Staff & Board Our Staff Daniel Conklin, Land Acquisition Coordinator Justina Dore, Director of Development Jill Eklund, Senior Executive Coordinator Whitney Gleason, Executive Director Twan Leenders, Director of Conservation Carol Markham, Conservationist Bethany O'Hagan, Wilds, Engagement, & Stewardship Coordinator Kimberly Turner, Communications Designer Caitlin Weilacher, Business Manager Our Board of Directors OFFICERS Janis Bowman, Chair William Ward, Vice Chair Kaitlyn Bentley, Treasurer Claire Johnson Baker, Secretary DIRECTORS Kathleen Ebersole Heather Kinal Michael Jabot Rebecca Nystrom Pete Pedersen Kristofor Sellstrom Mackenzie Shults Mary Beth Southwick Robyn Steele William Thomas Deborah Trefts Ruth Wahl EMERITUS William Locke Michael Lyons Thomas Small Arthur Webster

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!

Accreditation We’ve earned national land trust accreditation ! In February 2024 , Chautauqua Watershed Conservancy became a nationally accredited land trust through the Land Trust Accreditation Commission (an independent program of the Land Trust Alliance ), demonstrating our strong commitment to national standards of excellence in both land conservation and organizational governance. Accreditation is a mark of distinction and only awarded to land trusts who have completed a very rigorous review process and successfully shown fiscal accountability, strong organizational leadership, sound transactions, and lasting stewardship of the lands they conserve. The accreditation seal identifies land trusts who are accredited and meet national standards for excellence, uphold the public trust, and ensure that conservation efforts are permanent. Excellence Accredited land trusts meet national quality standards for protecting important natural places and working lands forever. These land trusts demonstrate their commitment to excellence by adopting Land Trust Standards and Practices (the ethical and technical guidelines for the responsible operation of a land trust) and meeting the accreditation requirements drawn from them. Trust Nonprofit organizations, including land trusts, are increasingly called on to demonstrate their accountability to the public. Accredited land trusts have voluntarily submitted their organizations to an external, independent review of their practices. As a result, accreditation provides the public with the assurance that the land trust displaying the accreditation seal meets established standards for organizational quality and permanent land conservation. Permanence Land trusts help conserve land that is essential to our health and well-being. When land trusts agree to protect land for the benefit of the public, in most cases they do so by promising that the protection is forever. The accreditation program verifies that the land trust has the policies and programs in place to keep this promise, either by caring for the land itself or transferring the land to an entity that can. We are elated to have earned this distinction and proud to display the a ccreditation seal as part of our continuing commitment to protecting the lands and waters of the Chautauqua region!

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.

Yard Smarts: Native Plants, Healthy Waters Yard Smarts: Native Plants, Healthy Waters (formerly called LakeScapes) is a one-on-one educational program that provides a FREE personal yard consultation to any homeowner, business owner, organization, school, or municipality within Chautauqua County. We give guidance on how to dry up wet areas in your yard, build filtering buffers, and/or create native habitats that provide food and places for our local bees, birds, and other wildlife to live. We also discuss landscaping and the importance of native plants, shrinking your lawn, and naturalizing your yard. Watershed-friendly living is easy! By making just a few small changes in the way you maintain your property, you can help filter and clean the water running through your yard and help keep our watersheds, waterways, and drinking water supplies safe and healthy. Our recommendations not only beautify your yard but also protect water quality, enhance your way of life, and help the wildlife that live and thrive within it! These free consultations and technical assistance also include native plant recommendations and landscape designs as well. Book Your Consultation Name Phone Number Email Brief explanation of assistance needed Submit Thanks for your request! We'll be in touch soon! For more information or to schedule a visit, contact our conservationist, Carol Markham, by calling 716.664.2166 x1005, emailing carol@chautauquawatershed.org , or using the form above.

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.

Support Us Support Us We make a living by what we get. We make a life by what we give. - Winston Churchill By choosing to support the Chautauqua Watershed Conservancy you are choosing to protect clean healthy waterways, lands for our wildlife, and our way of life! Our conservation work is only possible with the support of donors like you, and any and all donations make a difference! Donate Online Stocks or IRA Distributions Bequests & Other Legacy Gifts Donor Advised Funds Land Conservation Campaigns Cryptocurrency Endowment Fund Lands Stewardship and Defense Funds Making a donation? Don’t forget to check and see if your employer has a matching gift program. At no cost to you, many employers will match some portion of your gift to qualifying non-profits. This is an easy way to make your gift go even further, so check with your human resources or personnel office to find out or click here if you already know they do! Thank You! Together we are protecting key lands throughout our county. Natural areas support local wildlife, provide beauty, and absorb harmful pollutants before they reach our streams, lakes, and wetlands. Thank you for joining us in this mission and for your continued financial support. You make our work possible! We recommend that you consult with your attorney or tax advisor for the various tax benefits and restrictions that may apply to your specific situation. We are always available to you and your advisors to answer questions or help arrange a gift of stock or IRA distribution. Please reach out to our Executive Director Whitney Gleason for any assistance you may need. 716.664.2166 ext. 1006 whitney@chautauquawatershed.org

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)

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.

Osprey Nesting Platforms Osprey populations were decimated by the effects of the insecticide DDT and declined by more than 90% between 1950 and 1970. But through a ban on the devastating use of DDT in 1972, combined with targeted conservation efforts, Ospreys have shown a steady population increase since then. Although no longer considered “Endangered” in New York State, Osprey are still deemed a “Species of Special Conservation Concern” by the NYS Dept. of Environmental Conservation. Ospreys prefer to nest up high and near open water since most of their diet consists of fish. (This is also where they get the nickname of "fish hawk.”) Unfortunately, due to natural habitat loss, Osprey often end up using man-made structures like utility poles and cell towers (instead of trees and snags) for nesting sites, which can pose a hazardous situation if those structures have energized wires. In 2015, Chautauqua Watershed Conservancy installed a nesting pole and platform at its Loomis Goose Creek Preserve on Route 394 in North Harmony hoping to attract an Osprey pair and provide them with a safe nesting place. Though it took several years, an Osprey pair claimed the site as their home and successfully nested and raised their first chick there in 2020. The pair – whom we have affectionately named Femke (female) and Hauke (male) – have returned each year since. In 2024, they happily surprised us with not just one but three chicks! Femke and Hauke are once again home and nesting for the season at the Loomis Goose Creek Preserve, and again raising a family of three chicks! For the past five years, we’ve had a motion-activated camera installed over the nest at the Loomis Goose Creek Preserve so we can follow along with the antics of “our” birds. If you want to share in the lives of Femke and Hauke and see pictures of their family life, or if you want to see when and where new platforms are installed, follow us on Facebook and Instagram and check our blog page here . The preserve is also open to the public from dawn until dusk, so you can also stop by and visit them in person! Although Osprey are fairly tolerant of human activity, please be mindful and respectful of their space when visiting. To help other Osprey families, we are working with local partners to install additional Osprey nesting platforms in safe and suitable locations. Three were placed in 2023 in the City of Jamestown last year (downtown by the Chadakoin River basin, at McCrae Point Park, and at Jones Memorial Park). In the spring of 2024, three more were placed at locations around Chautauqua Lake (one at Camp Onyahsa, one at Chautauqua Institution, and one at Chautauqua Golf Club. Plans are in the works to add even more platforms as funding allows. You can support our efforts to establish even more local nesting platforms to help these amazing birds survive and thrive safely and healthily in Chautauqua County by making a general donation here . (photos by Jeanne Wiebenga)

Charity Pro-Am Golf Tournament Score one for the lake by sponsoring the tournament. Please complete this form to submit your sponsorship registration and player information. Sposorship Level * Platinum Sponsor - $5,000 Gold Sponsor - $1,000 Silver Sponsor - $500 Bronze Sponsor - $250 Friend of the Lake Sponsor - $150 CGC Member Single Player - $200 Dinner Reservation - $50 per person Sponsor Name: First Name Last Name Street Address City Region/State/Province Postal / Zip code Phone (1) Golfer First Name (1) Golfer's Home Club Email (1) Golfer Last Name (1) Club Phone (1) Handicap (2) Golfer First Name (2) Golfer's Home Club (2) Golfer Last Name (2) Club Phone (2) Handicap (3) Golfer First Name (3) Golfer's Home Club (3) Golfer Last Name (3) Club Phone (3) Handicap (4) Golfer First Name (4) Golfer's Home Club (4) Golfer Last Name (4) Club Phone (4) Handicap (5) Golfer First Name (5) Golfer's Home Club (5) Golfer Last Name (5) Club Phone (5) Handicap (6) Golfer First Name (6) Golfer's Home Club (6) Golfer Last Name (6) Club Phone (6) Handicap Additional Dinner Reservations - $50 per person Send

Shoreline Stabilization The shoreline of any lake, stream, or river is an ecologically valuable area. It provides a rich, active habitat for fish and wildlife, and when these shorelines include native trees, shrubs, and groundcover, they become a “buffer” that separates your yard from the water. Shoreline buffers have numerous benefits, including: Filtering and cleaning stormwater runoff before it enters larger bodies of water, helping to keep our waterways and drinking water safe and healthy Trapping and soaking in dirt, litter, and pollution before they enter the water Preventing flooding by slowing excess water down before it enters our waterways and storm drains Providing bees, birds, and other wildlife with food and places to live Creating privacy and reducing noise, wind, weather, and geese traffic Shorelines also stabilize the water's edge, protecting it from erosion. Shoreline erosion is a natural process that occurs on lakes, streams, and rivers. It is the gradual, although sometimes rapid, removal of sediments from the shoreline and its banks and is caused by a number of factors including storms, wave action, rain, ice, winds, runoff, and the loss of trees and other vegetation. For assistance with shoreline stabilization and beautification, native plants, and buffers, contact our conservationist, Carol Markham, at 716-664-2166 x 1005 or carol@chautauquawatershed.org . Other resources for assistance and question related to shorelines, streambank erosion, and stabilization problems can be found at: Shoreline and Streambanks - Chautauqua County Soil & Water Conservation District (soilwater.org) Shoreline Stabilization - NYS Dept. of Environmental Conservation https://www.dec.ny.gov/docs/permits_ej_operations_pdf/shorelinestable.pdf

Galucki Wetlands Preserve The land and funds for Galucki Wetlands Preserve at Chautauqua’s Big Inlet were donated to the Chautauqua Watershed Conservancy by a landowner who wanted to recognize and preserve crucial lands at what are part of the headwaters of the Mississippi River. The water that filters through this property eventually makes its way to the Gulf of Mexico. In accordance with the land donor’s wishes to create a novel, technology-based, educational program on the site, the CWC is collaborating with the Chautauqua Lake Central School District to use a 360-degree camera for long-term scientific monitoring by local high school students are working on. This work was funded by Cummins Engine Plant as part of CWC’s “Gateways to Nature” initiative. Size: 20 acres Year Conserved by CWC: 2017 Address: 6458 Whallon Road, Mayville, 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 Sea Lion Drive. Bowhunting only is permitted, but no permanent tree stands are allowed. Birdwatching and wildflower viewing are primary uses at the preserve. Location and Parking: The preserve is located on Sea Lion Drive in the Town of Chautauqua, just outside of the Village of Mayville line. Roadside parking is available. Features of Interest: Much of the property is extremely wet, but interested hikers can traverse the dryer areas close to the road to explore. A large forested glade that is filled with thickets of ferns creates a peaceful and enjoyable experience. One can view wildlife in the open water swamp from the edge. At the right time of year, massive blooms of blue flag iris (Iris versicolor) can be seen. SPECIES OF INTEREST: Trees: Eastern hemlock (Tusga canadensis), yellow birch (Betula alleghaniensis), northern red oak (Quercus rubra), black cherry (Prunus serotina), tulip poplar (Liriodendron tulipifera), cucumber magnolia (Magnolia acuminata), black tupelo (Nyssa sylvatica) Shrubs: Witch hazel (Hamamelis virginiana), spicebush (Lindera benzoin), common elderberry (Sambucus canadensis), maple-leaved viburnum (Viburnum acerifolium) Wildflowers: Canada mayflower (Maianthemum canadense), Jack in the pulpit (Arisaema triphyllum), dwarf ginseng (Panax trifolius), sessile-leaved bellwort (Uvularia sessilifolia), blue flag iris (Iris versicolor), golden saxifrage (Chrysosplenium americanum) Birds: Eastern wood peewee (Contopus virens), chestnut-sided warbler (Setophaga pensylvanica), black-throated green warbler (Setophaga virens), rose-breasted grosbeak (Pheucticus ludovicianus)

Explore Our Preserves Chautauqua Watershed Conservancy currently owns and manages 35 nature preserves located throughout Chautauqua County. The conservation of natural areas provides benefits to our health, our happiness and our economy. Most of our preserves are open to the public from dawn until dusk and offer diverse opportunities for education and passive recreational activities and also help to protect important conservation values such as water and air quality, forest health, scenic beauty, and plant and animal biodiversity and habitat. Before visiting one of our preserves , please review our preserve visitor guidelines , and if you see any issues that need attention on a preserve, please send us a trail report . Preserve List Featured Preserves Bentley Nature Preserve More Info Directions Browns Creek10.JPG Browns Creek2.jpg Browns Creek1.jpg Browns Creek7.JPG Browns Creek9.JPG Browns Creek6.jpg Browns Creek8.JPG Browns Creek11.jpg Browns Creek5.jpg Browns Creek16.png Browns Creek13.JPG Browns Creek12.JPG Browns Creek14.JPG Browns Creek15.JPG Browns Creek10.JPG Browns Creek2.jpg Browns Creek1.jpg Browns Creek7.JPG Browns Creek9.JPG Browns Creek6.jpg Browns Creek8.JPG Browns Creek11.jpg Browns Creek5.jpg Browns Creek16.png Browns Creek13.JPG Browns Creek12.JPG Browns Creek14.JPG Browns Creek15.JPG Browns Creek10.JPG Browns Creek2.jpg Browns Creek1.jpg Browns Creek7.JPG Browns Creek9.JPG Browns Creek6.jpg Browns Creek8.JPG Browns Creek11.jpg Browns Creek5.jpg Browns Creek16.png Browns Creek13.JPG Browns Creek12.JPG Browns Creek14.JPG Browns Creek15.JPG Browns Creek Tributary Forest Preserve More Info Directions Cassadaga Lakes 8.jpg Cassadaga Lakes 2.jpg Cassadaga Lakes 1.jpg Cassadaga Lakes 0.jpg Cassadaga Lakes 3.jpg Cassadaga Lakes 4.jpg Cassadaga Lakes 6.jpg Cassadaga Lakes 5.jpg Cassadaga Lakes 7.jpg Cassadaga Lakes 14.jpg Cassadaga Lakes 13.JPG.jpg Cassadaga Lakes 11.JPG Cassadaga Lakes 10.JPG Cassadaga Lakes 9.jpg Cassadaga Lakes 12.JPG.jpg Browns Creek3.jpg Cassadaga Lakes 8.jpg Cassadaga Lakes 2.jpg Cassadaga Lakes 1.jpg Cassadaga Lakes 0.jpg Cassadaga Lakes 3.jpg Cassadaga Lakes 4.jpg Cassadaga Lakes 6.jpg Cassadaga Lakes 5.jpg Cassadaga Lakes 7.jpg Cassadaga Lakes 14.jpg Cassadaga Lakes 13.JPG.jpg Cassadaga Lakes 11.JPG Cassadaga Lakes 10.JPG Cassadaga Lakes 9.jpg Cassadaga Lakes 12.JPG.jpg Browns Creek3.jpg Cassadaga Lakes Nature Park More Info Directions Chautauqua Creek 9.jpg Chautauqua Creek 5.jpg Chautauqua Creek 4.jpg Chautauqua Creek 6.jpg Chautauqua Creek 7.jpg Chautauqua Creek 10.jpg Chautauqua Creek 8.jpg Chautauqua Creek 17.jpg Chautauqua Creek 13.jpg Chautauqua Creek 16.JPG Chautauqua Creek 12.jpg Chautauqua Creek 14.jpg Chautauqua Creek 15.JPG Chautauqua Creek 18.jpg Chautauqua Creek 11.jpg Chautauqua Creek 9.jpg Chautauqua Creek 5.jpg Chautauqua Creek 4.jpg Chautauqua Creek 6.jpg Chautauqua Creek 7.jpg Chautauqua Creek 10.jpg Chautauqua Creek 8.jpg Chautauqua Creek 17.jpg Chautauqua Creek 13.jpg Chautauqua Creek 16.JPG Chautauqua Creek 12.jpg Chautauqua Creek 14.jpg Chautauqua Creek 15.JPG Chautauqua Creek 18.jpg Chautauqua Creek 11.jpg Chautauqua Creek Oxbow Forest Preserve More Info Directions David & Margaret Naetzker1.jpg David & Margaret Naetzker0.jpg David & Margaret Naetzker5.JPG David & Margaret Naetzker7.JPG David & Margaret Naetzker8.JPG David & Margaret Naetzker6.jpg David & Margaret Naetzker10.JPG David & Margaret Naetzker16.jpg David & Margaret Naetzker12.JPG David & Margaret Naetzker14.JPG David & Margaret Naetzker9.JPG David & Margaret Naetzker15.jpg David & Margaret Naetzker11.JPG David & Margaret Naetzker1.jpg David & Margaret Naetzker0.jpg David & Margaret Naetzker5.JPG David & Margaret Naetzker7.JPG David & Margaret Naetzker8.JPG David & Margaret Naetzker6.jpg David & Margaret Naetzker10.JPG David & Margaret Naetzker16.jpg David & Margaret Naetzker12.JPG David & Margaret Naetzker14.JPG David & Margaret Naetzker9.JPG David & Margaret Naetzker15.jpg David & Margaret Naetzker11.JPG David & Margaret Naetzker1.jpg David & Margaret Naetzker0.jpg David & Margaret Naetzker5.JPG David & Margaret Naetzker7.JPG David & Margaret Naetzker8.JPG David & Margaret Naetzker6.jpg David & Margaret Naetzker10.JPG David & Margaret Naetzker16.jpg David & Margaret Naetzker12.JPG David & Margaret Naetzker14.JPG David & Margaret Naetzker9.JPG David & Margaret Naetzker15.jpg David & Margaret Naetzker11.JPG David & Margaret Naetzker Preserve More Info Directions Dobbins Woods Preserve21.JPG Dobbins Woods Preserve24.jpg Dobbins Woods Preserve5.jpg Dobbins Woods Preserve4.jpg Dobbins Woods Preserve1.jpg Dobbins Woods Preserve7.jpg Dobbins Woods Preserve6.jpg Dobbins Woods Preserve9.jpg Dobbins Woods Preserve8.jpg Dobbins Woods Preserve11.jpg Dobbins Woods Preserve10.jpg Dobbins Woods Preserve13.jpg Dobbins Woods Preserve12.jpg Dobbins Woods Preserve15.jpg Dobbins Woods Preserve14.jpg Dobbins Woods Preserve0.jpg Dobbins Woods Preserve2.jpg Dobbins Woods Preserve17.jpg Dobbins Woods Preserve16.jpg Dobbins Woods Preserve3.jpg Dobbins Woods Preserve18.jpg Dobbins Woods Preserve20.jpg Dobbins Woods Preserve22.JPG Dobbins Woods Preserve23.JPG Dobbins Woods Preserve19.jpg Dobbins Woods Preserve21.JPG Dobbins Woods Preserve24.jpg Dobbins Woods Preserve5.jpg Dobbins Woods Preserve4.jpg Dobbins Woods Preserve1.jpg Dobbins Woods Preserve7.jpg Dobbins Woods Preserve6.jpg Dobbins Woods Preserve9.jpg Dobbins Woods Preserve8.jpg Dobbins Woods Preserve11.jpg Dobbins Woods Preserve10.jpg Dobbins Woods Preserve13.jpg Dobbins Woods Preserve12.jpg Dobbins Woods Preserve15.jpg Dobbins Woods Preserve14.jpg Dobbins Woods Preserve0.jpg Dobbins Woods Preserve2.jpg Dobbins Woods Preserve17.jpg Dobbins Woods Preserve16.jpg Dobbins Woods Preserve3.jpg Dobbins Woods Preserve18.jpg Dobbins Woods Preserve20.jpg Dobbins Woods Preserve22.JPG Dobbins Woods Preserve23.JPG Dobbins Woods Preserve19.jpg Dobbins Woods Preserve More Info Directions Goose Creek3.jpg Goose Creek1.jpg Goose Creek2.jpg Goose Creek0.JPG Goose Creek4.jpg Goose Creek5.jpg Goose Creek6.JPG Goose Creek3.jpg Goose Creek1.jpg Goose Creek2.jpg Goose Creek0.JPG Goose Creek4.jpg Goose Creek5.jpg Goose Creek6.JPG Goose Creek3.jpg Goose Creek1.jpg Goose Creek2.jpg Goose Creek0.JPG Goose Creek4.jpg Goose Creek5.jpg Goose Creek6.JPG Goose Creek3.jpg Goose Creek1.jpg Goose Creek2.jpg Goose Creek0.JPG Goose Creek4.jpg Goose Creek5.jpg Goose Creek6.JPG Goose Creek3.jpg Goose Creek1.jpg Goose Creek2.jpg Goose Creek0.JPG Goose Creek4.jpg Goose Creek5.jpg Goose Creek6.JPG Goose Creek Valley Greenway Preserve More Info Directions Loomis Goose 4.jpg Loomis Goose 1.jpg Loomis Goose 3.jpg Loomis Goose 8.JPG Loomis Goose 12.jpg Loomis Goose 10.jpg Loomis Goose 11.jpg Loomis Goose 5.jpg Loomis Goose 2.jpg Loomis Goose 6.jpg Loomis Goose 4.jpg Loomis Goose 1.jpg Loomis Goose 3.jpg Loomis Goose 8.JPG Loomis Goose 12.jpg Loomis Goose 10.jpg Loomis Goose 11.jpg Loomis Goose 5.jpg Loomis Goose 2.jpg Loomis Goose 6.jpg Loomis Goose 4.jpg Loomis Goose 1.jpg Loomis Goose 3.jpg Loomis Goose 8.JPG Loomis Goose 12.jpg Loomis Goose 10.jpg Loomis Goose 11.jpg Loomis Goose 5.jpg Loomis Goose 2.jpg Loomis Goose 6.jpg Loomis Goose Creek Preserve More Info Directions Salomon Family25.jpg Salomon Family1.jpg Salomon Family4.jpg Salomon Family6.jpg Salomon Family5.jpg Salomon Family7.jpg Salomon Family9.jpg Salomon Family8.jpg Salomon Family13.jpg Salomon Family11.jpg Salomon Family12.jpg Salomon Family10.jpg Salomon Family17.jpg Salomon Family14.jpg Salomon Family20.jpg Salomon Family19.jpg Salomon Family15.jpg Salomon Family16.jpg Salomon Family18.jpg Salomon Family22.JPG Salomon Family21.JPG Salomon Family23.jpg Salomon Family24.jpg Salomon Family25.jpg Salomon Family1.jpg Salomon Family4.jpg Salomon Family6.jpg Salomon Family5.jpg Salomon Family7.jpg Salomon Family9.jpg Salomon Family8.jpg Salomon Family13.jpg Salomon Family11.jpg Salomon Family12.jpg Salomon Family10.jpg Salomon Family17.jpg Salomon Family14.jpg Salomon Family20.jpg Salomon Family19.jpg Salomon Family15.jpg Salomon Family16.jpg Salomon Family18.jpg Salomon Family22.JPG Salomon Family21.JPG Salomon Family23.jpg Salomon Family24.jpg Salomon Family Nature Preserve More Info Directions More Preserves to Explore Cassadaga Creek Wetland Preserve More Info Directions Chautauqua Creek East Branch Preserve More Info Directions Chautauqua Lake Outlet Greenway Preserve More Info Directions Elm Flats Wetland Preserve More Info Directions Fern Island Wetland Preserve More Info Directions Fletcher Family Preserve More Info Directions Galucki Wetlands Preserve More Info Directions Houston Hollow Preserve More Info Directions Little Big Inlet Preserve More Info Directions Prendergast Creek Preserve More Info Directions Randy Allen Hendrickson Preserve More Info Directions Rosemary H. Straight Preserve More Info Directions Sunnyside Marsh Preserve More Info Directions Wells Bay Lakeshore Forest Preserve More Info Directions

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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. 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!

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.

Annual Reports

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.

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

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)

Strategic Land Conservation Plan Protecting as much of our region’s natural open spaces as possible is essential to the health of our waterways and wildlife and to help fight climate change. But how do you prioritize which sites to pursue for conservation, especially with limited resources? For us, our Comprehensive Regional Conservation Implementation Strategy (CRCIS) helps guide those decisions. We recently performed a landscape-level analysis of every 30m x 30m parcel of land in Chautauqua County, evaluating each against a dozen variables that influence water quality, sustainability, and habitat functionality. Each parcel was then assigned a “composite conservation score” based on this analysis. When converted into color-coded maps, the resulting data readily identifies areas that are in greatest need of protection across the region, and therefore, also shows us where our organizational resources and conservation funding (for both acquisitions and easements) will be most cost-effective. These data-driven conservation priority maps also provide a framework for evaluating the impact of our land and water restoration and management projects. The CRCIS can also be used as a tool to expand awareness of the importance and timeliness of collaborative regional conservation efforts as well as help align current and future land use needs and wants. The ultimate goal of this project is to form a road map to recognition and protection of our most valued natural resources, biological diversity, and areas of scenic beauty, which will help to ensure that Chautauqua County residents and visitors enjoy a greener, more beautiful, and more resilient future! Get more details about this extraordinary project here . This map, one of many developed as part of the CRCIS, shows a conservation prioritization of lands across Chautauqua County, with lands in dark orange being the lowest priority, yellow being of moderate priority, and greens and blues being the highest priority. Some of the factors involved in the ranking included a parcel’s influence on our region’s water quality, habitat functionality, and sustainability.

Native Plants A plant is considered native if it has occurred naturally in a particular region, ecosystem or habitat without human introduction. Native plants help the environment the most when planted in places that match their growing requirements. Chautauqua County native plants will thrive in the soils, moisture, and weather of this region. When planted in our landscapes, they do not need to be mowed and require less watering and fertilizers. Because they have evolved with our local insects, they have fewer pest problems and require less pesticides and herbicides to grow and thrive. Native plants also assist in managing stormwater runoff and maintain healthy soil as their root systems are long and strong and keep soil from being compacted. Why Plant Natives? Wildlife: Native plants provide food and shelter for our native birds, butterflies, bees, and other local wildlife. Low Maintenance: Once established, native plants generally require little maintenance. Healthy Places: Native plants do not need fertilizers or chemical pesticides and herbicides. Helping the Climate: Native plants do not need to be mowed, which decreases lawnmower noise and carbon exhaust. Our native oaks and maples are great at storing carbon dioxide and cleaning the air. Conserving Water: Native plants are adapted to local soil and weather and need far less water, which saves time, money, and our most valuable natural resource – water! Our top five native tree, shrub and perennial recommendations for the Chautauqua region are: TREES White Oak Sugar Maple Eastern White Pine River Birch Tulip Tree SHRUBS Blueberry Serviceberry Winterberry Holly Black Willow Bayberry PERENNIALS Woodland Sunflower Swamp Milkweed Butterflyweed Black-eyed Susan Aster Sample Landscape Designs : Native plants raingarden design: Native plants lake-shore or stream-side buffer design: Additional Resources for Local and Regional Native Plants : For a list of native plants from the New York Flora Atlas, click here and select Chautauqua County. For a native plant database (with notes on the birds they will help to attract), click here and enter your ZIP code. For a list of native plants suitable for LakeScapes rain gardens, click here . For a list of native plants suitable for LakeScapes buffers and bioswales, click here . For a list of a deer-resistant native plants, click here . For a list of New York State native plant species, click here . For a list of local and regional nurseries that carry native plants, click here . For help with choosing your native plants or designing your garden, contact our conservationist, Carol Markham, at 716-664-2166 x 2005 or carol@chautauquawatershed.org . Webinars for Additional Info: “Nature's Best Hope ” webinar with Doug Tallamy “Our Yards & Gardens: Instruments of Positive Change ” webinar with Sally Cunningham

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.