As we prepare to enter 2012, it is worth taking a moment to reflect on 2011. What a terrific year for Ontario Bays Initiative, Inc.!
Our major accomplishment was the closing of the conservation easement for Downybrook, a sprawling Brownville wildlife sanctuary. The agreement was several years in the making and prohibits development on the spectacular 182-acre property, which is owned by Helen and Mary Eldrett. The easement was made possible from funding by grants from the New York State Conservation Partnership and the Land Trust Alliance, as well as a matching grant from the Northern New York Community Foundation.
OBI also welcomed two new board members in 2011. Kevin Smith and Jacquie Keating joined the Board of Directors in April. Longtime board member and OBI Secretary, Verna Docteur retired from the board (Read A THANK YOU to Verna Docteur on page 6 of this newsletter). Verna will certainly be missed.
In the early months of 2012, we will be completing a comprehensive assessment of OBI according to Land Trust Alliance Standards and Practices. OBI received a $5,000 grant from the Land Trust Alliance this spring, and OBI Board members have spent the last few months working with an independent consultant to complete an assessment (Read An Assessment of the Board on page 2 of this newsletter). OBI will no doubt be a stronger organization when this assessment is complete!
This is the first time an assessment has been done for our organization, which was established 18 years ago by asmall local group who took a hands-on approach to conservation. Our mission involves seeking to preserve andprotect ecologically significant land, open spaces and wildlife habitats in Jefferson County’s shoreline communities.
OBI worked on several important projects this yearthat further that mission. One was the Point Peninsulaconservation options assessment, which takes a closer lookat the natural resources and best options for conservationwithin an eight square mile area on the interior of PointPeninsula. The project is an important step in what will be along-term process that will involve working with interestedlandowners in taking steps to preserve grassland and wetlandareas located here.
The Point Peninsula project was funded by two grantstotaling $12,000 – an $8,000 grant from the Land TrustAlliance and a $4,000 matching grant from the NorthernNew York Community Foundation – that were awarded toOBI in 2009. Shrinking wetlands and grasslands are a concern across the northeastern U.S. and this report completedthis year will help guide OBI’s activity on Point Peninsula for years to come.
OBI also teamed up with the Town of Cape Vincent and SUNY Potsdam Biology Professor Dr. Glenn Johnson ona “Turtle Crossing Project,’’ which aimed to save the lives of the Blanding’s turtles as they ventured into roadwaysaround Wilson’s Bay Marsh. Every June, many turtle deaths occur when cars hit them as they attempt to cross theroad on their way to nesting sites.
Temporary signs were put up to encourage drivers to slow down, and OBI launched an effort to educate the publicabout the increased turtle traffic and the significance of the Blandings, which is officially listed as a threatenedspecies in New York.
The effort spared the lives of many turtles and also helped increase visibility for OBI due to all the terrific print andtelevision media coverage of our efforts.
Conserving property is an expensive proposition and fund raising has to be a very important part of OBI. The year2011 was a great year, resulting in many donations from supporters in Northern New York and beyond. We addedmore than a dozen new "Friends of OBI."
This is a great time to consider renewing your friendship for 2012, or consider becoming a first-time Friend of OBI. We need your help to build on our success.
Also, a big THANKS to Urban and Sally Hirschey for hosting our annual cookout at their Cape Vincent home. Theevent was a great success.(Read Recap of Our 2011 Summer Fund Raiser on the first page of this newsletter).
Our accomplishments this year further the vision that the founders of OBI established back in 1993, when our allvolunteerland trust first was created. We look forward to great things in 2012. Thanks to our volunteer OBI Boardof Directors and all of our supporters! None of it would be possible without you!
Jim LaPlante
OBI Chairperson
