Chenango Land Trust awards Greenway Conservancy

OXFORD – The Chenango Land Trust (CLT) members held their annual meeting at the Oxford Methodist Church, Oct. 21. The Land Trust president, Earl Callahan introduced guests, there was an invasive species presentation; a short business meeting; an officers election, and he presented the prestigious “CLT Land Stewardship Award” to the Chenango Greenway Conservancy. The Conservancy also made a very surprising announcement.

The basic mission of the CLT is to promote the conservation of lands, and two guests in attendance were introduced who are committed to the same goal, Peter M. Hujik, the executive director of the Otsego Land Trust and Chris Gilbert, a CLT volunteer from Binghamton who’s also a member of the Triple Cities Hiking Club.

Gilbert presented information about a growing problem - Japanese Stilt Grass. She brought a bagged sample of the non-native plant which was found on a Triple Cities hike in Hawkins Pond in Windsor (Broome County). The invasive grass, which resembles bamboo, chokes out native plants and trees and dominates the area. After proper identification by a botanist, the grass was hand pulled and bagged, thus preserving the natural habitat. Chris was commended for her finding and resolution of the environmental problem.

Fred von Mechow gave a properties report which covered conservation easements in place and some pending agreements. The current easement properties are in Pharsalia, Smithville, (2 in) Greene, Maine, Union, and Sanford. The CLT owns twenty acres of shallow water wetland in McCall’s Pond in Preston. There are three properties where easements are being discussed: one in Sherburne, one in Columbus, and one at the site of a Chenango Canal lock in Oxford that also needs protection.

In a brief CLT election of officers, Earl Callahan was re-elected president; Ann Altshuler was elected vice president and secretary; Isaiah Sutton – Treasurer; and Fred von Mechow – Director of Land Protection.

The highlight of the evening came when members of the Chenango Greenway Conservancy, Inc. (CGC) were presented with a framed award and a Land Steward plaque by Land Trust president Callahan for their admirable work in creating six miles of walking trails along the Chenango River in Norwich. The award is given for wise land use practices, historic preservation and appropriate land management. Receiving the award was Sharon Pelosi, president (and her son Gabriel), Jerry Locke, Marjorie Grap, and Don Windsor. Sharon said she was very proud to receive the Land Stewardship Award and to obtain recognition and support for their new organization.