LANSING, N.Y.—The Finger Lakes Land Trust has announced the acquisition of 110 acres in the town of Lansing, a large parcel of land with a view over the eastern shore of Cayuga Lake.
The land, which includes the former Cedar View 9-hole Golf Course, was at one point part of a dairy farm and is close to the FLLT’s Bell Station acquisition, which was completed in 2022.
“The property consists of lakeshore woodlands that feature several seasonal tributaries to Cayuga Lake,” states a press release from the FLLT regarding its most recent purchase. “The former 9-hole golf course provides scenic views of the lake and is lined with native Eastern red cedar trees that took root when the site was used as a pasture.”
The land trust announced that it intends to sell the property to the state’s Department of Environmental Conservation so that it can be maintained as a public wildlife management area, along with part of the Bell Station property. According to FLLT, the new wildlife area will include 3,600 feet of shoreline and “more than 400 acres of diverse wildlife habitat.”
Before that sale is completed, FLLT will “partner with the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service to expand meadows on the former golf course to enhance grassland habitat for migratory songbirds such as bobolinks, savannah sparrows and eastern meadowlarks.” That will include removal of certain trees to expand the habitats necessary for the birds.
“We were thrilled to have the opportunity to work with the Larsen family to conserve this special property,” said FLLT Executive Director Andrew Zepp. “Together with Bell Station, this site is large enough to have special significance as habitat for fish and wildlife while also providing outstanding opportunities for outdoor recreation.”
The purchase was made via the FLLT’s Opportunity Fund.