“Forest Bathing” was held on Saturday October 14, 2023 9:30 AM at the Downybrook Nature Reserve.
Nova Schenk, a local meditation, yoga, and Reiki teacher and practitioner lead a meditative walk along the paths at Downybrook. Forest Bathing allows us to slow down, engage our senses, and become immersed in the natural environment. The practice may boost immunity and mood and reduce stress.
We will hold another session on Saturday October 14 at 9:30am. Hope you can join us!
Nova Schenk, a local meditation, yoga, and Reiki teacher and practitioner lead a meditative walk along the paths at Downybrook. Forest Bathing allows us to slow down, engage our senses, and become immersed in the natural environment. The practice may boost immunity and mood and reduce stress.
We will hold another session on Saturday October 14 at 9:30am. Hope you can join us!
OBI Land Trust joined by teen volunteers Northern New York Community Foundation’s Youth Philanthropy Council for Downybrook Clean-Up Day on Saturday April 22, 2023. A great way to celebrate Earth Day!
Discover Downybrook
The grant funded work at Downybrook is underway! An award from the New York State Conservation Partnership Program along with matching funds from the Northern New York Community Foundation and Downybrook endowment provided OBI land Trust project funding of $50,000.00 for Downybrook Nature Reserve improvements and upgrades. Due to heavy rain in spring 2019, the project started later than anticipated. Even now, spots in need of work are wet which can make construction challenging. However, work is underway! Nugent Contracting won the contract and has completed a deck with a blind for observing wildlife in the pond on the west side of Downybrook. Photos below show construction and the structure. A flock of Teal migrating were observed in the pond recently.
Work on the boardwalk at Downybrook West is moving ahead. This project is critical for safe passage through trails leading to the limestone Alvar habitat. Due to the wet conditions, the new boardwalk is designed to withstand running water while providing safe passage for visitors. Photos below show the boardwalk under construction and running water.
The new shed has been delivered and installed on the west trail entrance.
The shed will contain supplies for maintaining Downybrook. Photo below!
OBI is working with White’s Lumber and Building Supplies, an OBI Land Trust Sponsor. All wood products have been purchased through this locally owned company. White’s employees built four beautiful picnic tables and delivered two to each side. Now we have a spot to enjoy lunch or a relaxing time with friends or family.
The trail signage is up along the trails and help visitors traverse the trails! Soon the trail map will be posted at both the East and West trailhead.
Come on out to Downybrook! Take a hike and enjoy all that Downybrook has to offer!
Work on the boardwalk at Downybrook West is moving ahead. This project is critical for safe passage through trails leading to the limestone Alvar habitat. Due to the wet conditions, the new boardwalk is designed to withstand running water while providing safe passage for visitors. Photos below show the boardwalk under construction and running water.
The new shed has been delivered and installed on the west trail entrance.
The shed will contain supplies for maintaining Downybrook. Photo below!
OBI is working with White’s Lumber and Building Supplies, an OBI Land Trust Sponsor. All wood products have been purchased through this locally owned company. White’s employees built four beautiful picnic tables and delivered two to each side. Now we have a spot to enjoy lunch or a relaxing time with friends or family.
The trail signage is up along the trails and help visitors traverse the trails! Soon the trail map will be posted at both the East and West trailhead.
Come on out to Downybrook! Take a hike and enjoy all that Downybrook has to offer!
A true gift of nature. Watch as OBI Land Trust revitalizes this Nature Reserve for all to enjoy.
Birdwatchers, Nature Lovers to Benefit from Upgrades planned at Downybrook Nature Reserve this Year
April 25, 2019 - An award from the New York State Conservation Partnership Program along side matching funds from the Northern New York Community Foundation and Downybrook endowment funds will provide project funding of $50,000.00 for Downybrook improvements and upgrades. Come visit and Discover Downybrook!
The award was announced as part of a $2.2 million grant program from the New York State Conservation Partnership Program, administered by the Land Trust Alliance and the State Department of Environmental Conservation. OBI was among 47 non-profit land trusts across New York to receive funds. OBI is a non-profit land trust that acquired a conservation easement from twin sisters Helen and Mary Eldrett in 2011.
OBI was entrusted with the ownership and care of the property in 2015. “When my sister and I handed Downybrook over to OBI we were confident that they would continue to build a reserve as a welcoming place for the public to visit,” said Mary Eldrett. “They have already done so much, and this grant will enable them to build on our dreams that we have worked so hard on for the past 40 years.”
The grant will fund various improvements – wood walkovers and bridges will be replaced at several spots throughout the 3.5 miles of nature trails at Downybrook. Three new small bridges will be built on the east side trail to improve visitor access. Informational kiosks will be built and installed at both trail entrances. These will include a trail map, sign-in, and information concerning trail conditions. A low observation deck will be built on the west side pond area to view waterfowl, beaver and other wildlife. The parking lot will be enlarged and a storage shed will be added.
The Northern New York Community Foundation awarded $6000 in matching funds to OBI toward the grant. The conservation of Downybrook was a stepping stone in the decision by the land trust’s board of directors in November 2016 to establish the OBI Endowment Fund at NNYCF. “It is especially powerful when partnerships can help encourage more good things to happen in a region,” said Rande S. Richardson, Executive Director of the Northern New York Community Foundation. “We are pleased the Community Foundation could play a part in making the overall project a reality, leveraging additional resources to benefit Downybrook for the enjoyment of the people of the area.”
The grant awarded this week is the largest ever received by OBI Land Trust, one of the only all-volunteer land trust groups in the area.
OBI contributed a $6300 match from our dedicated Downybrook fund, bringing the total amount to $50,000. Downybrook is located at 24353 Perch Lake Road and is open to the public daily from dusk to dawn.
The award was announced as part of a $2.2 million grant program from the New York State Conservation Partnership Program, administered by the Land Trust Alliance and the State Department of Environmental Conservation. OBI was among 47 non-profit land trusts across New York to receive funds. OBI is a non-profit land trust that acquired a conservation easement from twin sisters Helen and Mary Eldrett in 2011.
OBI was entrusted with the ownership and care of the property in 2015. “When my sister and I handed Downybrook over to OBI we were confident that they would continue to build a reserve as a welcoming place for the public to visit,” said Mary Eldrett. “They have already done so much, and this grant will enable them to build on our dreams that we have worked so hard on for the past 40 years.”
The grant will fund various improvements – wood walkovers and bridges will be replaced at several spots throughout the 3.5 miles of nature trails at Downybrook. Three new small bridges will be built on the east side trail to improve visitor access. Informational kiosks will be built and installed at both trail entrances. These will include a trail map, sign-in, and information concerning trail conditions. A low observation deck will be built on the west side pond area to view waterfowl, beaver and other wildlife. The parking lot will be enlarged and a storage shed will be added.
The Northern New York Community Foundation awarded $6000 in matching funds to OBI toward the grant. The conservation of Downybrook was a stepping stone in the decision by the land trust’s board of directors in November 2016 to establish the OBI Endowment Fund at NNYCF. “It is especially powerful when partnerships can help encourage more good things to happen in a region,” said Rande S. Richardson, Executive Director of the Northern New York Community Foundation. “We are pleased the Community Foundation could play a part in making the overall project a reality, leveraging additional resources to benefit Downybrook for the enjoyment of the people of the area.”
The grant awarded this week is the largest ever received by OBI Land Trust, one of the only all-volunteer land trust groups in the area.
OBI contributed a $6300 match from our dedicated Downybrook fund, bringing the total amount to $50,000. Downybrook is located at 24353 Perch Lake Road and is open to the public daily from dusk to dawn.
