Wildlife-Arboretum Partnership Raises Bar on Excellence

In Outdoor Education Options for Capital Region Residents

ESPERANCE, NY (01/13/2008)(readMedia)-- Schoharie County’s Landis Arboretum enters the New Year energized by both a new and dynamic partnership with Otsego County-based Wildlife Learning Company (Hartwick, NY) and the collective focus of an expanded Education Committee.

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) – coupled with the perspectives of an expanded and forward-looking Arboretum Education Committee – 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 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.

Evolution of New Directions in Learning The WLC/Arboretum relationship evolved from discussions with an influential Arboretum supporter, Rob Van der Strict (now deceased) from Rochester, NY, who reinforced on-going discussions on the importance and potential long-range impact of mutually beneficial partnerships, especially among struggling non-profit entities. Landis Trustees, through the Arboretum’s Education Committee, committed to exploring options to rein in costs – both financial and the personnel-related – associated with populating its tradition events calendar with quality offerings.

According to Arboretum Board president Barbara Brabetz, “In today’s economic environment, our Trustees realized that we had an imperative to seek alternatives to our traditional approach to programming that focused on programs that were dependent on a full-time, on-site education director. “Instead, we have migrated toward promoting the Arboretum’s 548-acres as a dynamic, living laboratory and classroom in which other organizations stage their educational programs.”

The Arboretum realized the positive impact of that decision when WLC’s Jeff O'Handley asked to host 40 students per day at Landis from Canajoharie Middle School last Oct. 11-12 for pond study and forest exploration, says Ms. Brabetz.

“The success of the venture was immediate and most positive, “she says. “It reinforced our decision to invite others to use the Arboretum as a way to introduce new generations to the outdoors and the assets of the Arboretum.”

Other informal partnerships in 2007 included sharing the envelope, an initiative to invite other non-profit educational entities to combine mailings in a single envelope for maximum impact and shared mailing costs. In addition, the Arboretum shared space at the NYS Outdoor Education Association (NYSOEA) Conference at Hunter Mountain last November with the New York Power Authority. Plans are under discussion to re-create select Arboretum programs on the beautiful grounds of the NYPA in 2008.

“We also are in discussions with Howe Caverns about sharing educational programs to increase interest in and visitations to both our venues,” says Education Committee chairman, Anne Donnelly, a biologist recently retired from SUNY. “These relationships have not gone unnoticed and we have been approached by several other environmental organizations within the Capital Region for exploratory talks on partnerships and alliances, both formal and open ended.”

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).

As part 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 Offered 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, 9:30am-4:00pm 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 nonformal 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 plays 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.

Volunteer Trustees Bring Impact Ms. Donnelly notes that the Arboretum’s expanded Education Committee has made major contributions to the future of educational endeavors at the Arboretum. In addition to Ms. Donnelly and career environmental education professional Susan O’Handley, who joined the Committee in November 2007, 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. * 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 * 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: 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