Bolton Landing, NY – The Lake George Land Conservancy (LGLC) is pleased to report that for the second time they have exceeded the $300,000 Challenge for the Future of Lake George presented by Manning and Virginia Rowan Smith.

This fantastic feat was reached thanks to 35 individuals who pledged to provide support to the LGLC in their estate planning. As a result, the Smiths have donated $300,000 to the Virginia Rowan Smith Endowment Fund, which provides annual support for important land conservation projects in the watershed.

The Challenge was presented to encourage those who support the protection of Lake George to join LGLC’s Land and Water Society through a pledge of planned giving. The LGLC’s legacy giving program has grown to 154 members.

The Land and Water Society celebrates those who include the LGLC in their estate planning. It can be through a simple bequest, by naming the LGLC as a beneficiary in a life insurance policy or retirement fund, or one of many other options available. The gift can be large or small, and its benefits will continue long after one’s lifetime.

Showing the true versatility of estate planning, two of the pledges received for this Challenge were in the form of land to be held for permanent conservation.

“We are incredibly honored that each Land and Water Society member believes in our mission deeply enough to include us in their estate planning,” said LGLC Executive Director Michael Horn. “Many thanks to Ginny and Manning providing this matching challenge. Through their foresight and encouragement, they have significantly bolstered the LGLC’s long-term success.”

Virginia Rowan Smith is a member of the LGLC’s Advisory Board, a director emeritus, and a champion of the LGLC’s legacy giving program. The Smiths presented their first challenge in 2020, which ultimately exceeded their offer and resulted in a total of $406,000 in matching funds for the LGLC’s Virginia Rowan Smith Endowment Fund, income from which provides annual support for important land acquisition projects in the watershed that protect the water quality of Lake George.

About the Lake George Land Conservancy:

Protecting the Land that Protects the Lake since 1988. The LGLC is an accredited, non-profit land trust dedicated to working with willing landowners and other partners to protect the world-renowned water quality of Lake George and to permanently preserve the natural, scenic, historic and recreational resources of the Lake George region.

Since its inception, LGLC’s land protection program has worked directly and with partners to permanently protect 12,179 acres of Lake George wilderness and more than 7 miles of shoreline, and owns and/or manages 35 parks and preserves that are open to the public year-round or by special request/restricted access with nearly 40 miles of trails for hiking, snowshoeing, cross-country skiing, and, at some preserves, hunting and snowmobiling. More information: lglc.org.

Photo at top: Lake George Land Conservancy website photo.