New York Extends Emerald Necklace with 87-Acre Purchase

The New York State Department of Environmental Conservation (DEC) acquired 87 acres of land to connect two state forests and extend the Emerald Necklace of protected lands around Ithaca, a priority in the state’s open-space plan. “With the assistance of the Finger Lakes Land Trust, an important corridor linking two DEC-owned properties will now be open to everyone in the state for recreational enjoyment,” said Commissioner Joe Martens.
The land is a mix of northern hardwoods, white pine, and young early successional habitat. There are also some wetlands and a tributary to Six Mile Creek on the land. The property had been enrolled in the 480-a Forest Tax Law Program, a program that provides a tax reduction in return for managing forestlands. The valuable wildlife property will continue to be managed as a working forest providing forest products, watershed protection, and habitat.