StarGazette.com, link to original article

The Finger Lakes Land Trust has received a gift of 11 acres of privately owned woodland in the heart of the Finger Lakes National Forest in Hector, Schuyler County, the organization announced Tuesday.

The property was received from Nancy and Charles Cladel of Hummelstown, Pa., who contacted the Land Trust after reading about the organization acquiring nearby property from the Egan family. That property had been advertised for sale, and the Land Trust had acquired it at the request of the U.S. Forest Service. The Cladels decided to donate their land to the Land Trust with the understanding that it would ultimately be conveyed to the Forest Service when funding is available. The parcels are on opposite sides of Potomac Road near the Backbone Trail, and nearly surrounded by lands that are part of the National Forest.

Lands in and around Finger Lakes National Forest have been identified by the Land Trust as a priority for protection due to their value as wildlife habitat. The National Forest is recognized by the National Audubon Society as one of New York’s Important Bird Areas. The Forest is also located within the Emerald Necklace, a proposed semicircular greenbelt intended to ultimately link 50,000 acres of public open space within the forested hills encircling Ithaca.

For a guide to the hiking trails in Finger Lakes National Forest, pick up “Take A Hike – Family Walks in New York’s Finger Lakes Region.” Bicycling routes are detailed in “Take Your Bike – Family Rides in New York’s Finger Lakes Region.” Or, go visit the waterfalls, using “200 Waterfalls in Central & Western New York – A Finders’ Guide.”

Click here for the details

In response to NY Bicycle Coalition’s Special Action Alert issued November 9th, a concerned cyclist took the initiative to launch an online petition opposing the policy of placing rumble strips on secondary highways in NYS. The petition also urges NYSDOT to work with local cycling clubs in the state to find a policy that is supportive of cyclists’ needs.

To sign, visit: http://www.ipetitions.com/petition/OpposeRumbleStrips

Comments regarding any experiences you may have had regarding encounters with rumble strips are highly encouraged.

Congratulations to Chris Babcock, the winner of the  “Birding the Great Lakes Seaway Trail” guidebook.