One of the grants will provide $20,130 to create and install a trailhead kiosk as well as educational signage at The Pinnacle Preserve in the Town of Bolton.
In 2015 the 73-acre “Pinnacle” property was protected in partnership with the Town of Bolton, and in 2020 an adjoining 62-acre property known as “Bradley’s Lookout” was protected; combined, the properties form The Pinnacle Preserve. The properties, which are owned by the Town of Bolton, are protected by conservation easements held by the LGLC. The LGLC also manages the preserve’s trails.

Since its protection in 2015, tens of thousands of visitors have hiked at The Pinnacle Preserve each year for its amazing view of Lake George. With the addition of the Bradley’s trail and a new parking lot in 2021, use of the preserve is expected to grow. The installation of a trailhead kiosk and educational signage on the trails will improve the user experience and provide information for a large audience of hikers to learn about the importance of protecting land for the benefit of water quality.

LGLC Executive Director Michael Horn said, “The partnership between the Town of Bolton and the LGLC to protect The Pinnacle Preserve showcases the value of conservation for the region. Not only does the project preserve an iconic and important natural resource, it also draws visitors to the area throughout the year, which supports the local economy. We are so glad that the NYSCPP sees the value in this partnership and the importance of educating the tens of thousands of hikers who enjoy The Pinnacle Preserve each year.”

The second grant of $27,540 will reimburse costs incurred by the LGLC in a 2021 transaction which protected 147-acres of land, including 10 acres of wetlands and nearly a mile of the Saddlebrook stream corridor that feeds into Indian Brook and ultimately Lake George’s Northwest Bay.

Working with the landowner over several years, the Saddlebrook Conservation Easement project dissolved an approved 23-lot subdivision in the Town of Bolton into just three lots. The LGLC holds conservation easements on 147-acres of the land. The LGLC will monitor the property annually to ensure that there are no changes that affect its sensitive resources.

Horn said, “Conservation easements are a valuable tool that protect resources while allowing the land to remain in private ownership for private use. We are so grateful to the landowners for their patience on this project, which protects the water quality of Lake George. Thanks to the support from the NYSCPP grant, we will be able to quickly move forward to protect other sensitive properties in the watershed.”

Since the Conservation Partnership Program’s inception in 2002, the program has awarded 1,077 grants totaling more than $25 million to 92 land trusts across New York State.

Department of Environmental Conservation (DEC) Commissioner Basil Seggos said, “DEC is proud to partner with the Land Trust Alliance for this $3.3 million grant announcement, which supports land trusts across the state managing forests, conserving agricultural lands, restoring coastal and wetland areas, and bolstering essential projects in our fight against climate change.

“Thanks to Governor Hochul and legislative leaders, the State’s record-high Environmental Protection Fund is making historic investments in local land trusts and community partners, sustaining their work to protect and preserve New York’s natural areas now and for future generations.”

Meme Hanley, the Land Trust the Land Trust Alliance’s New York program manager, said, “The people of New York need and love open spaces for the many health, recreation, and economic benefits they provide. These grants will leverage the strengths of the State’s land trust community to protect treasured local outdoor places and help provide important climate benefits. On behalf of the Land Trust Alliance, I applaud Governor Hochul, Senate Majority Leader Andrea Stewart-Cousins, Assembly Speaker Carl Heastie, Senator Todd Kaminsky, Assemblyman Steve Englebright, and Commissioner Seggos for their work to ensure New Yorkers enjoy clean water, healthy food, outdoor recreation, and economic opportunity.”

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