An Emerging Vision for Wetlands Conservation in Fly Creek

One striking characteristic of Karl Roemer is his concern for the welfare of others, especially the community of Fly Creek, where he resides. His modest home overlooks portions of the scenic wetlands complex that circles the community.

The Fly Creek wetlands have captured his imagination, as has the abandoned trolley line that runs through his property.

 

In 1968, while In his mid fifties, Roemer and his late wife, Anna, retired to Fly Creek from Long Island. They purchased an historic house with a barn that was constructed in 1870.  Like many places in the Leatherstocking Region, the property has a storied past. For several years, the house served as a local tavern. Later, the trolley line connecting Fly Creek and Cooperstown crossed the property.

Roemer and Anna poured their energies into their property. In the early years in the midst of house renovations, they enjoyed the vantage point it affords of the wetlands to the rear. Now 92, Roemer continues to enjoy home improvement projects, and recently completed an addition to his home with a view of the wetlands and the animals that live there.

Roemer’s quiet drive to leave the world better than he found it is not limited by the boundaries of his property. Several years ago, he joined other community leaders to purchase the Fly Creek Grange Hall and revive it as a gathering place for the community. Elder members of the Fly Creek community now meet at the Grange Hall every other Tuesday for luncheons and games.

Recently, Roemer’s attention was drawn to protecting his property and its wetlands in memory of his late wife Anna, resulting in his donation of a conservation easement to the Otsego Land Trust in May of this year. With the interest of others in mind, he made provisions in his easement for controlled public access to the land so others can enjoy his back yard wetlands as he has done for so long This portion of the greater wetlands complex will be known as the “Anna & Carl Roemer Wildlife Sanctuary” to those who traverse the old trolley line.

Roemer hopes that his donation will prompt others in the community to take similar conservation action. He envisions a trail system where the former trolley line ran, along the wetlands around Fly Creek, and eventually between Fly Creek and Cooperstown. The Otsego Land Trust is proud to partner with Roemer and other landowners in fulfilling this dream.