2019 Annual report

Wilton Wildlife Preserve & Park

The mission of Wilton Wildlife Preserve & Park is to conserve ecological systems and natural settings, while providing opportunities for environmental education and outdoor recreation, working in partnership with the Town of Wilton, Saratoga County, The Nature Conservancy, and the

State Department of Environmental Conservation.

80 Scout Road, Wilton, NY 12831 518-450-0321 www.wiltonpreserve.org [email protected] Conservation Environmental Education Outdoor recreation

Wilton Wildlife Preserve & Park works with our Our environmental education program continues An important part of our mission is to encourage partners to support a wide range of conservation to grow as we work with schools and groups from people in our community to get outdoors and efforts in the Saratoga Sandplains Our partner, the Town of Wilton, Saratoga County, and beyond. experience the beauty and healthful benefits found NYS DEC takes the lead role in conservation At the end of 2019 we restructured our staffing in nature. We work closely with our partners to management,. This year saw Saratoga County which will allow us to work with more college help provide year round outdoor recreation by working with the DEC to create new Karner interns and to work more closely with schools, working with them in maintaining existing trails and butterfly habitat on County Forestland as part of camps, after school programs, and other groups helping to create new trails and linkages. This year, the airport mitigation project. from preschoolers through adults. the Town of Wilton and NYS DEC worked to com-

Group programs are just one part of what we do. plete a connector trail along Scout Road. Our For the public, we offer nature walks and talks, volunteer trail stewards are dedicated to helping pond explorations and craft programs year-round. monitor the trails and assist in their upkeep. During the two broods of the Karner blue butter- fly, we have guided walks to educate about our best known species! We have an annual Wildlife Festival and bring our exhibits and hands-on activities to many community events and festivals. This year we received funding to bring outdoor painting workshops and musical performances in

nature.

We work with so many different community groups it is hard to list them all, but here is list of many of the groups we worked with in 2019: Outdoor recreation means different things to differ- We coordinate with our partners to provide sup- 4H, Academy for Lifelong Learning, BOCES, Boy ent people but it is all important! New York State port and manpower . We assisted with most of the Scouts, Colonie Youth Center; Franklin acknowledges the importance through many of its year’s projects with our Environmental Education Community Center’s Project Lift, Gavin Park, Girl plans and initiatives and we are proud to be able to and Conservation Interns and volunteers. Scouts, Hudson Crossing Park, Malta Community help get people outdoors. We see people using the  Karner blue butterfly monitoring Center, Moreau Lake , the Prevention Preserve & Park to go on a nature walk, go bird  Blanding’s Turtle Research Project Council, , the Saratoga  Reptile Monitoring watching, get out to photograph nature, for walking Springs Public Library, Skidmore College outdoors for themselves and for their pets, for going  Habitat preparation work at Fox Environmental Studies students, and Washington  DEC habitat mowing and brush removal for fitness runs, for mountain biking, snowshoeing, County Important Bird Area.  Pheasant release at Old Gick cross country skiing, and more! With all of the  Wild Blue Lupine seed picking parcels of protected land, there are over 25 miles of  New Jersey Tea seed picking trails for people to enjoy.

 Butterfly Milkweed seed picking and cleaning Our commitment to year-round outdoor recreation  Woodcock Survey includes our winter trail grooming program at Camp  FrogWatch USA training Saratoga North. We will be better able to accom-  FrogWatch surveys plish this with Trevor Borden’s Eagle Scout Project  Transect marking in Karner habitat  Earth Day Transect Marking to build a new grooming equipment shed. It was  Easement Monitoring completed with great assistance from the Town of

 iMap Invasives Training Wilton Pa ge 2 The Saratoga Stryders running club is a valued partner, holding a series of 5k fun runs in the summer and an 8k snowshoe race in the winter. 9th Annual 8th Annual Attendance for 2019 Photography Show Wilton Wildlife Festival The eighth annual Photography Show debuted at the Annual Meeting in December at the Pre- serve & Park Office. Winners were:  Best in Show: Karner on Purple by Ron Harrower  Judge’s Choice: Golden Rod Golden Hour by Amyjean Robbins  Best in Conservation: Sunbeams and Lupine by Ashley Feiheit  Best in Recreation: Conservation Past by Bernie Fabry  Best Under 13: Feather by Bethany Myatt  Best Karner Blue Butterfly Shot: Above the This annual event is held every year on the Sunday Lupine by Brian Herkalo after Memorial Day since that is the time of year  Best Nature in Autumn: Pond in Fall when the wild blue lupine in the meadow is in full Splendor by Craig Horneck bloom and the first brood of Karner blue butter-  Best in Education: Mets Fan by Howard flies have emerged. It is the perfect time to see the Lester Preserve & Park at its peak!  Best Nature in Winter: Prints and 11,788 We had a wonderful event in 2019 after the previ- Reflections by Michelle O’Hare ous year’s rainy event. Hundreds of people from  Best Animal Shot: Black Racer Head by Program Participants the community came to Camp Saratoga to enjoy all Ron Harrower of the activities, including the Silent Wings pro- Eric Avery, once again served as judge for the gram in the Dining Hall. Activities included pond more than fifty entries submitted by seventeen exploration, nature crafts, planting lupine, and photographers. All photographs were taken at going on nature walks into the meadow to look for Wilton Wildlife Preserve & Park and highlight Karner blue butterflies. The Town of Wilton’s the amazing beauty and diversity of the natural historic Cornell Hill Fire Tower was open to the world that is right in our own community. public. As with all of our events, our volunteers Many of the photographs are featured in this made it all possible! Thanks to Ballston Spa Annual Report. National Bank and Southern Adirondack Audubon their sponsorship support.

Yearly Attendance Comparison

Pa ge 3 Visit us on-line for event notices, program updates, trail conditions and closures, trail maps, directions, volunteer opportunities, and more! www.wiltonpreserve.org You can also visit us on facebook: www/facebook.com/#1/WiltonPreserve Thank You to everyone who volunteered their time and expertise in 2019 2019 Income

Volunteers contributed more than 1,500 hours in 2019! Our fantasitic volunteers help out in so many ways. Their work allows us to fulfill our mission and is key to our success. So a big, heartfelt T ha n k You to everyone who volunteered for Wilton Wildlife Preserve & Park in 2019. More than David Luck Heather Coton Students 100 Hours Sue Matthews Chantal Coutore Lois Leonard Rachel Adamsky Dave Matteson Joe & Susan Crua Anna Lewis Linda Baker Peg McCanty Martha Devaney Johanna MacKay Jennifer Benaman Marci Revette Jenn Ferriss Wendy Mahaney Matthew Miczek Bob Rice Johanna Garrison Lori McCarron Ryan Riper 51 – 99 Hours Jodi & Taylor Jessica Plotnik Larry Dana Tim Schlachter Gurney Emily Popp Freddie Klaus Kurt Smemo Scott Harrington Bob Reepmeyer Richard Pine Karen Sosler Bridget Henry Brenda Sanchez Wilton Troop 24 Caroline Stem Shelby Himelrick Jessica Shea Under 20 20 – 50 Hours Jean Hoins Maja & Sophie Hours Eric Avery Linda Hovious Smemo Adirondack Sky Mark Bellantoni Watchers Parker Huer Snowden Family Trevor Borden Jeff Barnes Heidi Kaufmann Sophia Spellman Bob Fagan Liam Bell Peter & Tony Gretchen Stark Jeffrey Lawson Amelie & Katie Krackeler Malina Stawarz Howard Lester Benaman- Loy La Wendy Whittmore Robert Lippman Roginski LASAR Don Wildermuth Jill & Pieter Howard Blake LeMoyne College Wilton Rotary Litchfield Melissa Calabria Service Trip

B o a r d o f Matthew Miczek David MacDougall Coordinator/ R y a n R i p e r Ray O’Conor Environmental D i r e c t o r s Tim Schlachter Frank Parillo E d u c a t o r

Jennifer Benaman, K u r t S m e m o Mike Prutsman Erin McCabe, C h a i r Karen Sosler 2019 Expenses Caroline Stem, S t a f f Volunteer and S e c r e t a r y E m e r i t u s Margo Olson, Stewardship Coordinator/ Robert Rice, Bobby D’Andrea Executive Director Environmental Wilton Wildlife Preserve & Park, Inc. is a tax-exempt public charity under Section 501 T r e a s u r e r Pieter Litchfield Alexander Garrigan - E d u c a t o r (c)3 of the U.S. Internal Revenue Code and a registered NYS charity. Linda Baker Peg McCanty P i e l a , Roy McDonald Rachel Adamsky Mark Bellantoni E d u c a t i o n All contributions are tax-deductible to the fullest extent of the law. A copy of our Freddie Klaus Heather Coton Coordinator audited financial statements may be obtained by writing to us at 80 Scout Road, Gan- Advisory Council MarthaPa geDevaney 4 Environmental Victoria Herkalo, Education and sevoort, NY 12831 or from the NYS Dept. of Law Bob Lippman M a r k B a k e r G a r y D a k e E d u c a t i o n Conservation Interns Charities Bureau, 120 Broadway, New York, NY 10271.

Wild About Blue

Wild about Blue, the major fundraising event for the Wilton Wildlife Preserve & Park took place on Sunday, October 20, 2019 at Prime at the Saratoga National Golf Club with drinks,

a bountiful dinner, and a unique silent auction.

Each year at the event, we present the Metamorphosis Award, which honors individuals who have helped create dramatic changes in their communities, just as the Karner blue butterfly and other species go through remarkable transformations in

their life cycles.

The Metamorphosis Award this year is honored Art Johnson for his work for the Wilton community for so many years. Art was the first chair of the committee that was formed by the Town of Wilton to explore the idea of creating Wilton Wildlife Preserve & Park. He has been a tireless supporter of Wilton Wildlife and an advocate for the residents of Wilton, first as a town board member and then as the Town Supervisor. Art has created positive and dramatic changes in our community and we were proud to have him as our honoree this year!

Wild about Blue Honorary Committee

Conservationist

Jennifer Benaman & Andrew Roginski  Scotty’s Exit 16 – The Parillos  Wilton Rotary

Steward Anchor QEA  Linda Baker  Drs. Chris & Leisa Brockett  Robert Lippman; Lemery Greisler LLC Spring Valley Apartments, Saratoga Springs  Stewart’s Shops  The D.A. Collins Companies Lucy R. Waletzky, M.D.

Guardian Mark & Annamaria Bellantoni  Mark & Marie Dailey  Linda Hovious, Richard Hovious, & Dawn Delafave Tony & Rachel Krackeler  Prime at Saratoga National  Bob Rice, Debbie Rice, Hailey Houde Kurt Smemo & Wendy Mahaney  Karen Sosler & John Henry  Caroline Stem & Bill Sprengnether The Nature Conservancy, New York

Protector Adirondack Trust Company  Rabbi Bert & Bailey Bloom  Jean & John Buhac  Dr. Lawrence A. Dana Steve Dempsey & Jenn Hunt Dempsey  Lana Earle & Bradley Birge Chris & Jen Ferriss Robert Fagan Carol & Arnold Firestone  Sally Hart  Patty HasBrouck  George & Becky Hodgson  Jean E. Hoins Kilduff & O’Connor Family  Joanne & Tom Klepetar  Marti La Due & Mark Baker  Greg & Marti Laird John & Sue Lant  Maxine & Joel Lautenberg  Howard Lester  Lyons & Mulder Family Dentistry Kim Marsella & Blue Neils  Marshall & Sterling Insurance  Liz & Phil McCabe  Douglas Meyer & Lee McGoldrick  Matthew Miczek & Ann Marie Przywara  Ray & Mary O’Conor  David & Caroline Putman Wilton Wildlife Preserve & Park, Inc. is a tax-exempt public charity under Section 501 RK Engineering  Saratoga National Bank and Trust Co.  Tim Schlachter & Kate Ferris  Susan, Alan, & (c)3 of the U.S. Internal Revenue Code and a registered NYS charity. Brian Solinsky  Steve & Rene Streicher  Patricia Watkins John Witt  Jeannine Woutersz All contributions are tax-deductible to the fullest extent of the law. A copy of our audited financial statements may be obtained by writing to us at 80 Scout Road, Gan- sevoort, NY 12831 or from the NYS Dept. of Law Pa ge 5 Charities Bureau, 120 Broadway, New York, NY 10271. Planning for the Larry Gordon Camp Saratoga Visitor Center In 2019, we began the planning for an exciting new project to be located at Camp Saratoga. We worked with the Town of Wilton to begin to develop a plan for a year-round Visitor Center that would become the focal point for visitors and users of Camp Saratoga. It is being named after Larry Gordon, who spent most of his life protecting, enhancing, and promoting the conservation of the landscape of Camp Saratoga. The Visitor Center is a collaborative project of the Town of Wilton, Wilton Wildlife Preserve & Park, and the Scouting Museum Committee.

The Vision of the Larry Gordon Camp Saratoga Visitor Center:  A welcoming building located alongside the trailhead at Camp Saratoga;  A facility filled with information and exhibits about the natural history, flora, fauna, and environment of the Saratoga Sandplains; the human history of Camp Saratoga; and that encourages people to get outdoors;  A place where knowledgeable staff and volunteers will enhance the park visitors’ experience;  The new heart of public programming at Camp Saratoga. 2019 Members & Donors Thanks to all w ho made financial or other contributions to the Wilton Wildlife Preserve & Park in 2019. The follow ing list identifies those w ho have granted permission for their names to be included. We apologize for any errors and ask that they be brought to our attention.

Page Darrow & Taylor Morrison Dorothy Kelliher Charles Morrison St. Francis & St. Charles Motels In Memory of Paul Woschanko Page Darrow Jan Davis Chip Kilduff & Kathleen O’Connor Jim & Linda Morzillo Gretchen Stark Laura Clark Price Chopper/Market 32 Mr. Nicholas Day Mr. and Mrs. Tom Klepetar Angela Moses Mr. and Mrs. Per Staubo Mr. and Mrs. John Lant Prime at Saratoga National Linda Decket Susan Knapik Rabbis Linda Motzkin & Caroline Stem & Purdy’s Discount Wine & Liquor In-Kind Donations: Steve Dempsey & Barbara Kolapakka Jonathan Rubenstein Bill Sprengnether Sanity Seekers 4Imprint Jenn Hunt Dempsey Michael Koslowsky Munter Enterprises Mr. and Mrs. Robert Stevens Saratoga Arms 9 Miles East Jackie Donnelly Tony and Rachel Krackeler Dana Murphy Stewart’s Shops Saratoga National Golf Club A Bead Just So Renee Dufek Maria Kruger Mary Murray Steve and Rene Streicher Saratoga Performing Arts Center Discovery Dr. Richard Dunham, D.M.D. Mr. and Mrs. E. Joseph Kubat Mr. and Mrs. Lee Nagel Lois Streit Saratoga Spicery Center Nancy and Kevin Dwyer Wendy & Lawrence Kutcher Mr. and Mrs. Glenn Nelson Janet Talley and Bob Walsh Saratoga Strike Zone Alpine Sport Shop Adirondack Trust Company Wally Elton Martha LaDue Bonnie Nightingale The Christopher Dailey Saratoga YMCA Bay Optical ADK-Glens Falls/Saratoga Anne Ernst Gregg & Marti Laird Mr. and Mrs. Tim Noble Foundation Saratoga Wine & Spirits Bella & Lindy Chapter Mr. and Mrs. John Ernst Mr. and Mrs. John Lant Mr. and Mrs. Ray O’Conor The Nature Conservancy-ENY Blue Sky Bicycles Silverado Christopher & Santa Alba Mr. and Mrs. Andrew Eschner David LaRussa Mr. and Mrs. Bill O’Donnell Barbara Thomas Silver Bay YMCA Conference & Caffe Lena Robin Ambrosino & David Bob Fagan & Richard Lasselle & Ms. Kay Olan Mr. Davis Towne Cantina Family Retreat Center Hurteau Charleen Jensen -Fagan Karen Kettlewell Margo and Jeff Olson Trek Bicycles Solevo Caroline Stem Anchor QEA Carol Fairbanks DonnaLavery Mr. Jerome Orton Trustco Bank Catherine Golden Spa City Wine & Spirits Robin & Frank Antalek Rick Fenton & Deirdre Leland Mr. and Mrs. Frank Parillo Barbara Unger Stella and Dot Chez Pierre Mrs. Linda Baker Hollyday Hammond Lemery Greisler LLC Faith and John Parker Mr. and Mrs. Matt Veitch Common Roots Brewery Sweet Mimi’s Mark Baker Jen & Chris Ferriss Lois Leonard Mr. Charles Pickett Gillian & Andrew Verdu The Adelphi Creative Collective Ballston Spa National Bank Carol and Arnold Firestone Mr. Howard Lester Mr. Richard Pine Mr. and Mrs. Eugene Vermilyea Creative Sparks The Brook Tavern Kevin & Gabe Bartlett Lynne Florio Bob Lippman & Linda Plante Mrs. Jane Adams Wait The Egg Lisa Bates Mr. and Mrs, Bill Fox Johanna Garrison Mr. and Mrs. Richard Pollock Dr. Lucy R. Waletzky Cudney’s Cleaners The Wild Center; Dion Snowshoes Ramona Bearor Dr. and Mrs. Philip Gara Margaret Litwin Robert Pommerer Trish Watkins The Wishing Well Jackie Beattie Liz and Alan Gee Barbara Lombardo Ann Marie Przywara Jen Watson DZ Restaurants Walmart Eastern Mountain Sports Mr, Andrew Beers Gail and Roland Gerber Mary and Mike Los Mr. and Mrs. David Putman Mr. and Mrs. Warren Weil Wild Birds Unlimited East Side Wine & Spirits Mark and Annamaria Bellantoni Ms. Patricia Gibson Mr. and Mrs. Robert Lounsbury Denise Radke & Mr. Jon Weilbaker & Yana Yoga Spa & Studio Flatbread Social Jennifer Benaman & Linda and Elliott Glansberg Lyons & Mulder Family Dentistry Lawrence Thomas Ms. Pat Tuz Fusion Hair Salon Drew Roginski Marcia Goldfeder & Tim and Heather Mabee Laura Rappaport Karen Weltman & Jon Sterngas Grants, G. Willikers Mark Bettinger & Julie Rogers James Caiello Clem & Janette Marino Jeff Reale Wilton Rotary Corporate, and Gatherings Wildflower Botanical Bradley Birge & Lana Earle Mr. and Mrs, Bruce Goodale Kim Marsella & Blue Neils Mr. and Mrs. Jack Reber Mike & Monica Winn Foundation Support: Gore Mountain Beverly Blinn-Knapp Mr. and Mrs. Robert Goodwin Marshall & Sterling Mr. and Mrs. Bob Reepmeyer Mr. and Mrs. Ethan Winter Grey Ghost Bicycle Adirondack Trust Community Rabbi and Mrs. Bert Bloom Lynn Haggerty Chuck Marshall & Julie McDonald Marci Revette Witt Construction Foundation Hannaford Joel Bloom & Julie Novkov Mr. David Hall Chuck Martin Mr. and Mrs. Bob Rice Jeannine Woutersz Healthy Living Market & Café Ballston Spa National Bank Duane Bogardus & Deb Hall & Bill Rooper Stephanie Mason Shelly Riley Saratoga Arts Community Arts In Memory of Jeffrey T. Clark Home Made Theater Shelly Knowles Hallam-ICS David Matteson Ryan K. Riper Grant through the New York State Laura Clark Homewood Suite Donald Bookstein & Mr. and Mrs. Sean Halligan Kristina Matthews Mr. Richard Rosen Council on the Arts Impressions Helene Garber Mr. and Mrs. Robert Hamlin Sue Matthews Ted Rydzewski & In Memory of Larry Gordon iRun Local Stewart’s Shops Mr. and Mrs. John Borel Bill Hammond Liz and Phil McCabe Christine Chariton Mr. & Mrs. Keith Hall ZBGA Program of New York State Jackie Donnelly Laurie & Joseph F. Bouchard Mr. and Mrs. Steve Harran, Jr. Ms. Peg McCanty & Mr. and Mrs. Robert Sand Mr. Rich Speidel Jeff Olson OPRHP Drs. Jean & John Buhac Sally Hart Mr. Michael Geppner Saratoga National Bank Janice Burns Ms. Patty Hasbrouck John and Kim McEachron Saratoga Stryders In Memory of Our Parents Jennifer Armstrong Mr. and Mrs. Chip Guyon Jennifer Benaman Mr. and Mrs. David Canavan John Helenek Mr. and Mrs. Robert McGough Saratoga Veterinary Hospital Timothy Carr Tori Herkalo Erin McMahon Mr. and Mrs. Dennis Saville In Honor of Betty McCanty Jones & Fifty Wines & Liquor Katie DeGroot Sarah & Sean Cartwright Mr. and Mrs. George Hodgson Dan & Maryanne McNamara Tim Schlachter & Kate Ferris Jane Adams Wait Kava Creations Mr. and Mrs, Werner Classen Mr. and Mrs. David Hoffman Margo Mensing Mr. and Mrs. John Schneider In Honor of Peg McCanty Lake George Steamboat Co. Michael Cohen & Diana Goodwin Jean Hoins Douglas Meyer & Kurt Smemo & Dr. Maureen McCanty & Lapland Lake Nordic Vacation Mr. and Mrs. John Collins Linda & Richard Hovious Lee McGoldrick Wendy Mahaney Dr. Dennis Card Center Mr. and Mrs. Don Colosimo Mr. Dennis Hultay & Mr. Matthew Miczek Morvireen Smith Lifestyles Mr. Todd Compani Mrs. Barbara Bates-Hultay Mr. and Mrs. Christopher Miller Norman & Natalie Smith In Memory of Michael E. Longfellow’s Mr. and Mrs. Brian Corcoran Debbie Hummel Ray & Debbie June Miller Dr. and Mrs. Alan Solinsky McCarron Lucia Ms. Ann Crowell Iris Jourdan Mr. and Mrs. Brian Milzoff Karen Sosler & John Henry Lori McCarron Dr. Marc Johnson, Smiles for Life D.A. Collins Companies J. Edward Kautz Maria Moran Dr. David Spingarn In Memory of Lynn Schumann Northshire Books Mr. and Mrs. Larry Dana Mr. and Mrs. Jim Kehoe Mr. and Mrs. David Morris Patrice Marshall Spingarn Nicole & Mike Leonard Olde Bryan Inn