The Genesee Valley Conservancy (GVC) is a non-profit

Non-profit organization

Nonprofit organization is neither a legal nor technical definition but generally refers to an organization that uses surplus revenues to achieve its goals, rather than distributing them as profit or dividends...

 land trust based in Geneseo

Geneseo, New York

Geneseo is the name of a town and its village in Livingston County in the Finger Lakes region of New York, USA, outside of Rochester, New York. The town's population is approximately 9,600, of which about 7,600 live in the village...

, New York, in the United States working in the Genesee River

Genesee River

The Genesee River is a North American river flowing northward through the Twin Tiers of Pennsylvania and New York. The river provided the original power for the Rochester area's 19th century mills and still provides hydroelectric power for downtown Rochester....

 watershed. Founded in 1990, GVC works "to protect the habitat, open space, and farmland

Farmland preservation

Farmland preservation is a joint effort by non-governmental organizations and local governments to set aside and protect examples of a region's farmland for the use, education, and enjoyment of future generations...

 of the Genesee Valley region." GVC has completed projects in Livingston

Livingston County, New York

As of the census of 2000, there were 64,328 people, 22,150 households, and 15,349 families residing in the county. The population density was 102 people per square mile . There were 24,023 housing units at an average density of 38 per square mile...

, Erie

Erie County, New York

Erie County is a county located in the U.S. state of New York. As of the 2010 census, the population was 919,040. The county seat is Buffalo. The county's name comes from Lake Erie, which in turn comes from the Erie tribe of American Indians who lived south and east of the lake before 1654.Erie...

, Monroe

Monroe County, New York

Monroe County is a county located in the U.S. state of New York. As of the 2010 census, the population was 744,344. It is named after James Monroe, fifth President of the United States of America. Its county seat is the city of Rochester....

, Ontario

Ontario County, New York

As of the census of 2000, there were 100,224 people, 38,370 households, and 26,360 families residing in the county. The population density was 156 people per square mile . There were 42,647 housing units at an average density of 66 per square mile...

, Wyoming

Wyoming County, New York

Wyoming County is a county located in the U.S. state of New York. At the 2010 census, the population was 42,155. The county seat is Warsaw. The name is from a modified Delaware Indian word meaning "broad bottom lands"...

 and Allegany

Allegany County, New York

Allegany County is a county located in the U.S. state of New York. As of the 2010 census, the population was 48,946. Its name derives from a Delaware Indian word, applied by settlers of Western New York State to a trail that followed the Allegheny River. Its county seat is...

 counties. A full time staff completes the daily operations of GVC, with assistance from part-time staff, interns, and volunteers. GVC is governed by a Board of Directors and supported by members.

Why is conservation important

Protecting open space is important to ensure a sufficient land base exists for habitats and ecosystems to remain functional. Land protection also ensures that our community thrives by conserving space for agricultural production, to maintain the rural character that defines our quality of life, and to provide outdoor recreation opportunities.

Open space includes a variety of land types such as forests, farmland, grasslands, and wetlands. GVC focuses on preserving only the most important open spaces that have values worthy of preserving for future generations.

How land is protected

GVC's primary conservation tool is a conservation easement

Conservation easement

In the United States, a conservation easement is an encumbrance — sometimes including a transfer of usage rights — which creates a legally enforceable land preservation agreement between a landowner and a government agency or a qualified land...

. A conservation easement is a perpetual legal document whereby landowners agree to permanently restrict development and uses on their property that would degrade the land's environmental integrity. Landowners retain ownership and all other rights on their property.

GVC also uses fee simple

Fee simple

In English law, a fee simple is an estate in land, a form of freehold ownership. It is the most common way that real estate is owned in common law countries, and is ordinarily the most complete ownership interest that can be had in real property short of allodial title, which is often reserved...

ownership of property to conserve important lands. Lands owned by GVC are managed to conserve the important natural features of the property and to provide for appropriate public access to these natural areas for recreation and education.

Oak Tree Half Marathon and 5K Run/Walk

In 2005, GVC hosted the first ever Oak Tree race, a dual event consisting of a half marathon and a 5K. This annual event attracts hundreds of runners to Geneseo on the Sunday of labor day weekend. The half marathon travels through historic downtown Geneseo and out into the rural countryside of the Town past several GVC protected properties. The 5K course travels through the historic district of Geneseo and past two protected properties in the Village. This event showcases the beautiful scenic views protected by GVC and also functions as a fundraiser for the organization. This event is part of the Geneseo Trio.

How You Can Help

Become a member - Annual membership contributions fund the daily conservation operations of GVC.

Protect your land - A landowner of property with important natural values can work with a land trust to proptect their property and conserve the open space for future generations.

Volunteer - Volunteers provide valuable time and skills to the organization.

External links

• Genesee Valley Conservancy - Genesee Valley Conservancy's website
• Google Map of GVC projects - an interactive Google map with photos of each GVC project and links to GVC's public access nature preserves
• The Land Trust Alliance - A national organization assisting land trusts in their conservation efforts