Bill and Audrey Steimer have spent 40+ years protecting the health of their farmland. In 2023 they turned their 122 acres into “forever farmland” by working with Genesee Land Trust to secure a state grant.

In 2023, Genesee Land Trust protected 1,300+ acres across 5 properties in Monroe, Wayne and Ontario counties. This article - updated from our Fall/Winter 2023 newsletter with final totals - highlights our progress since founding in 1989. We couldn’t do it without the ongoing support of our generous donors. Thank you!

Members of our staff and board share some of their favorite local winter adventures - from a small ski slope in Spencerport to a peaceful snow shoe trail in Macedon, there are lots of options.

Since 2019, ten scouts have completed projects to build bridges, boardwalks, benches, and bird nests at various public nature preserves. This timeline celebrates their contributions. Many other scouts have helped over the years.

Embracing the “New Normal” of Caring for Protected Lands

The cracking skeletons of large dead ash trees at Island Cottage Woods tell the tale of invasive species and higher flooding levels - both due to climate change . To protect visitors and manage these issues, Genesee Land Trust closed the nature preserve in mid October.

We hosted an Orchard JamBoree to celebrate the permanent protection of G and S Orchards in Walworth. It was a huge hit!

A family of beavers, nature’s eco-engineers, have built a lodge near the wetland observation platform.

Read different children’s books as you explore beautiful places around the region.

Explore the wetlands along the creek, the meadow, and the woods during a recent visit.

Greater Rochester’s land and water conservation organization promotes a proven leader to help write its next chapter. Lorna has 10+ years of experience at the land trust.

Take a look at Corbett’s Glen on a snowy day in February - with a video of ducks in Allen’s Creek.

On a sunny winter walk our staff explores 62 acres of protected woods in North Rose.

Genesee Land Trust is applying for renewal of accreditation. You can submit a comment on our application until April 10, 2023.

A popular U-pick orchard will permanently protect its 200 acres of farmland in Walworth.

Teens for the Earth - our reimagined and expanded youth workforce development program - spent 2022 learning about the rich natural resources of our region, the issues and threats to local water and land, and how they can make a difference. Meet some of these future conservationists and find out more about the program.

The Community Design Center of Rochester honored Gay Mills with the 2022 Activism Award in recognition of the impact Genesee Land Trust has had under her leadership. Join us in celebrating!