The Lake George Land Conservancy (LGLC) has been awarded two grants, totaling $78,220, from the 2019 Conservation Partnership Program.
\nAdministered by the state Department of Environmental Conservation (DEC) and the Land Trust Alliance, this year\u2019s round of grants totaled $2.25 million awarded to 47 nonprofit land trusts across the state.
\nOf the grants, $40,000 will be used to implement recommendations identified within the recently completed Bolton Recreational Hub Strategy, such as the creation and installation of new signs, parking lots, kiosks and other improvements to the LGLC\u2019s preserves within the Town of Bolton.
\nThe Bolton Recreational Hub Strategy is a comprehensive compilation of stakeholder interviews, inventory of existing trails and public spaces, and recommendations for future recreational opportunities within Bolton, prepared by The Chazen Companies.
\nFunded by a grant from the 2018 Conservation Partnership Program grants, the 96-page plan is a collaborative effort between the town, the Bolton Landing Chamber of Commerce, and LGLC.
\nThe plan offers ideas for improvements on existing preserves that will offer better experiences for visitors, including ways that people can learn about the importance of protecting land for the benefit of water quality. The plan also identifies potential opportunities to connect existing LGLC preserves to state lands for expanded recreation (including multi-use trails) and natural resource protection.
\nFor the town, the plan identifies ways to create a marketing campaign that would entice more visitors to the region with the promise of expanded recreational opportunities combined with the conveniences of a lively downtown district for shopping and eating.
\n\u201cEstablishing Bolton Landing as a Recreation Hub is a great way to promote its many resources. Ultimately, the plan is to provide itineraries to help people explore the area and better understand it\u2014getting people out on our land to understand why protecting the land that protects the lake is so important, then promoting the local economy by including shopping, eating and even lodging for extended stays,\u201d said LGLC Executive Director Jamie Brown said.
\nThe second grant of $38,220 will fund costs that were incurred in the French Mountain transaction, a partnership project with the towns of Lake George and Queensbury to protect a 315-acre property located in both towns. The LGLC holds conservation easements on the land, and is actively working with both partners to develop a multi-use trail.
\nBrown said, \u201cThe French Mountain project became the LGLC\u2019s second great demonstration of how we, as a land trust, can successfully partner with municipalities for land conservation, and our common goals of protecting Lake George.\u201d
\nState Assemblyman Dan Stec said the funding \u201cwill allow for the continuation of the great work that the LGLC provides in protecting the pristine waters of Lake George and for the increased recreational opportunities being developed that will attract visitors and provide economic benefits to the entire region.\u201d
\nTown of Bolton Supervisor Ron Conover said the recreational hub \u201cis a wonderful example of what can be accomplished when the public and private sectors work together to achieve an important community goal. \u201d<\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"
The Lake George Land Conservancy (LGLC) has been awarded two grants, totaling $78,220, from the 2019 Conservation Partnership Program. Administered by the state Department of Environmental Conservation (DEC) and the Land Trust Alliance, this year\u2019s round of grants totaled $2.25 million awarded to 47 nonprofit land trusts across the state. Of the grants, $40,000 will […]<\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":196,"featured_media":0,"comment_status":"closed","ping_status":"closed","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":{"footnotes":""},"categories":[7],"tags":[],"yoast_head":"\r\n