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Mission
Our mission is to preserve, protect, and encourage sustainable management of the land, water and biological resources of Jefferson County, New York.
We believe all citizens throughout the communities of our region benefit from well-managed conservation lands and protection of our water resources.
We believe that the biodiversity of our region is an important resource deserving protection.
We believe that the time to preserve these elements of our natural heritage is now.
We will work with landowners, and all who wish to preserve these valuable community assets for future generations.
We will develop partnerships with all interested persons, organizations, and governmental agencies to accomplish land, water and biodiversity conservation.
Board of Directors 2011
Jim LaPlante – Chair
Bob Wardwell – Vice Chair
Tracy Valentine – Secretary
Joan Treadwell Woods – Treasurer
Lee Russell - Land Steward
Directors:
Joel Block
Verna Docteur
Sally Hirschey
Jacqueline Keating
Carol Simpson
Kevin Smith
Ruth Uhlig
Gerry Smith - Special Consultant
Julie Covey - Newsletter Editor
Welcome
Ontario Bays Initiative, Inc. (OBI) is a non-profit land trust organization dedicated to the voluntary conservation and thoughtful stewardship of undeveloped, private land in Jefferson County, New York. Our service area encompasses the towns of Brownville, Cape Vincent, Ellisburg, Henderson, Hounsfield, LeRay, Lyme and Pamelia and includes many miles of Lake Ontario shoreline. On a case by case basis, for compelling reasons, our conservation efforts may extend outside our primary area, including other counties.
Contributions
We rely upon contributions from the public and grants from foundations to fund our projects. We are in the midst of a major expansion of our conservation programs and would welcome any additional support from past donors as well as new patrons.
Please consider helping us preserve the scenic vistas, wildlife habitats, farms, and woodlands that are an integral part of the heritage of Jefferson County.
To make a contribution, use our Online Contribution Form.
Or you may fill out and mail in our Downloadable Contribution Form.
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We appreciate your generous support!
To learn more about conservation options. Please contact us Here
OBI is an all-volunteer land trust that was founded in 1993 by a small group of community members who wanted to take a hands-on approach to preserving our region's rural and scenic character. We work with landowners and conservation partners to preserve and protect our ecological assets, such as coastal areas, woodlands, farmlands and open spaces. This is often accomplished through conservation easements, whereby a landowner maintains ownership of property but turns over development rights to a conservation group to ensure the property will be protected from development, or it may place restrictions on development.
OBI is a 501-C-3 non-profit organization that is qualified to accept easements. There are also other options for landowners, including land donations and voluntary stewardship programs. To date, OBI has preserved more than 450 acres for future generations. This includes an easement on a rare and ecologically sensitive alvar region.
Our land trust is in a scenic part of northern New York state, known as "the north country" where agriculture and tourism are an important part of our way of life.
It has a rural heritage that makes it a special place to live and has forests, farmlands, streams, rivers, wetlands and shorelines that provide a diversity of wildlife and plant species. Yet Jefferson County in recent years has become one of the fastest growing counties in the state, making the role of conservation groups such as OBI even more important as open spaces, especially coastal areas, may be threatened by development pressure and suburban sprawl.
By informing the public about the importance of careful planning for future development, emphasizing the need for preservation of sensitive natural areas and assisting landowners in conservation efforts, OBI is working to preserve the unique character of our area for generations to come.
Goals
Conserve, protect and assure sound stewardship for ecologically significant lands and open space lands using private land conservation techniques and partnerships.
Participate in assuring protection and sound management of the abundant water resources within our region.
Increase public awareness of the importance of conserving land, water and cultural resources.
