DECEMBER
9 2022
Audubon Little Explorers Look “Under the Snow” Saturday, December 10
On Saturday, December 10, 2022, 10 – 11:30 a.m., Audubon Community Nature Center (ACNC) Little Explorers, 3 to 8-year olds and their favorite adults, will do their detective work “Under the Snow.” Under the snow and the frozen ground, the natural world is still full of life. Chipmunks and mice tunnel under the blanket of snow, frogs and otters either sleep or search for food under the icy ponds, and predators use their senses to find prey through these frozen layers. Little Explorers investigate this snowy world under their feet by examining clues and identifying evidence of animals. After a short indoor lesson, they will take their winter detective skills outdoors to search for evidence of those winter inhabitants, including holes, trails and food. A snack is provided after the hike, and a craft is offered if there is time. This program takes place rain, snow or shine, so dress for the weather. The fee is $8 for adults, $6 for children ages 3 – 8 and Nature Center members. Enrollment is limited to 15 children, 30 participants total. Make reservations by
Thursday, December 8, 2022, by calling (716) 569-2345 during business hours or by going to AudubonCNC.org and clicking through “Programs and Events.” Audubon Community Nature Center is located at 1600 Riverside Road, one-quarter mile east of Route 62 between Jamestown, N.Y., and Warren, Pa. You can visit the nearly 600-acre nature preserve, check in on the live birds of prey, and hike, snowshoe or cross-country ski over five miles of trails dawn until dusk daily for free. The three-story Nature Center building houses interactive displays, a collection of live animals including the Hellbender exhibit, and the Blue Heron Gift Shop. Visitors are welcome Mondays through Saturdays, 10 a.m. - 4:30 p.m., and Sundays, 1 - 4:30 p.m. Nature Center members and SNAP/EBT cardholders have free building admission daily. Building admission is also free every Sunday for non-Nature Center members. The building will be closed on Christmas Eve and Day and New Year’s Day.
AGRICULTURE DISTRICT INCLUSION PERIOD Land Owners’ Requests Must be Submitted Between Jan. 2 - Jan. 31
JAMESTOWN, N.Y.:--Per New York State Agriculture and Markets Law (AML) 303b, the Chautauqua County Legislature has designated January 2 through January 31, 2023, as the annual 30day period during which land owners may submit requests to include predominantly viable agricultural land into an existing certified agricultural district. During this period, land owners may submit written requests for inclusion into the Agricultural District. Parcels requesting inclusion must meet the definition of “viable agricultural land” as defined in Agriculture and Markets Law § 301, subdivision 7. Lands already included in the district need not submit a request. Land owners must complete the Agricultural District Inclusion Worksheet, which includes a written description of the land, the tax map identification number, and be accompanied by a copy of the relevant portion of a tax map showing the location of the property you would like included into the Agricultural District. This worksheet, current Agricultural Districts Map, and additional information can be found on the Chautauqua County Department of Planning and Development website at: bit.ly/CHQaginclusion. You can print out the appropriate map via the County’s GIS website available at: bit.ly/CHQgis. Please submit all inclusion requests to the Department of Planning and Development, Attn: Lauren Sharp 201 West Third St., Suite 115, Jamestown, N.Y. 14701 or email to sharpl@chqgov.com on or before 4:30 p.m. on January 31, 2022. Inclusion requests
Photo Submitted A vineyard located in Chautauqua County, New York.
can only be accepted during the inclusion period from January 2 to January 31. At the end of the 30-day period, the proposed parcels for inclusion will be reviewed by the Chautauqua County Agricultural and Farmland Protection Board (AFPB). Based on the AFPB’s recommendations, a report will be prepared for the Planning & Economic Development (PED) Legislative Committee’s review. After review by the PED Legislative Committee, these recommendations will be forwarded to the County Legislature for a public hearing. Following the public hearing, the Legislature will vote via resolution to accept the recommendations made
by AFPB. The County Legislature will then send the resolution to the New York State Department of Agriculture and Markets to certify the inclusion of lands or not. If the Commissioner certifies the inclusion of the parcels, the land becomes part of the Agricultural District. An agricultural district is a geographic area which consists predominantly of viable agricultural land. Agricultural operations within the district are the priority land use and afforded benefits. These agricultural operations receive protections to promote the continuation of farms and the preservation of agricultural land. This should not be con-
fused with the agricultural assessment program which allows eligible farmland located both within and outside the agricultural districts to be taxed at its agricultural assessment. Landowners should see their local assessor to find out more information on agricultural assessment for their parcel(s). For more information about the Agricultural District Inclusion Period or to see if you have land within an Agricultural District, visit the Chautauqua County Department of Planning and Development website at: bit.ly/CHQaginclusion or contact Lauren Sharp at (716) 661-8245 or sharpl@chqgov. com.