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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.

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 Daniel Conklin, Land Acquisition Coordinator 716-664-2166 x1012 daniel@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.

Events Calendar Upcoming Events Wine on the Trail Nov 21, 2025, 4:00 PM Chautauqua Creek Oxbow Forest Preserve, 8149 Lyons Road, Sherman, NY 14781 Join us for a walk with wine (or other beverage) through our Chautauqua Creek Oxbow Forest Preserve! More Info Annual Charity Pro-Am Golf Tournament Jun 29, 2026, 10:00 AM Chautauqua Golf Club, 4731 W Lake Rd, Chautauqua, NY Save the date of Monday, June 29th for our annual Charity Pro-Am Golf Tournament! Sponsor and/or play in the tournament and help support our great work! Learn more Online Native Plant Sale Ongoing www.myhomepark.com/cwc-native-plant-sale Buy native plants and have them shipped right to your door! Learn more

Randy Allen Hendrickson Preserve The Randy Allen Hendrickson Watershed Preserve offers 16 acres of trail-free wilderness for hiking, exploring and geocaching. The property is biodiverse, making it a rewarding spot for birdwatchers, wildlife spotters and botanists. Size: 18 acres Year Conserved by CWC: 2008 Address: 295 Woodworth Avenue, Jamestown, NY Conservation Values: The Randy Allen Hendrickson Watershed Preserve protects 1,200 feet of naturally vegetated streambanks along Chautauqua Lake tributaries. The trees along the stream absorb and filter water and offer natural bank stabilization. Recreational Use: There are currently no developed trails or any other facilities within the preserve, and it is used primarily by botanists, birdwatchers and geocachers. Fishing is permitted at this preserve, but off-road vehicle use is prohibited. Location and Parking: Located southeast of Chautauqua Lake in the town of Ellicott, the Randy Allen Hendrickson Watershed Preserve can be accessed off Elmwood Avenue in West Ellicott, south of Route 394. Features of Interest: Tributaries to Chautauqua Lake flow through this forested preserve. SPECIES OF INTEREST: Trees: quaking aspen (Populus tremuloides), black cherry (Prunus serotine), white ash (Fraxinus americana), shagbark hickory (Carya ovata), butternut (Juglans cinerea), eastern cottonwood (Populus deltoides), apple (Malus spp.) Understory: skunk cabbage (Symplocarpus foetidus), false hellebore (Veratrum viride), switch grass (Panicum virgatum), white rattlesnake-root (Prenanthes alba), gray-stemmed dogwood (Cornus recemosa), common strawberry (Fragaria virginiana) Wildflowers: lily of the valley (Convallaria mejalis), wild geranium (Geranium maculatum), common violet (Viola sororia), marsh marigold (Caltha palustris), cuckoo flower (Cardamine pratensis), yellow avens (Geum aleppicum), true forget-me-not (Myosotis scorploides), marsh fern (Thelypteris palustris) Birds: tufted titmouse (Baeolophus bicolor), purple finch (Carpodacus purpureus), northern flicker (Colaptes auratus), great crested flycatcher (Myiarchus crinitus), Baltimore oriole (Icterus galbula), red-bellied woodpecker (Melanerpes carolinus) Amphibians: spotted salamander (Ambystoma maculatum), American toad (Bufo americanus)

Invasive Plants A plant is considered invasive when it is both non-native to the region and is able to grow in a wide range of environmental conditions, grow and reproduce themselves quickly and spread to the point of disrupting and displacing native plant communities or ecosystems. Invasive plants that evolved in other parts of the world or were cultivated by humans into forms that don’t exist in nature do not support wildlife as well as native plants. Many have escaped into our natural areas and have become invasive exotics that have destroyed and taken over our natural habitat. The top five invasive plants you are likely to see in your yard in and around Chautauqua County are Japanese Knotweed, Asian Bush Honeysuckle, Purple Loosestrife, Multi-flora Rose and Norway Maple. Unfortunately, some local nurseries still sell ornamental garden plants that are considered invasive and potentially harmful to the environment. A few of those plants, and alternative native choices, are: • Instead of a Norway Maple, consider a Sugar Maple or Red Maple • Instead of a Burning Bush, consider a Virginia Sweetspire or Bush Honeysuckle • Instead of a Chanticleer Pear, consider a Serviceberry • Instead of a Butterflybush, consider a Butterflyweed or Swamp Milkweed • Instead of a Yellow-Flag iris, consider a Blue-Flag Iris For more information regarding invasive species in our area, visit: Invasive Species Western New York PRISM (wnyprism.org) https://youtu.be/NKh8Lc31rm8 NYSDEC “Uninvited” Documentary Cornell Cooperative Extension | Invasive Plants

Conserving Your Land Conservation is a state of harmony between men and land. - Aldo Leo pold Conservation is the prote ction or restoration of something from loss, damage or neglect. The conservation of land helps to keep property in a natural state through proper management, which not only s a ves o ur limited resources but also helps to protect the health and quality of our waterways, air, soils, food resources, and way of li fe! Landowners choose to conserve their lands for a variety of reasons. Some love their forests, some love their birds and other wildlife, some love to hunt or fish, and some want to protect the sites of che rished family memories. If you are considering conserving your land, whatever your reason, we can help you determine which conservation option may be right for you and your property! Some of those opt ions a re: Voluntary Handshake R egistry : Pledge to carefully steward your land to protect its habitats and ecology while you own it and notify the Chautauqua Watershed Conservancy should you desire or need to sell your land. You pledge to notify us before doing so with the intent that we have an opportunity to work with you to conserve all or part of it before it is sold to another party. Bequest : Leave a designated part or all of your property to us through your will. Conservation Easement : Protect all or just a part of your property in perpetuity with a deed monitored by Chautauqua Watershed Conservancy. You continue to own the property and agree to only use it in ways that don’t negatively impact the ecology, waterways, fish and wildlife, or scenic beauty of the property. Hunting, camping, sustainable forestry, and farming are some of the uses allowed under a conservation easement. Donation of Land : Donate property by transferring ownership to us for conservation or for resale to support our organization’s conservation activities. Bargain Sale : Negotiate a partial donation of the value of your land as pa rt of a sale below appraised fair market value to meet your conservation intent . Sale : Sell your property to us at a negotiated price no higher than at appraised fair market value. Retained Life Estate : Donate your land to us but retain use of your property for the remainder of your lifetime. If you’re interested in taking the next step, reach out to us at 716-664-2166 or info@chautauquawatershed.org . We'd love to learn more about your prope rty and explore these options with you!

Employer Matching Many companies encourage charitable giving by matching your gift at no cost to you. Taking advantage of this benefit can often double or even triple the impact of your generosity! If your company is eligible use the information below to complete a matching gift form provided by your employer. Chautauqua Watershed Conservancy, Inc. PO Box 45 71 E. Fairmount Avenue Lakewood, New York 14750 E-mail Address: whitney@chautauquawatershed.org Organization Type: Environmental, Conservation Please email or mail us a copy of your completed form so that we can be sure to attribute the matching gift to you – we want to be able to thank you! The Chautauqua Watershed Conservancy is a registered 501(c)(3). For questions regarding your employer matching gift program, we would recommend contacting your employer human resources or personnel office directly; however, we are always here to help. If your employer needs more information or you have questions about processing matching gifts, please feel free to call or email our Director of Development, Whitney Gleason, at 716.664.2166 ext.1006 or whitney@chautauquawatershed.org .

Bentley Preserve The Bentley Nature Preserve has been a nature preserve since 1960. It was gifted to the Chautauqua Watershed Conservancy by the Jamestown Audubon Society in 2016. The preserve offers a beautiful spot to hike, bike, cross-country ski or snowshoe through the woods. Visitors can enjoy CWC’s loop trail (0.78 miles in length), which traverses foot bridges over the stream that weaves through the property, in any season. In spring and summer, many wildflowers can be found onsite, and the CWC maintains a dedicated wildflower garden near the parking area. The site also preserves habitat for local wildlife, and the stream passing through the Preserve drains into the Chautauqua Lake/Chadakoin River area, an important breeding ground for the spiny soft-shelled turtle (Apalone spinifera). Size: 40 acres Year Conserved by CWC: 2016 Address: 2960 Bentley Avenue, Jamestown, NY Conservation Values: The Bentley Nature Preserve protects a Chautauqua Lake tributary that empties to the lake less than a half mile downstream. The trees on the site stabilize the banks of the tributary, while the streambank vegetation filters stormwater runoff from the nearby highway and agricultural lands. Water from this preserve flows into an important breeding habitat for the spiny soft-shelled turtle. Recreational Use: This preserve is excellent for hiking and is convenient to access. It has a well-maintained trail system, including a foot bridge over the stream. The park is fantastic for outdoor recreation, as well as for spotting local flora and fauna. Location and Parking: Located in the town of Ellicott, the Bentley Nature Preserve is located less than a half mile from the eastern shore of Chautauqua Lake just south of Interstate 86. The preserve can be accessed from Bentley Avenue, off of Route 430, and there is a main preserve sign, small lane for parking and an informational kiosk at its entrance. Features of Interest: The preserve is almost entirely forested, ranging from coniferous to deciduous forest habitat, with large areas of open and forested wetland. TRAIL MAP: SPECIES OF INTEREST: Trees: tamarack (Larix laricina), black cherry (Prunus serotine), American mountain-ash (Sorbus Americana), box elder (Acer negundo) Wildflowers: turtle-head (Chelone glabra), blue cohosh (Caulophyllum thalictroides), impatiens (Impatiens capensis), cardinal flower (Lobelia cardinalis), great blue lobelia (Lobelia syphalitica), monkey flower (Mimulus ringens), blue vervain (Verbena hastata), starry false solomon’s seal (Smilacina stellate) Shrubs: spicebush (Lindera benzoin), winterberry (Ilex verticillata), staghorn sumac (Rhustyphina), swamp rose (Rosa palustris), red raspberry (Rubus ideaus), highbush blueberry (Vaccinium corymbosum) Reptiles and amphibians: spiny softshelled turtle (Apalone spinifera) Birds: pileated woodpecker (Dryocopus pileatus), eastern wood-pewee (Contopus virens), red-eyed vireo (Vireo olivaceus), tufted titmouse (Baeolophus bicolor), white-breasted nuthatch (Sitta carolinensis), common yellowthroat (Geothlypis trichas), rose-breasted grosbeak (Pheucticus ludovicianus), Baltimore oriole (Icterus galbula)

Make a Donation Our conservation work is only possible with the support of donors like you. Charitable gifts to Chautauqua Watershed Conservancy support and protect healthy lands and healthy waterways in the Chautauqua region for humans and wildlife alike, and all gifts make a difference! Donate today, and make an investment in our community and toward the quality of life for future generations! Ways To Donate: Online: complete the form below Phone: call us at 716-664-2166 to donate by phone with a credit or debit card Mail: write out a check to Chautauqua Watershed Conservancy and mail it to PO Box 45, Lakewood, NY, 14750 Venmo: @ChautauquaWatershedConservancy (Note: you will see the name of our business manager, Caitlin Gustafson, listed with the account. The first time you use Venmo to make a donation to us, it may ask for the last four digits of a phone number to confirm the account - please use 6718.) Level of Support * $2,500 $1,500 $1,000 $500 $250 $100 $50 $25 Other (Please enter amount below) Gift Preference Designation Tribute Gift This gift is made in honor, memory or support of someone I’m donating in the name of: Choose an option Please notify the following person of my gift Donor Contact Information This is the way I/we would like my/our names to appear in publications: Billing Address Mailing Address (If different from billing address) Comments Enter the amount you wish to donate $ Check here if you’d like us to contact you about making a monthly or quarterly donation. Go to Checkout Thank you for your support! Thank you for supporting a healthy watershed! Chautauqua Watershed Conservancy is a 501(c)(3) nonprofit with the tax ID 16-1389010. Donations are tax deductible as allowed by law. For any questions, please call 716-664-2166 or email info@chautauquawatershed.org. All information submitted to the Chautauqua Watershed Conservancy is confidential. We do not retain debit/credit card information nor share donor information with third parties.

Cassadaga Lakes Nature Park The Cassadaga Lakes Nature Park protects 1,100 feet of Cassadaga Lakes’ shoreline. The site includes 26 acres of high ecological value lake front wetlands as well as 51 acres of rolling forest covered terrain that is mostly hemlock and white pine, which is ideal habitat for all kinds of birds, frogs, salamanders, snakes and waterfowl. More than 175 species of birds have been identified there, making it one of the most diverse birding sites in Chautauqua County. The park also recently earned a spot on the New York State Birding Trail list. Size: 77 acres Year Conserved by CWC: 2020 Address: 8131 NY-60, Cassadaga, NY Conservation Values: This preserve protects approximately 1,100 feet of naturally vegetated lakeshore. Trees and emergent vegetation along the lake offer natural bank protection and stabilization. Water is filtered as it passes through wetland plant communities en route to Cassadaga Lakes. The site effectively filters 1,800 acres of farm and field runoff on its way through to the lakes. Recreational Use: There are currently two moderately developed trails – an easy loop (0.8 miles) and a center loop (1.8 miles) that overlap each other near the parking area but then separate to provide a shorter, flatter trail on the easy loop and a longer more rolling terrain hike on the center loop. Easy loop trails are marked with orange markers and center loop trails are marked with blue markers. The park also has a a wildlife viewing platform with benches and a bird blind location on the edge of Mud Lake as well as a welcome kiosk pavilion near the entrance and parking area. No other facilities or amenities are provided on site. There is no easy access for fishing from the site as most of the shore is dominated by emergent swamp that impenetrable on foot or by boat. Birdwatching, botanizing and nature walking are all common uses for the trails and forests. Location and Parking: Located on the south shore of the upper Cassadaga Lakes basin in Chautauqua County, the preserve can be easily accessed from NY Route 60 off the unmarked spur road across from the south end of Ulrich Park Road (located between Camp Gross and Tim Horton's). A small parking area accommodates about six regular sized vehicles. Features of Interest: The preserve is bordered on the west by Upper Cassadaga Lake. The land is currently undeveloped and forested, with a “beaver pond” at the back of the center loop trail. Seasonal pools along the trail host frogs and salamanders and the park includes a view out across a small glacial kettle lake called Mud Lake. SPECIES OF INTEREST: T rees: Red Maple (Acer Rubrum), Sugar Maple (Acer saccharum), Yellow Birch (Betula allegheniensis), White pine (Pinus strobus), Hemlock (Conium maculatum) Shrubs: Spice bush (Lindera benzoin), Witch hazel (Hamemelis virginiana) Understory: eastern skunk cabbage (Symplocarpus foetidus), ostrich fern (Matteuccia struthiopteris), royal fern (Osmunda regalis) Wildflowers: marsh marigold (Caltha palustris), purple trillium (Trillium erectum), jack-in-the-pulpit (Arisaema triphyllum), trout lily (Erythronium americanum), false hellebore (Veratrum viride), Indian pipe (Monotropa uniflora) Birds: common loon (Gavia immer), belted kingfisher (Megaceryle alcyon), hairy woodpecker (Picoides villosus), Screech owl (Megascops asio) Amphibians: red backed salamander (Plethodon cinereus)

PRESERVE VISITOR GUIDELINES When visiting our preserves, please follow these guidelines and safety measures: Visitation Hours & Access Access to and use of our nature preserves is free and open to the public year-round from sunrise to sunset, except for our Houston Hollow Preserve, which is only open by special appointment, and the Bear Lake Wetlands due to the sensitive habitat and mostly wet nature of the site. Safety & Comfort Reminders Wear sunscreen and insect repellent Wear closed-toed and weatherproof footwear that is suitable for walking and hiking Long-sleeved pants and shirts are also recommended to help protect visitors from poison ivy, ticks, and other insects Remain cognizant of your surroundings and bring a compass or other orienteering device Permitted Activities Hiking and walking Snowshoeing and cross-country skiing (in winter when there is adequate snow cover) Bird and wildlife watching Nature study and photography Geocaching Hunting and fishing – at certain locations only Prohibited Activities Feeding, handling, trapping, releasing or disturbing wildlife Picking, collecting, eating, or removing flowers, plants or fruits Camping or building fires Using scooters, ATVs, snowmobiles or other motorized vehicles or toys Bringing or using cigarettes, e-cigarettes, drugs, or alcohol on the premises (note: alcohol may be used in the case of special events held by the Conservancy and in accordance with all New York State laws) Leaving anything behind - please carry out everything that you carry in Pets Dogs are welcome on our preserves but must be leashed at all times to keep them, other dogs, people, and wildlife safe. No exceptions. Dog poop must be bagged and taken with you when you leave. Please plan to bring your own pet waste bags. Hunting & Fishing Hunting and/or fishing is permitted on some of our nature preserves. Please see the Explore our Preserves page to see which preserves are open to these activities. All local and state hunting and fishing laws and seasons must be followed at all times on all Chautauqua Watershed Conservancy preserves. Prior permission is required to hunt on our preserves. Please contact our land specialist, Bethany O'Hagan, at 716-664-2166 x1007 or 716-204-9083 or bethany@chautauquawatershed.org to request permission.

Dobbins Woods Preserve The Dobbins Woods Preserve protects 3,300 feet of naturally vegetated streambanks, located in a beautiful wooded setting. A looped trail on the site makes the preserve a popular place for hiking, biking, dog walking, cross-country skiing and snowshoeing. Size: 100 acres Year Conserved by CWC: 1995 Address: 5273 Bly Hill Road, Ashville, NY Conservation Values: The Dobbins Wood Preserve permanently protects natural streambanks. The preserve land stores, filters and delivers clean water to Chautauqua Lake through its forested wetland and riparian areas. It also provides excellent wildlife habitat. Recreational Use: A well-developed marked loop trail provides a venue for CWC-led tours, as well as for enjoyment by hikers, naturalists, birdwatchers and cross-country skiers. Location and Parking: west of Chautauqua Lake on the south side of Bly Hill Road of state Route 394, with parking for up to 5 cars and access to the trailhead. A CWC sign marks the entrance of the preserve. Features of Interest: The land is forested and dimpled with wetlands, and it contains two small streams running southeast. TRAIL MAP: SPECIES OF INTEREST: T rees: shagbark hickory (Carya ovata), black cherry (Prunus serotine), white ash (Fraxinus americana), Norway spruce (Picea abies), scotch pine (Pinus sylvestris) Wildflowers, shrubs and grasses: Spring beauty (Claytonia virginica), Indian pipe (Monotropa uniflora), dwarf ginseng (Panax trifolius), blue cohosh (Caulophyllum thalictroides), jack-in-the-pulpit (Arisaema triphyllum), marsh marigold (Caltha palustris), calico aster (Symphyotrichum lateriflorum), cuckoo flower (Cardamine pratensis), raspberry (Rubus Mammals: Eastern coyote (Caniss latrans), fisher (Martes pennanti), raccoon (Procyon lotor) Birds: pileated woodpecker (Hylatomus pileatus), Northern flicker (Colaptes auratus), nuthatch (Sitta sp.) Amphibians: Eastern newt (Notophthalmus viridescens), red backed salamander (Plethodon cinereus), spring peeper (Pseudacris crucifer) Fungi: Common ink cap (Coprinopsis atamentaria), galerina marginata (Galerina marginata), lacquered polypore (Ganoderma tsugae), lion’s mane (Hericium erinaceus)

Chautauqua Creek East Branch Preserve Featuring 2,400 feet of natural stream frontage, the Chautauqua Creek East Branch Preserve helps filter and slow runoff into Chautauqua Creek. This undisturbed preserve also provides habitat to many species of birds and wildlife, making it a favorite place for birdwatchers and for CWC-led tours. A beaver pond on the property attracts and serves as a home to many woodland and aquatic creatures. Size: 21.6 acres Year Conserved by CWC: 2005 Address: 4545 Sherman-Mayville Road, Sherman, NY Conservation Values: Trees growing along the protected streambank help stabilize the bank and mitigate flood events. Vegetation along the bank filters and improves water quality en route to Lake Erie and Westfield’s public drinking water supply. This large tract of undisturbed land provides crucial resting, foraging and breeding habitat for certain wildlife species. Recreational Use: There are currently no developed trails or facilities in this preserve. Informal paths are present but fragmented and difficult to follow, often leading through dense underbrush and deep muck. The preserve is an area of special interest to botanists and birdwatchers. Archery hunting and fishing are allowed at this preserve. Location and Parking: Located on the Mayville-Sherman Road (Route 430) in the town of Chautauqua, the preserve is accessible at the main sign and gravel parking lot across from Red Wing Road, about 5 miles from Mayville. Features of Interest: The preserve is filled with forested riparian wetlands and streams, as well as an expansive system of beaver ponds. An upland area on the west side of the property contains mature to old growth trees. The western edge of the preserve is bordered by an inactive railroad berm that is owned by Chautauqua Rails to Trails. SPECIES OF INTEREST: T rees: Black cherry (Prunus serotina), American beech (Fagus grandifolia) Shrubs: Dogwoods (Cornus spp.), hawthorn (Crataegus spp.) raspberries (Rubus spp.) Aquatic Plants: Waterweed (Elodea canadensis), duckweeds (Lemna spp.) Wildflowers: Lance-leaved goldenrod (Solidago graminifolia), Joe Pye weed (Eupatorium maculatum), swamp milkweed (Asclepias incarnata), wild clematis (Clematis sp.), trout lily (Erythronium americanum), St. John’s wort (Hypericum perforatum), oxeye daisy (Leucanthemum vulgare), square-stem monkey flower (Mimulus ringens), wild parsnip (Pastinaca sativa), black-eyed Susan (Rudbeckia serotina), blue flag iris (Iris versicolor) Fish: Creek chub (Semotilus atromaculatus), pumpkinseed (Lepomis gibbosus) Mammals: North American beaver (Castor canadensis), river otter (Lontra canadensis), muskrat (Ondatra zibethicus) Birds: Common yellowthroat (Geothlypis trichas), green heron (Butorides virescens), great blue heron (Ardea herodias), red tailed hawk (Buteo jamaicensis) Insects: Baltimore checkerspot (Euphydryas phaeton), ebony jewelwing (Calopteryx maculate), bumblebee (Bombus sp.)

Land Donations and Land Campaigns The Chautauqua Watershed Conservancy is devoted to protecting important lands throughout the Chautauqua region. If you are looking for ways to preserve and protect the lands you love in perpetuity you’ve come to the right place! Supporting one of our land campaigns, making a gift of land to us , or working with us to put an easement on your property ensures that it will be protected from future development, and will be stewarded in a way that maintains or improves its ecological health and importance to our environment. Land Donations and Easements Current Lands Campaigns

Endowment Fund Leave a Legacy - Give to our Endowment Fund! An endowment fund is a long-term investment tool that generates ongoing annual support for a nonprofit organization by providing a steady stream of income from the fund’s earned interest. When you donate to our endowment fund, you’re not just making a donation – you’re making an investment in clean water, healthy ecosystems, and protected natural spaces across the Chautauqua region. It means that your gift will help protect these essential resources not just for today - but for every year to come. Our endowment fund is professionally managed by the Chautauqua Region Community Foundation. Use the link below to make your endowment gift and help ensure that our mission for healthier, more resilient lands and waters endures for generations! Donate Here! For more information, reach out to our Director of Development, Justina Dore, at justina@chautauquawatershed.org . or 716-664-2166 x1011.

Board Director Openings Do you have a passion for conservation and are looking to get more involved? We'd love to chat with you about possibly joining our awesome volunteer board of directors! If you don’t already know, we are a local not-for-profit land trust working to conserve and restore natural areas for habitat and wildlife protection, water quality, and climate resiliency in and around Chautauqua County. As one of our board members, you will help guide and set our organization’s priorities, policies, and strategic goals and serve as an advocate to promote our mission, programs, and activities to the community. Our board members also serve on at least one of our advisory committees, letting you get more “hands on” in an area that speaks to your particular interests or expertise. If you’re interested in this opportunity to have a meaningful impact on protecting our natural resources, please reach out to us at info@chautauquawatershed.org . We are welcoming of all backgrounds, experiences, and skill sets and would love to hear from you!

Gifts of Stock and IRA Distributions How to Donate Stock Each stock gift we receive strengthens our programmatic work while providing tax benefits for supporters. Click here to complete your stock distribution form to send to your broker. Account and Contact Details Our legal name: Chautauqua Watershed Conservancy, Inc. Brokerage account: LPL The LPL contact for our account is Gary Barnes, and his phone number is 814.726.1610. Account number: 43980042 DTC number: 0075 The Chautauqua Watershed Conservancy contact for stock donations is Whitney Gleason, she can be reached at 716.664.2166 ext. 1006 Click here if you would like a printable/emailable pdf of the above information Benefits of Donating Stock A federal income charitable contribution tax deduction based on the stock’s fair market value on the date of the gift (up to 30% of your adjusted gross income) if the stock was owned for more than one year; Carryover of the deduction for up to five additional years if the fair market value of the gift is more than 30% of your adjusted gross income; and Avoidance of capital gains tax that is due when you sell appreciated stock. Note: Stock owned for one year or less is considered a short-term asset and usually won’t produce attractive tax benefits. Also, if stock has decreased in value, selling it and making a cash gift is often more beneficial. You can take a capital loss on federal taxes and still enjoy a charitable deduction up to 50% of your adjusted gross income. To make a donation of stock to the Chautauqua Watershed Conservancy please provide your contact and shares information below, and then send the account and contact details to your broker. PLEASE be sure to fill out the form before sending the information to your broker – often shares come through as anonymous, leaving us without a way to properly credit and acknowledge your gift. Your information is important to us because you are important to us, and we want to be able to thank you! Name Phone Number Email Name of stock being donated Number of shares being transferred: Add another stock: Name Add another stock: Qty Submit Thanks for submitting!

WNY Wildway Chautauqua Watershed Conservancy is proud to partner with the Western New York Land Conservancy on the Western New York Wildway – an ambitious, long-term plan to protect and connect the largest of our region's remaining tracts of wildlife habitat. The WNY Wildway will connect the vast forests of the Allegheny Mountains to the Great Lakes – and beyond. It will form part of the Eastern Wildway, which runs all the way from Canada to the Gulf of Mexico. The WNY Wildway will allow plants and animals to roam across the land as they once did, to move as climate changes, and to expand their ranges and ensure their survival. It will allow wildlife that have disappeared from our region to return home. As a lead partner of the WNY Wildway Partner Network, the Conservancy will continue its mission to protect the lands and waters within the WNY Wildway project area. The Conservancy serves as the co-chair of the Southern Region of the WNY Wildway Partner Network, a coalition of groups–including municipalities, Indigenous Nations, state and federal agencies, and community members–committed to building and supporting the WNY Wildway. Visit https://www.wnylc.org/wnywildway to learn more and for resources to implement wildway-friendly practices on your property!

Aquatic Invasive Species Surveys & Monitoring We are continuing our Aquatic Invasive Species Survey & Monitoring program in Summer 2025! Conservancy staff and volunteers will take to the water several days each month from June through September at various locations around Chautauqua Lake to re-survey areas where aquatic invasives have been previously reported and to survey potential new sites for them as well. If any invasives are found, we’ll report them through the online reporting portal iMapInvasives (www.imapinvasives.org ), and then carefully remove and dispose of the offending plants. The public is welcome to join us for these surveys. If you’re interested in volunteering, please join the private Facebook group we’ve created specifically for this program, where we will share more detailed information and updates. To join the group, scan the QR code on the poster below or visit https://www.facebook.com/groups/1257281759238396/ SCHEDULE UPDATE : The August 27th survey has been moved to August 28th - but still in Mayville at 10am. SCHEDULE UDPATE : The August 19th survey has been moved to Mayville at 2pm. We will meet at and launch from Mayville Lakeside Park. SCHEDULE UPDATE: The August 12th survey has been canceled. More information on our AIS Survey & Monitoring program can be found here . This program is partially funded by the Chautauqua Lake & Watershed Management Alliance.

Chautauqua Creek Oxbow Forest Preserve Established in 2014, the Oxbow Forest Preserve has become a gem among CWC’s preserves, thanks to its unique gorge setting along Chautauqua Creek. This preserve is a great place for hiking, and it’s home to many interesting amphibians and woodland creatures. Size: 22.7 acres Year Conserved by CWC: 2014 Address: 8149 Lyons Road, Sherman, NY Conservation Values: The preserve has approximately 2,200 feet of natural stream front and protects the natural functions of Chautauqua Creek and its surrounding forest. The trees growing along the creek absorb and dissipate floods and offer natural bank protection and stabilization. The preserve helps protect erosion, sedimentation and nutrient runoff from reaching Lake Erie. Recreational Use: The preserve features a network of trails used for CWC-led tours and self-led hikes, and there is public fishing access. The Oxbow preserve may be of special interest to botanists and birdwatchers. Location and Parking: The Oxbow Preserve is located on Lyons Road in the town of Chautauqua. There is a main sign at the entrance of the preserve, as well as a roadside parking lot, kiosk and rain garden. Features of Interest: Forested gorge land and streams. SPECIES OF INTEREST: T rees: Green ash (Fraxinus pennsylvanica), Black cherry (Prunus serotina), musclewood (Carpinus caroliniana), Canada yew (Taxus canadensis) Ground Cover: Partridge berry (Mitchella repens), ostrich fern (Matteuccia struthiopteris) common wood fern (Dryopteris intermedia), running strawberry bush (Euonymus obovatus) Wildflowers: Star flower (Trientalis borealis), Canadian lily of the valley (Maianthemum canadense), purple trillium (Trillium erectum), foamflower (Tiarella spp.), Jack-in-the-pulpit (Arisaema triphyllum), blue cohosh (Caulophyllum thalictroides) Fish: Creek chub (Semotilus atromaculatus), pumpkinseed (Lepomis gibbosus) Mammals: Eastern coyote (Canis latrans), fisher (Martes pennanti), river otter (Lontra canadensis) Birds: Pileated woodpecker (Dryocopus pileatus), ruby-throated hummingbird (Archilochus colubris), red tailed hawk (Buteo jamaicensis), belted kingfisher (Megaceryle alcyon), yellow-bellied sapsucker (Sphyrapicus varius), cedar waxwing (Bombycilla cedrorum) Amphibians: Northern two-lined salamander (Eurycea bislineata), Allegheny dusky salamander (Desmognathus ochrophaeus), red backed salamander (Plethodon cinereus)

Stormwater and Runoff Concerns Stormwater runoff is generated from rain and snowmelt events that flow over land or impervious surfaces, such as paved streets, parking lots, and building rooftops, and does not soak into the ground. The runoff picks up pollutants like trash, chemicals, oils, and dirt/sediment that can harm our rivers, streams, and lakes. If you are experiencing issues and/or concerns regarding stormwater runoff, flooding, or erosion, please contact us or Chautauqua County Soil & Water District at https://soilwater.org . If you are thinking about building a new home or doing construction and moving a large amount of dirt and soil around, please find more information and rules and regulations in our Chautauqua Lake Stormwater Toolkit, which can be viewed here . Slow it down, spread it out, and soak it in! 5 Easy Tips for Homeowners to Prevent Stormwater Pollution in Their Yards 1. Collect and Harvest Rainwater Make sure roof downspouts are not routed to discharge to hard surfaces, driveways, streets, ditches, or storm drains. Instead, direct them into rain barrels, lawn areas, gardens, and/or raingardens that would enjoy and soak in the extra moisture. 2. Install a Raingarden Creating nature’s version of a rain garden in your yard is an easy and beautiful solution to deal with excess rain and stormwater runoff. This water-smart landscape feature is designed to catch and filter rain and water runoff with the help of native plants. Plus, your rain garden will recharge groundwater and provide a home for our local birds, butterflies, and wildlife! 3. Improve Hard, Compacted Soils Hard, packed soil in lawns can act like pavement, sending a quick water flow off of your property, straight down storm drains, and into our local streams, rivers and lakes. Improve your soil to make it more nutrient-rich and permeable to stormwater. Core aerate your lawn and top dress it with organic material such as compost, sand, and topsoil or soil mix. This will grow healthier grass and reduce stormwater runoff and erosion. 4. Make Sure Hardscaping is Permeable If you are considering a new patio or driveway, choose a permeable material which allows rain and stormwater to soak in through the surface. Permeable paving surfaces reduce stormwater runoff and help replenish our drinking supply. 5. Remove Part of Your Lawn or Just Stop Mowing Sections Grass has very short and shallow roots and offers limited erosion control. During heavy rain, lawns often become saturated, flood, and run off – taking soil, sediment and pollution with it. Lawns also require a lot of watering and mowing. Try just letting your grass grow long or replacing part of your lawn with native plants. Native plants have longer, stronger root systems that can reduce stormwater runoff and help absorb sediment and nutrients before reaching downstream waters. We can’t underestimate the impact that we can collectively have as homeowners to help lessen and prevent stormwater runoff and flooding in and off our yards and properties! Additional Resources: LEWPA Municipal Training Resources | Environment & Planning (erie.gov) which includes watershed information and training for municipalities and town and village boards, as well as highway ditch maintenance.

Land Campaigns Land Conservation Campaigns We have a number of new and exciting land conservation projects currently in the works and hope to be able to share them with you soon. In the meantime, if you’d like to donate to help us protect additional natural landscapes and habitats, you can make a contribution here .