OXFORD – The Chenango Land Trust (CLT) members held their annual meeting at the Oxford Methodist Church, Oct. 21. The Land Trust president, Earl Callahan introduced guests, there was an invasive species presentation; a short business meeting; an officers election, and he presented the prestigious “CLT Land Stewardship Award” to the Chenango Greenway Conservancy. The Conservancy also made a very surprising announcement.
The basic mission of the CLT is to promote the conservation of lands, and two guests in attendance were introduced who are committed to the same goal, Peter M. Hujik, the executive director of the Otsego Land Trust and Chris Gilbert, a CLT volunteer from Binghamton who’s also a member of the Triple Cities Hiking Club.
Gilbert presented information about a growing problem - Japanese Stilt Grass. She brought a bagged sample of the non-native plant which was found on a Triple Cities hike in Hawkins Pond in Windsor (Broome County). The invasive grass, which resembles bamboo, chokes out native plants and trees and dominates the area. After proper identification by a botanist, the grass was hand pulled and bagged, thus preserving the natural habitat. Chris was commended for her finding and resolution of the environmental problem.
Fred von Mechow gave a properties report which covered conservation easements in place and some pending agreements. The current easement properties are in Pharsalia, Smithville, (2 in) Greene, Maine, Union, and Sanford. The CLT owns twenty acres of shallow water wetland in McCall’s Pond in Preston. There are three properties where easements are being discussed: one in Sherburne, one in Columbus, and one at the site of a Chenango Canal lock in Oxford that also needs protection.
In a brief CLT election of officers, Earl Callahan was re-elected president; Ann Altshuler was elected vice president and secretary; Isaiah Sutton – Treasurer; and Fred von Mechow – Director of Land Protection.
The highlight of the evening came when members of the Chenango Greenway Conservancy, Inc. (CGC) were presented with a framed award and a Land Steward plaque by Land Trust president Callahan for their admirable work in creating six miles of walking trails along the Chenango River in Norwich. The award is given for wise land use practices, historic preservation and appropriate land management. Receiving the award was Sharon Pelosi, president (and her son Gabriel), Jerry Locke, Marjorie Grap, and Don Windsor. Sharon said she was very proud to receive the Land Stewardship Award and to obtain recognition and support for their new organization.
In a history of the Greenway Conservancy, Pelosi told how they developed out of a Norwich group that started in the 1950’s. Only recently in 2006 did they become a not-for-profit corporation with about 30 people. Developing corridors along the Chenango River, the former canal path and abandoned railroads is their mission, and already the Chenango Greenway River Walk is creating a stir! The trail currently goes right through the City of Norwich from near Weiler Park all the way south to Jamba Flats, and is great for walking, jogging, fishing, snow shoeing, and mountain biking.
CGC member, Marjorie Grap works full time for the Headwaters Youth Conservation Corp (HYCC) at The Place in Norwich and leads an environmental education program. She’s coordinated events along the Greenway paths such as animal tracking and aquatic insects discoveries with kids from the YMCA. Marjorie presented a slide show which illustrated some of the youth volunteer help they’ve received this year cutting new trails and installing bird boxes especially on National Trails Day, June 6th, and on the United Way Day of Caring, Sept. 26th.
Aside from receiving the Land Stewardship Award, CGC president Pelosi proudly announced that they have just received a 2009 Recreational Trails Grant worth $32,000 from the NYS Office of Parks, Recreation and Historic Preservation! Looking toward the future, the CGC is hoping that these safe, public recreational trails will be joined with other trails including the Madison County towpath and the Finger Lakes Trail, connecting parks, gardens and businesses. The grant will enable them to have a botanical survey of the entire trail done, continue the development of the trail both north and south with construction, PR, signage, clearing, grading and to do archaeological research. The Chenango Greenway Conservancy is always looking for membership, volunteers and donations. Visit them at www.chenangogreenway.org/ or email chenangogreenway@frontiernet.net for more details.
The mission of the Chenango Land Trust is to promote the conservation of lands rich in natural resources, and historical or agricultural importance for the benefit of the general public, and to educate citizens about land conservation and protection. If you would like to join the CLT, contact president Earl Callahan at 847-8460 or email ecallahan5@frontiernet.net . To nominate a future Land Stewardship Award recipient, or for owners of land with cultural or natural resources, who wish to discuss conservation easements, contact Fred von Mechow, Director of Land Protection at 674-4214.