Schoharie County Youth Bureau, Landis Arboretum Partner

For Summer Fun and Educational Programs at Landis

SCHOHARIE COUNTY, NY (03/23/2008)(readMedia)-- With the summer season just weeks ahead, representatives of the Schoharie County Youth Bureau (Schoharie) and the Landis Arboretum (Esperance) made quick work of forging an enthusiastic partnership. The goal of their early March meeting was to explore opportunities to expand the program offerings of the Youth Bureau’s 2008 Summer Adventure Series and introduce more young people to the spectacular, 548-acre outdoor campus and nature-based, educational initiatives at Landis. A 2007 partnership between the Arboretum and the Wildlife Learning Company already has enhanced the calendar of educational opportunities available to area youth.

Under terms of the discussion, the Youth Bureau will expand its 2008 Summer Adventure series by building on existing Arboretum programs, such as one of its scheduled outdoor programs led by popular science educator George Steele (Amsterdam), or one the Albany Area Amateur Astronomers Star Parties at Landis or a Wildflower Walk with naturalist Ed Miller (Amsterdam). The events would be supplemented by a possible cookout, chaperoned sleep-over, a day-after self-guided hike at Landis, and a brown-bag “bonding” lunch with parents or guardians when they arrived to pick up their children.

“The potential outcomes of this relationship,” says Sara Robertson, Executive Director of the Schoharie Youth Bureau, “are nothing less than exciting – for us and for the Arboretum. We’re both grateful to Schoharie County Board Supervisor Earl Van Wormer for suggesting the meeting that brought us together. [After receiving a copy of the Arboretum’s six-page, 2008 Calendar of events, he suggested that there was a natural synergy between our organizations].”

Commenting on the quick action that resulted from his suggestion, Mr. Van Wormer praised both the Youth Bureau and the Arboretum for positive action and teamwork. “The willingness to explore options and find common ground for success is more important than ever in these challenging financial times, “ he said. “Despite limited budgets and small staffs, these organizations have demonstrated a willingness to work together and share ideas that will benefit not only themselves but those they serve in our County.”

According to Anne Donnelly, who heads the Arboretum’s Education Committee, “Already, we see this venture with the Schoharie Youth Bureau as the beginning of a dynamic and mutually beneficial relationship. We have a knowledgeable team of nurturing instructors in addition to the beautiful acreage at Landis. It is a place of great beauty, an abundant ecosystem, and the perfect natural classroom for the whole family to share in the fun of learning about the world around us.” Donnelly, who lives in Lawyersville, is a recently retired biologist from SUNY Cobleskill.

About the Bureau

The Youth Bureau is funded by both Schoharie County and the Office of Children and Family Services (OCFS) in Albany. With oversight from Cobleskill resident Sara Robertson -- and assistance from Program Coordinator George McDonnell and Youth Bureau Assistant JoAnne Jorgensen – the Youth Bureau allocates OCFS funding to municipalities and agencies that run youth programs.

Although it operates programs on its own, teamwork is part of the Youth Bureau’s culture and it also helps to produce varied programs in concert with other agencies and organizations. Some of these such as SCCAP’s (Schoharie County Community Action Program) Youth in Community Service, the Mentoring Program, the After Class Enrichment Program, and the Summer Co-Op Camp are well-established, well-know successes.

“In the coming months, we’ll run a Traveling Arts and Crafts Program for the younger youth in the County,” says Ms. Robertson. “We’ll continue to operate this program in Schoharie, Gallupville, Seward, Summit, and Esperance – even as we look to expand it into other towns and villages throughout the County.

“We also implement a high-energy, team-building program we call the Adventure series. It captures the enthusiasm of participants, nurtures leadership sills, and conveys the importance of working together to achieve success through fun activities as white water kayaking and rafting, rock climbing, hiking, canoeing, geo-caching, horseback riding, and camping. We look forward to teaming up with the Landis Arboretum for some of these and other Adventures!

On April 26, 2008, the organization will again participate in National Youth Service Day. The initiative will partner senior citizens in various towns and villages with energetic, young people who will assist seniors with challenging yard clean-up.

“Last year,” says Joanne Jorgenson, “we had a great time and accomplished a great deal! We have every expectation that this year will be the same.” For more information on this and any Youth Bureau programs, contact them at (518) 234-2686 or by e-mail at youth@co.schoharie.ny.us.

Strategic Partnering for Mutual Success

Arboretum Executive Director Thom O’Connor has spearheaded partnerships and information sharing on behalf of the Arboretum since his arrival two years ago. Working closely with Ms. Donnelly and the Arboretum’s Education Committee he pushed for completion of an annual Calendar that was distributed throughout the Capital Region last month.

“The results already are apparent – and our new and evolving relationship with The Schoharie County Youth Bureau is proof positive. People want to plan – and be part of the benefits that a managed plan offers,” he says. “Editors also want a heads-up as they plan special issues and get-away calendars for their readers. As a result of teamwork within the Arboretum, we have organizations from outside the area asking us to work with them on planning, executing, and promoting meaningful endeavors.”

O’Connor adds that for the Arboretum, the relationship helps to heighten the profile of the Capital Region’s Arboretum as a center of educational excellence, increasingly known and appreciated throughout the Northeast. “It also buttresses our goal of forming mutually beneficial, strategic partnerships that increase visitation/usage of the Arboretum and over time, contributes to membership. At the same time, we hope that interaction with the Schoharie Youth Bureau will help to expand our database of volunteers and attract the supporters of and participants in the SCYB as well as their families and friends to Landis.

"We also believe that as this relationship evolves, it will further supports our new vision of the Arboretum as a dynamic outdoor classroom and living laboratory available to education-focused organizations throughout the northeast. Working together with capable professionals such as Sara and other members of the Bureau, we can extend and enhance our value to the community at large.”

Currently, Landis has working relationships with Wildlife Learning Company, New York Power Authority, Schoharie River Project, and important alliances with venues such as Howe’s Cave, the Old Stone Fort Museums Complex, and Cave House. “Collectively, these liaisons buttress our goal of forming mutually beneficial, strategic partnerships that increase visitation and usage of the Arboretum. Over time, we will introduce more young people and their parents to Landis, increase membership, and contribute to tourism as well as education,” O’Connor says.

In an upcoming letter to educators throughout the northeast, Ms. Donnelly and Arboretum president Barbara Brabetz, who also chairs the Natural Science Department at SUNY Cobleskill, underscore the growing sentiment that connection with the natural world is essential for healthy childhood development and the well-being of children and adults. Teamwork with schools and other organizations such as the Schoharie County Youth Bureau provides an essential and cost-effective way, they suggest, to bringing nature back into the lives of all residents in the extended Capital Region.

Wildlife Perspective

Earlier this year, the Landis Arboretum announced an official partnership with Wildlife Learning Company, Inc. (Hartwick, NY). WLC 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.

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).

2008 Education Committee at Landis

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;

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

• 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.

Year-round Multi-faceted 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 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.

Contacts

Schoharie County Youth Bureau. Ms. Sara Robertson Director 349 Mineral Spring Road Cobleskill, NY 12043 Phone: (518) 234-2686 Fax: (518) 234-3951, sararobertson@co.schoharie.ny.us ...

Landis Arboretum. Anne Donnelly, Chairman, Education Committee. PO Box 186, Esperance, NY 12066 Phone: (518) 234-2686 (Fax) 518) 875-6394, info@landisarboretum.org. www.LandisArboretum.org.

EDITORS, PLEASE NOTE: If you have never experienced the Landis Arboretum, please accept an invitation to visit us for a guided tour. The Arboretum is a photographers' delight and writers’ muse!