Love the Lake? Protect What Keeps It Pure
Lake George Land Conservancy announces 2025 Land Campaign to protect more than 1,200 acres.
Founding father Thomas Jefferson described Lake George as "without comparison, the most beautiful water I ever saw.”
The Lake George Land Conservancy (LGLC) is embarking on its 2025 Land Campaign, a $9 million fundraising campaign with the vital mission of permanently protecting more than 1,200 acres of land that safeguard Lake George.
The Campaign includes protecting 517 acres of Pilot Knob Mountain and more than 700 acres in Bolton.
Together, these forested lands have 2.8 miles of streams and more than 26 acres of wetlands, critical to maintaining Lake George’s exceptional water quality.
An essential acquisition on Pilot Knob Mountain.
The LGLC is under contract to purchase 517 acres of Pilot Knob Mountain, including its 2,159-foot summit, and 1.6 miles of streams.
““We are grateful to the landowners of Pilot Knob Mountain for being good stewards of this land for many decades, and for working with the LGLC to keep it protected, forever.””
The land is close to the LGLC’s Schumann Preserve at Pilot Knob and sits just south of Buck Mountain. It shares more than 1.6 miles of its border with the New York State Department of Environmental Conservation (NYSDEC) Wild Forest.
Because of its proximity to NYSDEC’s protected lands, this part of Pilot Knob is often mistakenly believed to be already protected; in fact, it is one of the largest privately owned properties in the south basin and is zoned for the development of up to 60 buildings.
Support from local landowners.
LGLC Executive Director Mike Horn said, “We are grateful to the landowners of Pilot Knob Mountain for being good stewards of this land for many decades, and for working with the LGLC to keep it protected, forever.”
Pilot Knob Ridge overlooking Lake George. Photo courtesy LGLC
Bolton conservation projects.
The Campaign also includes multiple conservation projects in the Town of Bolton, totaling more than 700 acres in the Indian Brook and Northwest Bay area.
Collectively, these properties will provide critical protection of stream corridors, wetlands, steep slopes, and forested lands that clean and filter water, reduce downstream sedimentation, and prevent pollution from entering Lake George’s Northwest Bay.
Bolton Pond. Photo courtesy LGLC.
The LGLC purchased one of the Sundew Pond properties on April 22. This 207-acre parcel has a large wetland and pond that supports a healthy, diverse plant ecosystem, including carnivorous sundew and pitcher plants. Several of the other Bolton projects are under contract.
Fundraising progress and goals.
Lake George is rated Class AA-Special by New York State, which is the highest rating for water quality.
LGLC’s 2025 Land Campaign is the most significant fundraising effort in the organization's history.
With $6.6 million secured, including grants that provide $2 for every $1 donated, individual contributions can make a significant impact. The organization hopes to raise the remaining $2.4 million by the end of the summer to complete all of the campaign’s projects.
“The LGLC has committed to increasing our pace of land conservation to secure Lake George’s future, and we have a wonderful slate of high-impact projects,” said Horn.
“We can only complete these important projects with the generous support of those who love Lake George and want it to remain clean and beautiful for future generations. I hope that anyone with an interest in the future of Lake George will join our 2025 Land Campaign.”
Join the movement.
The LGLC is offering a live, public Zoom presentation on June 11 at 7 pm to discuss the campaign and its projects. This presentation will also be recorded and shared for viewing. To register and learn how you can contribute, visit LGLC’s website.
The beautiful water and land around Lake George have captivated artists for years, include Georgia O’Keeffe.
Donations to the 2025 Land Campaign can be made online on the campaign web page by clicking the 'Donate Now' button or by mail to LGLC, attn: 2025 Land Campaign, PO Box 1250, Bolton Landing, NY 12814. LGLC asks donors to make checks payable to 'Lake George Land Conservancy' and indicate '2025 Land Campaign' in the memo line.
About Lake George Land Conservancy.
Protecting the Land that Protects the Lake since 1988. The LGLC is an accredited, nonprofit land trust dedicated to working with willing landowners and other partners to protect the land that protects Lake George's world-renowned water quality and the natural resources of the Lake George watershed.
Since its inception, LGLC’s land protection program has worked directly and with partners to permanently protect 13,496 acres of Lake George wilderness and more than 7.5 miles of shoreline. It also owns and/or manages 13 featured parks and preserves open to the public year-round, with nearly 40 miles of trails for hiking, snowshoeing, cross-country skiing, and, at some preserves, hunting and snowmobiling.
LGLC on the ADK Talks Podcast
Sarah Hoffman from the Lake George Land Conservancy (LGLC) recently appeared on the ADK Talks podcast. She illuminated the ripple effect of land conservation on the Queen of American Lakes.
