Dorene Warner

When the David S. Smith Public Conservation Area was protected in 2022, one of the driving forces behind the effort was the opportunity to maintain and improve important habitat for two endangered species: the Indiana bat and the northern long-eared bat, which rely on healthy, mature woodlands for roosting.

But protecting the land was only the first step. Now, with new partnerships and funding in place, restoration work is planned to expand and improve critical habitat.

A Focus on Invasive Species

Along the woodland edge, a thick tangle of invasive buckthorn has crowded out native vegetation and diminished the ecological value of the surrounding brushland. In partnership with the St. Lawrence-Eastern Lake Ontario (SLELO) Partnership for Regional Invasive Species Management (PRISM), an ambitious habitat restoration project to remove buckthorn and honeysuckle from the site is set to begin.

This work, being carried out by F&W Forestry, uses targeted methods that minimize disturbance to desirable native trees. The goal is to open up space for natural regeneration, allowing young native trees to grow without competition from invasives. Follow-up work is planned for 2026 to ensure long-term success.

Once the invasive canopy is gone, native plants, including trees ideal for bat roosting, can begin to thrive again. It’s the kind of patient, careful work that restores balance to the land and builds habitat from the ground up.

A New Forest Takes Root

Looking ahead to 2027, the second phase of restoration is planned to begin with the transformation of an open meadow into new forest.

With a strategic plan of up to 5,000 trees to be planted, including oaks, pines, maples, and hickories, this project would expand habitat for bats and many other woodland species. Trees like shagbark and pignut hickory, in particular, provide the loose bark structure that endangered bats seek for summer roosting.

Key plantings and other efforts may further be implemented along the creek on the property to bolster the riparian buffer, depending on funding available.

By increasing the amount of forest on the landscape, this project also supports broader efforts to improve climate resilience in New York. Larger, connected forests help clean our air and water, store carbon, and buffer the effects of a changing climate.

A Vision for the Future

Restoration takes time, and it relies on strong partnerships and support from people who care deeply about the land. At the David S. Smith Public Conservation Area, the work underway today is part of a larger vision, one that includes healthy forests, thriving wildlife, and lasting connections to nature close to home.

A remarkable family’s wish to ensure that their lands will provide community benefits for future generations is now secure.

In the town of Vienna, situated on the northeastern edge of Oneida Lake, Roger and Elaine Norton embarked on a lifelong journey to protect and nurture their beloved homestead. With a deep appreciation for nature, the couple cherished their time spent camping and hiking.

Their remarkable 380-acre property, rich in woodlands and wetlands, became the heart of their efforts to safeguard the diverse plant and animal life that thrives in this beautiful landscape.

Elaine played an active role in The Nature Conservancy and was passionate about sharing her love for natural history with her biology students at Camden Central School, where she was a teacher.

Together, she and Roger created nature trails that meandered through their woodlands and wetlands, providing a space for family, friends, and neighbors to explore and appreciate the beauty of nature.

Sharing an appreciation of nature

Their vision was to preserve this woodland as a forever wild area, fostering wildlife habitat while offering opportunities for the community to learn about natural history and the importance of land conservation.

The Norton daughters, who grew up on the property and inherited it from their parents, also learned to appreciate nature and have tended to the property since their parents’ passing. Ruth Norton is the main caretaker.

Several years ago, to honor their parents’ wishes for the eternal preservation of their land, the sisters reached out to the Tug Hill Tomorrow Land Trust to explore potential avenues for achieving this goal. After several visits to the property and meaningful discussions with Ruth and her sisters, a collaborative plan emerged.

The Land Trust agreed to accept the donation of the majority of the property from the Norton family, agreed to steward the land in perpetuity, and also establish it as a public conservation area. The area would be named the Stone House Preserve, paying tribute to the 19th-century stone structure where Ruth continues to reside.

George Bibbins, a Land Trust Board Member at the time, remarked, “When I saw how diverse and well-maintained this property was, I was convinced that this property was an outstanding project for the Land Trust. This was matched by the Norton sisters’ eagerness to work with us to get this project done.”

“We are delighted to work with Tug Hill Tomorrow Land Trust to honor both our family’s multi-generational involvement in nature conservation and our parent’s desire to preserve their woodland intact and forever wild,” remarked Ruth, who along with Martha, Mary, Patricia, and Catherine, have had a lifelong love of their property.

The donation by the Norton family encompasses 380 acres of land featuring charming old stone walls and historic foundations throughout the property, as well as the picturesque Brockway Brook, a beautiful waterway that adds to its natural beauty.

Thanks to the generosity of the Norton family, the preserve currently boasts six miles of scenic trails and is sure to lure visitors to hike, bird watch, and immerse themselves in the beauty of nature.

Stone House Preserve’s field, forest and wetland habitats support a large variety of plants and animals throughout the year, like the Blackburnian Warbler in spring and summer as well as Red Foxes and Painted Turtles
all year round. A small forest cabin on the property will allow for guest and resident caretaker and intern  accommodations in the future.

Exciting plans for the future

We have exciting plans for trail enhancements and for educational programs designed to engage and inspire nature enthusiasts, fostering a deeper connection with the natural world.

To enhance the visitor experience even further, we are planning to establish a designated parking area, an informative kiosk, and clear road signage at the preserve. These improvements will not only increase accessibility but also provide essential information for visitors. Much of this work is also made possible through a generous grant from The Nature Conservancy, for which we are immensely grateful.

You are invited to help steward the land with us

As the Land Trust embarks on this exciting new chapter, we encourage you to get involved in any way you can. There are numerous volunteer opportunities available, from trail maintenance to educational outreach, all aimed at enhancing and preserving this beautiful space.

The Stone House Preserve is more than just a recent addition; it represents hope and teamwork in our conservation efforts. We encourage you to visit, explore, and be a part of the future of this beautiful landscape. By establishing this preserve, we will protect the beauty and health of this land for future generations.

The Land Trust is honored to receive this donation of land from the Norton family. This September, we invite you to visit Stone House Preserve by attending our annual Community Picnic, which we are holding at the site. Come enjoy informational walks on the trails, guest speakers, and more. We’ll have more details in the months to come.

A special thank you to the Norton family for being a vital part of this journey!

At Tug Hill Tomorrow Land Trust (THTLT), our commitment to environmental stewardship goes beyond simply conserving land; it includes a thorough evaluation of water quality as a crucial factor in our conservation efforts.

When considering new projects, we meticulously assess the potential impacts on water resources, ensuring that our investments contribute to the preservation of clean, healthy water for both the environment and local communities.

Water quality is fundamentally linked to the health of our ecosystems.

We ask critical questions:

• Does the proposed conservation project safeguard clean water?
• Are there sensitive species, such as native and introduced trout, that depend on high water quality?
• Is this land a vital source of drinking water for nearby residents?
• Does the proposed conservation project safeguard clean water?

These considerations guide our decision-making process and help us identify projects that will have a meaningful impact.

Ton Ka Wa — An example of land and water stewardship

One of our most recent agreements protects the 768-acre Conservation Easement at Ton Ka Wa Rod and Gun Club in Herkimer County, which has garnered significant attention from the New York State Department of Environmental Conservation (DEC) and the Black River Watershed.

Funded by over $500,000 from the State’s Water Quality Improvement Project (WQIP) Program, this project aims to protect the Hinkley Reservoir, a critical drinking water source for more than 125,000 residents.

The property features approximately 2,500 feet of pristine shoreline along the West Canada Creek, which feeds the reservoir, as well as about 6,500 feet of shoreline on Conklin Brook.

The significance of these water resources played a vital role in the priority ranking of this project.

Chris Welch, President of the Ton Ka Wa Rod and Gun Club said, “The ability to safeguard the water quality in both Conklin Brook and the West Canada Creek was an important factor in our decision to place a conservation easement on the land; especially since most of our members are avid fishermen.”

In addition to Ton Ka Wa, we are excited about our new Forest Conservation Easement and Land Trust (FCELT) grant property owned by Peter Doerner in the Town of Boylston. This property is an area that is home to unique natural communities that contribute to the maintenance of excellent water quality in the Redfield area.

The ongoing project is expected to be completed by the end of 2025 or early 2026, further showcasing our commitment to water quality conservation.

Water quality also impacts the health of fish populations, such as trout, which are sensitive to
environmental changes. To lessen changes that could affect these populations over time,  conserving land resources such as forests and stream vegetation that provide clean and plentiful water is essential not only for wildlife but also human health and our region’s fishing economy.

At THTLT, we recognize that water quality is a defining element of our conservation mission. By prioritizing projects that protect and enhance water resources, we strive to ensure a sustainable future for both our ecosystems and local communities.

As we move forward, we invite you to join us in our efforts to promote clean water and preserve the natural beauty of Tug Hill.