Chenango Land Trust awards Wolf Mountain Nature Center
OXFORD – The Chenango Land Trust (CLT) members held their annual meeting at the Oxford Memorial Library, Oct. 19. Land Trust president Earl Callahan introduced guests, Jeff Hendrickson of Sherburne discussed conservation easements; there was a short business meeting; an officers election, and the presentation of the prestigious “CLT Land Stewardship Award” to Will Pryor of the Wolf Mountain Nature Center.
The basic mission of the CLT is to promote the conservation of lands, and committed to that very goal was their first guest, Jeff Hendrickson. Jeff discussed the creation of his own conservation easement and why it was important to him. He explained that Fred von Mechow, the CLT Land Protection Director, worked with him to help him create his conservation easement on 24.5 acres of woods and meadows he purchased as recreation property for his family on Rte 12B in Sherburne. Jeff’s easement clearly spells out specifics such as no mining or fracking, but he retains certain rights like the ability to cut three cords of wood per year. A small log cabin and a light pole are unfortunately considered liabilities, so they will have to be removed. Jeff wants to keep the property “forever wild,” and now with the CLT conservation easement in place he can rest assured that his land will be protected from development.
Fred von Mechow gave a properties report which covered conservation easements in place. The current easement properties are in Pharsalia, Smithville, (2 in) Greene, Maine, Union, Sanford, and now Sherburne. In addition, the CLT owns twenty acres of shallow water wetland in McCall’s Pond in Preston. There is a total of 767 acres of easement land and they’re closing on another 90 acres.
In a brief CLT election, all of the officers were re-elected. Earl Callahan was re-elected president; Ann Altshuler was re-elected secretary and vice president pro tem; Isaiah Sutton – Treasurer; and Fred von Mechow – Director of Land Protection.
The most anticipated moment was the last point of business, when Will Pryor of the Wolf Mountain Nature Center Inc. of Smyrna was presented with a 2010 Chenango Land Trust Stewardship Award plaque by the Land Trust president. Earl Callahan said that it’s for, “… the [Wolf Center’s] association with nature, a conscious ethic built into the grounds, and what takes place there.” The award is given for wise land use practices, historic preservation and appropriate land management - all of which were evident. The Wolf Center has examples of the plains Indians culture; Will’s house -which is modestly powered by wind and solar; and most notably is the study of the wolves’ culture. After seeing a wolf program, Earl especially realized the connection between the wolf pack’s preservation and culture with that of human needs. The visiting children intuitively made the connections. In closing, president Callahan said, “In exhibiting his deep seated stewardship ethic in the management of his lands, Will Pryor truly represents the spirit of the wolf.”
Will accepted the award with humility and was honored. He expressed that having the wolves at the Center is a privilege, and he hopes to be able to give them more room. Pryor said, “Chenango County is magnificent” and thinks that the great wildlife diversity in different pockets would lend itself to ecotourism. Will’s closing sentiment about the land and wildlife was shared by all, “It’s very important to take care of these gifts…or we’ll lose them.”
For more about the Wolf Center, membership, volunteering, or donations, visit www.thewolfmountainnaturecenter.org or call 627-6784.
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.
The basic mission of the CLT is to promote the conservation of lands, and committed to that very goal was their first guest, Jeff Hendrickson. Jeff discussed the creation of his own conservation easement and why it was important to him. He explained that Fred von Mechow, the CLT Land Protection Director, worked with him to help him create his conservation easement on 24.5 acres of woods and meadows he purchased as recreation property for his family on Rte 12B in Sherburne. Jeff’s easement clearly spells out specifics such as no mining or fracking, but he retains certain rights like the ability to cut three cords of wood per year. A small log cabin and a light pole are unfortunately considered liabilities, so they will have to be removed. Jeff wants to keep the property “forever wild,” and now with the CLT conservation easement in place he can rest assured that his land will be protected from development.
Fred von Mechow gave a properties report which covered conservation easements in place. The current easement properties are in Pharsalia, Smithville, (2 in) Greene, Maine, Union, Sanford, and now Sherburne. In addition, the CLT owns twenty acres of shallow water wetland in McCall’s Pond in Preston. There is a total of 767 acres of easement land and they’re closing on another 90 acres.
In a brief CLT election, all of the officers were re-elected. Earl Callahan was re-elected president; Ann Altshuler was re-elected secretary and vice president pro tem; Isaiah Sutton – Treasurer; and Fred von Mechow – Director of Land Protection.
The most anticipated moment was the last point of business, when Will Pryor of the Wolf Mountain Nature Center Inc. of Smyrna was presented with a 2010 Chenango Land Trust Stewardship Award plaque by the Land Trust president. Earl Callahan said that it’s for, “… the [Wolf Center’s] association with nature, a conscious ethic built into the grounds, and what takes place there.” The award is given for wise land use practices, historic preservation and appropriate land management - all of which were evident. The Wolf Center has examples of the plains Indians culture; Will’s house -which is modestly powered by wind and solar; and most notably is the study of the wolves’ culture. After seeing a wolf program, Earl especially realized the connection between the wolf pack’s preservation and culture with that of human needs. The visiting children intuitively made the connections. In closing, president Callahan said, “In exhibiting his deep seated stewardship ethic in the management of his lands, Will Pryor truly represents the spirit of the wolf.”
Will accepted the award with humility and was honored. He expressed that having the wolves at the Center is a privilege, and he hopes to be able to give them more room. Pryor said, “Chenango County is magnificent” and thinks that the great wildlife diversity in different pockets would lend itself to ecotourism. Will’s closing sentiment about the land and wildlife was shared by all, “It’s very important to take care of these gifts…or we’ll lose them.”
For more about the Wolf Center, membership, volunteering, or donations, visit www.thewolfmountainnaturecenter.org or call 627-6784.
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.
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