THANK YOU TO OUR 2021 FRIENDRAISER SPONSORS AND ATTENDEES!
Your support helps to conserve open spaces, habitat, and our lakeshore for wildlife and all of us!
-OBI Board of Directors

Picture

OBI LAND TRUST 2021 EVENTS

Picture
The health and well-being of OBI guests is a priority. Therefore, we will follow Covid-19 NYS guidelines for all events.
 
Alvar Walk with a Botanist
Sunday, June 6, 10:00 a.m. at Chaumont Barrens Preserve, 29924 VanAlstyne Rd., Chaumont
Award-winning botanist Anne Johnson will share her extensive knowledge of flora and fauna as she leads a tour of Chaumont Barrens, one of the best examples of alvar grasslands in the world! Learn about what makes this landscape so special as we explore the 1.7 mile trail.
 
OBI Partners with Whitecaps Winery 11544 Route 125 Point Salubrious, Chaumont - Call 315-649-2400 for details and reservations!
Walk the Meadow at Cedar Grove Farm
Friday, June 25, 5:30 p.m. Wildlife and birds of the lake shore will be explored. Meet at the winery for a brief discussion before heading to the nearby farm.
All about Bluebirds - Bluebird House Building Workshop
Saturday, July 10, 11 a.m. Learn some interesting facts about or state bird and build a house while enjoying the beauty of the winery! Materials provided, space limited.
 
Ecology Tour at Downybrook
Sunday, June 27, 9:30 a.m. at Downybrook Nature Reserve, 24353 Perch Lake Rd, Brownville
Join Lee Ellsworth, OBI Land Trust Land Steward, as he leads us through the wonders of Downybrook Nature Reserve. Bring your binoculars!
 
Annual “Friendraiser”
Monday, August 2, 5 p.m. at Wise Guys Ristorante, Main Street, Chaumont.
Our summer gathering is back! We missed everyone last summer and hope you can join us for this popular summertime get-together.
 
Nature Photography
Saturday, September 11, 10 a.m. at  Downybrook Nature Reserve, 24353 Perch Lake Rd., Brownville
Join Lee Ellsworth, Nature Photographer and OBI Land Steward, for a walk through Downybrook with a focus on taking great photos of wildlife, plants and other aspects of nature. 


Have an idea for an event? Let us know by emailing info@obilandtrust.org or calling 315-649-6045

WINTER BIRDING TRIP EVENT RECAP!
Saturday January 9, 2021 

Northern Harrier, Bald Eagle, Tundra Swans, Rough-legged Hawk and Red-tailed Hawk were among the species spotted during a very successful wintertime bird watching tour hosted by OBI Land Trust on January 9, 2021.
The event observed social distance guidelines and was done by car caravan. Lee Ellsworth, Land Steward for OBI Land Trust, led the group text event and provided informative messages about the bird life that was being spotted and their location. Participants brought their cameras, binoculars (and face masks, of course) as they enjoyed the driving tour around Point Peninsula in the Town of Lyme. The day included sightings of many species, including raptors and waterfowl. However, it has been noted that there have been fewer sightings of the ever-popular Snowy Owl, compared with the last few years. 
The wintertime bird-watching tour is always popular and we appreciate those who participated. Look for more OBI events for 2021 to be listed here on our website in the coming weeks!

OBI Land Trust 2019 Event Recap

Annual Friendraiser
Lucky Star Ranch, Chaumont, NY  August 6, 2019
The annual event helps us fund operations for our all volunteer land trust and continues the tradition that brings together OBI supporters and those looking to learn more.  This year’s event attracted the largest group of supporters ever!

Grassland Birds of Cedar Grove Farms Nature Preserve
July 6, 2019 White Caps Winery, Point  Salubrious
Sponsored jointly by OBI Land Trust and White Caps Winery, this free program, was scheduled to be led by Land Steward Lee Ellsworth and designed to explore some common vanishing birds, celebrate those to be still found on the farm and the lakeshore lands. This program was cancelled due to flooding at the farm.
 
Ecology Tour at Downybrook
June 27, 2019 Downybrook Nature Reserve
Lee Ellsworth, OBI Land Trust Land Stewardship, led the group through the wonders of Downybrook Nature Reserve. Downybrook is recognized as a Backyard Wildlife Habitat by the National Wildlife Federation. A warm sunny day helped make this an eventto remember!
 
An Evening at the Barrens
June 17, 2019
It was a full house for the Informational presentation and visit to the Chaumont Barrens, a unique Alvar Habitat protected by the Nature Conservancy. Nineteen people walked the Barrens while Lee Ellsworth discussed the unique nature of the reserve.
After the walk participants returned to White Caps Winery for Dinner and wine.  A beautiful evening was enjoyed by all.
-
Wine and Birdsong
June 8, 201910:30
A special tour of a private bird preserve along the sandy beaches of Lake Ontario was enjoyed by a van full of birders.  Birdsong was at peak while Lee Ellsworth identified birds, their communication and what they mean. Lee Ellsworth is OBI Land Trust Land Steward and Vice President.
A catered lunch, along with a bottle of wine from White Caps Winery, was provided.
OBI Land Trust in Partnership with White Caps Winery made this an event to remember!
 
 
Discover Downybrook Celebration
Downybrook Nature Reserve, June 5, 2019
 OBI Land Trust hosted the dedication event and introduced Mary Eldrett to all.  A framed photo was presented to Mary as she spoke about the development of the Downybrook Reserve. This “best kept secret” in the Town of Brownville offers Miles of trails for walks, bird and wildlife observation, and relaxation.  Participants enjoyed the opportunity to meet the stewards of Downybrook and the person responsible for its creation. 
 
Spring Trek through Downybrook Reserve in Partnership with the
North Country Bird Club
Downybrook Nature Reserve, Brownville, NY, May 14, 2019  
OBI and the North County Bird Club Director, Dick Brouse, hosted a Birding trek through Downybrook Nature Reserve.  With cool winds and rain, ten birders observed the wonders of spring! We walked the 178-acre wildlife sanctuary in the Town of Brownville, complete with marshlands, white pine forest, ponds, grassland and a unique alvar habitat.
 
Get Involved with OBI Land Trust
April 25, 2019  Pete’s Trattoria
OBI attracted many friendly faces interested in conservation and helping us fulfill our mission.  Pete’s Tratoria and OBI hosted an evening complete with appetizers and pizza while meeting board members.  Potential volunteers learned about opportunities to “Get Involved”!  During the event, ten enthusiastic people signed up! Plus we recruited a new board member!
 
Downybrook Reserve Spring Trek in Partnership with the
North Country Bird Club
Downybrook Nature Reserve, Brownville, NY, April 24, 2019         
Spring was in the air at Downybrook Nature Reserve! Corky Marlowe, North Country Bird Club President, helped us Identifiy the spring bird activity at Downybrook.  A cool, rainy day attracted 14 hearty birders.  We saw or heard; American Robin, Song Sparrow, Black-capped Chickadee, Eastern Towhee, Blue Jay, American Crow, Brown Thrasher, Red Winged Blackbird, Rusty Blackbird, Northern Flicker, Canada Goose, Eastern Bluebird, White-breasted Nuthatch.

Events Gallery

Winter Birding on Pt. Peninsula, Saturday, January 12, 2019
Picture
Update: What a great day! We were joined by 11 participants as we toured Pt. Peninsula with field guide and OBI Land Steward Lee Ellsworth. It was a clear, blue sky with temperatures 12-15 degrees Fahrenheit.  Most of Chaumont bay frozen. Open water with ice forming at Isthmus. Ice fishing at Long Point State Park and Chaumont Boat Launch.
Species Spotted:
  • 3 Snowy Owls                                   
  • 2 Bald Eagles, adults                          
  • 1 Kestrel                                             
  • 1 Sharp-shinned Hawk                      
  • Red-Tailed Hawks – many                 
  • Rough-legged Hawks – many            
  • Northern Harrier – most were females or first-year birds
  • Canada Geese
  • Tundra Swans
  • Bufflehead duck
  • Goldeneye duck
  • Crows
  • Chickadees
Anniversary Celebration
Oh, What a Night!
OBI Land Trust Celebrates 25 Years of Conservation and Honors Two Loyal Supporters
 
At OBI Land Trust, we think a quarter-century of conservation is a great reason to celebrate.

This year’s annual fundraiser – held August 6, 2018 at Crescent Yacht Club - was extra special as our volunteer land trust marked 25 years of service to Jefferson County’s shoreline communities. The celebration was our most successful fundraiser ever and drew dozens of supporters, including Rep. Addie Jenne. She presented Citations from the New York State Assembly to both OBI Land Trust and our guests of honor, Urban and Sally Hirschey.

The Hirscheys, formerly of Cape Vincent, are the epitome of the volunteer spirit and we were grateful to honor them in the presence of our other OBI “friends” – our loyal supporters and volunteers who join us each year for our annual summer gathering. Our success depends on all of you!

Rep. Jenne said that OBI’s success and 25-year milestone was “a testament to the people in the community and the strength and dedication” that has allowed our volunteer land trust to survive and thrive in Jefferson County, where tourism and agriculture are a way of life.

Rep. Jenne praised the Hirscheys as “wonderful people” who are examples of how commitment to your community can truly make a difference at the local level. The Citation to the Hirscheys noted their involvement in OBI and various other local causes. Sally has retired as the longest serving board member on OBI’s board of directors. The couple has been among OBI’s top donors and donated their time and talents to our land trust. The Hirscheys have been named Emeritus members of the OBI Board of Directors.

OBI wishes to thank everyone who participated, including SUNY Potsdam Professor Glenn Johnson, who brought along his students to help educate people about the plight of the Blanding’s turtle, a threatened species in New York State. Other reptiles and amphibians were also featured and guests were able to ask questions about conservation close to home.

The summer gathering is an annual event that helps fund operations for our Chaumont-based land trust and also is a tradition that brings together OBI supporters and those looking to learn more about our land trust.

OBI Land Trust greatly appreciates the Citations presented by Rep. Jenne and we also are grateful for the supporters who make our land trust a success. Thank you to all who joined us for this truly wonderful night and let’s get set for even greater success for OBI Land Trust in the next 25 years!

The 2018 New York State Conservation
Partnership Program Grants have been announced!

On April 24, 2018, the New York State Department of Environmental Conservation announced, with the Land Trust Alliance, the awarding of conservation grants given to 51 non-profit land trusts statewide, totaling approximately $2.3 million. This is the 15th year the New York State Conservation Partnership Program (NYSCPP) has been administered by the Land Trust Alliance, in coordination with the New York State Department of Environmental Conservation. In all, 70 grants were funded through New York's Environmental Protection Fund (EPF).
Ontario Bays Initiative, Inc, is pleased to announce the reception of a $15,000 capacity grant to fund field conservation and stewardship, enabling OBI to build on its multifaceted efforts to educate and connect with community members through outreach, field trips, presentations, and events. We look forward to the work in the coming months made possible through the acquisition of this capacity grant.