For all those interested in trails advancement in our region- the next round of public input and meetings for the Genesee-Finger Lakes Regional Trails Initiative is here!

Since the fall of last year, folks have been working hard on the Regional Trails Initiative Plan Update, and Livingston County has participated actively with input coming from municipalities, trail groups or organizations, and trail users.  The next opportunity for public input is this weekend and early next week.  See the attached flyer for details.  The main goals at this time are to obtain public comments, determine how to refine the recommended network, and set priorities for implementation.   I anticipate being in attendance at the Public Open House in Batavia.  I look forward to seeing you there!

Pubic Open Houses:
Saturday, April 11, 2015, 9 am- 1 pm.  Rochester- City of Rochester Public Market.
Monday, April 13, 2015.  6 pm – 8 pm.   Batavia – Genesee County Building No. 2
Tuesday, April 14, 2015.  5 pm – 7 pm.  Geneva – The Ramada.

If you would like to review and comment on the network now – please do!  Check the website and wiki map – and please pass the links along to your fellow citizens.  I have also included a copy of the RTI map, in pdf format, zoomed into Livingston County.  The full Region map can be viewed at the website link.

The Livingston County Planning Department is also participating on the Regional Trails Initiative Steering Committee.  The next Steering Committee meeting is scheduled for Wednesday, April 15, 2015.  If you have any questions or have input that you would like to provide, please feel free to contact me before this meeting so I can share your input.   Please feel free to distribute this email and attached resources.  We would like to hear from all who are interested.

The Nature Conservency is asking for volunteers to help clear the trail from the Rob’s Trail parking area on Rt 15A down to Hemlock Lake. Meet at 9:30 at the parking area. Bring hand tools and gloves.

The Nature Conservancy is asking for volunteers to help maintain trails within the West Hill Preserve.  Springwater Trails is maintaining the portion of the Bristol Branch of the Finger Lakes Trail through this preserve.

Directions are on the Nature Conservancy website.

Please join us for the historic opening of Rob’s Trail—Hemlock Lake

Rob’s Trail links Hemlock and Canadice Lakes, the last two undeveloped Finger Lakes

9:30 AM Refreshments available
10:00 AM—Dedication & Ribbon Cutting
10:30 AM—Inaugural Hikes

Parking available at intersection of South Old Bald Hill Road and Rt-15A

Please RSVP or call 585-546-8030 ext. 7927

PLEASE DONATE! Your donation will support trail development work! Visit nature.org/cwny

Katherine J. T. Humphrey will present a discussion on what is new or current in home food preservation – like increased interest in fermentation, using less energy, using what is available locally and seasonally, deciding on what method of preservation would be best for a single person or for a household of many people, where to begin if a novice or an experienced home preserver, and the place to go for research based answers to questions, especially when it comes to safety and quality considerations.

Katherine was a full time Cornell Cooperative Extension Educator 1969-1991, and a CCE Livingston County Home Economics Program Leader. She has been a CCE Home Food Preservation Instructor since 1989.