named programs · 5 · from sources
What they call their work
Farmland Protection Program
Manages grant-funded projects to protect working farmland through conservation easements and partnerships with farmers.
Genesee River Alliance
Engages riverside communities and organizations in urban conservation efforts along the Genesee River.
Land Stewardship Program
Maintains nature preserves, conducts habitat restoration, and monitors conservation easements across protected lands.
Thomas R. Frey Trail at El Camino
Manages a community trail and park system developed from an abandoned rail line in Rochester.
Urban Outreach Program
Connects with city residents and community groups to promote access to green spaces and environmental engagement.
activities · 7 groups
What they do
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Urban Park and Public Space Conservation 2 activities
- Community green space developmentTransforms underutilized or abandoned spaces into accessible public green spaces, including converting a vacant lot into the Garden of HOPE at Conkey Corner Park and repurposing an abandoned rail line into the El Camino trail.
- Conservation advocacy and inclusive planningActs as a key stakeholder in regional development projects such as High Falls State Park, advocating for equitable access, conservation, and inclusive planning. Develops partnerships among government, local organizations, businesses, and residents along the Genesee River to advance shared environmental goals.
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Onsite & Outreach Environmental Education Programs 2 activities
- Environmental education and public programmingOffers guided walks, school programs, community events, annual hikes (e.g., First Day Hike), family-friendly 5K events, and educational activities to promote environmental learning and public engagement with nature.
- Youth and family engagement in natureProvides children and families access to nature through gardens, forests, and land-based programs designed to support calmer and more focused development and foster intergenerational connection to the environment.
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Land Acquisition and Conservation Easements 2 activities
- Grant project administration and easement monitoringManages administrative components of grant-funded farmland protection initiatives, coordinating with landowners and professionals. Conducts annual monitoring visits and prepares baseline documentation reports for conservation easement properties.
- Land preservation and conservationProtects natural lands, waterways, wetlands, farmland, and scenic areas through permanent conservation easements and direct ownership of nature preserves. Has protected over 10,000 acres in the greater Rochester region.
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Nature Preserve Management and Public Access 2 activities
- Nature preserve and trail stewardshipManages and maintains nature preserves, trails, and public parks including the Thomas R. Frey Trail, El Camino trail, and Conkey Corner Park through volunteer work parties, seasonal maintenance events, and infrastructure improvements such as boardwalks and signage.
- Public access and accessibility improvementsEnhances physical and programmatic accessibility across preserves and programs, including constructing accessible features like elevated observation decks with ramps, improving parking lots, benches, trails, and signage, and conducting system-wide accessibility audits in partnership with disability inclusion organizations.
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Ecological Habitat Restoration 1 activity
- Habitat and wetland restorationConducts on-the-ground ecological improvement projects including wetland restoration, tree planting (e.g., 3,000 trees at Cornwall Preserve), and habitat enhancement at nature preserves such as Cornwall Preserve and Macyville Woods Nature Preserve.
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Indigenous Land Acknowledgment Initiatives 1 activity
- Indigenous reconciliation and land educationUplifts Indigenous peoples and cultures through land conservation, public education, curation of educational resources about Indigenous communities’ relationship to the land, and publication of a formal Land Acknowledgement as part of its equity and reconciliation commitment.
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Volunteer Engagement and Capacity Support 1 activity
- Volunteer capacity building and engagementRecruits and supports volunteers in conservation stewardship, administrative tasks, data collection, invasive species monitoring, GIS, photography, and event support. Partners with institutions like RIT to engage students in solving real-world conservation challenges.
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financials · form 990 · fy2024
revenue
Total revenue$6.30M
Contributions & grants$6.19M98%
Program service revenue$00%
Investment income$106K2%
Other revenue$7K
expenses
Total expenses$7.50M
Program expenses93%
Admin / overhead4%
Fundraising2%
Salaries & benefits$897K
Grants paid out$19K
Largest expense lineCompensation
balance sheet
Total assets$9.43M
Cash$900K
Investments$4.06M
Liabilities$136K
Net assets$9.30M
Liquid reserves7.9 mo
6 years on record · 2019–2024 · YoY revenue -9.4%
leadership · form 990 part vii · fy2024
Who runs it
paid leadership · 1
| Name | Title | Hours/wk | Compensation |
|---|---|---|---|
| Lorna Wright | Executive Director | 40 | $97K |
board members · 24
- Amy Reichhart — Director
- Carl Simon — Treasurer
- Carol May — Director
- Chris Martin — Director
- David G Urban — Director
- David Ryder — Secretary
- Deborah Rosen — Director
- Gregory Lawrence — Director
- Jacalyn Meyvis — Director
- Jean McCreary — Director
- Jeremy Paris — Director
- Joshua Sankowski — Director
- Kayleigh Rae Stampfler — Vice President
- Keith Weber — Director
- Kimm Proctor — Director
- Linda Riordan — Director
- Mark Cronin — Chair, Audit Committee
- Mark Greene — Director
- Mary Hadley — Director
- Miguel A Melendez Jr — Director
- Neha Sood — President
- Peter Woods — Director
- Sarah Studwell — Director
- Victor Sanchez — Director
relationships · 43
Who they work with
- AmeriCorps VISTA Partner — Hosts a participant in the Rochester Youth Year Program as part of an AmeriCorps VISTA service position focused on urban outreach.
- Braddock Bay Bird Observatory Partner — Partnered since 1999 to preserve land used for migratory bird research and banding activities.
- Carpenters Union Local 276 Partner — Volunteers from the union helped build the observation deck at Salmon Creek Nature Preserve using rot-resistant native black locust wood.
- City of Rochester Government — Collaborates on riverfront partnerships, public access, and development projects such as High Falls State Park.
- City of Rochester Partner — Collaborated to develop Conkey Corner Park and transform an abandoned rail line into the El Camino trail.
- Conkey Corner Park Partner — Collaborates on maintenance and stewardship activities as part of field work volunteer programs.
- Cracker Box Palace Partner — Jointly preserved the 627-acre Alasa Farms property on Sodus Bay.
- Disabled Hikers Funder — Awarded a national grant to support accessibility improvements at Genesee Land Trust preserves.
- Endless Highway Partner — Partners to provide access to mobility equipment for individuals visiting trails and nature preserves.
- Endless Highway Partner — Rochester-based nonprofit that provides support for individuals needing specific mobility equipment to access trails and nature preserves.
- Finger Lakes Land Trust Network — Neighboring land trust whose service area borders that of Genesee Land Trust.
- Foodlink Partner — Shares board leadership with Foodlink, indicating a collaborative relationship in regional sustainability and food systems work.
- Friends of Webster Trails Partner — Collaborates on trail development and maintenance projects in Webster.
- Full Lotus Farm Partner — Partnership with farmers managing protected agricultural land using permaculture methods.
- Genesee River Alliance Partner — Genesee Land Trust collaborates with the Genesee River Alliance on urban conservation and community engagement initiatives.
- Genesee Valley Audubon Society Partner — Collaborates on guided walks, educational programs, and native species habitat improvement projects.
- Genesee Valley Conservancy Network — Neighboring land trust whose service area borders that of Genesee Land Trust.
- Henrietta Foundation Network — Local foundation serving a neighboring town, with adjacent service area.
- Ibero American Action League Partner — Collaborates on community nature events in the El Camino neighborhood.
- Indigenous Peoples’ Day Committee Partner — Supports a grassroots group that celebrates Indigenous cultures through education, events, and collaboration.
- Land Trust Alliance Funder — Cosponsored a national grant with Disabled Hikers to support accessibility improvements at Genesee Land Trust preserves.
- Mendon Foundation Network — Local foundation serving a neighboring town, with adjacent service area.
- NY State Parks Partner — Partnered with Genesee Land Trust to offer a sensory table with a wildlife expert at the 2025 First Day Hike event.
- Native Made Market Partner — Promotes a market initiative that supports Indigenous creators, artists, and entrepreneurs in Rochester, NY.
- New York State Government — Partner in developing collaborations along the Genesee River through the Genesee River Alliance initiative.
- Outdoor Afro Partner — Hosted Rue Mapp, Founder and CEO of Outdoor Afro, for a keynote on Diversity, Equity, and Leadership Outdoors.
- Outdoor Afro Partner — Hosted Rue Mapp, Founder and CEO of Outdoor Afro, to discuss diversity, equity, and leadership in outdoor spaces.
- Peacework Farm LLC Partner — Developed a long-term model for sustainable farming and low-barrier land access through a lease agreement.
- Rochester Accessible Adventures Partner — Collaborates to connect individuals with trained volunteer trail buddies for supported visits to nature preserves.
- Rochester Accessible Adventures Partner — Partnered in 2023 to conduct an accessibility audit of public preserves, programs, and digital content.
+ 13 more
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.
- Community-Based Conservation with Equitable Accessmethodology: community-based conservationBy centering local needs and inclusive decision-making in land conservation, we strengthen community ownership and ensure shared environmental benefits, because equitable access and participation foster long-term stewardship and social cohesion.
- Inclusive Conservation and Universal Accessibilitymethodology: inclusive_accessibilityBy designing inclusive programs and accessible infrastructure, we ensure all community members—regardless of ability or background—can engage with nature, because equitable access strengthens participation and reflects shared ownership of green spaces.
- Land Conservation for Climate Resiliencemethodology: conservation_for_climate_resilienceBy permanently protecting natural lands and waterways, we mitigate climate change and enhance ecosystem resilience, because conserved landscapes sequester carbon, regulate water cycles, and buffer communities from climate impacts.
- Permanent Protection of Working Lands and Farmlandmethodology: working-lands-conservationBy using conservation easements and other tools to permanently protect fertile farmland, we sustain local food systems and intergenerational agricultural heritage, because secure land tenure enables long-term farming viability and community resilience.
- Public Access to Nature for Health and Stewardshipmethodology: public_access_to_natureBy providing accessible outdoor recreation and experiential education in natural settings, we improve mental and physical well-being and cultivate environmental stewardship, because direct experience with nature builds personal connection and community engagement.