named programs · 4 · from sources
What they call their work
Conservation Easement Stewardship
Holds and monitors conservation easements, such as on Brackett Woods, to ensure long-term protection of natural resources and compliance with easement terms.
Farmland Preservation Program
Works with farmers to protect productive farmland through conservation easements and development rights purchases, supported by NY State Ag & Markets grants.
Public Trail Access and Environmental Education
Maintains nearly 3.5 miles of public trails across Leland, Schapiro, and Gateway Reserves, offering educational programming for local schools and public access to historic and natural features.
Wetland Conservation/Restoration Project
Restores wetland and forested areas, such as at Schapiro Reserve, in partnership with the Upper Susquehanna Coalition to improve water quality in the Susquehanna River watershed.
activities · 6 groups
What they do
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Land Acquisition and Conservation Easements 2 activities
- Acquires land and conservation easements to protect farmland and natural areasProtects land through direct acquisition and conservation easements, including purchasing development rights on farms via the NYS “Dairy Transitions” program, accepting donated properties and easements, and securing appraisals for farmland protection. Examples include the 39-acre Schapiro Reserve, the 4-acre Gateway Reserve, and a 25.6-acre protected parcel with wetlands and a waterfall.
- Monitors conservation easements through annual inspectionsConducts annual inspections of properties under conservation easements to ensure compliance with legally binding land-use restrictions. This stewardship activity supports long-term protection of natural resources and land-use integrity across Madison County, NY.
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Local Land Conservation Advocacy 2 activities
- Advances greenway and greenbelt initiatives through regional collaborationCollaborates on the development of a proposed greenway linking recreational, natural resource, and growth management goals, with a focus on the Chenango Canal corridor. Also advances a 16,000-acre greenbelt plan through land easements, regulatory tools, and partnerships with private landowners and key stakeholders.
- Develops strategic land protection plans using GIS and demographic researchConducts research and modeling to inform conservation strategy, including creating a Strategic Land Protection Plan using GIS suitability models and demographic data, and modeling a greenbelt around four municipalities to balance growth with farmland and biodiversity protection.
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Nature Preserve Management and Public Access 1 activity
- Manages reserve properties with active conservation and public access improvementsManages SMHT-owned reserves—including Leland, Schapiro, and Gateway Reserves—through trail development and maintenance, periodic mowing, selective harvesting, fencing, signage, and site enhancements such as ponds and access ramps. These efforts support public recreation, safety, and environmental stewardship.
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Community Stewardship Volunteer Programs 1 activity
- Organizes community cleanup and volunteer stewardship eventsCoordinates regular trash removal along 2 miles of Route 12B north of Hamilton through a statewide roadside cleanup program, and organizes trail cleanups at Leland Reserve. These efforts began in 2007 and continue as ongoing community engagement and environmental protection activities.
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Onsite & Outreach Environmental Education Programs 1 activity
- Provides environmental education and guided public programmingOffers guided ecology walks, self-guided interpretive trails with printed and audio guides, and seasonal field studies for fifth-grade students from Hamilton and Madison Central Schools. Programs include winter snowshoeing, invasive species removal, and ecological observation, serving approximately 45 students annually over a 14-year period.
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Ecological Habitat Restoration 1 activity
- Restores native ecosystems and improves watershed healthUndertakes ecological restoration projects such as planting 4,300 native trees and shrubs and conducting wetland conservation at Schapiro Reserve to reduce runoff and improve water quality in the Susquehanna River watershed. These efforts enhance biodiversity and protect critical habitats.
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financials · form 990EZ · fy2024
revenue
Total revenue$14K
Contributions & grants$13K92%
Program service revenue$00%
Investment income$1K8%
Other revenue—
expenses
Total expenses$20K
Program expenses—
Admin / overhead—
Fundraising—
Salaries & benefits—
Grants paid out—
balance sheet
Total assets$166K
Cash—
Investments—
Liabilities—
Net assets$166K
4 years on record · 2020–2024 · YoY revenue -66.4%
leadership · form 990 part vii · fy2024
Who runs it
board members · 7
- ADAM SCHOONMAKER — DIRECTOR
- CAROLYN TODD — DIRECTOR
- HARMON HOFF — DIRECTOR
- JOHN NOVAK — DIRECTOR
- LAURA COUGHLIN — DIRECTOR
- MICHAEL LORANTY — DIRECTOR
- THOMAS PARISH — DIRECTOR
relationships · 29
Who they work with
- Central New York Community Foundation Partner — Manages the Southern Madison Heritage Fund, investing donations and distributing earnings to support SMHT's operations.
- Chenango Canal Government — Historic canal whose West Branch Feeder runs through the Schapiro Reserve.
- Chenango Canal Association Partner — Adjacent landowner with potential trail connectivity to SMHT properties.
- Colgate University Partner — ENST390 class conducted a community-based study on environmental issues related to the Gateway Reserve.
- Colgate University Partner — Partnered with SMHT through the Colgate Upstate Institute Summer Intern Program to develop the interpretive trail guide at the Leland Reserve.
- Colgate University COVE Partner — Partners with Colgate University COVE students for trail maintenance work at the Leland Reserve.
- Cornell University Department of City and Regional Planning Partner — Collaborated with SMHT to develop the Strategic Land Protection Plan in 2005 under the guidance of Professor Ole M. Amundsen, III.
- Hamilton Central School Partner — Collaborates on environmental education projects with 5th grade classes at the Leland Reserve.
- Hamilton Central School Partner — Collaborates with SMHT on environmental and historical education programs for 5th grade students.
- Hamilton Central School Partner — Hosts 5th grade educational field trips from Hamilton Central School at the Leland Reserve.
- Hamilton Central School Partner — Partner school participating in the 5th grade ecology project at the Leland Reserve.
- Hamilton Central School Partner — Partnered with SMHT to deliver environmental education programs.
- Hamilton Girl Scouts Troop Partner — Participated in a guided walk at the Leland Reserve on May 6, 2008.
- Heritage Farm Partner — Contributed two benches to SMHT as part of a pilot woodworking program.
- Land Trust Accreditation Commission Network — SMHT is working toward accreditation by the Land Trust Accreditation Commission, reflecting a commitment to national operational standards.
- Land Trust Alliance Funder — Provided a $2,000 grant (25% match) to support trail expansion and environmental education at the Leland Reserve.
- Land Trust Alliance Government — Sponsored Land Trust Lobby Day in Albany where SMHT received two grants for board leadership and trail development.
- Land Trust Alliance Network — Member of the national Land Trust Alliance network, referencing its resources and standards.
- Land Trust Alliance Network — SMHT aims to gain national accreditation through the Land Trust Alliance, indicating alignment with national land trust standards.
- Madison Central School Partner — Hosts 5th grade educational field trips from Madison Central School at the Leland Reserve.
- Madison Central School Partner — Partner school participating in the 5th grade ecology project at the Leland Reserve, joined in 2016.
- Mid-York Foundation Funder — Provided a grant to SMHT to purchase a trailer for trail maintenance.
- Morrisville State Partner — Collaborates with Morrisville State horticulture students on invasive species removal at the Leland Reserve.
- New York State Network — Member of the statewide volunteer roadside cleanup program.
- New York State Canal Corporation Government — Referenced in the development of a proposed greenway linked to the Empire State Greenway initiative, informing SMHT's long-term land protection goals.
- New York, Ontario and Western Railway Government — Historic railroad whose abandoned rail bed is preserved within the Schapiro Reserve.
- SUNY Morrisville Partner — HORT 105 class developed landscaping proposals for the Gateway Reserve as a course project.
- Upper Susquehanna Coalition Partner — Collaborated on the restoration of native vegetation at the Schapiro Reserve to improve water quality in the Susquehanna River watershed.
- Upper Susquehanna Coalition Partner — Collaborated with SMHT on a wetland conservation and restoration project at Schapiro Reserve to improve water quality in the Susquehanna River watershed.
strategies · 5
How they approach the work
Named approaches extracted from this org’s sources. Where others share an approach, follow it to see the full set of orgs running it.
- Active Ecological Management to Restore and Maintain Natural Integritymethodology: ecological_restoration_to_historical_characterBy applying science-based restoration and active management practices—such as replanting native vegetation to historical conditions and managing diverse habitats—the organization enhances ecological resilience and watershed health because active intervention restores degraded systems more effectively than passive preservation alone.
- Farmland Protection through Development Rights Acquisitionmethodology: farmland_protection_through_development_rightsBy purchasing development rights from working farms, the organization enables intergenerational farm succession and preserves agricultural land because removing development pressure maintains economic viability and long-term sustainability of local farming operations.
- Integrated Conservation and Public Access for Dual Community and Ecological Benefitsmethodology: conservation-with-public-accessBy conserving land while intentionally designing for public access and recreation, the organization strengthens community support for conservation because shared use fosters public investment in the protection of natural and historic resources.
- Permanent Land Protection through Customized Conservation Easementsmethodology: conservation-easementBy utilizing legally binding, property-specific conservation easements obtained via purchase or donation, the organization ensures permanent protection of ecologically significant land because this legal tool restricts development in perpetuity while aligning with landowner needs and conservation values.
- Place-Based Environmental Education as a Tool for Stewardship Engagementmethodology: place_based_environmental_educationBy using conserved lands as living classrooms to deliver hands-on, place-based education programs in partnership with schools, the organization fosters long-term community stewardship because experiential learning increases ecological literacy and personal connection to local landscapes.