Nature Conservancy land purchase saved from development

The Central and Western New York chapter of The Nature Conservancy recently purchased a rare 500 acres of undeveloped land along Lake Ontario. The rich land includes shoreline, forests, wetlands, grasslands and Third Creek, which flows into Sodus Bay.

“The land provides a critical refuge for migratory birds and waterfowl, and spawning areas for many fish, including a very threatened native fish — the lake sturgeon,” said Executive Director Jim Howe to The Post-Standard. He also said that  protecting Third Creek will enhance the water quality in Sodus Bay.

The Nature Conservancy bought the land from a real estate company that builds houses along the Sodus Bay shoreline. The land was purchased partially with a grant from the North American Wetlands Conservation Fund. In a question and answer article, Howe said they will transfer the property to the state of New York late this year or next year. Under state ownership, the land will most likely become a state wildlife management area.

Read more at syracuse.com