Landis Arboretum’s Breglia Honored by SUNY Cobleskill

ESPERANCE, NY (10/01/2007)(readMedia)-- Fred Breglia, Landis Arboretum Director of Horticulture and Operations, accepted SUNY Cobleskill’s 2007 Outstanding Alumnus accolade on Saturday, September 29 before a capacity crowd in the Prentice Hall Dining Room. In presenting Mr. Breglia with the award, Dr. Anne Myers, president of the college, told Mr. Breglia that the commendation was in “recognition of your professional achievement, expertise in your field, and community leadership and involvement.”

In praising Mr. Breglia for his accomplishments, Dr. Myers good-naturedly chided his lack of application while a student in her technical writing course, which had a reputation throughout the college. Responding in kind, Mr. Breglia said tongue-in-cheek that it was far from his favorite class but he was happy that he was “strongly encouraged” to persevere because the skills learned through it have served him throughout his career.

In his acceptance speech, Mr. Breglia accounted much of his personal and personal growth to learning early in life that “There’s no I in T.E.A.M. I have had a great support team all throughout my life.”

He acknowledged the overriding support of his family throughout his life “in supporting my decisions and encouraging me to go further…through good times and through bad times.” He had special words of affection for his mother Josie Breglia of Richmondville and for his “fiancée and best friend Erin McKenna” – also a SUNY Cobleskill graduate – “for always being there for me. Erin is also one of my biggest fans,” he said. “She’s the only person who has taken my pruning class more than 150 times – and it’s not because she failed!” a remark that evoked spontaneous laughter throughout the room.

“I want to thank SUNY Cobleskill College, particularly the Plant Science Department for providing me with a great educational experience,” he said. “That was really the key that unlocked many doors in my career. Thanks to all my professors who supported me and believed in me -- and even taught me a few things, too. Thanks also to Lois Goblet [Director of Alumni Relations] and to retired professor Tom Bowes, both of whom were instrumental in my standing here tonight.”

He also praised the Landis Arboretum, which he called a truly a magical place, as well as its Trustees, past and present, executive director Thom O’Connor, and the many volunteers who work at Landis.

“Those of you who know me know that I am a strong advocate for the protection and preservation of the Earth -- particularly old growth forests. These forests are the lungs of the earth and are essential tools to regulate greenhouse gases and are one of our biggest allies in the fight to help mitigate global climate change.”

He acknowledged Dave Yarrow, executive director of Turtle EyeLand Sanctuary (East Greenbush, NY), Bruce Kershner, and other old growth forest advocates “who have been part of my team on the New York Old Growth Forest Association.

“This year,” he told the gathering, “I have been working with Senator Mary Lou Rath (Buffalo) to create the first ever Old Growth Proposed Law that will be introduced in the next few months. It’s called the Bruce S. Kershner Heritage Tree Preservation and Protection Act and WHEN passed, this law will change the way we look at our old forests as well as provide a tax incentive to people wishing to preserve land. It is named after my friend -- and friend of the forest --Bruce Kershner, who died last year.

“I believe if you really love the career you pick, then you never have to go to work again. I encourage everyone to pursue their dreams, because when you do, anything is possible…

Accepting this award tonight, in the presence of family, friends, and supporters, just makes me want to push harder to reach new heights and cross new frontiers -- both in my career and my personal life.” Holding his award in the air, he concluded, “It’s great to be alive!”

Mr. Breglia acceptance speech was interrupted often by zealous supporters who know him from his wide-ranging activities and interests.

Repeat Performance This is the second time this year that Mr. Breglia has been honored by a Capital Region institution. The SUNY commendation follows closely on the heels of Mr. Breglia’s selection as one of the Capital Region’s 40 Under Forty young entrepreneurs by the Business Review. Next month, The State University of New York will honor Mr. Breglia as it marks the 40th anniversary of its Educational Opportunity Program, in which Mr. Breglia was a participant.

For horticulturalists, environmentalists, "earth watchers,” and an increasing number of socially conscious Capital Region residents alike, his name conjures up near-instant associations with several established entities that serve as emblematic bellwethers in the forefront of environmental issues throughout the northeast. Among these are: • The Landis Arboretum, where he serves as director of horticulture and operations; • The New York Old Growth Forest Association, of which he is cofounder and president. • New York State Champion Tree Project Inc., a non-profit entity dedicated to the preservation and propagation of National and NYS champion trees, for which he is a Board Member and official Tree; • The Schoharie County Big Tress Project, for which he serves as official measurer – and personally nominated 30 trees for Champion designation); and • The Earth Charter Roundtable, for which Mr. Breglia is a highly visible, active, and passionate advocate.

His reputation and influence have been paramount in expanding the span of influence of the Landis Arboretum within professional organizations nationally (e.g. registration of the arboretum with the APGA/NAPCC -- American Public Garden Association/North American Plant Collections Consortium) and within gardening circles throughout the northeast (he is a frequent speaker at garden clubs and an annual mainstay at the Capital District Annual Flower and Garden Show).

National Recognition of Technical Skill and Implementation Perhaps, most symbolic of Mr. Breglia’s growing reputation and networking abilities was the coveted designation last Fall of the Landis Arboretum among only 15 public gardens nationwide chosen to participate with The Chicago Botanic Garden, in collaboration with the American Public Gardens Association (APGA), and the University of Kansas, in a two-phased, three-year initiative to develop a distributed database system for Web-based querying. Major funding for the project is provided by a National Leadership Grant from the Institute of Museum and Library Services.

Called PlantCollectionsTM, the shared system will enable information from multiple institutions currently in a variety of incompatible database formats to be accessed and integrated into comprehensive inventories. The results can then be analyzed to identify gaps and redundancies within the combined holdings, a first step in coordinating a continent-wide approach to plant germplasm preservation. Plans are under way with SUNY Cobleskill to establish a curriculum that will make the intricacies of the PlantCollections BG-BASE software available trough the SUNY Plant Sciences department.

Mr. Breglia is a nationally known ISA Certified arborist, frequent speaker, author, artist, musician, and educator. Capital District residents know him well as a regular guest on WAMC's Vox Pop Gardening Show.

A modern day renaissance man in the tradition of Arboretum founder Fred Lape, Mr. Breglia is a frequent and unabashed open-mic participant at area comedy clubs. He even has his own band, Fred and Friends.