Fred Breglia Selected To Attend National Conservation Forum in San Diego

Fred Breglia, Director of Horticulture and Operations of the Landis Arboretum in Esperance, has been selected by the Institute of Museum and Library Services (IMLS) to attend a national forum, February 19 and 20, 2009, in San Diego, California, entitled "It's Alive! Petals to Primates: Preservation Challenges of Living Collections." He is one of more than 50 representatives of small and medium-sized living collection institutions nationwide invited to participate based on their leadership in the profession and in their communities.

The conference program will explore the range of challenges facing America's smaller institutions housing collections of plants and animals. National conservation leaders, government officials, and professionals from zoos, aquariums, botanical gardens, nature centers, and living history farms will address issues relevant to caring for and sustaining treasured living collections. IMLS, the primary source of federal support for the nation's libraries, museums and living collections, will present this event in cooperation with the San Diego Zoo, and Heritage Preservation, a Washington, DC-based nonprofit dedicated to preserving the country's heritage.

"Living collection institutions-from aquariums to zoos-play a very special role in our communities. We value them as places where we can learn about natural history and science, consider concepts of conservation and sustainability, and experience nature with friends and family," said IMLS Director Anne-Imelda Radice, PhD. "At IMLS, we know that these special museums face unique conservation challenges. We are delighted to offer this opportunity for professionals from these institutions to come together and learn from each other."

The forum will include sessions on protecting collections from natural disasters; organizing and caring for records and photographs that document their collections; and attracting funding in tough economic times. Douglas G. Myers, CEO/executive director of the Zoological Society of San Diego, will be the keynote speaker.

"It's Alive!" is part of IMLS's multi-year, multi-faceted national program, Connecting to Collections: A Call to Action. It is the third of a series of four national forums designed to raise awareness among leaders of small and mid-sized museums and libraries about the importance of collections care and to give them practical information, tools, and resources to inspire action nationwide.

The forum will be held at the Joan B. Kroc Institute for Peace & Justice at the University of San Diego. It is open to museum, library and archives professionals. The Legler Benbough Foundation, the President's Committee on the Arts and the Humanities, Disney's Animal Kingdom, and the Chanticleer Foundation are providing support for the forum and participant stipends.

Information is available at: http://www.imls.gov/collections/tour.

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About the Institute of Museum and Library Services
The Institute of Museum and Library Services is the primary source of federal support for the nation's 122,000 libraries and 17,500 museums. The Institute's mission is to create strong libraries and museums that connect people to information and ideas. The Institute works at the national level and in coordination with state and local organizations to sustain heritage, culture, and knowledge; enhance learning and innovation; and support professional development. To learn more about the Institute, please visit www.imls.gov.

About Heritage Preservation
Heritage Preservation is the national organization dedicated to preserving our nation's heritage. Its members include libraries, museums, archives, historic preservation organizations, historical societies, conservation organizations, and other professional groups concerned with saving the past for the future. For more information, please visit www.heritagepreservation.org.

About the Landis Arboretum

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 of the northern Catskills.

The Landis Arboretum includes a nationally recognized collection of oaks and is registered with the North American Plant Collections Consortium (NAPCC). The Arboretum also is included in the New York State Route 20 Bluebird Trail, bringing even more birdwatchers to the site. The Arboretum's vast dark sky and wide horizons attract area astronomers to its meeting house and parking field for sky-watching events

The Arboretum embraces hundreds of outstanding trees and shrubs from around the world assembled on a 548-acre, privately held, former estate of its founder Fred Lape on his family farm in the Northern Catskills. Straddling Montgomery and Schoharie Counties, Landis encompasses expansive grounds with imaginative and well-maintained natural heritage collections, public gardens, and acres of natural areas, considered excellent for viewing wildlife in their native ecosystems. ]

As the Capital Region's Arboretum, Landis serves all residents in the extended Capital Region, which includes (Albany, Columbia, Fulton, Greene, Montgomery, Otsego, Rensselaer, Saratoga, Schenectady, Schoharie, and Ulster). Many regular visitors to Landis hail from Western Massachusetts, the Berkshires, Westchester, and western New York State. A 501 c 3 corporation, the Arboretum depends heavily of donations, grants, and fundraising events.

Within under two miles travel distance from scenically designated Route 20 and the route I-88 corridor that links Albany with Cooperstown, Finger Lakes Regions and beyond, the Landis Arboretum is an accessible national treasure within easy reach of New York State's Capital Region.

Contacts: Jill Collins Public Relations Group, 703-716-0925, jill@JillCollinsPR.com or Giuliana Bullard at Duetto Communications, 703-532-1477, duetto@verizon.net