ITHACA, N.Y. (WENY) -- The Finger Lakes Land Trust (FLLT) announced today that they have purchased a 24-acre tract of land to add to the Sims-Jennings Preserve at Cayuga Cliffs, located in the Town of Lansing. The organization hopes that the preserve will be ready for public access by the spring of 2024.

“This addition greatly expands the preserve’s frontage on State Route 34B,” remarked FLLT Executive Director Andrew Zepp, “We are now able to move forward with plans to open this scenic nature preserve to the public.”

The 224-acre preserves lies on the eastern shores of Cayuga Lake, directly across from Taughannock Falls State Park. The preservation of these lands will in turn provide scenic views while also protecting water quality and wildlife habitats.

The FLLT plans to create miles of trails throughout the preserve featuring scenic vistas and a trailhead pollinator garden. Financial support from Tompkins County’s Natural Infrastructure Capital Grant Program as well as individual donors helped make the purchase a reality.

The Sims-Jennings Preserve at Cayuga Cliffs is one of 45 publicly accessible spaces that FLLT manages and protects, totaling over 30,000 acres of land safeguarded from development. Efforts from FLLT continue to focus on cooperation with local landowners to protect wildlife habitats and promote conservation.