ECO-BULLETIN FROM OTSEGO COUNTY CONSERVATION ASSOCIATION

February 13, 2012: Vol. 5, No. 3

Eco-bulletin headlines this issue:

OCCA NEEDS PACKING CARTONS, USED TOTES

FRIDAY IS DEADLINE FOR ESSAY CONTEST ENTRIES

CADE SEEKS NEW EXECUTIVE DIRECTOR

EARTH FESTIVAL 2012 TO BE HELD ON APRIL 14

FREE FISHING DAY CLINIC OFFERED AT GLIMMERGLASS

START SAVING NOW FOR OCCA GARAGE SALE

SWCD SEEKS TO ASSIST LANDOWNERS THROUGH NEW PROGRAM

STORMWATER MANAGEMENT, PLANTING STRATETIES FOCUS OF CONFERENCE

RECYCLABLES TO BE COLLECTED AT EARTH FESTIVAL

MUSEUM OF THE EARTH OFFERS PALEONTOLOGICAL PERSPECTIVE OF MARCELLUS SHALE

OCCA NEEDS PACKING CARTONS, USED TOTES: The Otsego County Conservation Association is seeking donations of packing cartons and used plastic totes. Those interested in making a donation of such items to OCCA are asked to call (607) 547-4488 for further details.

FRIDAY IS DEADLINE FOR ESSAY CONTEST ENTRIES: Working with the Delaware-Otsego Audubon Society, OCCA will award eight winning essayists – seven from Otsego County and one from Delaware County, compliments of DOAS – with a week-long stay at New York State Department of Environmental Conservation Environmental Education Camp, the main focus of which is environmental education.  Friday, February 17 is the deadline for entries in this countywide competitive essay contest. Campers spend their week immersed in the natural environment and enjoy a balance of environmental education, sportsman education and outdoor fun. Otsego and Delaware County students ages 11-14 (including 10-year-olds who will be 11 by December 1) are invited to compete for camperships via the essay competition. In 750 words or less, they are asked to consider “Why Kids Need to Experience Nature” and to examine the physical, emotional and social benefits of a healthy, active, outdoor lifestyle. Eight winning essays will be chosen: six from participating Otsego County schools, one from Delaware County entries, and one from Otsego County applicants at large. The deadline for essay submissions is February 17, and winning essays will be chosen by February 24. The contest will culminate with an awards ceremony and open house in the spring. There is still time to enter – complete contest rules and requirements are available by e-mailing admin@occainfo.org or by calling (607) 547-4488.

CADE SEEKS EXECUTIVE DIRECTOR: The Center for Agricultural Development & Entrepreneurship, Inc. seeks a dynamic and experienced executive director to lead the organization. CADE was founded in 1991 as a non-profit organization and is based in Oneonta. CADE strives to increase the number and diversity of successful farm enterprises and related businesses in New York. The executive director has the primary responsibility of managing day-to-day operations, leading the organization’s development efforts, and directing the work of staff and consultants. Reporting to the Board of Directors, the executive director ensures that the organization is fiscally sound and that its communications, fund raising, and programming are meeting current and emerging needs of the sustainable agricultural industry. The executive director will be adept at both internal management and optimizing external impact and visibility. Successful candidates must be excellent communicators, who are able to convey effectively the mission and activities of CADE to specific constituencies, as well as to the general public. CADE offers a competitive salary and benefits package and is an equal opportunity employer. Interested candidates should send a cover letter, resume and three professional references to cadedirjob@yahoo.com by March 1, 2012. 

EARTH FESTIVAL 2012 TO BE HELD ON APRIL 14: Planning has begun for the 7^th Annual Earth Festival, set for Saturday, April 14 at Milford Central School. Returning is the traditional information and vendor fair from 11 a.m. to 3 p.m. in the gymnasium. The popular pre-festival bird walk, to be led by Bob Donnelly from the Delaware-Otsego Audubon Society, will kick off the event again this year, and the EcoArt/Trendy Trash Contest and expanded children’s activities provided by Milford Central School will also be featured. New for 2012, Master Gardeners of Cornell Cooperative Extension Schoharie and Otsego Counties will host Spring Garden Day in conjunction with Earth Festival, from 9 a.m. to 3 p.m., with morning and afternoon classes on a wide variety of gardening topics suitable for both new and experienced gardeners. Morning session presentation topics will include garden design, composting, gardening with containers, and gardening using alternative methods. In the afternoon, Master Gardeners will provide new gardening product demonstrations and hands-on opportunities for participants to construct an alternative gardening project using recycle materials, such as a bottle garden or living wreath. Additionally, Master Gardeners will have a table at Earth Festival and will be available to answer any gardening questions. Earth Festival is an environmentally-focused, interactive event featuring exhibits, activities, vendors and entertainment, all with a fun, earth-friendly twist. Financial contributions are most welcome, and an open invitation to earth-friendly exhibitors, food and retail vendors is extended. Earth Festival 2012 is sponsored by Otsego County Conservation Association and WildLearn.com. For more information about Earth Festival, click on http://occainfo.org/documents/EarthFestivalMasterLetter2012FINAL2.pdf , call (607) 547-4488 or e-mail admin@occainfo.org.

FREE FISHING DAY CLINIC OFFERED AT GLIMMERGLASS: Have you ever tried fishing in the winter months? No need to stay indoors during the long winter; ice fishing is a winter activity that can be enjoyed by everyone. Whether you’re just getting started, struggle with a few skills, or are a serious “ice head” picking up the latest ideas, visit Glimmerglass State Park on Wednesday, February 22 for an ice fishing experience with New York State Parks Natural Resource Steward Biologist Tom Hughes, New York State Department of Environmental Conservation biologists and educators from the I FISH NY program. This free educational program meets in the Lakeview Room at 10 a.m. and will begin with fishing and instruction on the ice to take advantage of the morning fish bite. Participants will take a break for lunch, provided by the Friends of Glimmerglass State Park, from noon to 1 p.m. Following lunch, there will be an inside program with informal presentations on winter lake ecology and ice safety, fish filleting demonstrations and a free raffle for ice fishing tackle, and more fishing will follow the indoor program. There will be a near-shore fishing group targeting perch and pickerel – perfect for families and first timers. More experienced anglers and adventure seekers can join another group out in the deeper waters in quest for Otsego’s trophy lake trout. Scheduled fishing activities will end around 3 p.m. There is no charge to participate, and fishing gear and bait will be available to use. NYSDEC has designated the event as a Free Fishing Day Clinic, so a NYS fishing license is not required. Participants may attend all or a portion of the program and are asked to please dress warmly. If fishing conditions are not favorable, the indoor program will begin at 10 a.m. Pre-registration is appreciated, but not necessary, by sending an e-mail to friendsofglimmerglass@gmail.com or calling the park office at (607) 547-8662.  This program is in cooperation with NYS DEC, New York Office of Parks, Recreation and Historic Preservation, and the New York Chapter of the American Fisheries Society.

START SAVING NOW FOR OCCA GARAGE SALE: OCCA’s Annual “Reduce, Reuse, Recycle” Garage Sale will be held on Saturday and Sunday, April 28 and 29 in the Cooperstown Farmers’ Market building at 101 Main Street, Cooperstown. Please begin setting aside items now for this fundraising event. The official collection dates for the OCCA garage sale will be April 22-26. All donations are tax deductible: OCCA will provide a donation voucher upon request. Those interested in dropping off materials sooner, or who would like more information about volunteering to assist with the event, should call (607) 547-4488 or e-mail admin@occainfo.org for further details. In addition to raising funds for OCCA programming, the garage sale also benefits the environment through waste prevention, or “source reduction.” Source reduction, including reuse, can help reduce waste disposal and handling costs, because it avoids the costs of recycling, municipal composting, land filling, and combustion. Source reduction also conserves resources and reduces pollution, including greenhouse gases that contribute to global warming.

SWCD SEEKS TO ASSIST LANDOWNERS THROUGH NEW PROGRAM: The Otsego County Soil and Water Conservation District is reaching out to landowners with erosion problems resulting from downed trees in their streams and landowners who are interested in planting trees along their stream banks. Currently, SWCD is working on funding that would address both of these scenarios at no cost to the landowner. They believe these efforts will lead to less erosion of our soils as well as less turbidity in our local water, and will provide valuable habitat to wildlife. According to District Manager Scott Fickbohm, although things look promising, funding for the program is not guaranteed at this time. Nevertheless, SWCD is interested in compiling a list of potential projects in order to estimate workload and to formulate a budget. Those interested in either one or both of these initiatives are asked to contact Fickbohm at (607) 547-8337, extension 4. For more details, visit http://thedailystar.com/localnews/x897046052/Otsego-may-benefit-from-tree-program

STORMWATER MANAGEMENT, PLANTING STRATEGIES FOCUS OF CONFERENCE: On Monday, March 12, The Native Plant Center at Westchester Community College will host “Designing for Stormwater Management and Erosion Control” beginning at 8:30 a.m. With extreme weather events occurring more frequently, national, state, and local governments, as well as homeowners, are wrestling with ways to manage and control stormwater to avoid the costly consequences of such events: flooding, severe soil erosion and degradation of water quality. These issues will be addressed by reviewing up-to-date regulations for best stormwater management practices and erosion control; and discussing completed works that incorporate stormwater management and water quality improvements in commercial, institutional and residential properties. Planting strategies presented will focus on native plants best suited for the sites discussed. For more information, or to register, visit www.nativeplantcenter.org or call (914) 606-7870.

RECYCLABLES TO BE COLLECTED AT EARTH FESTIVAL: Earth Festival 2012 will be held on Saturday, April 14 at Milford Central School. In keeping with the earth-friendly theme, a number of items will be collected for recycling. Event organizers invite attendees to drop off Styrofoam (white only), bubble wrap, empty inkjet cartridges, cell phones, eyeglasses, videotapes and CDs, and used nylon monofilament fishing line at no charge. An electronics collection will be held (some fees may apply), and Empire Recycling will be back with the ConfiData Shredder from 11 a.m. to 2 p.m. For more information about Earth Festival, visit http://www.occainfo.org/EarthFestival.htm, call (607) 547-4488 or e-mail admin@occainfo.org.

MUSEUM OF THE EARTH OFFERS PALEONTOLOGICAL PERSPECTIVE ON MARCELLUS SHALE: Museum of the Earth at the Paleontological Research Institution offers a series of papers dedicated to exploring earth system science issues related to Marcellus shale drilling. PRI’s overall outreach goal with respect to the Marcellus is to provide the background context and scientific information on all aspects of the Earth science underlying our understanding of natural gas in the Marcellus shale. PRI is not a policy organization. They do not take an institutional position on drilling or advocate for any particular private or governmental course of action with respect to gas development. The goal of their outreach is to provide the best current, evidence-based information on 1) the origin of the natural gas, its distribution and behavior, and geological aspects of its exploration and removal; and, 2) the environmental impacts of this activity over time and across geographic scales. In all of PRI’s efforts, the main goal is to provide information that allows for more informed decision-making in every community. To learn more about “Geology of the Marcellus Shale: A Paleontological Perspective on a Modern Resource,” visit http://www.museumoftheearth.org/outreach.php?page=92387.

OCCA NEEDS YOUR HELP TO KEEP FIGHTING THE THREATS TO OUR NATURAL RESOURCES. Got a minute? Visit our website and look at everything else OCCA is doing – and please consider an online donation whenever you can. Click on www.occainfo.org and look for the Network for Good logo at the top right of the home page.