Permanent Protection with Adaptive Stewardship

Partners with farmland protection boards and local municipalities to identify and prioritize key agricultural lands for protection in Cayuga, Cortland, Madison, Onondaga, and Seneca Counties.

Protects working agricultural and forest lands in New York by placing farmland under permanent conservation easements, including preparation of customized easement agreements, Baseline Documentation Reports, and filing with county clerks and the New York State Department of Environmental Conservation to ensure long-term protection from development. The organization has protected at least 717 acres through multiple easement projects, including 684 acres at Kyle Farms and 129 acres on other properties.

Conducts annual monitoring of properties under conservation easement to verify compliance with easement terms, ensuring the long-term integrity of protected farmland and supporting woodlands.

Directly operates a diversified farming operation that includes a milking herd of 160 cows and 170 head of youngstock, producing 4.1 million pounds of milk annually, along with growing corn, soybeans, wheat, and hay. The farm also raises beef cattle and produces organic dairy, beef, strawberries, broilers, and turkeys, with composting of organic dairy manure for on-farm use and public sale.

Offers technical and planning assistance to landowners and municipalities for farmland protection projects under the NYS Purchase of Development Rights program, including developing conservation land plans and ensuring compliance with state and federal guidelines.

Co-develops management plans and ecological strategies with regional partners, including a NYS DEC-supported plan for Angle Fly Preserve and a Live Tree Management Strategy with regional foresters, to guide long-term conservation and forest health.

Engages in invasive species removal, tree and native plant planting, deer exclosure construction, and erosion control to restore and preserve natural habitats across managed properties, including Rhinoceros Creek Reservation and Angle Fly Preserve.

Provides environmental education and outreach through guided hikes, annual member meetings, open house events, native plant gardens, and educational signage to engage residents of Somers and surrounding areas in conservation efforts.

Designs, constructs, and maintains trails, bridges, stairs, kiosks, pavilions, composting toilets, and viewing structures to support public access and recreational use at Rhinoceros Creek Reservation and Angle Fly Preserve.

Organizes and relies on volunteers for trail maintenance, invasive species removal, infrastructure projects, and scout-led conservation enhancements at managed properties.

Implements a controlled bow-hunting program at Angle Fly Preserve to manage white-tailed deer populations, requiring hunter proficiency testing and mandatory reporting; operates a catch-and-release fishing program using artificial lures and barbless hooks to protect native brook trout.

Owns and manages the 115-acre Rhinoceros Creek Reservation and holds conservation easements in partnership with Westchester Land Trust; also manages a 654-acre preserve at Angle Fly on behalf of the Town of Somers, including trail systems, habitat restoration, and public access infrastructure.

Participates in the Hudson to Housatonic Regional Conservation Partnership to create pesticide-free, native-planted pollinator corridors; manages lands to protect forest, wetlands, and watershed areas that filter drinking water for the surrounding community.

Protects 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.

Collaborates 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.

Conducts 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.

Manages 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.

Conducts 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.