The Finger Lakes Land Trust (FLLT) is celebrating the 20th anniversary of Ithaca’s “Emerald Necklace” – a greenbelt of protected lands around the south end of Cayuga Lake. Created as a strategy for prioritizing ecologically important projects, the Emerald Necklace has since grown into a successful tool for land conservation, achieving the protection of over 5,300 acres by the FLLT since 2006.
From the Finger Lakes National Forest in the west to the Hammond Hill State Forest in the east, the Emerald Necklace links more than 50,000 acres of existing conservation land in an arc around Ithaca. These lands host 78 miles of the Finger Lakes Trail, two National Audubon Society-designated Important Bird Areas, numerous Finger Lakes Land Trust Preserves and conservation easements, several state forests and parks, and dozens of Tompkins County-designated Unique Natural Areas.
Over the last 20 years, the FLLT has created or expanded 11 nature preserves within the Emerald Necklace that are free and open to the public. These include the popularRoy H. Park Preserve in Dryden, the Sweedler and Thayer Preserves at Lick Brook, and the Lindsay-Parsons Biodiversity Preserve in West Danby. Additionally, the FLLT has implemented 32 conservation easements, securing land that remains in private ownership and on local tax rolls. To learn more about public conservation lands with the Emerald Necklace, visit fllt.org/emerald20 for maps, photos, and more.
In celebration of the anniversary, FLLT President Andy Zepp will be repeating a trek he completed 20 years ago, hiking all 78 miles of the Finger Lakes Trail that pass through the Emerald Necklace. Along some sections of the trail, Andy will be accompanied by friends, supporters, and conservation partners, and these hikes will be documented in an upcoming video this year.
The FLLT invites the community to explore the Emerald Necklace by also hiking these 78 miles along the Finger Lakes Trail. This hiking challenge can be done in sections, at your own pace, and over the course of 2026. Anyone who completes the challenge receives a hiking patch commemorating the 20th anniversary of the Emerald Necklace. See challenge details at fllt.org/emerald20hike.
“The Emerald Necklace is a tremendous resource,” said Andy Zepp. “We look forward to continuing our work with partners on projects focused on water quality and easy access to the outdoors for everyone.”
Your Challenge!
The Finger Lakes Land Trust invites you to explore the Emerald Necklace by also hiking these 78 miles along the Finger Lakes Trail! This hiking challenge can be done in sections, at your own pace, and over the course of 2026. Anyone who completes the challenge receives a hiking patch commemorating the 20th anniversary of the Emerald Necklace.
Please refer to the map for information on the entire route, including starting and ending points. The route starts at the trailhead on Satterly Hill Rd. in the Finger Lakes National Forest (Hector, NY) and ends at the intersection of Star Stanton and Canaan roads in Hammond Hill State Forest (Dryden, NY). Note that this challenge does not include any spur trails.
Get Your Patch!
Please document your hiking dates and distances, then email info@fllt.org, call (607) 275-9487, or stop by the Land Trust office at 202 E. Court St. in downtown Ithaca, NY to receive your patch!
By working cooperatively with landowners and local communities, the Finger Lakes Land Trust has protected over 35,000 acres of the region’s undeveloped lakeshore, rugged gorges, rolling forest, and scenic farmland. The FLLT owns and manages a network of over 45 nature preserves that are open to the public and holds perpetual conservation easements on 200 properties that remain in private ownership.
The FLLT 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 residents about conservation and the region’s unique natural resources.
Information on the region’s premier destinations for outdoor recreation may be found at www.gofingerlakes.org, a resource created by the FLLT to encourage people to get outdoors. Additional information about the Finger Lakes Land Trust may be found at www.fllt.org.
