Fall/Winter 2 0 1 0 THE NEWSLETTER OF THE OPEN SPACE INSTITUTE Nonprofit Org U.S. Postage Paid NY Permit #4952

1350 Broadway, Suite 201 New York, NY 10018-7799 Tel: 212.290.8200 Fax: 212.244.3441 Focus on State Parks OSI Launches the Alliance for New York State Parks

n four decades of conservation, the Open Space Institute has added more than 75,000 acres to New York State Parks. INow, as a new administration takes office in Albany, OSI has launched the Alliance for New York State Parks,

a bold new initiative — its first dedicated solely to parks — that seeks to protect and enhance New York’s state parks and historic sites for present and future generations. As the year draws to a close, support OSI New York’s state park system is among the largest in the country and features open spaces www.osiny.org and natural preserves recognized around the world. Attendance at the state’s 178 parks and 35 historic sites was up 3.5 percent this summer over 2009, and by the end of the year, more than 60 million people are expected to have visited its various facilities. However, a look at New York’s parks today shows a system also facing extraordinary challenges. Many parks have outdated water supply systems, aging wastewater treatment plants and substandard electrical systems. Major investments are needed to repair infrastructure such as (continued on page 6)

INSIDE

2 - Reflections on Life & Land

3 - Tracking Climate Change

5 - Land Matters

7 - Q & A with OSI President Joe Martens Greg Miller VOLUME 11 • FALL/WINTER 2 0 1 0 THE NEWSLETTER OF THE OPEN SPACE INSTITUTE

Our Mission Reflections on Life & Land Tracking Climate Change The Open Space Institute (OSI) protects scenic, natural, Maps to Protect Habitat Corridors and historic landscapes to ensure public enjoyment, conserve habitats, and sustain community character. Dear Friends, Since 1964, OSI has protected We’ve both recently returned from the Land Trust Alliance conference, an annual over 100,000 acres in New gathering of our peers, where the best and brightest in the land conservation movement York State and assisted in the share ideas and inspiration. Indeed, we both came away recharged by the energy and protection of an additional 1.7 million acres throughout creativity we found there. the East Coast. Today, conservation organizations face great challenges. Public funding, while gaining momentum on the federal level, is still scarce to non-existent in many states and municipalities because of the recession and dramatic drop in revenues. That’s a The southern principal reason why the Open Space Institute has just launched the Alliance for New York State Parks, which you can read about in this issue. Led by dedicated and proven Appalachians is a conservationists and business executives, the Alliance is determined to restore and repair New York’s park system—still our nation’s finest but severely hamstrung in recent years 40 million-acre by funding deficiencies, much like New York’s Central and Prospect parks were 30 A B ecosystem with years ago. In the majestic southern Appalachians, OSI is funding research to analyze how Research incorporates the latest climate change predictions. Shown here are spatially explicit models depicting some of the richest how temperature is predicted to increase from an average high variation of 90 degrees (map A) to as much as 95 and where conservation might intervene to protect vulnerable ecosystems. Combining degrees variation between 2040 to 2069 (map B). skilled mapping techniques with the very latest climate change science, we’re identifying biodiversity in the most important lands to protect, before habitat is irreparably damaged by climate North America. OSI change or real estate development. he southern Appalachians, a (SWAPs) to further refine targets for OSI remains passionate about preserving our ecological resources for the future. remote mountainous region habitat conservation across a seven-state, created the Southern We’re working to protect places where nature remains pristine, inhabited by a full range that stretches from Virginia 83,000-square mile area. Appalachian Loan of flora and fauna, and can be enjoyed by all. We hope you’ll read on to learn more to Alabama, to this day con- “This is really geared toward studying about what we’re doing here in New York State and throughout the East Coast. tainsT some of our nation’s most dense an entire region,” said Marc Hunt, OSI’s Fund in 2005 forests and cleanest water sources. southern Appalachians field coordina- to help protect Thank you for your enthusiasm and support. Yet it is in this same region that scores tor, “and defining the most important of wildlife, like Swainson’s Warbler and corridors, regardless of state lines, where threatened landscapes the Woodland jumping mouse, struggle protection initiatives can link up and cre- to survive in an environment that’s being ate the continuity that is so important for in the region. altered by human encroachment and wildlife.” changing climate patterns. OSI researchers will analyze the vul- Jerry and Marcy Monkman/EcoPhotography Kim Elliman Joe Martens The preservation of these habitat lands nerability of more than 150 wildlife spe- CEO President brought the Open Space Institute to the cies via geographic information system southern “Apps” in 2007 to establish (GIS) modeling to determine which spe- the Northwest Georgia Land Protection cies and habitats are presently and poten- Fund, a loan and grant program that tially the most susceptible to the effects of helped land trusts in Georgia protect climate change. By using these tools, OSI Copyright © 2010 Board of Trustees Newsletter Contributors 5,300 acres throughout a million-acre will be able to compare how conservation All rights reserved. John H. Adams, T. Jefferson Cunningham III Tally Blumberg territory. priorities change under various climate Chairman of the Board J. Matthew Davidson Kim Elliman Open Space is distributed to friends Peter A. Bienstock, Vice Chair John Ernst Peter Howell Now, three years later, a new initiative scenarios. and donors of the Open Space Institute. Caroline Niemczyk, Vice Chair Samuel G. Huber Joe Martens We welcome your support, suggestions, Paul J. Elston, Treasurer Felix Kaufman Jeff Simms is taking shape. Habitat conservation has tradition- contributions, and photographs. Edward A. Ames, Secretary Samuel W. Lambert III Production: Susan Morningstar Protecting Southern Appalachian ally focused on identifying core wildlife Please contact us at: Susan Babcock Barnabas McHenry Graphic Design: Jenkins & Page Elizabeth Borden Katherine O. Roberts Printer: Wheal-Grace Wildlife in an Era of Climate Change areas (often called “hubs”) and pathways 1350 Broadway, Suite 201 Gilman S. Burke Hume R. Steyer Front cover photos: combines the latest climate change sci- (“corridors”), yet recent climate science New York, NY 10018 John P. Cahill Patricia F. Sullivan inset: courtesy of Alliance for Tel: 212.290.8200 Holly Cummings Valerie Anne Mars New York State Parks; ence with State Wildlife Action Plans (continued on page 4) Fax: 212.244.3441 Honorary Trustee below: American Falls, Niagara, www.osiny.org New York, Kevin Tavares 3 VOLUME 11 • FALL/WINTER 2 0 1 0 THE NEWSLETTER OF THE OPEN SPACE INSTITUTE

Tracking Climate Change (continued from page 3) Land Matters News & Events suggests that higher temperatures and precipitation are causing these corridors to change. Based on the latest climate Northern Lights: OSI Transborder Fund Which Watersheds By highlighting models, OSI’s analysis will modify land are Safe? protection strategies to ensure that wild- interstate Public polls show citizens more life can adapt and develop new corridors. concerned about water quality than connectivity among “The impacts of climate change are virtually any other environmental taking hold much faster than anticipat- issue. As the impacts of climate SWAP priority areas, ed,” said OSI CEO Kim Elliman. “As our change increase turbidity and OSI anticipates that landscapes change, we’re realizing that we water temperatures in regions only have a short window of time to save .com) experiencing increased precipitation, our approach will the lands these species need to survive. flickr the issue stands to become only Once the lands are gone, sadly, the wild- NCC more important. help produce a more life will be gone as well.” With funding assistance from OSI’s kilometers (5.8 square miles) and an OSI has begun work on a The study, which is supported by Transborder Land Protection Fund, the investment of $7.4 million, half of project with students in the Yale coordinated and Environmental Clinic that will the Wildlife Conservation Society, the Nature Conservancy of Canada (NCC) which came from the Canadian gov- Danny Bales (Mudhen2/ assess watershed protection methods regional approach to Lyndhurst Foundation, and the Merck is continuing its work on a conservation ernment’s Natural Areas Conservation Swainson’s Warblers are uncommon, mostly found initiative that has drawn major support Program. by researching the range of impacts Family Fund, will also incorporate the in flooded swamplands and canebrakes of the south- of climate change on watersheds in wildlife conservation predicted consequences of new roadways, from the Canadian federal government. The forests of the Green Mountains eastern United States. (inset, left): The Woodland NCC announced in September the provide habitat for 59 at-risk plant and the Mid-Atlantic and southern New housing infrastructure, and other human jumping mouse is locally abundant in the southern in the southern protection of 15 properties, secured over animal species, and are vital for the sur- England — most of whose residents footprints on the landscape. This next Appalachian Mountains. Appalachians. the course of three years, in the Green vival of many species with large home are served by surface water. The layer of information will help the conser- Mountains in southern Quebec. Grants ranges such as bear, moose, bobcat, and researchers will identify the vation community anticipate more accu- OSI but to state agencies in the southern from OSI’s Transborder Fund contrib- to the east, cougar. watersheds under greatest stress and rately where the most threatened areas Appalachians and partner organizations uted to the protection of the Cham- The Open Space Institute, after articulate a clear case for the role of could be in the future in order to empha- as well. OSI hopes that such shared infor- pigny and Kars properties. working for 10 years in the Northern forests in protecting water quality size habitat protection in those areas. mation will kick-start coordinated, tar- The resulting ecological corridor Forest in the United States, launched under climate change scenarios. OSI will make the multi-layered maps geted conservation efforts to save vitally stretches across the U.S. border into the Transborder effort in 2009 to fur- Recognizing that state and federal funding for conservation is scarce, this project produces accessible not just to important habitat. Vermont, where land trusts are work- ther support conservation from the ing on companion projects. The parcels Adirondacks in New York State to the the research team will recommend account for an area close to 15 square Gaspé Peninsula in eastern Canada. several approaches to creating incentives for landowners to protect their forestlands, in turn protecting Building a Bridge increasingly threatened water sources. In June, the Land Trust (WVLT) and OSI announced plans to begin an extensive restoration of the 940-foot-long railroad trestle over the and Route 213 in Rosendale, NY. A fundraising effort is now underway to raise the $750,000 needed to repair the 114-year-old trestle. The renovated trestle will be a part of the Wallkill Valley Rail Trail, which

Robert Miesner runs along the former Wallkill Valley railroad. Once reopened, the entire length of the trestle will be safe for public use, and the improved rail trail will extend for nearly 24 miles—double its current length. OSI and WVLT purchased 11.5 miles of rail bed in 2009. Ultimately, OSI envisions the Wallkill Valley Rail Trail as a component of a 140 mile-long interconnected trail network running from southern Dutchess County, through Ulster, Sullivan and Orange counties and on to the southern and western Catskills. Such a trail network would attract many thousands of users and connect state parks, state forest preserves, wildlife management areas,

nature preserves, and city, county, and town parks throughout the mid-Hudson Greg Miller ?????? ??????? River Valley. Cornwall Landing, New York Map shows biodiversity hotspots of rarity from The Precious Heritage: the Status of Biodiversity in the United States, by The Nature Conservancy

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VOLUME 11 • FALL/WINTER 2 0 1 0 THE NEWSLETTER OF THE OPEN SPACE INSTITUTE Q&A Focus on State Parks “Cuts to the parks budget left us (cont. from page 1) with nothing but difficult choices,” said On New York’s Magnificent Public Parks roofs, heating and plumbing systems, park departing OPRHP Commissioner Carol Questions for OSI President Joe Martens offices, recreation fields, bathrooms, roads, Ash. “The future of New York’s park parking areas, and maintenance centers. system is in jeopardy, and it will take a For over 40 years, State funding for the operation and public-private partnership like the Alliance maintenance of the system has dwindled to ensure that our parks thrive.” OSI has protected over the past three years in the face of Led by Erik Kulleseid, former New York Cane w afford funding for parks when mies around the state. That’s a huge number. and expanded New unprecedented fiscal challenges. The State deputy commissioner for open space there are so many other budget issues Statewide, these parks provide about 20,000 Office of Parks, Recreation and Historic protection, the Alliance is proposing that in New York right now? jobs and the average salary per park employee York State parks, Preservation’s (OPRHP) operating budget the state develop new, dedicated funding is about $50,000, so from an employment per- has been cut by $35 million, from $195 streams for parks. One potential model is JM: We found out a year ago in the state bud- spective, it’s hugely important for local econo- historic sites and million in FY2008 to only $160 million a plastic shopping bag surcharge that has get crisis just how important state parks are. mies from Long Island to Buffalo. preserves including: this year. successfully generated funds for parks while When the governor threatened to close up In 2010, for the first time in the reducing waste in Washington, D.C. to 90 parks, there was a huge public response. Is OSI going to tailor its conservation system’s 125-year history, New York “New York should adopt a model that And even though the state was facing large effortso t focus on parklands? cuts in education and health care services, the officials considered closing as many as 90 works best for New Yorkers, but there is no Arden Point State Park number of people that called their legislators JM: The initial focus of the Alliance will be two- state parks and historic sites—a full 40 doubt a dedicated funding source is needed on behalf of state parks outnumbered virtu- fold. One is ensuring that there is adequate Clarence Fahnestock percent of the system. to make a difference in the agency’s ability State Park ally every other issue by at least 5 to 1. People funding for the parks system. We know there At the eleventh hour—the day before to address its backlog,” Kulleseid said. “The regard state parks as their own and until they is a huge backlog in maintenance and capital Hudson Highland Memorial Day—the legislature and fact that the funding stream would benefit were threatened with closures, they were taken improvement projects at state parks. The sec- State Park governor restored just enough funding our great parks should make the charge for granted. The proposed closures became ond issue is ensuring adequate staff to keep our to the OPRHP to prevent the closings. more palatable.” a poster child for the dysfunction in Albany. parks open and operating. So, identifying new John Boyd Thacher While that crisis was averted, more than $1 OSI and the Alliance envision a People responded vociferously to keep them funding sources and expanding the resources State Park billion of urgent capital rehabilitation needs long-term partnership with the OPRHP open, and in the end the legislature and gover- that are available to state parks will be a major Joe Martens Minnewaska State Park remain. and a revitalized park system that boasts nor scrambled for a solution. A deal was struck focus. As you know, OSI has been creating new President, Open Space Institute right before Memorial Day that kept the parks state parks and expanding others for years. Moreau Lake State Park The Alliance for New York State affordable, close-to-home destinations Parks seeks to help rejuvenate the system, where all citizens can enjoy the natural open. Although the state’s budget problems will slow We have a long, proud parks tradition in down the acquisition of new parkland, OSI Schunnemunk Mountain reestablishing parks as community beauty of the Empire State. New York. We have the oldest state park in will continue to work with state agencies on State Park centerpieces where people can connect with “New York State’s park system is still the country in Niagara Falls, and one of the larg- acquisition projects that help buffer and protect the outdoors and one other. The Alliance the best in the country,” Kulleseid said, Sterling Forest State Park est park systems in the country. In the Capital parks, provide better public access and help will advocate directly for New York’s state “but it has the potential to be even better. District, there’s Thatcher State Park; in Long ensure their long-term ecological integrity. As Storm King State Park parks system, work with partners to build The Alliance for New York State Parks was Island, it’s Jones Beach; in Buffalo, it’s Niagara the state’s budget improves and EPF funding is Thompson’s Lake an organized and effective constituency for created to help realize that potential, for the Falls. They are scattered across the state, they restored, land protection projects will become State Park parks, and raise public and private financial benefit of parks lovers everywhere.” come in all shapes and sizes and about 47 mil- an increasingly important part of the Alliance’s support. lion people from New York, surrounding states mission. Washington’s Headquarters and other countries have visited them through Historic Site August of this year. Now that the Alliance has been launched, what is your number one Wonderlake State Park Are parks and economic development agenda item for the parks system? at odds with each other? JM: We will work with our partners around JM: Not only are they not at odds, but parks the state to ensure that parks receive suffi- are economic development. In many rural cient support so that none are closed and the upstate communities, state parks are the center deferred maintenance throughout the system Read the whole interview at: of economic activity. People who visit state is addressed. We also intend to launch an www.osiny.org/Martens parks buy local services. They stop at the res- aggressive fundraising campaign to supplement Read more about our conserva- taurants, they gas up their cars, they buy provi- state funds with private dollars. State parks are tion accomplishments this year sions and supplies. In New York, it’s estimated at a tipping point. OSI’s Alliance for New York at www.osiny.org/2010 that parks generate about $2 billion worth of State Parks will help ensure that New York’s activity to local businesses, and studies indicate magnificent parks and historic sites stay open, Brett Cole John Boyd Thacher State Park, located along the Helderberg Escarpment, preserves six miles of limestone cliffs, that for every dollar that the state invests in the accessible, and in good repair for the millions of woodlands and open fields. parks system, $5 is returned to local econo- patrons that visit them annually.

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