A state forest in southeastern Steuben County will nearly double in size, providing greater public access, thanks to the Finger Lakes Land Trust.

The Ithaca-based organization announced it has completed the largest conservation project in its 35-year history with the purchase of nearly 1,000 acres, known as "Bad Bear Hill." The land features one mile of frontage along the Canisteo River.

The 992-acre property is located in the towns of Erwin and Lindley, just southwest of Corning and east of Addison.

Visible from Interstate 99, the property has an elevation of 1,520 feet at its highest point. It features forested hillsides, multiple streams, small meadows, and miles of existing trails.