Trees dying at alarming rate, study warns

Multilevel, Month-long Showcase on Global Warming

International news and science journals are reporting that the death of old-growth forests in the western United States and Canada is increasing at a stunning rate, a troubling trend linked directly to global warming that could soon transform forests into carbon-dioxide emitters rather than much-needed carbon sinks, a new study warns.

The report, published today in the journal Science, examined 76 undisturbed stands in Oregon, Washington, California, Arizona, Colorado, New Mexico, and British Columbia, which were at least 200 years old. Some were more than 1,000 years old.

These developments add to the timeliness and poignancy of an extensive exhibit on global warning by Landis Arboretum Arborist and artist Ferdinand Breglia,

Art imitating nature? The ego acting out through unconscious, creative activity? Whatever your perspective, it is sure to find a fresh flashpoint for discussion at an exhibit of art and sculpture by Schoharie Region artist Ferdinand Breglia. Whether conscious or unconscious, his visual musings on the future of global warming are both provocative and fascinating.

A month-long exhibit of Mr. Breglia's perspective -- Global Warming: When Trees Talk -- opens at the TriCounty Arts Council's Gallery 107 in Cobleskill, NY, on Friday, February 6. Artist presentation, 4 - 5 pm. Opening Reception, 5 - 7 pm.

Fifteen large-scale works by Mr. Breglia will be complemented by

• A personal perspective/overview on global warming by Mr. Breglia, who an ISA Certified Arborist and Head of Horticulture at Landis, the Capital Region's Arboretum (on opening night); and
• Appearances at the reception by John Scarpulla, Tom Wadsworth, and Tom Wetmore --popular regional musicians and supporters of the TriCounty Arts Council, the Landis Arboretum, and environmental issues;

The month-long exhibit at Gallery 107 will also include two additional events with times and dates to be announced:

• Confronting Climate Change. David Yarrow, author, journalist, teacher, Earth Advocate, and Executive Director of the Turtle EyeLand Sanctuary, East Greenbush, NY (http://terrapreta.bioenergylists.org/yarrowccchallenge). To be scheduled.

"We're quite excited about the extensive installation," says Mark Eamer, executive director, of the TriCounty Arts Council. "Global Warming: When Trees Talk" is the premier exhibit of a New Year in a newly designed and evolving gallery space. We anticipate that Mr. Breglia's work will attract people to the Gallery who otherwise may never have come. He is well known throughout the Capital Region by artists, musicians, and others as well."

A Man for All Seasons: Off-beat and Beyond the Ordinary

Mr. Breglia, in fact, is a nationally recognized environmentalist, arborist, frequent speaker, author, and educator who Capital Region residents recognized as a regular and knowledgeable guest on WAMC's Vox Pop Gardening Show.

For horticulturalists, environmentalists, "earth watchers, " and an increasing number of socially conscious Capital Region residents alike, mention of the name Breglia 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.

Three times in 2007, organizations within New York State recognized the outstanding accomplishments of Fred Breglia. In concert with the 40^th anniversary of its Educational Opportunity Program, the State University of New York selected Mr. Breglia as one of 40 Educational Opportunity Program graduates representative of the tens of thousands who have passed through the program in its four decade history. The EOP 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 and his designation as SUNY Cobleskill's 2007 Alumnus of the Year.

His reputation and influence have been paramount in expanding the presence of the Landis Arboretum within professional organizations nationally and within gardening circles throughout the northeast (he is a frequent speaker at garden clubs and an annual mainstay speaker at the Capital District Annual Flower and Garden Show).

Artful Expression

Mr. Breglia as artist is perhaps less well known outside a coterie of individuals who have nurtured his desire to express and depict his deep relationship with the earth through art.

Even Gallery visitors who know Mr. Breglia may be surprised by the diverse array of large-scale acrylic-on-canvas offerings that include:

• Stuck, a 3-dimensional hanging sculpture showing distressed faces cast in plaster;
• Global Warming, the title piece of the show depicting the iconic Great Oak at the Arboretum - in deep distress;
• Dave Yarrow, an homage to environmental activist - and major influence on Mr. Breglia; and
• A Requiem for the Trees, a 16"x20" painting illuminating a beautiful forest of trees as imagined on ghostlike, moonlight night.

One of the show's centerpieces - and perhaps a Breglia favorite, is The Gyre, a blend of plaster molds made from his and his wife Erin's faces, amid three-dimensional shapes of plastic bottles, forks, computer ink cartridges and other modern plastic trash covered with murky layers of acrylic paint. As chronicled by reporter R.J. Kelly in The Daily Gazette (Artist's work carries environmental warning, Dec 19, 2008, Page B1), "'The Gyre' is named after an area in the Pacific Ocean near Hawaii where environmental researchers have discovered that currents tend to create a watery wasteland of all sorts of plastic debris discarded from countries, garbage barges, and ships. It's one of at least five such gyres identified in the world's oceans."

See/Experience for Yourself

Commenting on Mr. Breglia's exhibit, the Schoharie Buzz e-letter noted: "Mr. Breglia's work is evocative on many levels - from mere representations to more complex layering with erotic overtones that pulsate from deeply within all natural cycles. His paintings relay a sentiment of what trees might convey if they could communicate with us directly as interconnected links within the chain of life. They relate, as well, in subtleties that caution of a dubious future in a world that appears increasingly inhospitable to them - and to us as well. Anyone who has ever walked among trails of old growth forests will recognize the awe and distress captured in the artful offerings of this artist, certified arborist, and reverential guardian of nature in all her aspects and glory. "

See and experience this timely exhibit for yourself! Gallery 107 at the TriCounty Arts Council is located at 107 Union Street (off Main) in Cobleskill, NY. 518.254.0611. There is no admission fee and the gallery is open to all.

About John Scarpulla

Raised in New York City, John began playing Subway stations and bars in and around Manhattan in his early twenties. His songwriting has evolved over the past 15 years from intimate walks through the blue-black city streets and bar-rooms of New York City, to autumn brown country roads paved with gratitude. John has developed a loyal grass-roots fan base and has recently released a studio recording entitled "Blue Ruin". He is currently touring with Tom Wadsworth, a seasoned singer songwriter from Upstate New York. John's sound has been described by Jazz Bassist Joe Fonda as "true lyrical poetry that is rooted in the blues and has a deep groove." John's music takes listeners on a journey they do not

About Tom Wadsworth

Skeleton Man marked the recorded debut of musician / songwriter / singer Tom Wadsworth's many talents. Tom's original songs and music have all the wit, warmth, and emotional range that have made him a favorite performer on the acoustic music scene in upstate New York. He became part of the wider music scene after taking up guitar at fifteen and two years later, began composing his first songs, and playing professionally. He's been performing ever since. His playing is influenced by the sounds of American roots music: Ragtime, Western Swing, Blues, Old Time, and Bluegrass as well as Celtic music.

About Tom Wetmore

Tom Wetmore, a stalwart in both American and Celtic folk culture, has been playing bass since he was 13 years old. Tom is a versatile acoustic and electric bass player in styles ranging from jazz to bluegrass and Celtic. From 1987 to the present Tom has played with master hammer dulcimer player Walt Michael. He has been playing with Al Gallodoro for about twenty years. Tom has also been a member of the John Whelan Band, and has performed with legendary bluegrass banjo player Bill Keith. Tom was featured with the John Whelan Band on the cover of Acoustic Musician Magazine May/June 1998. (Source: Google).

About the TriCounty Arts Council

The Arts Council is based at 107 Union Street, Cobleskill, NY where art classes, seminars and performances are held as well as an artists' co-op, ArtWorks!, displaying and selling the work of 97 regional artists.

The Council also serves as a grants resource for local cultural organizations in Fulton, Montgomery, and Schoharie Counties.

Contacts:

TriCounty Arts Council: Ms. Katie Horn, grantcoordinator@tricountyarts.org, 518. 254.0611.

Landis Arboretum: Thom O'Connor, director@landisarboretum.org, 518.875.6935.