www.otsegolandtrust.org Summer 2010 fi eld, forest & fen Connecing People wih the Land Marcie Foster Marcie

Paddling the Green Mile Green Mile on Susquehanna River

A “green mile” was recently secured along the Susquehanna River thanks to the conservation efforts of three families in Phoenix Mills. Helen Crowell recently IN THIS ISSUE partnered with Otsego Land Trust to protect her property at the confl uence of the Susquehanna River and Oaks Creek with a conservation easement. This 1 Green Mile, The Nature of Conservation 30-acre easement links two contiguous conservation properties, including the Compton Bridge site owned by the Land Trust. Together, these three properties 2 Field Notes provide a mile of protected river and creek frontage in an area experiencing high 3 Conservation Spotlight development pressure south of Cooperstown. 4 Focus on Stewardship “We are grateful to the conservation-minded residents of Phoenix Mills who 5 People Behind the Scenes worked with Otsego Land Trust to protect an entire mile of the river” said Peter 6 Photography Contest, Hujik, Executive Director. “ continued on page 7 Champion Tree Search 8 Upcoming Events, Website

THE NATURE OF CONSERVATION lakes, and ponds. Conservation practi- Brook Trout tioners consider brook trout an indicator species because a strong wild brook The brook trout (Salvelinus fontinalis), trout population indicates that the also known as the speckled trout, is stream where they live is healthy and New York’s offi cial freshwater fi sh and has excellent water quality. A decline native to much of the eastern United in brook trout populations can serve States. Anglers value “brookies” for as an early warning that the health of their sporting action and fi ne eating. A the entire aquatic system is at risk. strikingly beautiful fi sh, with speckles Brook trout populations are usually that intensify in color at spawning time, dominated by small fi sh less than 12 Brook trout brook trout survive in only the coldest inches in length, continued on page 7 and cleanest, well-oxygenated streams,

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seedlings at the ever-popular 4th of July Parade in Springfi eld. The trees go quickly, so we have to buy more for the third consecutive year! Otsego Land Trust protects the distinctive rural character of the Otsego County area In April, a dedicated group learned by securing lands and waters of signifi cant about forest management at our forest scenic, historic, and ecological value, management workshop and woods including forests and farmlands. walk. Last weekend, an enthusiastic Board of Directors crowd observed the mammoth sycamore trees growing along the Harry Levine CHAIRMAN Susquehanna River within conserva- tion lands in the Phoenix Mills area. Carla Hall Friedman VICE CHAIRMAN And we hope to recruit your help this

Sharon Hujik Sharon summer in fi nding our area’s biggest Frank Kolbert Little Sprouts TREASURER trees in the Champion Tree Search. Field Notes Please consider lending your creative John W. Carnahan SECRETARY talent in our photography contest, Have you ever planted a tree? If you centered on the theme of “People Kent L. Barwick have, you know the sense of accom- and Trees”. David T. Bliss plishment that follows digging, planting Richard J. Blabey and watering. And the satisfaction Henry S.F. Cooper, Jr. J. Joseph Homburger lingers—for years—as you watch the What would we do Jennifer Huntington tree grow, change and mature season Paul Kidder after season. Faith and hope are without places for children Francis J. Nolan, M.D. implicit in the very act of planting, as Earle N. Peterson you look to the future. The Man Who to run, climb trees and Gilbert T. Vincent, PhD Planted Trees by Jean Giono is a great Henry F.C. Weil, M.D. mess around? Julia C. Wertenbaker read for those who revel in trees and short stories. Directors Emeriti After participating in and leading John I. Howell J. Michael Moffatt large-scale stream-side forest restora- What would we do without places for George B. Snell tion efforts in northern California, children to run, climb trees and mess planting trees is in my blood. My wife Staff around? Author and historian Wallace and I planted maple trees to celebrate Stegner referred to the network of Peter Hujik EXECUTIVE DIRECTOR the birth of our son Luke two years protected areas emerging around the ago. This spring, Luke helped me country as a “geography of hope”. Connie Tedesco plant native hemlock seedlings on our OPERATIONS COORDINATOR Thank you for spreading the word about north-facing slope. He handed me the how people can play a vital role in our MacKenzie Waro seedlings and marked them for water- LAND PROTECTION SPECIALIST local conservation efforts. Your ongoing ing with blaze-orange fl ags. and generous support continues to Marcie Foster STEWARDSHIP ASSOCIATE This year, Otsego Land Trust is provid- encourage us. Thank you for planting ing many opportunities for people to seeds of hope in our community. Otsego Land Trust is partially funded by the New York connect with trees and the land. Conservation Partnership Program administered by the Land Trust Alliance Northeast Program with support from the State Hundreds of children will be able to of New York. A copy of Otsego Land Trust’s annual fi nancial share the joy of planting trees and report may be obtained upon request from our offi ce or from the New York State Attorney General’s Charities Bureau, watching them grow, as the Otsego Peter Hujik attn: FOIL Offi cer, 120 Broadway, New York, NY 10271. Land Trust team hands out native tree Executive Director

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A Heritage of Floodplain Protection on Decatur Creek

The De Long family has lived in the Worcester and Westford area since 1803, when Elias settled in Westford. The history of the De Longs—and other local history—is well recounted by Larry De Long, a former town historian, who recently partnered with Otsego Land Trust to honor his father, Albert De Long, by protecting his strategically located, two-acre parcel on Decatur

Sharon Hujik Sharon Creek in the hamlet of Worcester. Dorothy Manley on Scotch Hill “My father mowed this fi eld every year until he was 80 years old,” Larry CONSERVATION SPOTLIGHT Integrating ecological restoration reminisced, “and he wanted this 91-Acre Farm Protected projects with conservation easements parcel to remain open.” The lot has on Scotch Hill is a growing priority for Otsego Land long been a pleasant open area for Trust and its partners. neighborhood events, fl ying kites, Dorothy Manley doesn’t have to walk A friendly face, a good listener, and and other types of recreation. far from her front porch for some pretty a hard worker, Dorothy is well known As part of the fl oodplain for Decatur incredible views across the Otego for her almost 20 years manning the Creek, the protected parcel buffers Creek Valley in the Town of Hartwick. counter at the Quickway on State neighboring homes from fl oods. In fact, Just across the driveway, actually, and Route 205 in Hartwick. Before that, all three conservation projects described that’s the way she wants it to stay— many remember her at the Farm & in this newsletter, in three different now and forever. That’s why she Home on Main Street in Cooperstown. towns and along three different water- worked with Otsego Land Trust to At 82 years of age, Dorothy is glad ways, include a fl oodplain-conservation place a conservation easement on 91 to share some memories of her many component. A common misperception acres on the top of Scotch Hill, north- years of dairy farming on Scotch Hill. is that state and federal regulations west of the hamlet of Hartwick. The She also enjoys watching wildlife- prevent development in fl oodplains farm encompasses 34 acres of active deer, fox, turkeys, a mother bear and and other wetlands. But board mem- farmland, 13 acres of woods, 5 acres cub a few years ago, and lately a ber Joe Homburger frequently adds of wetland, and a trout-spawning trib- curious woodchuck. clarity to the issue reminding people utary of Otego Creek. Her interest in conservation has grown that the laws regulate wetlands devel- Dorothy joins two other families that over the years as she watched farm- opment, but don’t always prohibit it. collectively have protected over land like hers being carved up, and Larry De Long has long valued open 1,400 acres in the Upper Otego sensed that many of the newcomers space and the Town of Worcester. Creek area. In just the last three years, did not feel a strong attachment to Larry chaired and served on the Town over 2 miles of headwater tributaries the land. “I don’t want to look out Planning Board for over fi ve years, and to Otego Creek have been secured. from my porch and see more houses was recently involved in completing the Dorothy’s conservation efforts are and all this land chopped up” she Worcester Heritage Park in downtown noteworthy because she also is part- explains. Standing in an open fi eld Worcester. Thanks to the De Long fam- nering with the Farm Service Agency with rolling hills in the background, ily, this green legacy along Decatur to restore a natural stream-side buffer she spreads her arms and declares Creek adds a new and important along a stretch of the tributary that “I just love it here!” chapter to conservation efforts in the runs through her farm to improve Worcester area. „ water quality and trout habitat.

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FOCUS ON STEWARDSHIP dumping, may go unnoticed by a What is Stewardship and landowner and land trust. By docu- Why Does it Matter? menting pre-existing conditions, the landowner and land trust are in a By Marcie Foster better position to legally defend the property and its conservation values Conservation easements are designed from illegal encroachments. to protect places forever. But how can anything last forever? As the old In a couple of generations, easement adage goes, the only constant is properties will not be exactly the same change, and that’s especially true for as the day that the easement was the physical environment. In fact, the signed. However, with proper stew- dynamic nature of the environment is ardship, all changes, warranted or one of the things that makes it unwarranted, will be observed, docu- mented and addressed so that the special. Conservation easements are C. Tedesco „ designed to protect the land and Keith Additon and John Davis monitor easement integrity of the land remains intact. associated streams and wetlands, so go unnoticed, and may impact the that they can continue to function and conservation values of the land. Un- Forest Stewardship evolve naturally over time. like deed restrictions, conservation Workshop easements assign land trusts the responsibility of monitoring and up- In mid-April, over 30 people from holding their provisions. Stewardship is the solid a wide range of backgrounds came To me, one of the most important together to take advantage of our commitment to monitor aspects of stewardship is tracking the fi rst Forestry Management Workshop and defend a property and conservation values of easement lands and Woods Walk at Greenwoods as they change over time. The notes Conservancy in the Town of Burlington. its conservation values, and photographs we take of the Guest speakers included Cornell and is one of the most plants, animals, wetlands, streams, Cooperative Extension educators Kevin farms and their historic buildings and Mathers and Rebecca Hargrave, who important responsibilities barns on an annual basis are docu- discussed how to develop a forest mented and carefully archived. What management plan and forest ecology of land trusts. a great resource these documents will issues. New York State Department of be 100 years from now to observe Conservation foresters Daniel Gaidasz how changes have occurred, both and Joshua Borst spoke about forestry natural and unnatural. programs provided by the state that So howhdld do land trusts maintain the h terms provide fi nancial incentives and assis- For example, if a tornado rips through of the conservation easement when the tance for forest owners. Rod Jones, a protected forest stand, it will level property itself is constantly changing? certifi ed forester of Northeast Timber trees and change the entire ecosystem. The answer is in stewardship. Services, led a woods walk through By stewarding the property prior to this the managed forests of Greenwoods Stewardship is the solid commitment dramatic event, a land trust will have Conservancy for a fi rst-hand look at to monitor and defend a property and documented the valuable resources of how trees are selected for harvest, its conservation values, and is one of the property, which may include an and demonstrated some of the tools the most important responsibilities of American chestnut or an ecologically used by foresters. In spite of the very land trusts. Of course the environment sensitive vernal pool, and will be able chilly weather, participants enjoyed will change over time, and that is why to document the changes that occur. it is important to visit and observe the the engaging speakers, friendly Without consistent monitoring efforts, property. Without proper monitoring, company and camaraderie, and learned unwanted changes, such as illegal changes, both planned and unplanned, how to better manage forests. „

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tangible outcomes of land trusts, they quickly joined the conservation efforts of Otsego Land Trust. The conservation ethic of John Muir and Aldo Leopold comes naturally to them. They both grew up in rural areas, neither of which remains as unspoiled as the Cooperstown area. They spent summers on an Adirondack lake and hiked some of the 46 High Peaks while their children were growing up. This inspired Kent to serve on the Boards of the Sagamore Institute on Raquette

C. Tedesco Lake and the Association for the Forest Management Workshop and Woods Walk participants Protection of the Adirondacks. Bonnie has provided her legal skills in charitable PEOPLE BEHIND THE SCENES New York—Cobleskill and hopes to giving and conservation easements to Marcie Foster pursue a masters degree in a conser- Open Spaces and Saratoga PLAN. vation-related fi eld. She also works Now they are getting involved in the part-time at the Clark Sports Center as efforts of Otsego Land Trust. an outdoor educator and rock climbing instructor. At Otsego Land Trust, continued on page 6 Marcie is responsible for organizing stewardship records, scheduling monitoring visits, and creating a management plan template for land Wish List trust properties, such as the Compton Bridge parcel on the Susquehanna Fireproof fi ling cabinet $2,000 River. Her passion for the land is Tree seedlings (1,000) $750 Marcie Foster refl ected in the care and dedication apparent in her work and in her Indesign graphics software $700 “Check out that stone pile!” passion to be outdoors. “Isn’t that a Digital SLR Camera $600 liverwort?” she asks, while stopping “What a beautiful moss.” to admire yet another treasure along Stand for Xerox Phaser “Isn’t this fl ower a…” the trail. Copier $500 The enthusiastic commentary continues GPS unit $400 as we wind our way along an old trail in Signs for events (3) $125 the woods in the town of Middlefi eld. Bonnie and Kent Jones: Marcie Foster, our third Earle Peterson A Passion for Conservation Conservation Fellow, enjoys this work, Prompts Monthly Action Contributing any of the above especially the outdoors part. A 2008 supplies and equipment will graduate of State University of New York Bonnie and Kent Jones are the kind of further local conservation efforts —New Paltz with a bachelor’s degree people that know what they want. and connect more people with in geography, Marcie has naturally They chose Cooperstown as their the land. Contact our offi ce with migrated to jobs that include outside home largely because the lake, sur- any questions and for more activities—archeology, mapping, and rounding farms, and countryside are information about specifi cations. conservation. She has just completed a far less spoiled than other rural areas course in botany at State University of in the Northeast. Appreciating the

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“People and Trees” Champion Tree Search “We realize that most Photography Contest What is the biggest tree you’ve seen in contributions come in at the Otsego Land Trust is sponsoring a the area? Is it that tall, majestic white end of the calendar year, photo contest with the theme “People pine on a ridgeline or a sugar maple and Trees” open to all residents of along the hedgerow? We would love but that fi xed expenses the Otsego Region. Photos should to share your bragging rights with come every month.” depict the importance of trees in our others and celebrate the champion lives, our dependence and interactions trees throughout the area. Be sure to with trees and forests, or the human enter your big tree discovery in the connection to trees in general. fi rst annual Champion Tree Search, sponsored by Otsego Land Trust. Jones continuedd ffrom page 5 All entries must be received or post- Hiking in the Cheviot Mountains in marked by October 31, 2010. Up to 3 In this fi rst year we will be looking for northern England heightened the photos may be submitted in one of 3 the biggest trees of native or natural- Jones’ commitment to the conserva- categories: Professional, Amateur, or ized species. The winning trees will tion and stewardship of watersheds, Youth (age 18 or under on October be determined by trunk circumference wooded hills and farmland. “England 31, 2010). Photos may be in color or in conjunction with height and crown appears to us as if it’s 500 years ahead black and white. Only digital photo- measurements. Please spread the word of the United States in the steward- graphs in .jpg format will be accepted. to children in your neighborhood and ship of its land. There is little urban or Photos will be featured on Otsego your local boy or girl scout troops! Why village sprawl and every acre of Land Trust’s new website to be not use the tree search as an excuse tillable farmland is protected as part launched later this summer, and favor- for an outdoor excursion with your of the food supply. We asked ourselves ite photos will be selected by a panel kids or grandchildren this summer? why Americans aren’t more passionate selected by Otsego Land Trust and Certifi cates and fi eld guides will be about land protection? Now, we feel announced at year-end. One photo mailed to winners in each species compelled to spread the word about from each category (Professional, category. Otsego Land Trust will conservation and to help secure the Amateur, or Youth) will be selected help you learn how your champion resources to sustain the environmental for monetary prizes of $100/each, and tree compares to those on the state health and natural beauty of our area.” one or more honorable mentions in and national levels. Those who each category will be awarded. Bonnie and Kent are the most recent nominate trees that qualify for the people to join our monthly giving Photographs may be sent electronically State Big Tree Register may receive program. “We elected to have our to [email protected], mailed additional prizes and publicity. For contribution withdrawn from our bank to Otsego Land Trust Tree Photos, guidelines and entry forms please account on a monthly basis and appre- P.O. Box 173, Cooperstown, NY 13326, email [email protected] ciate that Otsego Land Trust offers that or dropped off at Pioneer Alley, 101 or call (607) 547-2366. „ option,” Bonnie recently told us. “We Main St., Cooperstown, NY 13326. An realize that most contributions come in entry form must be completed for at the end of the calendar year, but each photo submitted. To receive that fi xed expenses come every month. contest guidelines and entry forms, We hope that what is convenient for us email [email protected] also helps cash fl ow at Otsego Land or call (607) 547-2366. „ Trust.” Please join us in extending a hearty welcome to Bonnie and Kent as they get settled in the area and get involved in local conservation efforts. „

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Green Mile continued from page 1 This green mile encompasses some of the best rural lands in the region, including active farmland, fl oodplain forest and wetlands, and a signifi cant historic site. Protecting land along the Susquehanna River allows this important waterway to function natu- rally and helps keep all that depend on it healthy.”

Linking Three Sites

Helen Crowell grew up in Phoenix Mills Bruce Johnson Photography - Cooperstown Hiking the Green Mile with her brother Peter Farmer, who Bumppo already settled on the land, protected his neighboring property a Brook Trout continued from page 1 William Cooper discovered that David couple of years ago. “I have vivid and and they normally weigh less Shipman had preceded him to Otsego. memories of walking every inch of this than fi ve pounds in New York waters. A check of the recorded deeds in Otsego property” she said. She also cited the The relatively short lifespan, typically County reveals that he never held title natural, historical and archaeological fi ve years maximum, and slow growth to his land. Like Natty Bumppo, Shipman signifi cance of the area as motivating rates contribute to their small size. was a squatter.” Prior to Shipman, the factors for her conservation easement. They feed on small aquatic insects, confl uence area was inhabited by local Another Phoenix Mills resident, John mollusks, crustaceans, and other small tribes, according to David Staley, Robinson, helped Otsego Land Trust fish and minnows, but will eat what- archaeologist with New York State’s purchase the Compton Bridge site, ever they can fi nd, including air-borne Cultural Resource Survey Program. downstream from Crowell, by alerting insects that fall into the water. During staff to its sale in 2008. For his efforts in The Susquehanna River, the longest the fall spawning season, their “redds” helping Otsego Land Trust purchase its river on the eastern seaboard, mean- or nests are often found in large fi rst property, John received the orga- ders over 400 miles from its outlet on aggregations in gravelly, shallow nization’s Trailblazer Award in 2009. Otsego Lake to the Chesapeake Bay. stream headwaters. Otsego Land Trust is currently working The 50-mile stretch of the Susquehanna Aside from Maine and a few river sys- with New York State Department of River in our region harbors a variety of tems in the Adirondacks and northern Environmental Conservation to develop aquatic animals of conservation signifi - New England, brook trout populations public access. cance, including brook trout and rare are highly fragmented due to the vast freshwater mussels, and runs through network of roads, dams, and culverts. A Confl uence of History extensive tracts of native fl oodplain and Conservation Critical brook trout habitat has been forest, wetlands, and prime farmland. lost to stream channelization, dam History abounds in Phoenix Mills, Two other families have partnered with building, pollution, and erosion caused named for the cotton mill and sawmill Otsego Land Trust to protect land by poor land management practices, that once stood there. In William along the Susquehanna River corridor such as overgrazing and deforestation, Cooper’s Town, author Alan Taylor further downstream, including 50 acres which causes water temperatures to identifi es the Susquehanna River and in the Town of Middlefi eld and over rise. Populations are also threatened Oaks Creek confl uence as the home of 100 acres in the Town of Oneonta. by acid rain, chemicals, and competition David Shipman, the early settler who With your sustained commitment, we and predation from non-native species. inspired James Fenimore Cooper’s can secure a string of additional Because of these threats, brook trout fi ctional character Leatherstocking or parcels within the corridor and protect are now relegated primarily to head- Natty Bumppo in The Pioneers and re- our stretch of the Susquehanna River water streams. „ lated novels. Taylor notes that “Just as in a meaningful way. „ Marmaduke Temple had found Natty

7 Post Offi ce Box 173 Cooperstown, New York 13326

UPCOMING EVENTS

July 5 Springfi eld Parade July 10 Otsego Lakes Festival July 11 Middlefi eld Days July 13 Mt. Otsego Hike Aug. 21 Annual Picnic Sept. 5 Southern Herkimer County Cedar Swamp Hike C. Tedesco Spider web on Compton Bridge parcel

Spinning A Web online later this month at our upgraded website: www.otsegolandtrust.org. Explore the places and the natural Reduce paper and postage costs and treasures that define the Otsego sign up to receive our newsletter and Region. Discover what’s at stake. Read e-news updates electronically. At the stories of the people and places www.otsegolandtrust.org you will be that make up Otsego Land Trust. Stay able to move from the virtual to the abreast of land protection efforts and real and get involved in on-the-ground spring peeper opportunities to connect with the land. conservation efforts with real people, Link to these opportunities and more in real places. „

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