Onondaga Escarpment Nature Corridor
In 2005, we nominated the Onondaga Escarpment Nature Corridor for the N.Y. State Open Space Plan. The Nature Corridor consists largely of those lands left in their natural state as a buffer from the mining operations at the Jamesville Quarry, either through legal covenants or the avoidance of developers. It consists of one of the largest contiguous wooded corridors in Central New York.
Linking State Parks
Conceptually, the Onondaga Escarpment Nature Corridor can act as a bridge linking two State Parks - from Clark Reservation to Green Lakes. In the few places where the link narrows, a simple hiking trail may serve as the connection. Linking of trails aside, our focus is mainly about preservation: to protect natural habitats, maintain biodiversity, encourage further research, and welcome passive recreation for the benefit of community, present and future.
Critical Environmental Areas
A major (and original) focus has been to preserve the little-known area of Three Falls Woods, little sister to Clark Reservation State Park and the last sizable unprotected piece of the local Escarpment. Three Falls Woods acts as the easternmost anchor of the Escarpment and though half the size of Clark, it is many times more vulnerable. Three Falls Woods presents a microcosm of classic karst topography, containing spectacular features and a diversity of plant and wildlife.
Last year the Village of Manlius designated its portion of Three Falls Woods as a Critical Environmental Area, and we continue to work with the Town of Manlius and the Town of Dewitt to do likewise.
