(Norwich, NY – Oct. 2012) Whether a large rural area or a suburban backyard, the wildlife that cohabitates with us is often fascinating and sometimes misunderstood.

The Chenango Bird Club presents Backyard Wildlife by Dr. Victor S. Lamoureux on Wednesday, Oct. 12 at 7:30 p.m. at the Norwich YMCA.

Victor’s talk focuses on the natural history of common wildlife of peoples’ backyards and will include invertebrates, birds, reptiles, amphibians and mammals. He is a Ph.D. biologist and published, prize-winning wildlife photographer from Vestal. His one acre yard is surrounded by many wild acres and plays host to many bugs, birds, occasional bears, and frogs.  He enjoys sharing the wildlife in the yard with his wife and three kids.

Club members will have a brief business meeting at 6:30, prior to the program. Refreshments will be served following the program. All are welcome!

The Norwich YMCA is located on the corner of Broad Street and Mechanic Street in Norwich. Turn onto Mechanic Street and the YMCA parking lot is on the left.

The Chenango Bird Club presents monthly programs (except January, February, and March). Nature enthusiasts of all levels and interests are invited to all Chenango Bird Club programs, free of charge.

Call Club President, Charlene LaFever at 607-334-9112 for more information on Chenango Bird Club activities.

(Sept. 26, 2011) The Central and Western New York Chapter of The Nature Conservancy has partnered with state agencies, conservation groups and environmental organizations throughout a five county area to address the threat posed by non-native plants and animals, a.k.a “invasive species”

An invasive species is a plant, animal or insect that is non-native to the local ecosystem and whose introduction is likely to cause economic or environmental harm or harm to human health. Examples of these alien invaders include: Japanese Knotweed, a plant that, if left uncontrolled, will dominate other more desirable plants and cause destruction to wildlife habitat. The Emerald Ash Borer, an insect that directly threatens nearly all of New York’s Ash trees. Water Chestnut, (not to be confused with the edible water chestnut) an aquatic plant that will completely dominate and render recreational waterways un-usable.

As part of a statewide initiative to address invasive species, representatives from numerous organizations spread across five counties have formed what is known as a Partnership for Regional Invasive Species Management (PRISM). These five counties include; St. Lawrence, Jefferson, Lewis, Oneida and Oswego counties. Together the group in known as the St. Lawrence – Eastern Lake Ontario Partnership for Regional Invasive Species Management (SLELO-PRISM). Other PRISM’s in New York State include the Finger Lakes PRISM.

According to Rob Williams, Invasive Species Program Coordinator “the partners in the SLELO region have a tremendous opportunity to improve how invasive species are managed and to reduce the potential negative economic, human and environmental impact posed by these invasive species”.

Some of the initiatives that the SLELO partners hope to undertake include: developing a five-year strategic plan, prevention of new species being introduced into the region, actual control and containment of existing species, information exchange among the general public and partners, cooperation and collaboration among all who are interested. “We are always glad to have new volunteers help with our efforts” Williams states and “those who would like more information on our efforts are welcome to call the SLELO main office at (315) 387-3600 or visit our website at www.sleloinvasives.org”.

(Inlet, NY – Sept. 24, 2011) Members of the Herkimer County Community College Outdoor Adventure/Green Club participated in the One Square Mile of Hope on Fourth Lake on Saturday, Sept. 24. Proceeds from the event were for the Susan G. Komen Foundation to help fund research for a breast cancer cure.

A Guinness World Record was set with 1,925 canoes and kayaks (the record to beat was 1,607). Pictured front row from left: Chloe Stock and Lucia Bliss. Back row from left:  Tiffany Smith, David Kinney, Tom Stock, Bruce Schwabach, Sophia Gaetano, Alyssa Caserta and David Wang.

(Jefferson County, NY – Oct. 2011) The Furry Friends 4-H Dog Club is hosting a Cache In – Trash Out Event at Black Pond Wildlife Management Area on Oct. 1 from noon to 2 p.m. This is being organized to kickoff National 4-H Week (10/2 thru 10/8).

This is a perfect fit for this year’s theme, ‘Join the Revolution of Responsibility.’  These events are held within the geocaching community and local cachers come and help clean up a designated area.

Black Pond WMA, located in southern Jefferson County, is a wetland complex featuring beach, dunes, marsh, and woods.  It is an important habitat for both migratory and breeding birds along the Lake Ontario shore.

For more information about 4-H or the event contact Cornell Cooperative Extension of Jefferson County at 315-788-8450.

To learn more about geocaching and other CITO events go to www.geocaching.com.

(Marcellus, NY) Oct. 1, 2011    Star Party:  National Astronomy Day Back-up date: October 2nd.
7:30-9:30pm
The first weekend in October is home to National Astronomy Day—celebrate and come and have a look at the skies! View the planets Uranus and Neptune through telescopes, plus the early winter star clusters such as the Pleiades, along with the king of the planets, Jupiter, rising in the east. $5 for members, $15/family; $8 for nonmembers, $25/family.

Oct. 15    If These Trees Could Talk
1-2:30pm
Join Baltimore Woods Naturalist Tom Meier on a journey through time. The shape of the forests at Baltimore Woods is intimately tied to the lifestyles of all the people who came before. This hike will take an inspiring look at the history of the preserve and the ever changing relationships between people and the land, as told through the eyes of the colorful autumn trees. $5 for members, $15/family; $8 for nonmembers, $25/family.

Oct. 19    Volunteer Lunch
Noon
On the third Wednesday of the month Baltimore Woods offers our volunteers a lunch of locally harvested foods at the Interpretive Center. All our volunteers are welcome! Please call ahead to register.

Oct. 22    Double Dog Dare Walk
8-9:30pm
Baltimore Woods dares you — no, double dog dares you, to walk through the woods with only the moon lighting your way! Search for creatures that go bump in the night and for treats hidden along the trails. Accommodates 10-25 participants. $5 for members; $15/family; $8 for nonmembers, $25/family.

(Utica, NY – Sept. 2011) The Oneida-Herkimer Household Hazardous Waste Facility will close for the 2011 season on Friday, Sept. 30.

Residents of Oneida and Herkimer Counties may continue to deliver paints, herbicides, pesticides, cleaners, chemicals and other household hazardous wastes through the month of September to the Household Hazardous Waste Facility, located at the end of Leland Ave., Utica as per the following schedule:

MONDAY – FRIDAY: 8:00 AM TO 4:00 PM

SATURDAY: 8:00 AM TO 2:00 PM

The Facility will continue to accept used motor oil, antifreeze, oil filters, empty propane cylinders (under 100 lbs.), batteries, fluorescent light bulbs, cooking oil, computers and electronics equipment year-round.

Any questions call: Superintendent of Waste Collection Bill Schrader at 733-1224 ext. 1100.

(LaFargeville, NY – Sept. 2011) Environmental Awareness Days will be held at Stone Mills Agricultural Museum in LaFargeville on Sept. 27 and 28. This will be the 21st year that Cornell Cooperative Extension of Jefferson County has sponsored the event.

This educational program is offered to sixth grade students in Jefferson County. Each student visits stations manned by Extension staff, NYS DEC staff, Soil and Water Conservation staff, and many others from the community offering environmentally relevant programs for students.

The event runs from 9:00 am to 1:30 p.m.

(New Berlin, NY – Sept. 2011) A natural gas informational forum is scheduled for 7 pm, Thursday, September 29 at St. Andrew’s Episcopal Church, 40 South Main Street.  The public and local officials are invited to hear about the multiple impacts associated with the natural gas drilling process and have their questions answered.

The presenters are two area speakers:  James “Chip” Northrup, a Texan Oil and Gas Insider and Investor, and Kelly Branigan, realtor and registered nurse serving on the Otsego County Natural Gas Advisory Committee.

There is no charge to attend and light refreshments will be served afterward in the Parish Hall for all to meet and talk.

The event is sponsored by C-CARE: Chenango Community Action for Renewable Energy, which has organized monthly forums in Norwich since last November to foster citizen education on energy issues. Visit chenangocare.org.

For more information call Chris at 607-334-6095 or e-mail Ken ccare@frontier.com

Folks from neighboring communities are encouraged to come and bring their concerns to the meeting.

(Norwich, NY – Sept. 2011) The Chenango Bird Club presents Bird Watching Basics on Wednesday, Sept. 14 at 7 p.m. at the Norwich YMCA.

Birds are colorful and exhibit many different shapes. They also behave differently from species to species. Environmental Educator and longtime birder, Fred von Mechow, will lead the program. This program will be designed primarily for birders at the beginning level, though experienced birders may pick up some tips as well.

Club members will have a brief business meeting at 6:30, prior to the program. Refreshments will be served following the program.

The Norwich YMCA is located on the corner of Broad Street and Mechanic Street in Norwich. Turn onto Mechanic Street and the YMCA parking lot is on the left.

The Chenango Bird Club presents monthly programs (except January, February, and March). Nature enthusiasts of all levels and interests are invited to all Chenango Bird Club programs, free of charge.

Call Club President, Charlene LaFever at 607-334-9112 for more information on Chenango Bird Club activities.

(Albany, Constantia, NY – Aug. 30, 2011) New York State Department of Environmental Conservation (DEC) Environmental Conservation Officer (ECO) Anthony Panipinto received the 2010 “Officer of the Year” award from the Shikar-Safari Club International in a ceremony hosted by long-time Club member Robert Stackler, DEC Commissioner Joe Martens announced today.

“ECO Panipinto has clearly demonstrated true commitment to protecting our State’s rich natural resources,” said Commissioner Martens. “Officer Panipinto appreciates and has a vested interest in diligently enforcing the environmental conservation laws of New York and deserves the honor bestowed upon him by the distinguished Shikar-Safari Club International.”

Shikar-Safari Club International was founded in 1952 by an international group of hunters interested in exchanging ideas about the sport. Each year the club sponsors an award for the Wildlife Conservation Police Officer of the Year in all 50 states, 10 Canadian provinces and the territories of both nations, acknowledging the important part ECOs play in local, national, and international wildlife conservation.

ECO Panipinto was born and raised in Livingston County and attended Monroe County Community College and SUNY Brockport, graduating with a bachelor’s degree in Criminal Justice. He attended and graduated from the 13th Basic Academy for Environmental Conservation Officers, a 26 week residential police academy held at SUNY Oswego in 2000.

After graduation Tony was assigned to Region 2 and patrolled the New York City borough of Brooklyn until he transferred to Region 7 and Oswego County in 2002. Typical among

New York’s 270 uniformed ECOs, Panipinto’s primary responsibility is enforcing the environmental conservation law. This includes hunting, fishing and trapping laws, investigating releases of petroleum, asbestos and other hazardous substances, investigating water pollution, wetland damage, timber theft and wild animals unlawfully kept as pets.

ECO Panipinto was recognized for numerous successful fish and wildlife investigations that he led including cases he worked undercover. Among those cases was Operation Green Mountain, a 2003 case where ECO Panipinto, while undercover, collected evidence against nine individuals and companies which resulted in 28 criminal charges for the illegal commercialization of New York state freshwater fish.

Another noteworthy case involved a complaint of deer jacking that initially started with no positive leads or physical evidence. His attention to detail led to the discovery of trace amounts of evidence. That evidence combined with skilled interviewing techniques resulted in confessions and the case was ultimately resolved with three individuals paying more than $9,700 in fines for the illegal taking of three deer with the aid of a spotlight.

ECO Panipinto also has completed the Instructor Development School and is a Division of Criminal Justice Services certified Police Instructor in Firearms, Emergency Vehicle Operation and Seaborne Emergency Vehicle Operation. He has participated in training ECO recruits in five basic schools. ECO Panipinto also has developed innovative methods for instructing firearms training for both the Division of Law Enforcement as well as for DEC’s wildlife program staff.

ECO Panipinto’s professional work ethic and commitment to his profession resulted in him being nominated and receiving the Shikar Safari Club Officer of the Year award.

Tony resides in the Oswego County town of Constantia with his wife, Tammy, 7-year-old son Dylan and 3–year-old daughter Sierra.