Rails-to-Trails-book-poster-updated

Our Mission

The Mendon Foundation exists to provide an avenue for people to preserve, protect and promote the rich natural open spaces found in the Mendon community. Our donors enrich the lives not only of their families, but of the community at large. We strive to maintain a self-sufficient organization that does not depend on any single source for financial support. Most of all, we believe that our success requires us to deliver to our donors and volunteers a sense of personal satisfaction.
[Preserve]

Preserve

We preserve, protect and enhance the scenic, natural, recreational and structural resources in the Town of Mendon.

[Maintain]

Maintain

We maintain a responsible stewardship of assets and properties held or controlled by the organization.

[Establish]

Establish

We establish and promote local environmental education on issues pertinent to the preservation of natural resources in the Town of Mendon, promoting programs to monitor the Town’s natural resources.

Who We Are

The Mendon Foundation is a non-profit 501(c)(3) corporation headquartered in marvelous Mendon, New York. Established in 1993, we specialize in enriching the lives of our community through the stewardship of the precious open spaces in our community. We are not a “foundation” in the traditional sense of the term; all donations go directly to maintaining the open spaces under our purview. We do not receive any money from the Town, County, or State. Read more about our Leadership and our Volunteer Corps.

What We Do

The Mendon Foundation is the first and only not-for-profit organization dedicated exclusively to promoting the rich environmental heritage of the communities in and adjacent to Southeastern Monroe County. Our all-volunteer organization enriches the lives of our donors and their community by working with the local municipal governments, local contributors and local volunteers to preserve, protect and enhance the scenic, natural, recreational, structural and historical resources of critical cultural significance. Some of the things that we’re best known for include:

Land Acquisition & Open Space Preservation

We now have approximately 160 acres of publicly accessible land in our land trust. We preserve this open space through the creation of nature reserves and through plantings, such as warm weather grasses. Read more…

The Lehigh Valley Trail

In many ways our signature project, we developed (through a federal grant) and maintain Monroe County’s 14 mile linear trail encompassing the old Lehigh Valley Railroad bed in the towns of Mendon and Rush. Read more…

Rochester Junction & Mendon Station Park Recreational Facilities

These two major rest and education facilities along the Lehigh Valley Trail have been developed through a combination of master planning, grant funding, volunteering from adults and Scouts in our community, and financial donations from people like you. Read more about Mendon Station Park and Rochester Junction.

Sibleyville Nature Reserve

In 2000, 45 acres of a pristine wildlife preserve located close to the historic Totiakton Indian site was endowed to the Foundation. At the highest point, one can see 30 miles to the south. It is considered to be one of the beautiful scenic vistas of the Town of Mendon. Read more…

[Land Trust Alliance]

Our property map & brochure is now available for download.

Get in Touch

Send us mail

Mendon Foundation, Inc. PO Box 231, Mendon NY 14506

Give us a ring

(585) 497-1214

Visit us on Facebook

facebook.com/mendonfoundation

Visit us on Twitter

twitter.com/mendonfdn

Visit us on Instagram

instagram.com/mendonfdn

Contact Us