PLACES TO EXPLORE
David S. Smith Public Conservation Area
Town of Leray, Jefferson County, New York
Acreage: 411
# of Trails: 1
Miles of Trails: 0.95
Address: 25775 Taylor Rd, Evans Mills, NY 13637
Trail Loop/ Stretch surface and slope info:
Trail starts on mowed grassland and loops through a woodland path. Terrain is mostly even, and rocky at some points.
What you can do there:
Hiking, bird watching/wildlife viewing, environmental education programs, dog walking (on leash), snowshoeing, and cross-country skiing
Site use guidelines:
- Stay on Marked Trails
- Trails are for non-motorized day use only.
- If you carry it in, carry it out.
- Take only pictures. Leave what you find.
- Respect wildlife. Keep your distance. Never feed wild animals.
- Leashed dogs are welcome. Please bag waste and take home for disposal.
- No horses, pack animals, camping, fireworks, alcohol, or drugs are allowed.
Habitat:The property contains a variety of different habitats including grasslands, mature forestlands, and wetlands. The land is home to the Indiana bat and Northern long-eared bat, Federally Endangered bat species, the Henslow’s sparrow, a threatened grassland bird species, and the Northern harrier.
Dedication:David Smith spent his 40-year career at the New York State Department of Environmental Conservation helping others care for the forest lands and waters he loved. As Regional Forester, Dave guided the professional forestry team in DEC’s Region 6. He was an inspiration to so many on Tug Hill, having had a gift for listening to local landowners, industry leaders, and community officials and helping make decisions that benefited both land and people.
History:Tug Hill Tomorrow Land Trust acquired the land from the US Army and Ducks Unlimited through the Army Compatible Use Buffer Program in 2022, providing endangered species mitigation on former farm crop and pasture land. The western portion was previously protected farmland by conservation easement with the Thousand Islands Land Trust under ownership of Con Tech Building systems, while the eastern portion was identified as a conservation priority due to the presence of endangered bat habitat. Additionally, the property is connected to 15 acres of endangered bat habitat owned and protected by the Ontario Bays Initiative.
Partners:United States Army, Ducks Unlimited
.