New and Familiar Faces Lead Landis Arboretum in '09;

Looking Forward to an Exciting -- if lean -- New Year

ESPERANCE, NY (01/12/2009)(readMedia)--

End-of-year planning, elections, and appointments have yielded a new slate of officers and committee chairs to take the Arboretum forward in what is expected to be a challenging fiscal year. Effective January 1, 2009, the new lineup of trustees and committee chairs includes:

Board of Trustees

  • President - Anne Donnelly (Lawyersville)
  • Vice President - Gail Browning (Esperance)
  • Secretary - Donna Vincent (Delanson)
  • Treasurer - Barbara Brabetz (Amsterdam)
  • At Large - Jeff Schworm (Duanesburg)

Rounding out the 14-person board are: William Bateman (Stuyvesant); Gary DeLuke (Schenectady); Jonathan DiCesare (Cobleskill); Alan French (Scotia); Dottie Gallo-Vojnar (Esperance); Susan O'Handley (Hartwick); Jim Paley and Steve Perog (Duanesburg); and Scott Trees (Richmondville).

Committee and Event Chairs

Committees and volunteers are essential to the Arboretum's work as a center of excellence in outdoor education. New and familiar faces will help guide committee work to new heights in 2009: Committee and event chairs will serve as champions for each committee and interact with the Board as needed.

  • Buildings & Grounds - Ken Hotopp (Howes Cave)
  • Education - Gina Nielsen (Glenville)
  • Horticulture - Jeff Schworm
  • Membership - Susan O'Handley (Hartwick)
  • Plant Sale Co-chairs - Fred Breglia (Esperance) and Thom O'Connor (Richmondville)
  • Publications - Nolan Marciniec (Johnstown)
  • Annual Landis Arboretum Forest Run: A Cross Country 5K Family Classic Co-chairs - Barbara Brabetz, and Jonathan DiCesare (Cobleskill)
  • Summer Solstice Soirée (Garden Party) - Donna Vincent
  • Special Events - Donna Vincent and Thom O'Connor

Newly elected Arboretum Board President Anne Donnelly has served as chair to both the Publications and Educations committees for two years, working closely with all members of the Arboretum's Board.

"We could not go forward without acknowledging the commitment and hard work of those who have served the Arboretum," she says.

"As a team, we thank out-going president Jeff Schworm, who took the reins from President Barbara Brabetz over the past five, difficult months. We are indebted, too, to Barbara who stepped into the treasurer position when Jerry Peters resigned.

"Susan O'Handley, vice president of the Wildlife Learning Company and executive director of the Cooperstown Chamber of Commerce, has assumed the very critical membership component of our business. We also thank volunteer Jan Peters (Cobleskill) for doing that task when it was sorely needed in 2007-2008.

"Our membership can be confident in the fact that we have strong, hard working, and congenial teams going forward. Working in concert with executive director Thom O'Connor, we look forward to an exciting - if lean - 2009."

And, she adds: "Members who have the time and interest in participating on any Arboretum Committee, will be sincerely welcomed."

Multifaceted Jewel

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 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

Widening the Door to Natural Wonders for All

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.

Ease of access from all points extends the geographic reach of the Arboretum: Central to NYS Wine and Spa Trails; the Arboretum benefits from its proximity to historic Sharon Springs, Old Stone Fort Museums Complex, Howe Caverns, the Iroquois Indian Museum, the refurbished Cave House, SUNY Cobleskill, and the reputed farms of Schoharie County.

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.

The Landis Arboretum is open to all individuals and conducts all institutional operations in accordance with requirements of Title VI of the Federal Civil Rights Act of 1964 and the Rehabilitation Act of 1963, as amended which bar discrimination on the basis of race, age, color, nationality, handicap, or place of residence. In the spirit of Landis Founder Fred Lape, the Arboretum also includes affectional preference in an attempt to reflect progressive times and ensure a welcoming environment for all.

The Arboretum conducts business in compliance with Equal Employment Opportunity requirements of Article 15A of the Executive Law. Whenever possible, the Arboretum attempts to meet the unique needs and expectations of special populations.

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. More at http://www.landisarboretum.org, by writing info@landisarboretum.org, or calling 518.875.6935.