Category: The Environment

Photo: Trout Lake (in the foreground) and its surrounding lands in Bolton are further protected by the LGLC’s recent purchase and conservation of 26 acres. Lake George can be seen in the distance on the right side of the picture. Credit: Carl Heilman, II/Wild Visions, Inc.

Lake George, NY – The Lake George Land Conservancy (LGLC) purchased 26 acres in the Town of Bolton on December 23, 2025. The “Trout Lake Addition” has about 500 feet of stream corridor and one acre of wetlands, which are critical to protecting water quality. The stream and wetland flow into Trout Lake, which drains into Lake George via Huddle Brook.

The undeveloped forested property adjoins the 215-acre Trout Lake Uplands property, which LGLC acquired from Twin Pines, Inc. and permanently protected in 2019. The newest acquisition is also near the 2,765-acre Cat and Thomas Mountains Preserve, now owned by the New York State Department of Environmental Conservation (NYS DEC).

In addition to protecting water quality, this purchase provides an even greater expanse of contiguous habitat necessary for our native terrestrial and aquatic wildlife to thrive. Land connectivity is important for whole ecosystem health and vitality, allowing forests, streams, and other freshwater resources to interact uninterrupted for maximum water quality and habitat benefits.

LGLC Executive Director Mike Horn said, “This region of Bolton provides critical water quality protection for Lake George, and important wildlife habitat. I want to thank the landowners for working with the LGLC to permanently protect this land, ensuring that the forested terrain and streams will forever remain wild, protecting everything we love about Lake George.”

The land’s forest is dominated by eastern hemlock trees, which are currently threatened by the invasive pest, hemlock woolly adelgid (HWA). As owners of the land, the LGLC will be able to monitor for HWA and manage any infestations, as deemed necessary for the health of the forest.

The acquisition of the “Trout Lake Uplands Addition” was LGLC’s final land protection project of 2025 and closed out another impactful year. In total, LGLC closed seven land projects in 2025, resulting in permanent protection of 1,963 acres of land and permanent protection of 22 acres of wetlands and 2.8 miles of streams that feed into Lake George.

The LGLC recently protected 192 acres in Bolton, including more than 1,000 feet of stream corridor.

The Lake George Land Conservancy (LGLC) purchased 192 acres in the Town of Bolton on November 21. The “Wing Pond Addition” has more than 1,000 feet of stream corridor and about three acres of wetlands, which are critical to protecting water quality.

The undeveloped forested property shares nearly half a mile of its boundary with the LGLC-owned Wing Pond Preserve and also borders NYS DEC-owned Wild Forest. Its stream flows into the LGLC’s recently protected 207-acre Sundew Pond Preserve, which flows into Lake George’s Northwest Bay.

In addition to protecting water quality, this purchase provides an even greater expanse of contiguous habitat necessary for our native terrestrial and aquatic wildlife to thrive. Land connectivity is important for whole ecosystem health and vitality, allowing forests, streams, and other freshwater resources to interact uninterrupted for maximum water quality benefits.

Knowing the land’s great ecological value, the Miller family, who owned and cared for the land for decades, was happy to work with the LGLC to see the land permanently protected.

Sarah, Jim, and John Miller expressed, “When Captain James Miller purchased acreage in North Bolton in the late 60s, it was to protect and preserve the land. His children are grateful that going forward, the LGLC will be taking over the stewardship of this beautiful property.”

LGLC Executive Director Mike Horn said, “I want to thank the Millers for working with the LGLC to permanently protect this important land, ensuring that the lush forested terrain and flowing streams will forever remain wild, protecting everything we love about Lake George.”

The Wing Pond Addition acquisition was funded in part with a grant received in 2024 through the Water Quality Improvement Project (WQIP) grant program administered by the New York State Department of Environmental Conservation (DEC). Additional funding came from generous donors who gave to the LGLC’s $9 million 2025 Land Campaign, which included the Wing Pond Addition as one of several conservation project goals.

Due to its habitat sensitivity, the Wing Pond Addition is not open to the public.