HH-SC-wetlandsIthaca, NY – The Finger Lakes Land Trust announced the addition of the Finger Lakes Museum and Ganondagan State Historic Site to its outdoor recreation web site, GoFingerLakes.org. Go Finger Lakes is offered as a free public service to help residents and visitors discover the best locations in the region for hiking, mountain biking, kayaking, canoeing, cross-country skiing, and other outdoor activities.

Both the Finger Lakes Museum and Ganondagan State Historic Site exemplify the unique natural and cultural history of the Finger Lakes region. The Finger Lakes Museum was added to highlight a unique paddling opportunity. Visitors can launch their canoe or kayak at no charge and explore wetlands and a stretch of Sugar Creek, paddling to the open waters of Keuka Lake. A limited amount of kayaks and canoes are available to rent. The museum also offers a variety of programs and exhibits about the Finger Lakes.

Ganondagan State Historic Site, which spans 569 acres, is a National Historic Landmark, and is the original site of a 17th century Seneca town. As such, it is designed to immerse visitors in the rich culture, history, and living traditions of the Haudenosaunee (Hodino̱hsho:nih). Visitors are encouraged to take self-guided themed walks on three main interpretive trails: the Earth is Our Mother Trail, the Trail of Peace, and the Granary Trail. In all, the 7.6-mile trail system at Ganondagan features a series of interconnected paths that can be adjusted for longer or shorter hikes.

“Go Finger Lakes” features over 55 locations and 650 miles of trails across the 12-county Finger Lakes region of New York State.  It is a mobile-ready site with a searchable map, scenic videos, photo galleries, driving directions, and trail descriptions. Site users will find state forests and parks, nature centers, rail trails, and other prime conservation lands available for public recreation, including popular segments of the Finger Lakes Trail. Users can find the site at gofingerlakes.org and sign up for the new monthly newsletter at gofingerlakes.org/signup

Ongoing support of Go Finger Lakes is provided by Auto WashCornell UniversityFinger Lakes Visitors Connection, and Press Bay.

By working cooperatively with landowners and local communities, the Finger Lakes Land Trust has protected nearly 25,000 acres of the region’s undeveloped lakeshore, rugged gorges, rolling forest, and scenic farmland. The Land Trust owns and manages a network of 35 nature preserves that are open to the public and holds perpetual conservation easements on 150 properties that remain in private ownership.

The Land Trust focuses on protecting critical habitat for fish and wildlife, conserving lands that are important for water quality, connecting existing conservation lands, and keeping prime farmland in agriculture. The organization also provides programs to educate local governments, landowners, and local residents about conservation and the region’s unique natural resources. Additional information about the Finger Lakes Land Trust may be found at www.fllt.org.

###

 

Please credit Helen Heizyk for attached photo of wetlands at the Finger Lakes Museum.

 

Contact: Andrew Zepp (607) 275-9487