Why This Campaign?
Why Now?
For over 35 years, we have worked in our community to protect the lands and waters that sustain our region and make it such an incredible place to live, work, and visit.
This work has prepared us for a remarkable alignment of opportunities that has emerged:
● Multiple irreplaceable wetlands, forest tracts, and wildlife corridors have become available at the same time.
● Properties within priority conservation zones—such as the Lake Erie–Chautauqua Lake watersheds divide and key tributary watersheds—are now available for protection before development pressures intensify.
● Climate and land-use pressures create an opportunity for conservation actions that will have outsized, long-term impact if taken now.
By acting now, we can double the acreage of our existing protected lands, conserve these extraordinary natural systems, and secure the health of our region’s waters, wildlife, and way of life for generations.
Across the Chautauqua region, extraordinary natural places—wetlands, forests, creeks, and wildlife corridors—are quietly sustaining our community. They filter the water that feeds our lakes, shelter migratory birds and native pollinators, and offer places of peace, beauty, and belonging.
As our region grows and landscapes evolve, chances to protect large, connected natural areas are becoming less and less frequent. Across the region, land is changing hands quickly, and many special places are at a turning point. Fortunately, if we act swiftly, a remarkable collection of several of the most important properties for water quality, habitat, and community benefit are within reach of permanent protection.
Right now, we have an exceptional opportunity to shape the future of our region’s landscapes.
With your help, we can secure these places forever.
Campaign Vision
Loss of wetlands, which are essential for flood mitigation and nutrient filtering.
Development and land clearing that eliminate habitat and degrade water quality.
Pollution and runoff into lakes and waterways, leading to declining water quality, increased algal blooms, and long-term damage to ecosystems.
Fragmentation that breaks apart wildlife corridors, reducing biodiversity and contributing to dangerous migration paths.
Threats and Pressures
Protect our way of life by securing the outdoor recreational opportunities, scenic beauty, and community character that define our region’s identity and are vital to our economy.
Store carbon and support
climate resilience through
intact forests and wetlands.
Provide crucial habitat for native plants and animals—
some rare or endangered.
Safeguard clean water
by filtering runoff
and stabilizing banks.
The Importance of Land Protection
Featured Conservation Properties
Thanks to landowner partnerships, scientific prioritization, and years of relationship-building, we are now positioned to protect twelve exceptional landscapes.
12
Exceptional
Landscapes
Bear Lake Conservation Area
Stockton, NY
A cornerstone of the “Floating Fen” ecosystem and one of our highest-priority conservation sites.
● Supports rare hydrology and sensitive species
● 60–70% wetland or open water
● Protects outflow feeding and providing clean water to Bear Lake
● Connects directly to regional conservation corridors
Conewango Forest Conservation Easement
Conewango Valley, NY
An evolving old-growth forest with exceptional restoration potential.
● Nearly 99 acres of mature hemlock and black cherry trees
● Important tributary to Conewango Creek
● Decades of landowner stewardship and native planting
Prendergast Creek Wetland Preserve
Expansion Opportunity, Prendergast Creek Access
Chautauqua, NY
Provides vital access and shoreline protection for an existing CWC preserve.
● 500 feet of Chautauqua Lake wetland frontage
● Rich habitat for fish, birds, amphibians, and pollinators
● Enhances management of high-value aquatic systems
● Provides an opportunity for additional shoreline erosion protection to the adjacent lakefront property owners
Blaisdell Creek Headwaters Conservation Easement
Cherry Creek, NY
A showcase of long-term restoration and ecological management.
● Old-growth-like forest, pollinator fields, and wetland systems
● Two converging branches of Blaisdell Creek
● Sustainable forestry with strong conservation potential
Sunnyside Marsh Preserve
Expansion Opportunity
Ellery, NY
A small but critical forested wetland near Chautauqua Lake.
● Filters runoff and reduces flooding
● Supports bat species, migratory birds, and diverse flora
● Provides the opportunity
for expansion of the current Sunnyside Marsh Preserve,
where one of the longest running local bird banding research projects takes place
Moon Road Wetland Restoration Site
Stockton, NY
A major wetland restoration and conservation opportunity.
● Proposed new emergent, scrub-shrub, and forested wetlands
● Expands habitat for Upper Allegheny Basin species
● Long-term stewardship candidate with Ducks Unlimited
-1515.jpg)
French Creek Wetland Preserve
Sherman, NY
A family legacy property in Sherman, NY, near the headwaters of French Creek.
● Wetland system that, with some help from nature's engineers (beavers), feeds and protects French Creek
● Reforested farmland following natural succession
● Multiple ponds and vernal pools
● Provides important habitat for less common species
Stockton Springs Conservation Area
Stockton, NY
A family legacy landscape with water-rich biodiversity.
● Springs, intermittent streams, and vernal ponds
● Meadows, reforestation, and maturing conifers
● Increasing ecological value through natural succession
-2322.jpg)
Bear Lake Outlet Wetlands Preserve
Sinclairville, NY
An untouched landscape with exceptional wetland and forest diversity.
● Significant Bear Lake Outlet frontage
● Pink lady’s slipper and other rare plant habitat
● Mussel populations and pollinator abundance
● Dynamic beaver-influenced hydrology
Jamestown Public School Forest
Conservation Easement
Falconer, NY
A property transformed by over 100 years of succession and replanting efforts.
● Sustainably managed forest that provides endless opportunities for experiential learning
● Permanent protection of the many years of work that the JPS board has put into improving the health of this forest and its availability to students and teachers
● Large uninterrupted wildlife habitat provided by a mature hardwood forest and various conifer species
Cassadaga Creek Floodplain Preserve
Ellery, NY
A floodplain jewel along Cassadaga Creek.
● 84 of the 130 acres are DEC-qualifying wetlands
● Habitat for freshwater mussels, bald eagles, and wood turtles
● Adjacent to Kyle’s Landing Preserve
%20butterfly-9440TwanLeenders_edited.jpg)
Glasgow Reservoir Conservation Area Easement
Fredonia, NY
A rich and biodiverse property with countless benefits to the surrounding region.
● In close proximity and helps to protect the Fredonia Reservoir
● Over 40 acres of unique habitat at various stages of succession
● Many less common and unique native species planted by the owners, who are local small business owners of Royal Fern Native Plant Nursery
Campaign Goal
To protect these properties and steward them forever, we seek to raise $980,000.
These funds will secure the conservation of these irreplaceable forests and wetlands,
along with the waters they protect and the unique wildlife that calls them home.
Your support ensures:
● Direct Land Acquisition
● Conservation Easements & Enforcement
● Long-term Stewardship
● Restoration & Habitat Management
● Community Access
We use nationally accredited conservation tools and standards.
Once protected, these lands stay protected - permanently.
Purchase Cost
Expenses associated with completing property acquisitions
$297,928.23
Long-term Stewardship
Costs to responsibly protect and maintain properties in perpetuity
$479,643.40
Initial Ownership Expenses
Due diligence, management planning, and initial property improvements
$202,069.67
Total Impact
Doubling Our Legacy
Together, these properties represent over 1,097 acres of wetlands, forests, floodplains, and wildlife habitats—enough to double the acreage of our current preserve network.
Expand public and ecological benefits for generations.
Connect fragmented habitats into larger, resilient landscapes.
Strengthen watershed protection across the region.
How YOU Can Help
Every contribution—large or small—conserves real acres of land, real waterways, and real wildlife. This scale of opportunity will not come again.
You have the power to shape
the Chautauqua region’s future.
By joining our Twice the Land,
Forever Protected campaign,
you help secure the forests, wetlands,
and waters that sustain us all—
today, tomorrow,
and for generations to come.
Together, we can
protect these lands forever.
Your support ensures that these unique lands remain intact, healthy, and wild. Gifts may include naming and recognition opportunities and can be made through:
● One-time donation
● Multi-year pledges
● Donor-Advised Funds (DAFs)
● Gifts of appreciated stock
● Required Minimum Distributions from IRAs
● Employer matching
Belted Kingfishers photo by Sunny Lo
All other photographys by Twan Leenders