Last Great Shoreline
On February 27, 2009 the Lake George Land Conservancy ended nearly two
decades of negotiations when it closed on the Gabriel land, known as the Last
Great Shoreline project. With this great acquisition LGLC also took a leap into
debt in order to finance the purchase. The cost of the land was $4 million with
another $300,000 of project expenses. As of July 2009 we have raised $1.7
million in gifts and pledges. The remaining $2.6 million must be raised by
February 27, 2012.
The Lake George Land Conservancy’s purchase of the Last Great Shoreline
project, located in the Town of Putnam, Washington County, was a crucial step in
the protection of the Lake George watershed. 351 acres and 2,357 feet of
shoreline were acquired as a preserve, and 70 acres and 1,613 feet remain in
private ownership that is now protected by a deed restriction. LGLC has already
built over a mile of trails to lead hikers through a diversity of ecological
systems, from the Sucker Brook wetlands, to the lichen covered rocks on the
western shore of Lake George.
The land contains approximately thirty-five acres of wetlands (reportedly
including a rare white cedar swamp) which provide important food and breeding
sites for amphibians, birds and mammals. These Sucker Brook wetlands provide a
natural filtration system, contributing to the pristine water quality of Lake
George. In addition, the legendary Jumping Rock, rising approximately 30 feet
above the lake, is situated on the northern shore and will be preserved forever
as an LGLC preserve.
The $4 million project marks the largest dollar purchase in LGLC history.
While we are very grateful for the funding we have received so far, provided by
the Helen V. Froehlich Foundation, the Open Space Institute (OSI), and generous
support by private donors, we still have a long way to go before the project is
fully paid for. We hope that all residents and users of Lake George will
appreciate the protection of this critical resource land that protects the
wooded views from the Lake and the western shore as well as providing public
access to Jumping Rock. Whatever your capacity may be, we need your help! We
encourage family and association area participation; naming opportunities are
always available. Donate now, or
contact us for more information on how you
may help us to protect the Last Great Shoreline.
West Brook Conservation Initiative
Together, the Lake George Land Conservancy, Lake George Association and the
Fund for Lake George are working in partnership to transform the dilapidated
Gaslight Village area into an environmental park and protect vulnerable upland
headwater areas. This $15 million effort is the biggest environmental project
ever attempted on Lake George.
On January 22, 2008 LGLC purchased the 1,436-acre Berry Pond tract in
southern Lake George, marking the largest dollar purchase in LGLC history and
the largest acreage purchased at one time from a single landowner. The purchase,
made possible in part through a loan from the Open Space Conservancy and funding
provided by the Helen V. Froehlich Foundation, was an integral step in the West
Brook Conservation Initiative as the property includes the headwaters of West
Brook.
- Visit the Fund for Lake George
website for project details and learn how you can be part of this
Initiative.
- See this new short
video on YouTube that describes the West Brook Conservation Initiative.
Learn about the transformation of the Gaslight Village and protection of
vital upland forests.
- Contact us.
