I think Sarah Barker at Cornell Lab would have some good advice on land conservation initiatives.
https://www.birds.cornell.edu/home/staff/sara-barker/ Sent from my iPhone > On Jan 10, 2021, at 8:53 PM, Suan Hsi Yong <suan.y...@gmail.com> wrote: > > As Cayuga Bird Club president, I'll bring this up for discussion at > our next executive committee meeting. It sounds like engaging with the > Lotts might be a good first step. Meanwhile, if anyone wants to play > an active role in pursuing this further, perhaps with the backing of > the bird club, let me know. > > Suan > > >> On Sun, Jan 10, 2021 at 7:38 AM Robert Horn <tisha...@twcny.rr.com> wrote: >> >> I agree that contacting the Finger Lakes Land Trust could be beneficial. >> They certainly are experts in land conservation. Bob Horn >> >> On Jan 10, 2021, at 6:26 AM, John Gregoire <johnandsuegrego...@gmail.com> >> wrote: >> >> Dave, >> The state has a strong farmland trust which greatly benefit the owner in >> cash which is in exchange for keeping it farmland. I have no further detail/ >> John >> >>> On Sat, Jan 9, 2021 at 8:17 PM Dave Nutter <nutter.d...@me.com> wrote: >>> >>> As many of you know, the private Lott Farm, located on the NE corner of >>> NYS-414 and Martin Rd on the south border of the Town of Seneca Falls, has >>> long been the site for the August farm equipment fair called Empire Farm >>> Days. Therefore it has fortuitously been managed as an extensive grassland. >>> It is the only remaining breeding site in the Cayuga Lake Basin for Upland >>> Sandpipers (They bred between Wood Rd & Caswell Rd in Dryden years ago, >>> before a few houses went in there.) as well as a great place for many other >>> breeding grassland birds, the occasional rare Dickcissel, plus fairly >>> regular Snowy Owls in winter. Furthermore, the owner has been gracious in >>> granting access, without charging any fee, to birders who simply request >>> permission, describe their vehicle, and agree to remain on the gravel roads. >>> >>> In talking to Reuben Stoltzfus this evening I learned that we cannot take >>> for granted the situation which had simply been the result of good luck and >>> generosity. This past year, the Empire State Farm Days event did not take >>> place due to the COVID-19 pandemic. But also the event is now under new >>> management who have chosen a different site for the future. This means that >>> whatever profit and benefit which the Lott Farm gained from that event is >>> gone. And they never got any benefit except good will from us birders. >>> >>> While Reuben has not talked to the farm owner and did not know of any plans >>> for this land which had been managed as grassland, I think it’s safe to >>> assume that there is a strong incentive for the owner to find some use >>> which will pay the taxes or turn a profit, and that grassland bird habitat >>> may not be in the picture unless action is taken quickly to encourage >>> future management to allow these birds to continue, before decisions are >>> made - if they have not been finalized already - for the plowing or >>> construction season this spring. >>> >>> Is this something about which local bird clubs would want to work with the >>> owner of Lott farm? Are there DEC programs which can reimburse landowners >>> for maintaining such habitat? Would bird clubs want to help more directly? >>> Would birders be willing to pay a small fee for the privilege of birding >>> there or to become members of some organization for the pride of knowing >>> they are helping some regionally rare birds survive where we can sometimes >>> see them? >>> >>> These are just some ideas based on very limited information. I know there >>> are people reading this who are far better than I am at organizing, >>> networking, researching, and promoting these things. Please think about it, >>> discuss it, and help ensure that come mid-April the Upland Sandpipers have >>> a home to return to. Thanks. >>> >>> - - Dave Nutter >>> -- >>> Cayugabirds-L List Info: >>> Welcome and Basics >>> Rules and Information >>> Subscribe, Configuration and Leave >>> Archives: >>> The Mail Archive >>> Surfbirds >>> BirdingOnThe.Net >>> Please submit your observations to eBird! >>> -- >> >> -- >> Cayugabirds-L List Info: >> Welcome and Basics >> Rules and Information >> Subscribe, Configuration and Leave >> Archives: >> The Mail Archive >> Surfbirds >> BirdingOnThe.Net >> Please submit your observations to eBird! >> -- >> >> >> -- >> Cayugabirds-L List Info: >> Welcome and Basics >> Rules and Information >> Subscribe, Configuration and Leave >> Archives: >> The Mail Archive >> Surfbirds >> BirdingOnThe.Net >> Please submit your observations to eBird! >> -- > > -- > > Cayugabirds-L List Info: > http://www.NortheastBirding.com/CayugabirdsWELCOME > http://www.NortheastBirding.com/CayugabirdsRULES > http://www.NortheastBirding.com/CayugabirdsSubscribeConfigurationLeave.htm > > ARCHIVES: > 1) http://www.mail-archive.com/cayugabirds-l@cornell.edu/maillist.html > 2) http://www.surfbirds.com/birdingmail/Group/Cayugabirds > 3) http://birdingonthe.net/mailinglists/CAYU.html > > Please submit your observations to eBird: > http://ebird.org/content/ebird/ > > -- > -- Cayugabirds-L List Info: http://www.NortheastBirding.com/CayugabirdsWELCOME http://www.NortheastBirding.com/CayugabirdsRULES http://www.NortheastBirding.com/CayugabirdsSubscribeConfigurationLeave.htm ARCHIVES: 1) http://www.mail-archive.com/cayugabirds-l@cornell.edu/maillist.html 2) http://www.surfbirds.com/birdingmail/Group/Cayugabirds 3) http://birdingonthe.net/mailinglists/CAYU.html Please submit your observations to eBird: http://ebird.org/content/ebird/ --
