), wood frog (Rana sylvatica), pickerel frog (Rana palustris)

Fletcher Family Preserve This property was donated in memory of the Fletcher family, and it is split between two different parcels along Sunset Drive. The property has a small stream passing through, and it features wetlands, as well as upland mature hemlock forests creating a diversity of habitat. Size: 15.2 acres Year Conserved by CWC: 2017 Address: 2010 Sunset Drive, Lakewood, NY Conservation Values: The preserve’s forests allow rainwater to collect and slowly infiltrate, minimizing erosion and sedimentation downstream. Trees protect and stabilize the bank of the small stream passing through the property, which ultimately drains into Chautauqua Lake. Water is filtered through riparian vegetation, improving water quality in the watershed. Recreational Use: There are no formal trails, and parking is limited along Sunset Drive. Bowhunting only is permitted, but no permanent tree stands are allowed. Visitors are asked to avoid entering the property from Southwestern Drive, as that conflicts with the privacy of the adjoining landowners. Location and Parking: The Fletcher Family Preserve is located on Sunset Drive in the Town of Busti. The larger parcel adjoins the Sunset Hill Cemetery, and the smaller parcel is just down the road before Sunset Drive connects to Southwestern Drive. Features of Interest: A small pocket wetland is accessible from the southeastern parcel by hiking through a scenic conifer grove. Once across the stream, this wetland is easily reached. If visiting at the right time of year a large population of wild turtlehead (Chelone glabra) can be seen in bloom. The northern parcel is difficult to traverse in the region of the stream as there is dense brushy and invasive thorny shrubs. It is worth working through this region, as there is a picturesque grove of large black cherry (Prunus serotina) and eastern hemlock (Tsuga canadensis) just upslope from the stream. SPECIES OF INTEREST: Trees: Eastern hemlock (Tusga canadensis), pignut hickory (Carya glabra), northern red oak (Quercus rubra), black cherry (Prunus serotina) Shrubs: Witch hazel (Hamamelis virginiana), spicebush (Lindera benzoin), common elderberry (Sambucus canadensis), maple-leaved viburnum (Viburnum acerifolium) Wildflowers: Canadian lily of the valley (Maianthemum canadense), Jack in the pulpit (Arisaema triphyllum), white baneberry (Actaea pachypoda), white turtlehead (Chelone glabra), yellow mandarin (Prosartes lanuginosa) Birds: Pileated woodpecker (Dryocopus pileatus), warbling vireo (Vireo gilvus), scarlet tanager (Piranga olivacea)

Donor Advised Funds Manage your charitable giving in a tax-efficient and impactful way Clients of BNY Mellon, Fidelity Charitable, and Schwab Charitable can now make a designation from their donor-advised funds (DAFs) to the Chautauqua Watershed Conservancy through DAF Direct right here on our website. Simply fill out the form and select “Next” to help protect our community’s waterways, wildlife, and way of life. The Chautauqua Watershed Conservancy’s tax I.D. number is 16-1389010. PLEASE! When donating from a DAF, please be sure to let us know that you’ve done so. Often, we receive the funds through the financial institution as anonymous and have no way of knowing who has provided such generous support. You are important to us, and we want to be able to thank you, so please be sure to call or email our lead gifts officer to let us know you’ve made a grant through a DAF! DAFs, are a great way to support the charities you care about. You get the benefit of an immediate tax deduction and get to have a larger impact on the organizations you choose to support through grants that you recommend from the fund over time. Grants made to the Chautauqua Watershed Conservancy can be designated in one of two ways: • For us to use wherever the need is greatest (unrestricted) • For us to use for a specific program that matches the donor’s interests (for example: education, staff endowment, land acquisition and protection) If you need assistance with the form, have questions about making a designation, or would like help making a grant from a DAF outside of the above listed institutions please don’t hesitate to reach out to Director of Development Justina Dore, 716.664.2166 ext.1011, justina@chautauquawatershed.org. Why the Chautauqua Watershed Conservancy? When you choose to become a donor to the Chautauqua Watershed Conservancy, you have a direct and tangible impact on your local community. We work throughout Chautauqua County to preserve and protect our waterways, natural spaces for our wildlife, and places of peace and respite for our people. Your support stays here and gives you the opportunity to have a much greater impact. Consider joining our team so that we can work together to accomplish our shared goals of cleaner healthier water throughout Chautauqua County.

Employment Thank you for your interest in working with us! At this time, we do not have any openings. Please check back at a later date, or sign up for our e-news (using the form below) and follow us on social media to hear of future opportunities.

Countywide Trails & Recreation Map The countywide, interactive trails and recreation map is out! Access it at www.chqtrails.org ! Chautauqua County has a vast outdoor trail network, with more than 700 miles of trails available to the public that serve a variety of uses including hiking, mountain biking, horseback riding, snowmobiling, kayaking, cross-country skiing, and more. These trails are owned and managed by various nonprofits, like the Conservancy, as well as the county, state, and other entities. Each group maintains their own trail maps, which come in a variety of formats, sometimes creating inconsistency and confusion for trail users, while also leading to trail underutilization in some instances. Many of these entities are members of the ‘Friends of the Chautauqua County Greenways’ (FCCG), a group working to advance trail development, recreation, and conservation efforts in Chautauqua County. Chautauqua Watershed Conservancy is one of the group’s active members, and our director of conservation, Twan Leenders, serves as its board co-chair. In 2023, FCCG launched its ‘Chautauqua County Trail Mapping Project’ to develop a single user-friendly online map and a mobile app to have all trail data (for both greenways and waterways) within Chautauqua County compiled, housed, and accessible in an easy-to-locate and easy-to-edit online location across multiple webpages. The project entailed updating the county-wide GIS map database, developing an interactive web-based search tool, and establishing wayfinding, trailhead, trail information, and interpretive sign standards for Chautauqua County. It also included improving mapping and marketing efforts for the Marden E. Cobb Waterway Trail. In June 2024, FCCG unveiled the online version of the interactive map after a yearlong process that involved input from all trail user groups in the county – including us! The map lets users find accessible trails in all areas of the county for hiking, mountain biking, cross-country skiing, kayaking and rowing, horseback riding, and more! The map is a huge step forward for residents and visitors to learn about trail location, tread surface, parking, trail length, and permitted use. It’s a "one-stop-shop" for all your trail information in the county, and both residents and visitors are assured to get the maximum use out of our county’s amazing outdoor trail network thanks to this project! A mobile app is also available - get info on it at https://www.choosechq.com/agencies/credc/ccpeg/chautauqua-county-trails-map/ . For more info on the map and trails throughout the county, join the FCCG on Facebook here: https://www.facebook.com/groups/1166550607137711

Lawn Care Lawn care and the constant mowing and maintenance in your own yard can definitely be a chore. The realization that your personal health and the health of our communities is bound to the health of our land will not only save you time and money but will also help protect our local water, wildlife and way of life! So where do you begin? A great place to start is by reading our (new!) Homeowner's Guide to Watershed-Friendly Living (click on image) which will give you a host of ideas for simple and easy actions you can take in your yard and landscape that will preserve, protect, and enhance our area watersheds! These strategies can help protect our local water quality, enhance your enjoyment of our lakes and other water bodies, and increase your investment in your property. So whether you are a full-time or seasonal resident, Chautauqua County depends on you to make responsible decisions and practice lake-friendly living. The real environmental power lies in the hands of committed landowners like you! Here are some additional recommendations that will make a positive, healthy impact to your yard! Water Lawn Fertilizer - Protect water quality by reducing or eliminating fertilizer on your lawn. Fertilizer is food, but is your lawn hungry? Use too much, and it can escape your lawn and go on to feed runaway algae growth in our waterways. Water Conservation - Reduce how much and how often you water your lawn. The average American family uses about 300 gallons of water every day. A failure to protect and conserve our water resources can potentially lead to more expensive utilities, use restrictions and even significant impacts to recreational areas like lakes and rivers. Fallen Leaves - Mow these beautiful babies right into your lawn! Dry, mulched leaves will compost into your lawn, retain moisture, attract beneficial worms and prevent lawn diseases. Your grass will thank you for it! Pet Waste - Bag it and throw it in the trash. The connection between our water supply and pet waste might not be obvious, but that doesn’t mean it’s trivial. With an estimated 53 million dogs in the United States, poo that doesn’t get picked up can create serious water pollution issues. Septic Tank Maintenance - Have your tank pumped regularly. What is flushed down is not always forgotten. Leaking septic systems allow some serious pollutants to contaminate our waterways. Wildlife Native Plants & Pollinators - About 70% of pollution in our waterways comes from stormwater runoff. Landscaping with native plants can slow that runoff to a crawl or stop it altogether, and planting natives also supports our all-important pollinators at the same time! How You Mow Matters - Mowing your grass at 3 inches or taller will prevent diseases, promote deep-digging roots, help the grass conserve water, improve turf density and improve turf color. Way of Life The small and simple choices we make in our own backyards can greatly impact our local streams, rivers, and lakes. Our individual yards are just one individual ecosystem that, added together with each of our neighbors and surrounding communities, create one beautiful and viable watershed! After all, this is the water we drink, the water we play in, and a vital part of nature’s ecosystems. Lawn Alternatives It’s time for our traditional lawn to start kicking grass! Grass has its place…it’s hardy, you can play and roll on it and its shallow roots help keep soil in place. But it also has some drawbacks. Healthy grass needs a lot of mowing, chemicals (that don’t stay where they’re applied), and water to stay green throughout the summer. Its shallow roots do a poor job of soaking and cleaning excess water, which adds to stormwater runoff and flooding issues as well as to the pollution that enters our lakes and rivers. Lastly, it offers nothing to the beneficial insects that we rely on to pollinate our gardens and control pests. With so much of our urban and suburban environment covered by impermeable surfaces such as rooftops, streets, and parking lots, how we choose to plant our remaining green spaces has critical consequences for water and habitat quality. One great way to improve your lawn using less water and fertilizers is to sow grass seed into an existing lawn. Overseeding allows you to introduce better grass species, fill in bare patches and reduce crabgrass infestations. And at the same time, it creates a lawn that requires less watering and fewer fertilizers to keep it looking lush and green. Our top three recommendations for seeding your lawn are Tall Fescue (drought and shade tolerant, grows fast, less fertilizer needed) Perennial Rye Grass (full sun, grows fast but not drought and shade tolerant) Fine Fescue (shade tolerant, average growth, some drought tolerance) For more information on grass and grass seed, watch our “Healthy Lawns, Healthy Lakes” presentation featuring Dr. Frank Rossi below. For more information on turf alternatives, visit: www.bluethumb.org/turf-alternatives/ Turf-Alternatives-Handout_11.13.pdf (bluethumb.org) Frank Rossi Webinar

David & Margaret Naetzker Preserve Margaret Naetzker sought to permanently protect this site in memory of her husband, David. The intact forest on this site provide wildlife habitat, water filtration, and excellent opportunities for the public to enjoy a peaceful hike through the gallery of old mature oaks. Size: 72.9 acres Year Conserved by CWC: 2016 Address: 5036 NY-474, Ashville, NY Conservation Values: The preserve’s forests allow rainwater to collect and slowly infiltrate, minimizing erosion and sedimentation downstream. Trees protect and stabilize the bank of the unnamed creek that enters Goose Creek shortly after leaving the property. Water is filtered through riparian vegetation, improving water quality in the watershed. Recreational Use: A loop trail takes hikers up the slope, through the oaks and near the ravine. The Preserve is of interest for birders and botanists, with excellent diversity of both. Location: 5036 NY-474, Ashville, NY 14710 Features of Interest: The gallery of large, mature oaks creates an excellent experience for visitors. Starting from the parking area, users can traverse the somewhat steep but thankfully short hike up the slope to the upland area of the Preserve where they will find an artificial wetland pond created in 2017. A large project was completed in 2017, where more than 1,000 native plants were installed, a parking area was created, and the trails were laid out. TRAIL MAP: SPECIES OF INTEREST: T rees: Northern red oak (Quercus rubra), white oak (Quercus alba), American chestnut (Castanea dentate), cucumber magnolia (Magnolia acuminata), black cherry (Prunus serotina), shagbark hickory (Carya ovata), swamp hickory (Carya glabra) Shrubs: Witch hazel (Hamamelis virginiana), spicebush (Lindera benzoin), common elderberry (Sambucus canadensis), buttonbush (Cephalanthus occidentalis) Wildflowers: Canadian lily of the valley (Maianthemum canadense), Jack in the pulpit (Arisaema triphyllum), goldthread (Coptis trifolia), skunk cabbage (Symplocarpus foetidus), jewelweed (Impatiens capensis), black cohosh (Actaea racemosa), sharp-lobed hepatica (Hepatica acutiloba), multiple species of trillium Birds: Baltimore oriole (Icterus galbula), magnolia warbler (Setophaga magnolia), Tennessee warbler (Oreothlypis peregrina), Nashville warbler (Oreothlypis ruficapilla), blackburnian warbler (Setophaga fusca), scarlet tanager (Piranga olivacea)

Land & Habitat Conservation Land & Habitat Conservation Land conservation is the key to a healthy and sustainable future. Conserving open space helps supply clean drinking waters and clean air, provide healthy habitats for plants and animals, support plant and wildlife biodiversity, provide opportunities for recreation and the enjoyment of nature, and even mitigate natural hazards like flooding. Because we know how critical land conservation is for healthy communities now and in the future, we have permanently protected more than 1,250 acres of land in 35 nature preserves in the Chautauqua region. But there is an urgent need for increased land conservation, and we are continually working to protect even more of these precious places. We have a number of new land conservation projects currently in the works and hope to be able to share them with you soon, so be sure to check this page regularly for updates! In the meantime, if you’d like to donate to help us protect additional natural landscapes and habitats, you can make a contribution here . Donate Now

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.

Sunnyside Marsh Preserve The Sunnyside Marsh Preserve protects important wetlands in the Chautauqua Lake watershed. The preserve has a key location about 600 feet from the northern edge of the southern basin of Chautauqua Lake, near the lake’s outlet at the Chadakoin River. While the preserve is largely inaccessible for recreation, it plays an important role in filtering runoff from nearby agricultural uses, sports fields, industrial uses and roadways. Size: 4.5 acres Year Conserved by CWC: 2011 Address: 2834 Sunnyside Road, Ellery, NY Conservation Values: During heavy precipitation, the wetlands protected at the Sunnyside March Preserve collect and slowly infiltrate floodwaters to minimize erosion and sedimentation downstream. The plant communities filter precipitation and runoff to improve the water quality in the Chautauqua Lake Watershed. This preserve plays an important role as a buffer from human uses upstream, including athletic and agricultural fields, a scrapyard, highways and roadways. Recreational Use: There is currently no trail system at this preserve. The preserve is largely inaccessible, and only roadside parking is available. A biological inventory and study of the Preserve confirmed at least 90 different bird species reside in or pass through these wetlands, making this a great spot for birdwatching! Location and Parking: The Sunnyside Marsh Preserve is located east of Sunnyside Road in the town of Ellery. The preserve is accessible from Sunnyside Road, which is also its western boundary. Features of Interest: The land is entirely woody wetland habitat, as is most of the surrounding land. SPECIES OF INTEREST: Trees: northern red oak (Quercus rubra), black cherry (Prunus serotine), white pine (Pinus strobus) Shrubs: American witch hazel (Hamamelis virginiana), silky dogwood (Cornus amomum), speckled alder (Alnus incana), buttonbush (Cephalanthus occidentalis), spicebush (Lindera benzoin), willow (Salix spp.), highbush blueberry (Vaccinium corymbosum), elderberry (S. canadensis) Wildflowers: green-headed coneflower (Rudbeckia laciniata), water forget-me-not (Myosotis scorpioides), spotted joe-pye weed (Eutrochium maculatum), red clover (Trifolium pratense), clematis (Clematis spp.), wild sarspirilla (Aralia nudicaulis) Understory: cinnamon fern (Osmunda cinnamomea), northern lady fern (Athyrium angustum) Birds: bald eagle (Haliaetus leucocephalus), red-tailed hawk (Buteo jamaicensis), cedar waxwing (Bombycilla cedrorum), green heron (Butorides virescens), black-billed cuckoo (Coccyzus erythropthalmus), American redstart (Setophaga ruticilla), scarlet tanager (Piranga olivacea), northern waterthrush (Parkesia noveboracensis) Reptiles & Amphibians: spotted salamander (Ambystoma maculatum), American toad (Bufo americanus)

Free Consultation For property owners who are looking to enhance and make changes to their yards to benefit Chautauqua’s waterways, the Chautauqua Watershed Conservancy offers free consultations and technical assistance. Our conservationists can advise you on the planting of rain gardens, shoreline buffers, and native plants to better store and filter nutrients and pollution from stormwater runoff on your property. This free service is available for properties of all sizes throughout Chautauqua County. Fill out the form below, and one of our conservationists will contact you. Free Yard Smarts Consultation Request Full Name Email Phone Property Location Property Size Type your message here... Thanks for your request! We'll be in touch soon! Submit

Houston Hollow Preserve CWC’s Houston Hollow preserve, while small, protects 1.3 acres of wetlands that important to the health of Chautauqua Lake. The site is home to many wetland plants, and it provides habitat to many wildlife and waterfowl species that travel through or make a home on Chautauqua Lake. In 2018, the Village of Celeron denied CWC’s ability to have public access to this property. As such, it is only available for tours when accompanied by a CWC representative. Size: 1.3 acres Year Conserved by CWC: 2003 Address: 135 Houston Avenue, Jamestown, NY Conservation Values: Water runs through the riparian plant communities and is filtered on its way to Chautauqua Lake. This undisturbed land provides resting, foraging and breeding habitat for many wildlife species. Recreational Use: There are currently no developed trails or any other facilities within the preserve due to its wet conditions. Informal paths that lead through dense underbrush and are fragmented and difficult to follow. This preserve is mainly used for CWC-led tours and self-guided visits by recreationists. Location and Parking: The Houston Hollow preserve is located southeast of Chautauqua Lake, north of Route 394 near the corner of Houston Avenue and Houston Court in the town of Ellicott. The preserve can be accessed off Houston Court in the town of Celoron. Features of Interest: During spring and after heavy rainfall, one small intermittent stream runs east to west 180 feet through the northern section of the property, ending in a shallow emergent marsh. SPECIES OF INTEREST: Trees: apple (Malus spp.), white ash (Fraxinus americana), quaking aspen (Populus tremuloides) Shrubs: Witch hazel (Hamamelis virginiana), spicebush (Lindera benzoin), common elderberry (Sambucus canadensis), maple-leaved viburnum (Viburnum acerifolium) Wildflowers: cuckoo flower (Cardamine pratensis), dame’s rocket (Hesperis matronalis), wild geranium (Geranium maculatum), jewelweed (Impatiens capensis), arrowleaf (Peltandra virginica), skunk cabbage (Symplocarpus foetidus), sensitive fern (Onoclea sensibilis), witch hazel (Hamamelis virginiana) Birds: chipping sparrow (Spizella passerina), northern flicker (Colaptes auratus), red-eyed vireo (Vireo olivaceus), tufted titmouse (Baeoplophus bicolor), white-breasted nuthatch (Sitta carolinensis) Amphibians: American toad (Bufo americanus), red back salamander (Plethodon cinereus)

Lower Chadakoin River Restoration & Activation Since the founding of Jamestown, its Chadakoin River has been a lifeline for the community – powering industry, providing clean water, and nurturing healthy habitats for fish, wildlife, and agriculture. However, the lower part of the Chadakoin River (the 3.5-mile section of the river from Warner Dam to the Falconer Village line) was neglected for decades, posing risks to human health and properties. In late 2021, Chautauqua Watershed Conservancy developed a multi-year “Lower Chadakoin River Restoration & Activation” plan to address the many challenges facing the lower river. And in 2022, with American Rescue Plan Act (ARPA) recovery funds awarded to us by the City of Jamestown, we were able to implement Phase I of the plan, which included the clearing of accumulated logs and woody debris from the river channel and removing trees that were at imminent risk of falling into the river. In some areas, lumber had accumulated over many years, forming log jams that partially blocked the river and caused erosion as well as diversions in the river’s flow and flooding downstream. Well over 150 dead standing trees from the riverbanks and hundreds of cubic yards of woody debris were removed from the riverbed. We also worked to remove non-native invasive plant species and add native vegetation where possible. In 2023, we were awarded funding from the Chautauqua County Legislature to continue our restoration work and have been busy this spring and summer removing additional hazardous log jams and woody debris in the most critical locations. We also received funding (in collaboration with the County’s Department of Economic Development and Chautauqua County’s Soil and Water Conservation District) to establish a reserve fund to quickly address emergency erosion and other pollution control needs in any of the county’s waterways. This would include new tree falls, compromised banks, eroding slopes, etc. Although these are generally small in scale, they can become a source of major sediment loss and cause structural bank damage and sedimentation if not addressed quickly and adequately. This newly established reserve fund will greatly improve the efficiency and significantly reduce the costs of emergency repairs to our streambanks and lakeshores because funds are now available to address new threats quickly, before the problems become bigger and more costly to fix. We are very excited to take a lead role in developing the road map to protecting and restoring our county’s most valuable aquatic resources, while also exploring opportunities for sustainable and ecologically sensible recreational activities that will provide greater public enjoyment of these beautiful “blue ways” and generate the financial resources needed to support their long-term conservation. In addition, the improvements we will be able to make this year will have a very visible impact on the health and beauty of our rivers, creeks, and lakes!

Webinars & Other Videos Chautauqua Watershed Conservancy Our Lakeshore Connection Chautauqua Watershed Conservancy Play Video Share Whole Channel This Video Facebook Twitter Pinterest Tumblr Copy Link Link Copied Now Playing 08:28 Play Video Our Lakeshore Connection Now Playing 03:07 Play Video Our Lakeshore Connection Part 1: Understanding Your Lake Now Playing 05:20 Play Video Our Lakeshore Connection Part 2: Creating Your Lakeshore Oasis

NWF Certified Wildlife Habitat To give extra support to our local wildlife, including songbirds and pollinators, we’re working to certify Chautauqua County as a Community Wildlife Habitat with the National Wildlife Federation (NWF). Community certification through NWF is based on a points system, which includes the completion of various educational and outreach activities by the Conservancy as well as the certification of a certain number of individual habitats within that community. Those individual habitats can be a yard, garden, balcony container, schoolyard, work landscape, or roadside greenspace . . . just to name a few places! And certification can be done by anyone, be it a homeowner, business, school, association, church, municipality and/or library. Creating wildlife habitat to attract and provide for birds, bees, butterflies, and other beneficial wildlife, is easy, fun, and will have a big impact in your yard, neighborhood, and community. It will also help water quality! The habitat should include sources for food, water, cover, and places to raise young (see the checklist below) and be tended to with sustainable, environmentally friendly landscaping practices. Once your habitat has these required features, you can then certify it with the National Wildlife Federation and, if you reside in Chautauqua County, help us reach the goal of certifying the County as a NWF Community Wildlife Habitat! The certification application processing fee is just $20, and if you need help enhancing your yard or garden for certification, our conservationist, Carol Markham, can assist you with a free LakeScapes consultation . Healthy habitats and healthy communities go hand-in hand. Help us make Chautauqua County a healthier, greener, and more wildlife-friendly place to benefit wildlife and humans alike! Get more info and certify at https://www.nwf.org/certify

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.

Donate Cryptocurrency Thanks so much for your interest in donating cryptocurrency to the Chautauqua Watershed Conservancy! Click the button below to make your donation through CryptoForCharity, which will convert your crypto to US dollars and send it to us so we can put your gift to work cleaning and protecting our waterways! Donate Crypto! Why donate crypto? You can give mo re for less cost! Donating crypto directly to a charity can save you money on two types of taxes: Avoid paying capital gains tax on your crypto gains Receive a federal income tax deduction for the full value of your crypto (s tate and local income tax deductions may also be available) BOOM! You just gave more for less cost! The alternative is to sell your crypto and donate the cash proceeds, but you would first owe capital gains tax on the appreciation, resulting in higher taxes for you and less dollars going to furthering the mission of the charity.