2017 Annual Report

2017 ANNUAL REPORT Pitcher plant Female cardinal LETTER FROM THE Executive Director Dear Friends, Nature is so very important to children! Science has proven that children who have regular access to nature have greater creativity, better problem solving skills, enhanced cognitive abilities, higher academic performance, and reduced attention deficit. They also have improved eyesight, better social skills, more self-discipline, and reduced stress. Isn’t it truly amazing what nature can provide for our wellbeing? Given the chance, children love to be outdoors. As stewards of our communities, we owe it to our children and future generations to ensure that nature is always available to them and is a part of their lives. North Branch Land Trust’s main mission is to permanently protect woods, fields, watersheds, and farms in our region. Just as important are the efforts to connect people with the land and nature especially children through education, outreach, and experiences. Our children are our most precious asset and represent our future. If we encourage their connection to nature, not only will they benefit, but society will benefit as a whole. Juvenile pickerel frog Please enjoy North Branch Land Trust’s 2017 Annual Report; a recap of the year in land conservation, events, programs, and outreach. A community based and funded non-profit conservation organization, NBLT is working to protect the natural lands we love in Northeastern Pennsylvania and ensure that children will always have the ability and opportunity to connect with nature. Thank you for your continued support of land conservation and NBLT. Your generosity helps protect our children’s future. With gratitude, Paul Lumia Executive Director Mission Statement: The North Branch Land Trust works in partnership with landowners and their communities to conserve the natural, working, and scenic landscapes in White-tailed deer Cover photo: Rickett’s Glen Northeastern Pennsylvania that sustain us. 2 North BraNch LaNd Trust ❘ 2017 ANNUAL REPORT Designing wreaths during Hiking at Seven Tubs Natural Creations Harveys Lake bicycle time trial Observing vernal pool inhabitants at Picton The truth is: the natural world is changing. And we are totally dependent on that world. It provides our food, water and air. It is the most precious thing we have and we need to defend it. “ ~ David Attenborough Year in Review ” A variety of programs and events connecting NBLT members, donors, and guests to the land were offered throughout 2017. There was hiking and biking, observing and learning, exploring and designing, which led to supporting and conserving our precious forests and open land in Northeastern Pennsylvania. South Africa safari with NBLT’s conservation partner Learning ice harvesting history of Bear Creek Collecting produce for Dinner and auctions fundraiser Taste the Local Harvest 2017 ANNUAL REPORT ❘ North BraNch LaNd Trust 3 Trailing Pine Conservation Easement Connectivity to other Conserved Properties I believe that the best way to influence others is to set an example and to educate. Rarely is one given a say in “how things go” beyond our “ ownership or past our lifetime. I am grateful that the NBLT monitors and enforces conservation easements throughout the area.Trailing Pine CReyburnonser Creekvation Easement ~ Kathleen Leclerc Connectivity to other Conserved Properties In May of 2017 Kathleen and her mother ” graciously donated a conservation easement to the NBLT protecting their 14-acre property and establishing the trailing Pine Conservation Easement. the easement protects the surrounding forests and hillsides and buffers a section of Reyburn Creek. reyburn Creek is a cold water fishery leading to the Shickshinny Creek—a tributary to the Susquehanna River. an impressive stand of hemlocks keeps the creek cool in the summer months. Skunk cabbage - Symplocarpus foetidus, Mayapple – Podophyllum peltatum, and Starflowers – Trientalis borealis can be found on the property, and at the right time of year, plenty of salamanders. “this easement contributes to one of many goals of the NBLT to protect our watersheds,” states rylan Coker, NBLt’s Land Protection Legend and Stewardship Coordinator. Trailing Pine CE Lot Lines 0 0.275 0.55 1.1 1.65 2.2 . Other Conserved Properties Miles Map created by Rylan Coker 5/15/2017 for North Branch Land Trust 4 North BraNch LaNd Trust ❘ 2017 ANNUAL REPORT NBLT wishes to thank friends of the Land Trust for their Kitchen Creek foresight in planning for the conservation of family lands. Family members in Conservation charge of their parents’ estate have left a lasting Easements Project legacy by permanently protecting over one- Fisher hundred acres of beautifully forested lands in Fairmount township, Luzerne County. the properties host a variety of hemlock and pine forests and are home to such wonderful creatures as the Fisher – Martes pennanti, Snowshoe hare – Lepus americanus, and the Northern flying squirrel – Glaucomys sabrinus. as a bonus, by conserving this land through the estate, the family members will realize less estate tax on the value of the properties conserved. Please contact us if you would like to know more about conservation easements, estate planning, and tax incentives. Snowshoe hare Northern flying squirrel 2017 ANNUAL REPORT ❘ North BraNch LaNd Trust 5 YMCA D & L Trail Update A big thank you goes (Pictured, left to right): out to the staff and Mike Dziak, Executive board of directors of director Earth the Earth Conservancy conservancy; Jim shoemaker, NBLT Board for their generous chair. Rear: Rylan Coker, donation on September NBLT Land Protection & 22, 2017 of 3.5 miles stewardship Coordinator; With grant funding from the Pennsylvania and Brain Stahl, Hourigan, (Pictured, left to right): of the old Lehigh and Kluger, & Quinn, Pc. department of Conservation and Natural rylan Coker, NBLt; Jim Thomas, susquehanna railroad YMCA; Jim Shoemaker, NBLt resources and support from the staff, bed running from the Seven Tubs to Northampton board, and trustees of the Wilkes-Barre Board; Joe Persico, YMCA trustee; Kay Strickland, NBLt street. NBLT will be working to upgrade the rail Family YMCA, the 650-acre Camp Kresge Board; and Paula Fall, NBLt. bed for hiking and biking. Once complete it will conservation Easement was completed on become part of the Delaware & Lehigh National June 23, 2017. heritage Corridor Trail. 6 6 North North Bra BraNchN chLaN Lad NTdrust Trust ❘ 2017 ❘ 2017 ANNUAL ANNUAL REPORT REPORT Board Service Appreciation Volunteers of the Year the North Branch Land Trust thanks d. Kay Strickland and Nicholas G. (Pictured, ouellette for their three years of service left to right): on the NBLT Board of Directors. Kay Volunteers was board secretary for two years, ted and Patty Horn served on the Land Committee for and Paul three years, and was the chair of the Lumia, NBLt risk Management Committee for two Executive director. years. Nick served on the Sustainability and Board Development Committee for two years. He also served on the Land committee. NBLT appreciates both Nick’s and Kay’s efforts supporting the mission to conserve the land that sustains us in Northeastern Pennsylvania. Patty and Ted Horn of White Haven, PA were named NBLt’s 2017 Volunteers of the Year for their dedicated volunteer efforts at the George and Lillian Picton Wildlife Sanctuary in White Haven. Welcome to Patty and Ted took care of maintaining all of the trails and the grounds including removal of invasive barberry bushes on the New Board Members 349-acre property. “they are perfect examples of volunteers the NBLT welcomed four new board who will do what is needed and not ask anything in return,” members: Ramah Hackett, John J. said Tina Fiorani, Picton Wildlife Sanctuary Committee Chair. Pekarovsky, III, Ryan Flood, and Barry H. ted and Patty were recognized at the Annual Volunteer dyller, Esq. Ramah, John, Ryan, and Barry appreciation Get-together in November held at Sabatini’s bring their talents and professional skills Beer and Bar in Exeter, Pa. Hats off to Patty and Ted! in the areas of finance, law, philanthropy, and business to help the NBLT with its land conservation mission throughout An extra special Northeastern Pennsylvania. thank you to all of NBLT’s dedicated volunteers! Volunteers are the life blood of the Land Trust and whether you are attending meetings, stuffing thousands of envelopes for mailings, monitoring conserved properties, restoring an old house and barn, building trails, clearing brush, leading hikes, or hauling trash, you are most appreciated! The Land Trust is honored that you are willing to donate your time, energy, and talents to NBLT’s land conservation mission. 2017 ANNUAL REPORT ❘ North BraNch LaNd Trust 7 DONORS Clayton & Theresa Karambelas First Keystone Community Bank Procter & Gamble M&T Charitable Foundation First National Bank of Paper Products Co. January 1, 2017-December 31, 2017 Kevin & Helen McDonald Pennsylvania Bob & Barb Romanansky We extend sincere thanks to the conservation-minded Scott & Marilyn Millington Capt. & Mrs. Alan B. Flanagan, Sa-ka-ri Salon & Spa friends whose commitment and support make possible Mohegan Sun Arena USN (Ret) Dr. Norman & Roxanne Schulman North Branch Land trust’s efforts to conserve land and at Casey Plaza Guthrie Mitchell Insurance Matthew Sciabacucchi connect people to nature in Northeastern Pennsylvania. Joseph & Linda Molitoris Agency Sordoni Construction Services, Inc the donors listed on the following pages provided Colleen Hosey Morda Leo & Joyce Gutstein Jon Sordoni meaningful support throughout the year. Will & Amanda Ouellette Frank M. Henry William B. Sordoni Shep Pawling Honesdale National Bank Thomas E. & Karen Sox Peoples Security Bank & Trust David & Sharon Hourigan Kay Strickland & Tom Delehanty NORTH BRANCH GUARDIAN John & Tina Dowd Riggs Asset Management Humford Equities, Inc. Terrana Law, P.C. $5,000 and up Bill & Wilma James Company Huntsville Golf Club The Black Horse Foundation, Inc. Anonymous Ann R. Lewis Vince & Eileen Scarpetta Jacobi Capital Management The Straub Family Fund of Earth Conservancy Paul Lumia James & Susan Shoemaker Jane Leslie & Co.

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