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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.

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

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

Volunteer There are many ways to support the conservation and education work of the Chautauqua Watershed Conservancy, and one of them is to join our amazing team of volunteers! We have volunteer opportunities in the field, on our preserves, at our events, and in the office. If you’re interested, let us know by filling out and submitting the form below. And thank you for sharing your time and talents to help protect the lands and waters of the Chautauqua region! Name Phone Number Email What type of volunteer work are you interested in? Would you also like to receive our e-news? Submit Thanks for signing up!

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!

Current Projects Chautauqua Watershed Conservancy works with landowners, businesses, government agencies, communities, and other nonprofit organizations to conserve and protect the natural land and water resources throughout the Chautauqua region. Our land conservation, environmental education, and watershed stewardship projects focus on preventive, corrective, and restorative actions to help fight climate change and keep our region healthy, sustainable, viable, and enjoyable for humans and wildlife alike! We have many great projects currently in the works – check out some of them below! Land & Habitat Conservation Lower Chadakoin River Restoration & Activation Strategic Land Conservation Plan WNY Wildway Aquatic Invasive Species Surveys & Monitoring Hemlock Woolly Adelgid Surveys Osprey Nesting Platforms Chautauqua County Trails Map EveryBODY OUTside Marden E. Cobb Waterway Trail Plan Brewshed Collective

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

Aquatic Invasive Species Surveys & Monitoring Many aquatic plants exist within Chautauqua Lake. Its nutrient-rich sediments provide a fertile growing bed for vegetation. Some of the lake’s plants are native to our area and provide critical ecological and environmental benefits, while those that are invasive (introduced from distant locales) can negatively impact the ecological function, recreational use, and economic value of the lake. To help combat these invasives and other nuisance plants in Chautauqua Lake, the AIS Early Detection Network was created, which consists of Chautauqua Watershed Conservancy staff, volunteers, and program partners. For the past several years, Chautauqua Watershed Conservancy, with funding assistance from the Chautauqua Lake & Watershed Management Alliance, has held a series of public programs focused on these invasive plants. Through targeted education and outreach efforts, we trained volunteers in the identification of invasive species through online and in-person training sessions. We then took to the water in various locations around the lake to re-survey areas where invasives have been previously reported and also survey new sites for them as well. When any were found, they were reported through the online reporting portal iMapInvasives (www.imapinvasives.org ), and the offending plants were carefully removed. In 2023, we unfortunately noticed a significant increase in growth of the macro-algae Starry Stonewort in the two known areas where it had already reached nuisance levels, and we also detected it in a few new locations in the lake. Similarly, another invasive, Brittle Naiad, seemed to have recently greatly increased in density in a few localities in and near the outlet. The good news, though, is that we were once again able to manually remove all the Water Chestnut that has been growing in the outlet for several years now, and we seem to have that species under control so far! We also took the lead on an experimental pilot removal effort in Ashville Bay using Mobitracs and skimmers to remove volumes of Starry Stonewort from the lake. This effort was supported by the NYSDEC and carried out in collaboration with our partners the Chautauqua Lake Association, the Chautauqua Lake & Watershed Management Alliance, and the Towns of North Harmony and Chautauqua. This new method of harvesting Starry Stonewort has never been attempted previously, and we are still carefully monitoring its effectiveness over the longer term. However, our initial assessment of this collaborative effort was very positive. In 2025, CWC conducted 13 on-water surveys across 10 sites, which confirmed the extent of two historic starry stonewort sites, led to the discovery of brittle naiad at two new locations, and identified the current extent of water chestnut in the Lake’s outlet. During a public paddle on the Chadakoin River, 400 water chestnut plants were removed, helping move us toward the possibility of full eradication of water chestnut in the outlet. In addition, a number of potential hotspot sites were monitored to ensure no new threats were developing.  One of the year’s biggest challenges was managing starry stonewort, a fast spreading macroalgae that forms dense mats and reproduces through small white bulbils (star-shaped reproductive structures) hidden in lake sediment. It spreads rapidly through fragmentation, often caused by boats and other watercraft passing through infested areas. CWC staff and volunteers also identified an extensive patch of starry stonewort in the Elmhurst area. Floating fragments had been found there in the past, but this was the first time that patches of starry stonewort were observed growing there. CWC was able to obtain a permit from the NYS Department of Conservation to deploy a Diver Assisted Suction Harvesting (DASH) team to address the new infestation. Also this summer, CWC, NYSDEC, the Chautauqua Lake & Watershed Management Alliance, the Chautauqua Lake Association, and the Towns of North Harmony and Chautauqua collaborated on a large-scale starry stonewort removal effort in Ashville Bay and Prendergast Bay using a combination of Mobitrac harvesting and DASH. A heavy emphasis was also placed on clearing navigation channels, both to maintain safe boating and to reduce fragmentation. These efforts marked the most comprehensive starry stonewort management project attempted on Chautauqua Lake to date, and the combination of using Mobitracs along with DASH is unprecedented. The method allowed for precision removal of starry stonewort with minimal negative impact on native submerged aquatic vegetation. While removal is an important step, we recognize that more needs to be done to keep the macroalgae from returning. As a result, CWC launched a pilot revegetation project this year to restore native plants to areas cleared of starry stonewort. Nearly 2,000 eelgrass plants were installed using biodegradable burlap bags and bare-root methods. Eelgrass is a hardy native species with strong roots that stabilize sediments, provide fish habitat, and make it harder for starry stonewort to return.   Aquatic invasives act as a potential threat to Chautauqua Lake’s ecology, recreation, and economy. However, thanks to the combined efforts of CWC, its partner organizations, and dedicated volunteers, our AIS Program is continuing to make real progress toward a healthier, more resilient Chautauqua Lake. For more info on these and other aquatic invasive species in Western New York , visit the Western New York Partnership for Regional Invasive Species Management at www.wnyprism.org . REPORT AN AIS SIGHTING USING THIS FORM . Watch Our Aquatic Invasive Species Surveys Videos

Educational Publications

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

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

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

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

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.

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

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.

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

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

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

Join Our Legacy Society “The true meaning of life is to plant trees, under whose shade you do not expect to sit.” – Nelson Henderson Since its creation, the Chautauqua Watershed Conservancy has dedicated its work to preserving and enhancing the quality, scenic beauty, and ecological health of the lands and waters of the Chautauqua County region. A bequest to our organization will stay local and have a significant impact on your community. It’s an investment that you can trust – an investment in the health and quality of our waterways and habitats for generations to come! You have chosen to support Chautauqua Watershed Conservancy because you believe in our mission. Now you have the opportunity to also leave your mark on the organization long after you’re gone. A Gift for Future Generations A Bequest in Your Will The simplest way to include the Chautauqua Watershed Conservancy in your planned giving is to write us into your will. T he following is sample language that you can use: I give and bequeath to the Chautauqua Watershed Conservancy, Inc. at 71 East Fairmount Avenue, PO Box 45, Lakewood, NY, 14750, _____% of my estate (or the sum of $_____, a specific piece of property, or asset) to be used as advised by its board of directors. Ways to Leave Your Legacy IRA, 401(k) or Life Insurance Policy Do you have an IRA, 401(k), life insurance policy, or any other assets not included in your will? If so, these are called non-probate assets, and you must plan your beneficiaries for them separately. You can designate us as a beneficiary of one or more of these assets. Simply include our full name and address when filling out your beneficiaries: Chautauqua Watershed Conservancy, Inc., 71 East Fairmount Avenue, PO Box 45, Lakewood, NY, 14750. Donor-Advised Fund If you are using a donor-advised fund for your annual giving, consider directing your fund administrator to designate the Chautauqua Watershed Conservancy as the beneficiary of any remainder. As a Contingent Beneficiary If you have family members or friends whom you plan on leaving your assets to, consider including the Chautauqua Watershed Conservancy as a contingent beneficiary. This ensures that, no matter what happens, your assets will end up protected and designated. Let Us Know! Have you already included a gift in your will or trust to us? We would love to thank you for your generosity! Please let us know by emailing Director of Development Justina Dore at justina@chautauquawatershed.org . “…the goal isn’t to live forever, the goal is to create something that will.” – Chuck Palahniuk Ready to Start Your Legacy? As part of our legacy program, we have established four funds with protected principals to ensure that your vision is secured. We would like to invite you to have a conversation with our giving team to discuss which fund best fits your goals and to help make your wishes a reality. To schedule a meeting, receive additional legacy giving materials, or to let us know that you’ve already included us in your estate plans, please reach out anytime to our lead gifts officer: Justina Dore 716.664.2166 ext.1011 justina@chautauquawatershed.org We are always happy to work with you and your representative to help you achieve your financial and philanthropic goals, however, the information provided here is not intended as legal or financial advice.

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

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

Salomon Family Nature Preserve Donated to CWC in memory of Rada Salomon’s family members, this Preserve took almost two decades to conserve. Wing Creek, a tributary of Prendergast Creek, meanders through the property. A wildflower meadow provides pollinator habitat, and the steep ravines along Wing Creek are home to unique and uncommon assemblages of wildflowers. Size: 51.9 acres Year Conserved by CWC: 2016 Address: 4135 Morris Road, Sherman, 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 Wing Creek, which ultimately drains into Chautauqua Lake. Water is filtered through riparian vegetation, improving water quality in the watershed. Recreational Use: A short trail leads from the parking area to a small wooded pond. There are no formal trails on the remainder of the Preserve, although trails are planned in the future. Primary recreation consists of hiking and bird watching. Hunting is permitted, but only temporary deer stands are allowed. Location and Parking: 4135 Morris Road, Sherman, NY 14781. A pull in parking area is located near the main preserve sign. Features of Interest: A blowdown area above the ravine was created in the mid 1980’s. The unstoppable trees didn’t die; they resprouted, creating a “stilted” forest. This is an interesting place to explore, but be careful and work through this section slowly as the fallen trees create a tripping hazard. The ravine along Wing Creek is difficult to traverse, but it is a botanically rich area for those interested in wildflower viewing. TRAIL MAP: SPECIES OF INTEREST: T rees: American basswood (Tilia americana var. americana ), butternut (Juglans cinerea), northern red oak (Quercus rubra), white oak (Quercus alba), American chestnut (Castanea dentate), cucumber magnolia (Magnolia acuminata), black cherry (Prunus serotina), shagbark hickory (Carya ovata), swamp hickory (Carya glabra) Shrubs: Witch hazel (Hamamelis virginiana), spicebush (Lindera benzoin), common elderberry (Sambucus canadensis), maple-leaved viburnum (Viburnum acerifolium), hobblebush (Viburnum lantanoides) Wildflowers: Canadian lily of the valley (Maianthemum canadense), Jack in the pulpit (Arisaema triphyllum), goldthread (Coptis trifolia), blue cohosh (Caulophyllum thalictroides), sharp-lobed hepatica (Hepatica acutiloba), false Salomon’s seal (Maianthemum racemosum ssp racemosum), golden ragwort (Packea aurea), crooked stem aster (Symphyotrichum prenanthoides), meadow bottle gentian (Gentiana clausa), beebalm (Monarda didyma) Birds: Chestnut-sided warbler (Setophaga pensylvanica), veery (Catharus fuscescens), rose-breasted grosbeak (Pheucticus ludovicianus)