Arboretum’s Breglia Speaks at Adirondack Mountain Club Symposium;

Event to Honor Deceased Conservation Advocate Bruce Kershner

ESPERANCE, NY (04/09/2008)(readMedia)-- The Landis Arboretum’s ISA Certified Arborist Fred Breglia will be among the featured speakers at a Trees Symposium scheduled for Saturday April 12 Woodlawn State Beach Park, S-3580 Lakeshore Rd, Blasdell, NY.

The symposium, which is sponsored by the Adirondack Mountain Club (ADK), the Sierra Club, Buffalo Audubon Society, and the Citizens Campaign for the Environment, is presented by the Niagara Frontier Chapter of ADK . Doors open at 8:30 am. Participants are invited to bring a lunch to enjoy along the lake. The day concludes with guided hikes at 1:30 pm and 3 pm.

For horticulturalists, environmentalists, and "earth watchers" alike, the name Fred Breglia conjures up near-instant associations with several established entities:

  • The Landis Arboretum, where he serves as director of horticulture and operations;
  • The Earth Charter Roundtable, for which Mr. Breglia is a highly visible, active, and passionate advocate; and
  • The New York Old Growth Forest Association, of which he is cofounder and president.

Mr. Breglia is a nationally known arborist, frequent speaker, author, and educator. Capital District residents know him well as a regular guest (King of Trees) on Northeast Public Radio’s Vox Pop Gardening Show with popullar author and gardening consultant Larry Sombke.

Currently he is working with the Office of New York State Senator Mary Lou Rath. (61st Senate District) to pass legislation to protect ancient forests in New York Sate. The bill is named after renowned old growth forest advocate Bruce Kershner who died last year. Mr. Kershner authored a dozen books – and is coauthor with Robert Leverett of the Sierra Club Guide to Old Growth Forests of the Northeast.

Mr. Breglia currently is featured in Kaatskill Life magazine:” Views from the Past” by author and photographer Russ Patton, Jr. (Spring 2008, Vol. 23, No. 1; 607-746-2176).

Among the speakers expected at April 12 symposium are: Paul Maurer, founder and co-chair, Re-Tree WNY; Michael Siuta, editor, Clintonia (Niagara Frontier Botanical Society Newsletter); Frank Seischab, PhD, Professor Emeritus at RIT; and Bill Hudson, Executive Director, Buffalo Audubon Society.

About Landis As the Capital region’s Arboretum, Landis is a multifaceted natural jewel. It now encompasses 548 acres of trees, shrubs, old growth forest and, of course, breath-taking vistas and memorable gardens. Long a destination of choice among Capital District gardeners, environmentalists, nature lovers, hikers, bikers, and birders, the Landis Arboretum may be one of the best-kept secrets among Capital Region residents. The Arboretum is located 1.5 miles off Scenic Route 20 in Esperance, NY, an easy drive from anyplace within the Capital Region. For more information: 518-875-6935. Info@landisarboretum.net; www.landisarboretum.org

Getting to Symposium From north or south, take route 5 (Lake Shore Drive) to intersection with Route 179. Follow signs to Woodlawn State Beach Park.

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