Bridge the Nose Conservation Initiative

After nearly two decades, the LGLC’s focused conservation work in Putnam, Washington County, protected 1,500 acres, including most of the Sucker Brook watershed and lands needed to “Bridge the Nose” to Flat Rock.

The LGLC had been working to protect critical lands in this northeast section of the lake since the purchase of Flat Rock in 1998. Home to some of the region’s nesting peregrine falcons and documented as an important wildlife corridor, this Conservation Area now includes 1,465 acres of protected land and 2 1/2 miles of protected lake shoreline.

One of the primary goals of this conservation effort was to protect as much of Sucker Brook and its wetlands as possible. The majority of the water in Lake George comes directly off the land through streams. Sucker Brook is one of the lake’s largest tributaries, which means that any damage to its ecosystem could have a significant effect on the quality of water entering into Lake George.

By slowing and storing water during times of high volume, such as storms and snowmelt, wetlands can stop sediment and prevent potential flood damage downstream. Wetland soils then absorb pollutants like excess nitrogen and salts as the water soaks into the ground or is slowly released into nearby streams.

Wetlands are also some of the most productive habitats on the planet. The Sucker Brook wetlands are home to great blue herons, beavers, wood ducks and other water fowl, and provide shelter and food for roaming animals such as bobcats. They also serve as nurseries for many amphibians.

The completion of the final projects was accomplished in large part due to the Bridge the Nose Campaign, which focused on securing a connection from the southern preserves to the north edge of Flat Rock, as well as key pieces for water quality protection.

Funded by individual private donors, foundations, and conservation lenders, all efforts in this region have resulted in permanent water quality protection, habitat protection, educational opportunities, and public access for hunting, birding, and other passive recreation. For these benefits and more, the protected forests and wetlands provide ecoservices valued at more than $900,000 each year.

This Conservation Area model is being used as the basis for the conservation efforts in the Indian Brook/Northwest Bay Brook Conservation Initiative in the town of Bolton.

Completed Conservation Projects in the Sucker Brook/Bridge the Nose Area