2021 Annual Report Highlights
Despite the challenges of the pandemic, the conservation work kept on going
To the surprise of many, but not to us because we knew you’d show up and make amazing things happen, 2021 has set the stage for an extraordinary 2022.
People like you showed up on the trails, at our programs, and contributed to the future we all wish to see. Thank you for stepping up and believing in the power of nature, local farms, clean water, and places for people to enjoy trails close to home.
A special thank you to everyone who contributed to the Tug Hill for Tomorrow Campaign. With the success of the campaign, and ongoing fundraising efforts this year, we will be able to conserve more land and connect with more people than ever before.
Farms.
Ten farmland protection grant applications, covering 3,791 acres, were submitted at the request of local farm families and their towns. It takes over 50 hours of technical assistance to submit one of these grants. To date, six families have been awarded NYS Farmland Protection grants.
Wildlife habitat.
Thanks to our members and supporters over the last 30 years, we conserved forestlands and woodlands throughout the Tug Hill Region, totaling over 21,000 acres. These lands are increasingly important for wildlife to be able to move freely in a changing climate.
Trails.
Trails took a leap forward thanks to volunteers, contributions from local businesses, and donors like you. New tails at the French Settlement Road Public Conservation Area in Lorraine, Jefferson County and the 20-mile Traverse Trail in Osceola and Montague in Lewis County are poised to come to completion in 2022.
Community.
Connecting people to the land, and to each other, is core to who we are as a land trust. This was even more important during 2021, with the pandemic. Programs like Sustain Music in Nature and the revived Venerable Folks of Tug Hill exhibit celebrated Tug Hill’s heritage.
Education.
The Bird Quest went remote, engaging people from all over the region. Library partnerships and programs with schools created inspiration for youth at a time when many were experiencing remote learning.
Southern Tug Hill conservation boost.
Thanks to generous donations by people like you and the Richard Shineman Foundation, the Community Foundation of Herkimer and Oneida Counties, Inc., and the Bull Family Fund, we now have a talented staff member located in the Camden area to help facilitate conservation projects and innovative programs.
“I’m so thankful that I’m now able to conserve this land. I’ve never taken it for granted—and neither did my ancestors. I think they would be proud of what I am doing.” – Bob Burt
*Based on Audited 2021 Financial Statement. The category “other” includes the value of purchased and donated conservation easements and property, investment income, and the COVID Paycheck Protection Program grant.