ITHACA, NY (607NewsNow) — The Finger Lakes Land Trust is celebrating.

2026 marks 20 years of Ithaca’s Emerald Necklace, a greenbelt of protected lands around the south end of Cayuga Lake. The Emerald Necklace links over 50,000 acres of existing conservation land in an arc around Ithaca. According to the FLLT, the lands host “host 78 miles of the Finger Lakes Trail, two National Audubon Society-designated Important Bird Areas, numerous Finger Lakes Land Trust Preserves and conservation easements, several state forests and parks, and dozens of Tompkins County-designated Unique Natural Areas.”

To mark the anniversary, FLLT Executive Director Andy Zepp says he’ll repeat a hike of all 78 miles of the Finger Lakes Trail, repeating a journey he made in 2006.

“The Emerald Necklace is a tremendous resource,” said Andy Zepp. “We look forward to continuing our work with partners on projects focused on water quality and easy access to the outdoors for everyone.”