Edward & Marlene Schmeer Preserve

Explore Edward & Marlene Schmeer Preserve!

Once intensively farmed with row crops, this land is now coming back to life. Native grasses and wildflowers have been planted to restore the ecosystem, and selective hedgerow removal has connected fragmented fields into continuous open meadows habitat. As you explore this short 750 foot trail, keep an eye out for grassland birds and other wildlife that rely upon these open spaces. Grasslands are disappearing faster than any other habitat, making their conservation and restoration more important than ever.

From the observation tower, visitors will enjoy panoramic views of Lake Ontario, the Preserve’s restored grasslands, a Lake Ontario barrier wetland, Wilson Bay, and the historic Tibbetts Point Lighthouse. The project was funded through the New York State Department of Environmental Conservation’s Conservation Partnership Program, co-administered by the Land Trust Alliance.

Grassland Conservation

Part of the 360 acre conservation complex, this 215-acre preserve features restored grasslands that support a diversity of species, providing food and shelter for grassland birds and other wildlife. The Thousand Islands region of New York contains some of the most important grasslands in the Northeast, but these habitats are rapidly disappearing.

Grassland, Prairie, Savannah, Steppe, Meadow, Veld, and Tundra all describe land that is dominated by grasses and other flowering plants, called forbs. Healthy native grasslands include an enormous variety of plant species, most of which have deep roots. The soil beneath grasslands is arguably more vibrant than the grasses themselves.

Connection to the Atlantic Flyway

Over 500 species of birds, bats, butterflies, and dragonflies travel through the Atlantic Flyway in spring and fall, moving between summer breeding and winter feeding grounds. This route has few natural obstacles – Lake Ontario is one of the most significant of the four major U.S. flyways. Spring migration happens over a much shorter time period, while many species linger longer in the fall, spreading migration over several weeks. Restored grasslands provide critical habitat for resting, feeding, and gathering during migration.