NEW FACES ENERGIZE 548-ACRE ARBORETUM

ESPERANCE, NY (03/09/2008)(readMedia)-- The Landis Arboretum’s Board of Directors welcomed seven new Trustees, following unanimous approval at its February meeting. All appointments were effective immediately.

William (Bill) Bill Bateman

A Licensed Architect practicing since 1989, Bill’s work began on Hilton Head Island, SC and the surrounding area. Although the bulk of subsequent engagements centered on single family residential structures, he maintained commercial, multi-family and religious practice. Residential projects usually were located in "gated communities" on view lots (golf, marsh, river and ocean).

Bill has served on several "Architectural Review Boards" in the capacity of Consulting Architect. Currently working with the Sharon Springs School District Board of Education on their NYS Excel Grant program. A former resident of Schoharie County, Bill and his family presently live in Hillsdale, NY in Columbia County.

Gail Browning

Gail is well-known throughout the region for her commendable work spearheading initiatives as a senior member of the SUNY Cobleskill Community Outreach program. John Sagendorf, long-time Arboretum supporter and former Managing Director of Howe Caverns commented: “Getting Gail on your team [is] an exceptional accomplishment for the Arboretum. She knows everyone – and knows how to manage multiple projects to successful outcomes simultaneously.”

After moving to Idaho, Gail has returned to the area, lives in Esperance, where she operates a business consultancy that specializes in Small Businesses. Gail is married to former Arboretum Treasurer Dave Browning.

Gary DeLuke

Mr. DeLuke is president of White Birch Nursery (Schenectady), a premier landscaping enterprise in the Capital Region. A staunch supporter of the Landis Arboretum, he and his firm were instrumental in major upgrades to the Arboretum grounds in 2007.

In addition to his contributions to the Arboretum, he is an active member of The New York State Nursery and Landscape Association (NYSNLA). a member of the American Diabetes Association, the Adirondack Mountain Club, the Adirondack Ski Touring Council, and the Mohawk-Hudson Cycling Club.

Alan French

Mr. French and his wife Susan (Glenville) have been sharing the night sky with people at star parties in the Capital District for more than 30 years. He is a telescope maker, but also enjoys naked-eye astronomy.

In addition to being a member of the Town of Glenville's Park Planning Commission, Mr French is Vice President of Dudley Observatory's Board of Trustees and the Albany Area Amateur Astronomers. The Albany Area Astronomers foster public interest and enjoyment of astronomy. They meet regularly by the Landis Arboretum Meetinghouse since the Arboretum offers a dark sky and good horizons. Alan French has been an active supporter and frequent volunteer at Arboretum events and in addition to his work as an Arboretum Trustee serves as an active member of the expanded Education Committee at Landis. In addition to amateur astronomy, Alan and Sue enjoy birding and hiking.

Susan M. O’Handley

Susan O’Handley (Hartwick) is Vice President of Wildlife Learning Company, Inc., a full-service environmental education company offering services and products to schools, libraries, environmental organizations and members of the general public. Wildlife Learning Company provided programs to more than 6,000 participants last year.

A federal and state licensed wildlife rehabilitator, Susan is also a primary caretaker of the WLC live animal teaching collection. She Susan enjoys bird watching and canoeing, and reading for fun. She serves as lead contact for the Arboretum’s recently announced partnership with WLC and is an active member of the Arboretum’s Education Committee.

Steve Perog

Presently Mr. Perog is co-owner and vice president of the Capital Supply Company (Duanesburg), whose business focuses on chemical sales and safety services throughout New York State.

In addition to his longstanding and active support for the Arboretum, Mr. Perog is leader for Duanesburgh’s Boy Scout Troop 51, and a member of the Duanesburg Area Community Center from which he recently retired as Vice President of the its Board for six years.

He is an active member of Duanesburg Lion’s Club, the Esperance Elks, the Lower Adirondack Search and Rescue Team, and the Schoharie County Chapter of Ducks Unlimited, which is focused on conservation of wetlands. He also is a member of the Nature Conservancy and New York Trails.

Jeanne Stefanik Retired Manager of the Severino Center for Technological Entrepreneurship at Rensselaer Polytechnic Institute, Jeanne Stefanik (Cobleskill) held responsibilities for budgets and operations as well as developing programs for students with an interest in entrepreneurship. In 2002, launched the Women in Entrepreneurship symposiums and $50K Tech Valley Collegiate Business Plan Competition.

When CNN chose Troy-based RPI among America's Best Colleges for Entrepreneurs B-schools with entrepreneurial flair it cited Jeanne Stefanik. “Under the direction of entrepreneurship champion Jeanne Stefanik, the school's Severino Center for Technological Entrepreneurship, and its Tech Valley Collegiate Business Plan Competition have ignited startup creation on campus and in the surrounding community…”

Combing Past and Future for Continuity

These new Trustees join incumbent directors Barbara Brabetz (Amsterdam), Board President; Jeff Schworm (Delanson), Vice President; Gerald Peters (Cobleskill), Treasurer; Donna Vincent (Delanson), Secretary to the Board; Scott Trees (Summit), Member at Large; and Anne Donnelly, (Lawyersville) who serves as Board-level Champion for two of the Arboretum’s most active Committees – Publication and Education – as the Executive Committee of the Landis Board.

Continuing Board members include: Jonathan DiCesare (Cobleskill); Tom Edmunds (West Fulton), Dottie Gallo-Vojnar (Esperance), Maria Kuethe (Schenectady), and Jim Paley (Duanesburg).

Board members whose term limits expired in December 2007 include: Jack Fritz (Esperance), Ken Hotopp (Howes Cave), Bonnie Keller (Fort Plain) and Dottie Gallo-Vojnar. Mr. Fritz, Mr. Hotopp, and Ms. Gallo-Vojnar remain active members of various Arboretum Committees including those focused on horticulture, buildings and grounds maintenance and improvement, the annual signature Arboretum Plant/Book/Bake Sale fundraisers, and the Summer Solstice Soiree (garden party).

Education Committee Expanded for 2008

The Arboretum enters the New Year energized by both a new and dynamic partnership with Otsego County-based Wildlife Learning Company (see story below) and the collective focus of an expanded Education Committee.

In addition to Committee Chair Anne Donnelly and career environmental education professional Susan O’Handley, its members include:

• Arboretum Board Chair Barbara Brabetz, a regular guest on National Public Radio's WAMC’s Vox Pop Science Show and chair of Natural Sciences Department at SUNY Cobleskill,

• Award-winning nature photographer Bill Combs, Jr., of Bill Combs Jr. Photographic & Design Services. Mr. Combs plans to combine lectures and practicum in nature photographer at Landis in 2008. His images are readily available at www.landisarboretum.org, and www.FloridaWildlifePhotos.com.

• Alan French, Vice President, Dudley Observatory Board of Trustees, and Vice President, Albany Area Amateur Astronomers

• John M. McKeeby, Director. Schoharie River Center, a not-for-profit organization dedicated to educational and cultural programming about the Schoharie Creek and the communities which make up the Schoharie River Valley. Esperance, NY (www.schoharierivercenter.org).

• Gina Nielsen (Glenville), a longtime Landis member and multi-faceted educator whose background includes a Bachelor of Science in Biology and a Master of Science degree in Science Education;

• Gerald Peters, longtime educator, Arboretum Trustee and Treasurer, and current Treasurer of the New York State Reading Association; and

• Steve Ramsey, Community Relations Manager, New York Power Authority, \Blenheim/Gilboa facility, and Arboretum supporter

• Science educator George Steele, a popular and seasoned, award-winning environmental education consultant since 1992 working with a wide range of programs including children’s summer camps, museums, nature centers, outdoor education centers, state agencies, libraries and schools throughout the northeast.

According to Arboretum Board president Barbara Brabetz, “In today’s economic environment, our Education Committee joins our Trustees in the concerted commitment to explore alternatives to our traditional approach to programming -- and to help the Arboretum to toward promoting the Arboretum’s 548-acres as a dynamic, living laboratory and classroom in which other organizations stage their educational programs. Our expanded, all-volunteer committee already has made major contributions to the future of educational endeavors at the Arboretum. We look forward to an exciting year ahead.”

Wildlife-Arboretum Partnership Raises Bar on Excellence In Outdoor Education Options for Capital Region Residents

From the perspective of Arboretum Education Committee Chair Anne Donnelly, the synergy created by the shared vision of the Landis Arboretum (LA) and the Wildlife Learning Company (WLC/Hartwick) – offers a rich diversity of educational opportunities to teach and to learn about nature through seasoned educational professionals working within the spectacular 548-acre Arboretum.

Wildlife Perspective

Wildlife Learning Company, Inc. is a full-service environmental education company offering services and products to schools, libraries, environmental organizations and members of the general public. WLC promotes conservation through education and strives to connect people to nature by providing programs and products that foster an appreciation of the natural environment, impart an understanding of how natural systems function, and create a desire for people to explore the natural world further and take personal responsibility for its protection and care. Wildlife Learning Company provided programs to more than 6,000 participants last year.

“We envision a dynamic collaborative partnership with the Landis Arboretum,” says Susan M. O’Handley, Vice President of Wildlife Learning Company, Inc. “I see this collaboration with Landis Arboretum as a positive step to establishing a strong market for environmental education services in the Central New York region.”

Ms.O’Handley and her husband Jeffrey O'Handley (who serves as president of WLC) are career environmental educators with more than 30 years combined experience in live animal and environmental education programming and administration. Mr. O’Handley has worked extensively in environmental education programming and administration as well as exhibit design and implementation. Both O’Handleys are seasoned professionals adept at bringing the richness of nature to students, educators, and members of the general public. Both also have been responsible for the care, maintenance, and handling of live animals similar to those Wildlife Learning Company maintains for use in programs.

Expanded Initiatives

As outlined in the agreement signed in the final days of December 2007, Wildlife Learning Company (WLC) will work directly with schools and educators who are interested in field environmental education programs at the Landis Arboretum (LA). In additional WLC is taking on Administrative Responsibilities, which will include coordinating dates among WLC staff, school educators and LA staff; scheduling programs, and administration of finances for all programs through WLC.

The initial programs envisioned at the Arboretum as part of the managed rollout of the partnership curriculum include daylong pond and forest ecology programs.

In addition to field ecology programs, schools may also schedule any of WLC’s traditional in-school Live Animal programs for single-classroom size audiences to be held at Landis. Several classes visiting can combine an animal program with a modified field ecology program or choose to do other independent activities.

Wildlife Learning Company also will offer a variety of public programs at Landis throughout the year and will assist Landis staff and board members in finding funding to support these. Programs and topics are fully flexible. Examples: Owls: Our Nocturnal Neighbors (to complement to fall and winter Owl Prowl programs); From Lake to Sea; Raptors of Central NY; Wildlife of NY State; Birding Basics; Field Ecology walks; Nature Journaling; Teacher Trainings for national Environmental Education Curricula. (www.wildlearn.com).

Under terms of the agreement, the Landis Arboretum will assume primary responsibility for promoting the programs as part of its already extensive Calendar of family-focused outdoor education and entertainment events.

Panoply of Offerings

The excitement of the Education Committee already has spilled over into innovative offerings for the New Year, says Ms. Donnelly. In celebration of their new partnership for environmental education, Wildlife Learning Company and Landis Arboretum offer national environmental education curriculums through teacher training sessions this Spring at the Arboretum.

Teacher Trainings for National Environmental Curricula Off¬ered at Landis Arboretum's breathtaking property in Esperance, NY except where noted.

Saturday, March 22, 9:30 am - 3:30 pm (NYPA, Gilboa)

+Flying WILD +is an exciting new program that introduces middle school students to bird conservation through classroom activities and school bird festivals. Flying WILD supports educators by providing interdisciplinary, standards-based learning experiences to engage students, helping them understand the importance of migratory birds and their conservation. A 360 page guide contains more than 40 activities along with all the information needed to plan a student-led bird festival at your school. Materials are funded by Return a Gift to Wildlife in New York State. Preference for this workshop is given for formal and non-formal educators working with students, grades 6-9. $20/participant

Saturday, April 26, 9:30 am - 2:30 pm

Project WILD (Wildlife in Learning Design), is an interdisciplinary conservation and environmental education program emphasizing wildlife. The curriculum assists students of any age in developing awareness, knowledge, skills and commitment, resulting in informed decisions, responsible behavior and constructive actions concerning wildlife and the environment. Aquatic WILD is an extension of the original Project WILD that addresses aquatic wildlife and serves as an invitation to explore and understand the fascinating world of water and the aquatic habitats it supports. Two curriculum guides are provided: Project WILD, containing more than 120 activities in 525 pages and Aquatic WILD, containing 50 activities in 260 pages. Materials are funded by Return a Gift to Wildlife in New York State. This workshop is appropriate for formal and non-formal educators of grades K-12. $20/participant

Saturday, May 31, 9:30 am - 3:30 pm

Project WET is a collection of innovative, water-related activities that are hands-on, easy to use and fun! Project WET, a thorough water education program, explores people’s relationships to water and also addresses water’s chemical and physical properties, quantity and quality issues, aquatic wildlife, ecosystems, and management strategies. Created in 1995, the curriculum contains 91 activities in more than 500 pages. Materials are funded in New York State by NYS DEC Division of Water Resources. This workshop is appropriate for formal and non-formal educators of grades K-12. $20/participant

Saturday, June 7, 9:30 am - 4:00 pm

The Leopold Education Project is an innovative, interdisciplinary educational program based on the classic writings of the renowned conservationist, Aldo Leopold. The LEP curriculum was developed to teach the public about humanity’s ties to the natural world and to provide leadership in the effort to conserve and protect the earth’s natural resources. LEP seeks to instill a love, a respect, and an admiration for the land, leading to an ecologically literate citizenry with and intense consciousness of the earth and its inhabitants. Materials are sponsored by NYS DEC and include: LEP Teacher’s Guide: Lessons in a Land Ethic (21 activities in more than 80 pages); A Sand County Almanac and LEP Task Cards. This workshop is appropriate for formal and non-formal educators of grades K-12. $20 per participant

Time spent on each of these workshops can be used towards in-service credits; participants should obtain approval from their district. Registrations are limited; deadline 10 days prior to each workshop date. Contact Wildlife Learning Company: 607-293-6043

More Educational Innovation at Landis

Environmental Conservation Officer and Landis member Keith Isles (K-9 Unit) presents a 45 minute demonstration during which he explains the role of Environmental Conservation Officers and how dogs are used to assist them. He also offers insight into the training process and the areas of canine deployment, such as handler protection, human tracking, wildlife detection for apprehending poachers, etc.

The Arboretum also plans to facilitate a Law Enforcement educational program appropriate for grade school and/or middle school students called EAGLES. To learn more about this important security program, visit www.dec.ny.gov.

These new programs are scheduled on a group by group basis. Call the Arboretum office (518.875.6394) or write info@landisarboretum.org.

Undiminished Star Power

The Arboretum will continue its close relationship with Alan French and the Albany Amateur Astronomer, which hold regularly scheduled Star Parties open to the general public.

Mr. French has been exploring the night sky for more than 40 years. He and his wife Susan have been sharing their view of the heavens with people in the Capital District for more than 30 years. Mr. French is a telescope maker, but also enjoys naked-eye astronomy. He is Vice President of Dudley Observatory's Board of Trustees and the Albany Area Amateur Astronomers.

The Albany Area Amateur Astronomers meet regularly at the Landis Arboretum meetinghouse for its dark skies and good horizons. The AAAA fosters public interest and enjoyment of astronomy. This group of more than 125 enthusiasts, from beginner to expert, meets on the third Tuesday of the month at 7:30 pm at the Schenectady Museum, with the exception of the August meeting, which is held at the Landis Arboretum in Esperance, NY. Meeting programs include speakers, films, slide shows, and planetarium demonstrations. Phone 518-382-7584 after 5 PM or on weekends to hear this free recording.

Year-round Multi-faceted EducationalJewel

The Landis Arboretum 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 Arboretum is central to the New York State Wine and Spa Trails and in close proximity to historic Sharon Springs. And, it is a natural stop for those traveling to the high-volume tourist attractions between the Albany, Cooperstown, and Finger Lakes Regions.

The Landis Arboretum is located 1.5 miles off scenic-designated Route 20 in Esperance, NY, a beautiful and easy drive from throughout the Capital Region. The grounds of Landis are open daily, year-round, from dawn until dusk. www.landisarboretum.org, info@landisarboretum.org, 518-875-6935.

Contact:

Susan O’Handley, Vice President, Wildlife Learning Company, Inc., 107 East Hill Road, Hartwick, NY 13348, (607) 293-6043 • Fax: (607) 293-6675; message@wildlearn.com, www.wildlearn.com.

Anne Donnelly, Chair, Education Committee, Landis Arboretum, PO Box 186, Lape Road, Esperance, NY 12066, (518) 875-6935/(518) 875-6394, info@landisarboretum.org, www.landisarboretum.org

The George Landis Arboretum

The Landis Arboretum may well be the northern Catskill Region’s best-kept secret. With centuries of history and the riveting beauty inherent in the Arboretum’s world-class, global collections, generations of extraordinary plantings continue to impart their secrets to its visitors. http://www.catskillregionguide.com/articles/article.php?id=995

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