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!