An immeasurable loss to Audubon and conservation, Audubon New York Board Chairman Constantine Sidamon-Eristoff passes away
It is with great sadness and a profound sense of loss that we report on the passing of our beloved friend and Chairman, Constantine Sidamon-Eristoff. Connie passed away on December 26, 2011 after a valiant struggle with cancer. Connie was a renowned conservationist and an environmental icon in New York City, New York State and indeed, the Nation. His steadfast support, dogged determination and sage advice and counsel will be dearly missed. Connie was also a member of the Boards of the National Audubon Society and the Constitution Marsh Audubon Center and Sanctuary.
Over 1,500 Audubon supporters push for stronger environmental protections from Hydrofracking
The issue of hydraulic fracturing (fracking) for Natural gas has taken center stage as a major conservation issue in a few states including NY and PA. Over the summer, the New York State Department of Environmental Conservation released a revised Environmental Impact Statement and new regulations to allow fracking to move forward. Since then, Audubon New York has been pushing for better and stronger regulations and safeguards to be in place to guarantee that our precious resources will be protected. Just this past week, over 1,500 Audubon supporters responded to our action alert and helped send a strong message to NY regulators that before fracking is permitted, the state must go back to the drawing board and develop more stringent protections and mitigation funding. Read Audubon New York’s comments on the EIS here.
Audubon Applauds introduction of Long Island Sound Restoration and Stewardship Act
Important measure will keep people working to improve water quality and habitat throughout the region
Washington DC, December 16, 2011—On the heels of an approved Federal Budget for 2012, Congressional leaders from New York and Connecticut introduced new legislation to ensure future funding continues to flow for the restoration of Long Island Sound. This measure, the Long Island Sound Restoration and Stewardship Act, is essential to advancing critically important water quality restoration and habitat protection efforts in the region, providing meaningful reforms to the programs management, and maintaining investments that create jobs. Just this week, sixty organizations, municipalities and businesses sent a letter to the New York and Connecticut Delegations in support of the measure, and urging its swift passage.
“The waters and wildlife of Long Island Sound don’t recognize geographic and political boundaries, and we are fortunate that, when it comes to the Sound, our political leaders do not either,” said Albert E. Caccese and Tom Baptist, Executive Directors of Audubon New York and Connecticut. “We applaud the Long Island Sound Congressional Caucus, especially Senators Gillibrand, Lieberman, Schumer and Blumenthal, and Congressman Israel and Congresswoman DeLauro for leading the charge to keep people working on desperately needed water quality improvements, habitat protection initiatives, and enhanced public access opportunities so that future generations will be able to enjoy a cleaner, healthier Long Island Sound. We urge Congress to act quickly on this important bill.”
Click here for the United State Senate Release
Click here for the House of Representatives Release
Click here for a copy of the letter
Two Exciting Acquisitions Announced in NY that Help Protect IBAs
Since 2004, Audubon NY has been involved in the review of a proposed ski resort expansion at the Belleayre Resort, which falls with the Catskill Peaks Important Bird Area (IBA), a globally significant IBA. The site is important for an assemblage of forest-dependent species as well as a number of at-risk species, including Northern Goshawk, American Woodcock, Bicknell’s Thrush, Wood Thrush and Canada Warbler. We testified in the hearings held by the DEC’s Administrative Law Judge regarding this project and provided active support to the efforts of the Catskill conservation groups to suggest that this resort should be scaled back considerably in size and location, and confined to an area that would have less impact on the IBA. We are pleased to share the news that this is finally happening and it was just recently announced that a 1,200-acre parcel that was being considered in the development was acquired by NYS DEC. The $5.6 million used to purchase the land came from the Environmental Protection Fund (EPF), a funding source we actively support. The property will be added to the constitutionally protected State Forest Preserve and will remain on local property tax rolls. For more information, see the press release.
Also announced last week was the acquisition of 261-acre parcel in the Great Swamp Watershed, Putnam County, NY. This is home to the Great Swamp Important Bird Area, which contains a large, high quality wetland that supports an exceptional wetland bird community, including breeding waterbirds and migrating shorebirds. Also, a number of at-risk species use the surrounding uplands. An active local conservation group, Friends of the Great Swamp, adopted this IBA a number of years ago and has been advocating for additional lands to be permanently protected. This recent acquisition would not have happened without the assistance of Trust for Public Land, NYS DEC and the Highlands Act grant. The parcel is steeply wooded slope leading down into the highest quality stream in the watershed. It adds a western link between the Great Swamp core and, counting this property, 1,500 acres of nearly continuous forest habitat. For more information, see the press release.
Tug Hill Landowners Learn That Good Forestry Makes Good Habitat
A workshop attended by more than 30 woodlot and forest owners and managers was held on October 25 at the Constableville Fire House, organized by a partnership led by Audubon New York and partly funded by the Sustainable Forestry Initiative and the State Sustainable Forestry Initiative State Implementation Committee to bring landowners together with experts on birds, other wildlife and forest management to encourage wildlife friendly sustainable forestry.
Former EPA Chief Was First Female to Lead Audubon Board of Directors; Toyota TogetherGreen Program Funds Stewards of Tomorrow
New York, NY, November 2, 2011—Today, November 2, Audubon New York honored Carol Browner and Toyota at the annual Keesee Conservation Award Luncheon in New York City.
“We are excited to honor a dedicated and visionary conservationist, Carol Browner, and a progressive, thoughtful corporation, Toyota, with the 2011 Thomas W. Keesee, Jr. Conservation Awards,” said Albert E. Caccese, Executive Director of Audubon New York. “This award is given annually to environmental leaders in their respective fields, and these recipients exemplify conservation excellence and have committed time and resources to connect new and diverse audiences to nature. This event will support Audubon New York’s efforts to protect birds, other wildlife and their habitats for the benefit of humanity through education and advocacy, based on sound science.”
Click Here for more information on the Thomas W. Keesee award and event.
Restoring American Kestrels in New York
After two years of TogetherGreen funding, 200 kestrel nesting boxes have been installed in dozens of communities throughout New York state from Long Island to Potsdam to Buffalo. The following video profiles a few volunteers and staff behind the success of the kestrel nest boxes at the Jamestown Audubon Center in Jamestown, NY
Golden-winged Warbler Workshop Held in Canton
August 26th 2011– Audubon New York, in partnership with NRCS, Clarkson University and Cornell Cooperative Extension, held a successful and positively received workshop to educate private landowners in St. Lawrence County about the habitat needs of the Golden-winged Warbler. The August 25th workshop was held at the St. Lawrence County Cornell Cooperative Extension learning barn just outside of Canton NY. Eighteen landowners, representing over 5000 acres in St. Lawrence County attended to hear talks from Audubon New York Conservation Biologist Andy Hinickle, Clarkson University Professor Tom Langen and USDA-NRCS District Conservationist Kent Frary. The workshop provided and in depth look at what landowners can do to help conserve the Golden-winged Warbler and what federal incentives are available to aid them in that effort. Also in attendance were Representatives from the New York DEC and the US Fish and Wildlife Service.
Presidential Initiative Provides Funding to Improve Water Quality in New York's Lake Champlain Watershed
Syracuse, N. Y., July 19, 2011–USDA’s Natural Resources Conservation Service (NRCS) has $1.5 million in conservation funds available for New York landowners in the Lake Champlain Watershed through President Obama’s ‘America’s Great Outdoors’ initiative.
Rural landowners, agricultural producers and private forestland owners in the watershed can apply for the conservation funds at their local USDA Service Center, through August 10. The funds will be used to install conservation practices that prevent nutrients and sediments from reaching Lake Champlain or to improve wildlife habitat around the lake, and is being launched in partnership with Audubon New York.
“This is a prime opportunity for private landowners in the Lake Champlain watershed to step up and make a difference for the health of the Lake and the birds and other wildlife that depend on their forests and grassland habitat,” said Andy Hinickle, Conservation Biologist for Audubon New York. “Often small guided changes to land management practices can have a tremendously positive impact on regional water quality and wildlife habitat, and we commend the Obama Administration for providing this important funding and guidance to incentivize sustainable conservation practices on private lands.”
Click Here for more information on this opportunity.
Audubon New York Partners with New York State Parks to Advance Bird Conservation Efforts
July 21, 2011, Albany, NY—The New York State Office of Parks, Recreation and Historic Preservation (OPRHP) and Audubon New York, the state program of the National Audubon Society, are pleased to announce the formation of Audubon in the Parks, a program that utilizes the strengths and resources of both organizations to provide a greater, lasting impact on bird conservation throughout the state.
The initiative will form a unique partnership among Audubon New York, its 27 affiliated chapters, and OPRHP and its friends groups, to advance bird conservation in State Parks through outreach, interpretation, and habitat enhancement efforts.
“The New York State Parks system already supports a rich diversity of birds, and through this unique public/private partnership, we’ll be undertaking many important restoration and outreach projects to sustain these critical bird habitats for future generations to enjoy,” said Audubon New York Executive Director Al Caccese.
Click Here to read a full copy of the release. For a full list of Audubon in the Park events, please visit www.nysparks.com.
Who We Are
Audubon New York is dedicated to the protection of birds,
other wildlife and their habitats through advocacy and education,
serving as the state program of the National Audubon Society.
Through a state Board of Directors and Council, 30 chapters,
50,000 members, a Nature Center network and sanctuary system,
Audubon New York is providing conservation leadership based
on sound science.
Audubon New York is dedicated to:
the protection of birds, other wildlife
and their habitats
providing conservation leadership based
on sound science
finding solutions to environmental
challenges in order to enhance the enjoyment of nature and
improve the quality of life for all New Yorkers
Unless otherwise noted, all bird photographs on this website by Jeff Nadler.
It is with great sadness and a profound sense of loss that we report on the passing of our beloved friend and Chairman, Constantine Sidamon-Eristoff. Connie passed away on December 26, 2011 after a valiant struggle with cancer. Connie was a renowned conservationist and an environmental icon in New York City, New York State and indeed, the Nation. His steadfast support, dogged determination and sage advice and counsel will be dearly missed. Connie was also a member of the Boards of the National Audubon Society and the Constitution Marsh Audubon Center and Sanctuary.
August 26th 2011– Audubon New York, in partnership with NRCS, Clarkson University and Cornell Cooperative Extension, held a successful and positively received workshop to educate private landowners in St. Lawrence County about the habitat needs of the Golden-winged Warbler. The August 25th workshop was held at the St. Lawrence County Cornell Cooperative Extension learning barn just outside of Canton NY. Eighteen landowners, representing over 5000 acres in St. Lawrence County attended to hear talks from Audubon New York Conservation Biologist Andy Hinickle, Clarkson University Professor Tom Langen and USDA-NRCS District Conservationist Kent Frary. The workshop provided and in depth look at what landowners can do to help conserve the Golden-winged Warbler and what federal incentives are available to aid them in that effort. Also in attendance were Representatives from the New York DEC and the US Fish and Wildlife Service.
