Town of Ithaca Conservation Board

07/27/2026

07/10/2026

From NYSDEC: Check Your Oaks for Signs of Oak Wilt

Now is a great time to look for signs of oak wilt, a non-native fungus. Oak wilt affects both red and white oaks, but symptoms are more noticeable in red oaks, which can die in as little as six weeks after infection.

- Signs of oak wilt are most obvious in July and August.
- Infected red oaks will drop more than half of their leaves, and leaves may begin to turn brown from the outside edge moving inward.
- While it is normal for oaks to change color and drop their leaves in fall, when observed during summer, these could be signs of oak wilt.

If you see signs of oak wilt anywhere in New York, make a report! Submit a report form https://survey123.arcgis.com/share/b93220c4899c49598de0746b6d03a780 to DEC’s Forest Health Research Lab https://dec.ny.gov/nature/forests-trees/forest-health/forest-health-research-lab or send photos and location information by emailing [email protected].

Learn more about Oak Wilt at: https://dec.ny.gov/nature/forests-trees/forest-health/oak-wilt

The oak wilt fungus blocks the flow of water and nutrients from the roots to the crown, causing the leaves to wilt and fall off, usually killing the tree.

07/09/2026

"Renters! Own Your Power" - Renters may not own their dwellings but they don't have to rent their energy. Tompkins Green Energy Network, or T-GEN, the Town's new energy transition program, is holding a meeting to explain how the Town's renters are eligible to become owners of onsite and neighborhood-based renewable energy systems including electricity, heating, hot water, and EVs.

When: Tuesday, July 21, 2026, at 6:00 PM (Virtual)
Zoom Registration: https://us06web.zoom.us/meeting/register/PB26QhW0SCGek6VsfZoGqQ

07/08/2026

From NYSDEC: Plastic Free July 2026 - Embrace Reusables

Imagine strolling through your day with a reusable water bottle clutched in hand, bamboo utensils tucked neatly in your bag, a silicone straw ready for any beverage, and a foldable reusable bag at your fingertips. These seemingly small items can make a significant difference as you navigate your daily routine. With Plastic Free July upon us, it's a great time to challenge yourself to make reusables part of your norm. While the convenience of single-use plastic items like forks and water bottles might seem appealing, they come with a hefty price; they contribute to plastic waste and end up costing more to us and the environment in the long run. This month, try to challenge your habits and see which disposable products you can swap for reusables.

Join Plastic Free July by choosing to refuse single-use plastics. Take the pledge: https://www.plasticfreejuly.org/

In 2025, 86% of participants globally said the actions they took for Plastic Free July made lasting, habit-forming changes. Participants shared stories of refusing plastic bags, swapping plastic packaged products for refillable ones, avoiding unnecessary packaging, and investing in reusables.

Join our global movement to reduce plastic pollution. Discover solutions and ideas to help reduce plastic waste in your home and community.

05/27/2026

TOWN OF ITHACA ACQUIRES 137-ACRES ON SOUTH HILL FOR NEW PRESERVE

The Town of Ithaca is pleased to announce the acquisition of 137-acres of land on South Hill, creating a new protected open space known as Sage Preserve. The conservation purchase safeguards a significant natural area and reflects the Town’s ongoing commitment to preserving open space and wildlife habitat.

The acquisition was made possible through a funding partnership with the Park Foundation, Tompkins County (Natural Infrastructure Capital Program), and the Town of Ithaca, whose combined support ensured the land will be protected from future development and conserved for the benefit of current and future generations.

The Town of Ithaca also extends its sincere gratitude to the landowners, Tessa Sage Flores and Ira Goldstein, for their stewardship of the property and for providing the Town with the opportunity to permanently protect this land. Their commitment to conservation played a critical role in making Sage Preserve possible.

“This South Hill preserve is a great addition to the Town’s network of preserves and is timely given anticipated housing development in that area,” said Rod Howe, Town Supervisor. “The acquisition meets multiple Town goals and will benefit current and future residents.”

Sage Preserve encompasses a diverse landscape of natural features, including streams, wetlands, successional growth, and forested areas, which play an important role in supporting biodiversity, protecting water resources, and maintaining ecosystem health. Members of the public may enjoy the existing trails on the property for walking and other passive recreational uses. Sage Preserve adds to the Town of Ithaca’s growing network of protected open spaces and will be managed to preserve its ecological value while supporting appropriate public access.

More information about the Town’s parks, trails and preserves is available at https://townithacany.gov/our-community/parks-trails-recreation-open-spaces/

05/20/2026

Town of Ithaca Conservation Board Honors F. Robert Wesley

F. Robert Wesley is the recipient of the 23rd annual Richard B. Fischer Environmental Conservation Award for 2025: https://townithacany.gov/richard-fischer-award/ Members of the Conservation Board presented the award to Robert at a tree planting ceremony on Tuesday, May 19th at the Town’s Culver Road Preserve. The group planted a White Oak tree in one of the open fields.

Robert is being honored for his more than fifty years of acute, dedicated, and detailed attention to the Unique Natural Areas of our Town's botanical environment. His sharp-eyed inventories, and friendly sharing of an encyclopedic understanding of our open spaces, has had a crucial influence on our ability to advance land protection efforts that preserve native species and manage invasive pests. We're especially grateful for his work preserving rare plants like fringed gentians, American globeflowers, and Leedy's roseroot as well as supporting learning about our native plant heritage through his contribution to the Finger Lakes Native Plant Society.

05/05/2026

The Town of Ithaca Conservation Board has selected F. Robert Wesley as the recipient of the 23rd Richard B. Fischer Environmental Conservation - Award https://townithacany.gov/richard-fischer-award/

Please join us on May 19th at 6pm for a tree planting in honor of Robert.

04/24/2026

Happy Arbor Day! 🌳🌲

04/22/2026

Happy Earth Day!

04/13/2026

I Love My Park Day is back! Your local park, historic site, and favorite campground rely on volunteers like you to help prepare for another busy spring and summer season. Join in on Saturday May 2, 2026 at one of 150+ participating sites across New York State.

This annual event is coordinated by Parks & Trails New York in partnership with the NYS Office of Parks, Recreation and Historic Preservation and the Department of Environmental Conservation, bringing together volunteers of all ages, backgrounds, and abilities to help support and maintain our shared outdoor spaces.

Activities will vary site to site, but most volunteers can expect to plant trees and native flowers, clear trails, build and paint, mulch playgrounds, or remove invasive species.

Find a project near you and sign up in just a few minutes:

Saturday, May 2 protect the places you love Join thousands of volunteers in caring for our state parks, historic sites, and public lands at New York’s largest single-day volunteer event. I Love My Park Day is a chance to roll up your sleeves and show some love for the public lands that we rely on....