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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 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

The Chautauqua Watershed Conservancy is a 501(c)3 nonprofit organization established to preserve and enhance the water quality, scenic beauty, and ecological health of the lakes, streams, wetlands and watersheds of the Chautauqua, NY, region. CWC pursues its mission through land conservation, environmental education and watershed stewardship. Chautauqua Watershed Conservancy Up boxes Explore Our Preserves Discover our 30+ nature preserves and plan your next outdoor adventure! Caring for Your Yard Learn what you can do in your own yard to improve water quality and wildlife habitat! Conserving Your Land Learn how to help conserve natural areas for a healthier Chautauqua region! Upcoming Events See what's on the calendar and join us at our upcoming events! Welcome to the Chautauqua Watershed Conservancy Chautauqua Watershed Conservancy is a nationally accredited 501(c)3 nonprofit organization that was established in 1990 to preserve and enhance the quality, scenic beauty, and ecological health of the lands and waters of the Chautauqua (NY) region for our community. Our organization pursues its mission through land conservation and restoration, environmental education, and watershed stewardship. We currently own and manage more than 35 nature preserves, all of which are open to the public for outdoor recreation and refreshment. We 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.

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)

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 .

Land Stewardship and Defense Funds Our commitment to you as a donor is that we will preserve and protect the land we’ve been entrusted with in perpetuity. But what does that actually mean? By definition perpetuity is “the state or quality of lasting forever,” and that’s a really BIG commitment. In order to fulfill this promise we have established a Land Stewardship Fund to generate investment income to support the management, maintenance, protection, and defense of the lands we hold for our community. Join us in the stewardship of these shared lands by donating or pledging to the Lands Stewardship Fund today. You can download the pledge form here and mail or email it back to us, or contact Whitney for more information about the fund’s use or to discuss the different ways in which you can contribute to the fund. Chautauqua Watershed Conservancy PO Box 45 71 E. Fairmount Avenue Lakewood, New York , 14750 Whitney Gleason Executive Director 716-664-2166 ext. 1006 whitney@chautauquawatershed.org

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)

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)

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)

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.

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!

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

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)

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)

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.

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.

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

Interactive Preserve Map

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

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)

Rosemary H. Straight Bird Sanctuary Water passing through this preserve gets filtered before entering Cassadaga Lake’s middle basin just across from Dale Drive. This ensures that pollutants are removed and keeps the water quality in the Lakes high for all to enjoy. The sanctuary provides a haven for birds, and it provides birdwatchers with ample opportunity for spotting local bird species. Size: 6 acres Year Conserved by CWC: 2003 Address: 54 Dale Drive, Cassadaga, 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: No formal trails have been installed at this site, it is quite wet with standing water and muck several feet deep. It is primarily used by botanists, birdwatchers, and other passive recreationists. Location and Parking: Located on Dale Drive in Cassadaga. Only roadside parking is available, so please access this site respectfully and safely. Features of Interest: This is an excellent site to watch birds and wildlife. The old buttonbush (Cephalanthus occidentalis) shrub thickets on site are unique in their own right, and support a variety of birds as they pass through the wetlands to the lakes. SPECIES OF INTEREST: Trees: quaking aspen (Populus tremuloides), cucumbertree (Magnolia acuminata), black cherry (Prunus serotina) Shrubs: witch hazel (Hamamelis virginiana), spicebush (Lindera benzoin), common elderberry (Sambucus canadensis), winterberry (Ilex verticillata), 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)

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.

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)

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 .