Board of Directors
Jim LaPlante, Chairman
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Jim LaPlante has been active on the OBI Land Trust Board of Directors for 13 years and he is longest serving chairperson of the all-volunteer land trust. As a longtime Watertown resident and amateur nature photographer, Jim has enjoyed many summers at his family lake house on scenic Fuller Bay in Cape Vincent. He has an appreciation for the natural beauty of the North Country. His decision to join OBI has been a personal commitment and a learning experience about the importance of working together to protect the places we love in the Jefferson County shoreline communities.
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As head of an all volunteer land trust, Jim’s work consists of guiding many aspects of the organization, including grant writing, walking properties and meeting with potential donors. His unique background prepared him well for his role at OBI. As a small business owner, he traveled extensively and was solely responsible for his success. More than 40 years of independent management positioned him to understand how to develop a successful small business model.
Jim has an impressive collection of bird photographs from across the North Country. Recently, his photo of a Snow Bunting in the Town of Cape Vincent was published in Birdwatching Magazine!
Jim has an impressive collection of bird photographs from across the North Country. Recently, his photo of a Snow Bunting in the Town of Cape Vincent was published in Birdwatching Magazine!
Lee Ellsworth, Vice Chair and Land Steward
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Even if you have never met OBI Land Steward Lee Ellsworth, chances are you have seen his photographs. Lee’s stunning images – including landscapes, birds and plants – have been featured by OBI both on our website and in brochures. Lee’s photographs have also been among those featured in the silent auction at OBI’s annual fundraiser.
Nature photography became his passion in the 1970s. He has spent hundreds of hours in overgrown fields, pastures and rocky shorelines patiently waiting for the perfect opportunity to capture local wildlife in its natural habitat. “I’m always looking for a good photograph” when out in the field, he said. “It’s just something I’ve always loved doing.” |
Lee joined the OBI Board of Directors in February 2015 and then became vice-chairperson of OBI in 2016. His knowledge of our region’s different habitats - including the alvar - has helped with various aspects of our land trust. Lee has also been a volunteer for the Nature Conservancy for more than 20 years and is retired from a 30-year career as a lab director at the Watertown Water Treatment Plant. Lee and his wife, Cathie, are longtime Watertown residents. “Throughout my life, a goal of mine was to preserve open space. OBI allows me that opportunity,” he said.
Joan Woods, Treasurer
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When she moved back to her hometown roots in 2001, Joan Treadwell Woods wanted to make a difference in the North Country.
“I really knew that I wanted to give back and make a contribution,’’ recalled Joan, a Watertown native who had a 35-year career with IBM Corp. She has served as the Treasurer of OBI Land Trust for more than a decade. At every monthly meeting of the OBI Board of Directors, Joan gives her financial report – and everyone listens. She has the challenging task of tracking and managing income and expenses, and also provides detailed analysis that is used by board members to make key decisions to keep our non-profit organization on a path to continued success. |
A resident of Henderson Harbor for several years, and a lifelong seasonal resident, she enjoys boating and the beauty of the area with family and friends. She worked closely with her cousins, Charles and Gale Stone, to help conserve Stoney Cove, one of the last stretches of undeveloped shoreline in Henderson Bay. The land is now protected by a conservation easement with OBI Land Trust.
“I’ve always been interested in Land Ontario and its environment, and it just seemed natural to get involved with OBI,’’ she said.
Joan is a Master Gardener, who is particularly focused on native and pollinating plants of the Northeast. She also serves on several governing boards at Samaritan Medical Center, including serving as chairperson of the Samaritan Summit Village Board of Directors for its initial five years.
“I’ve always been interested in Land Ontario and its environment, and it just seemed natural to get involved with OBI,’’ she said.
Joan is a Master Gardener, who is particularly focused on native and pollinating plants of the Northeast. She also serves on several governing boards at Samaritan Medical Center, including serving as chairperson of the Samaritan Summit Village Board of Directors for its initial five years.
Vicki Hanley, Secretary
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Her education and life-long love of nature made Vicki Hanley a perfect fit for OBI. The Watertown resident was unanimously elected to the OBI Board of Directors in January 2018. Vicki also recently joined the OBI marketing committee.
“My parents and their friends had a love of the outdoors and we spent many days hiking and fishing,” she recalls of her summers spent in Inlet, located in the western Adirondacks. Vicki has a degree in Wildlife Biology Management from the SUNY College of Environmental Science and Forestry, Syracuse. |
She also worked nearly 30 years in finance, including the Bank of New York Mellon and NYNEX/Bell Atlantic Yellow Pages. Recent retirement is allowing her to spend more time fishing, hiking and helping OBI with its local conservation mission.
Tracy Valentine, Editor & Historian
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For the last 13 years, Tracy Valentine is a Chaumont native who has served on the OBI Land Trust Board of Directors. She attended a monthly board meeting back in 2006 to find out more about what land trusts do, but never expecting that it would turn into such a long commitment to OBI.
“I have been involved for so many years because I saw that OBI has something special to offer,” she said. “I quickly saw the special and important role our land trust serves in providing a path for people to preserve the places they love that have special meaning and in many cases have been in their families for decades.” She worked as a journalist for more than 20 years – including several years as a reporter for the Watertown Daily Times – and her service with OBI has included lots of writing. |
Tracy is editor of the OBI newsletter, and creates contents for brochures and advertisements. Tracy served 8 years as OBI Secretary and currently serves on the marketing committee.
Tracy’s family has deep roots in the town of Lyme, particularly on scenic Point Salubrious in Chaumont. She and her husband, Edward - also a Chaumont native - live in Watertown and have four children. Other than writing, Tracy enjoys outdoor exercise, kickboxing class and cooking. She is a member of the Lyme Book Club and serves on the Board of Directors for the Samaritan Summit Village, Watertown.
Tracy’s family has deep roots in the town of Lyme, particularly on scenic Point Salubrious in Chaumont. She and her husband, Edward - also a Chaumont native - live in Watertown and have four children. Other than writing, Tracy enjoys outdoor exercise, kickboxing class and cooking. She is a member of the Lyme Book Club and serves on the Board of Directors for the Samaritan Summit Village, Watertown.
Joel Block
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OBI Board Member Joel Block never turns down a volunteer job that takes him outdoors and into nature. He often pulls on a pair of work boots and tags along with our land steward for a day’s work – clearing nature trails, seeking out invasive plants or trudging through forest and grassland during annual property inspections.
You would never suspect he might be from the city -- until he starts talking. His Bronx, NY accent is a dead giveaway. Joel comes to us as a retired administrator at LaGuardia Community College, one of City University of New York’s 23 campuses. Growing up across the street from the Bronx Botanical Gardens and a stone’s throw from the Bronx Zoo, he was exposed to the wonders of the natural world, something one doesn’t usually expect from a “city boy.” |
“Too many people from outside the city fail to realize the vast variety of flora and fauna that thrive in city woodlands. I’ve had raccoons, rabbits and an opossum in my garden in Flushing, Queens, and have seen deer, foxes and coyotes too in the city parks,” said Joel.
Joel and his partner, Judith McGaughey, have lived on scenic Point Salubrious in Chaumont since 2007. They love hiking, biking, sailing and skiing.
Joel has been a member of the OBI’s all-volunteer board for nearly 10 years. He joined because he wanted to be involved in a homegrown land trust that works to protect land for future generations. “I feel very honored to be a part of OBI and to see all the wonderful work we’ve done,” said Joel. “What especially appeals to me is the opportunity for expanding land conservation here in the North Country.”
Joel and his partner, Judith McGaughey, have lived on scenic Point Salubrious in Chaumont since 2007. They love hiking, biking, sailing and skiing.
Joel has been a member of the OBI’s all-volunteer board for nearly 10 years. He joined because he wanted to be involved in a homegrown land trust that works to protect land for future generations. “I feel very honored to be a part of OBI and to see all the wonderful work we’ve done,” said Joel. “What especially appeals to me is the opportunity for expanding land conservation here in the North Country.”
Colin Burns
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Colin Burns joined the board of the Ontario Bays Initiative in January of 2019. Colin joins the board with an enthusiasm to help cultivate another generation of land stewards. Colin is an employee of WPBS-Public Television, helping business and organizations with their marketing strategies and raising money for WPBS’ local and national programming.
Colin wants to help OBI spread the message of land conservation through social media and media outreach. |
“I wanted to join OBI to help get the message out to people that not only can you enjoy the lands that OBI conserves, but also help us preserve more land along Lake Ontario through future easements. We live in one of the most beautiful places in New York and future generations deserve to enjoy nature, as I have and previous generations.”
During Colin’s free time he enjoys exploring different nature and hiking trails, always with his camera at his side. A quote from President Theodore Roosevelt sums up Colin’s interest in our land perfectly. “It is an incalculable added pleasure to any one’s sum of happiness if he or she grows to know, even slightly and imperfectly, how to read and enjoy the wonder- book of nature.”
During Colin’s free time he enjoys exploring different nature and hiking trails, always with his camera at his side. A quote from President Theodore Roosevelt sums up Colin’s interest in our land perfectly. “It is an incalculable added pleasure to any one’s sum of happiness if he or she grows to know, even slightly and imperfectly, how to read and enjoy the wonder- book of nature.”
Amanda L. McIlroy
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Became Board Member – May 2019
Amanda brings her enthusiasm for writing, art and design, and love of the outdoors to OBI! Amanda holds a B.A. in Communication and Social Interaction from SUNY Oswego and received her M.S. degree in Recreation and Leisure Services Management from SUNY Brockport. |
Amanda has years of experience in the recreation field from being a Parks and Recreation Playground Director for 4 Summers, followed by 2 Summers as a Camp Counselor in the Adirondacks, a year as a SACC counselor for the YMCA, and an internship for the Ontario Community Center in Ontario, NY while receiving her M.S. degree.
She currently works as an independent contractor where she specializes in creating graphics for both printed materials and digital marketing spaces such as social media and small business websites.
“I’m excited to be on the OBI Land Trust to apply my education, experience, and love of experiencing the outdoors, while learning more about the logistics of land conservation. I’m eager to learn as much as I can from this hard working and well-read group that are passionate about making an impact in our community!”
Amanda enjoys hiking, kayaking, reading, live music, and exploring Upstate NY trails with friends and family in her free time.
She currently works as an independent contractor where she specializes in creating graphics for both printed materials and digital marketing spaces such as social media and small business websites.
“I’m excited to be on the OBI Land Trust to apply my education, experience, and love of experiencing the outdoors, while learning more about the logistics of land conservation. I’m eager to learn as much as I can from this hard working and well-read group that are passionate about making an impact in our community!”
Amanda enjoys hiking, kayaking, reading, live music, and exploring Upstate NY trails with friends and family in her free time.
Carrie Fleming
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What started as a childhood fascination with nature led Chaumont native Carrie Fleming to study and teach Biology and also has made her a perfect fit for her hometown land trust. Carrie joined OBI’s Board of Directors in August 2020 and she was elected to a full two-year term at our annual meeting in April 2021.
Carrie’s expertise and enthusiasm has already helped OBI with conservation work that includes marking trails, property inspections and investigating potential new conservation easements in our service area. |
She is always quick to volunteer for field work and has an excellent working knowledge of the local geography and is eager to help with OBI’s conservation mission.
“Preserving and protecting ecologically significant lands and also open spaces for wildlife is something that land trusts like OBI can do for communities and I’m hoping to help more conservation happen,” she said.
She attended Lyme Central School and is a 1997 graduate of the SUNY-ESF Ranger School in Wanakena, NY where she majored in forest technology. She received her Master’s Degree in Education from SUNY Potsdam and was a Biology instructor at Watertown High School for several years.
Carrie lives on Point Salubrious in Chaumont and enjoys many outdoor activities including distance running, kayaking and snowshoeing.
“Preserving and protecting ecologically significant lands and also open spaces for wildlife is something that land trusts like OBI can do for communities and I’m hoping to help more conservation happen,” she said.
She attended Lyme Central School and is a 1997 graduate of the SUNY-ESF Ranger School in Wanakena, NY where she majored in forest technology. She received her Master’s Degree in Education from SUNY Potsdam and was a Biology instructor at Watertown High School for several years.
Carrie lives on Point Salubrious in Chaumont and enjoys many outdoor activities including distance running, kayaking and snowshoeing.
Stewart Nicholas
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The newest member of OBI’s Board of Directors is Stewart Nicholas. He was introduced to OBI while founding Nik Systems, a conservation-minded business consultancy based in Chaumont.
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"My time in the military taught me a lot about nature’s ability to sustain the human spirit during times of trouble, and to inspire in all other walks of life,” he said. “OBI’s mission to preserve the natural heritage of life on the eastern shore resonates strongly with me.”
Stewart holds a Bachelor’s degree in Information Systems from SUNY Empire State College, is a certified ScrumMaster (CSM) through Scrum Alliance and received a career diploma in wildlife management and forest conservation from Penn Foster Career School.
Stewart enjoys being active in his community. He is a member of Team RWB Fort Drum/Watertown and is an elder at Chaumont Presbyterian Church. His hobbies include rucking, archery, gardening and exploring the wild spaces throughout the region.
Stewart lives in Chaumont with his wife, Cheyne, and their two young wildlings. He will be leading the pavilion project at Downybrook Nature Reserve, a 180-acre wildlife reserve in Brownville, NY that is open for public use and owned by OBI.
Stewart was first elected to the OBI Board of Directors in March 2021. He was elected to a two-year term in April 2021 during OBI’s annual meeting.
Stewart holds a Bachelor’s degree in Information Systems from SUNY Empire State College, is a certified ScrumMaster (CSM) through Scrum Alliance and received a career diploma in wildlife management and forest conservation from Penn Foster Career School.
Stewart enjoys being active in his community. He is a member of Team RWB Fort Drum/Watertown and is an elder at Chaumont Presbyterian Church. His hobbies include rucking, archery, gardening and exploring the wild spaces throughout the region.
Stewart lives in Chaumont with his wife, Cheyne, and their two young wildlings. He will be leading the pavilion project at Downybrook Nature Reserve, a 180-acre wildlife reserve in Brownville, NY that is open for public use and owned by OBI.
Stewart was first elected to the OBI Board of Directors in March 2021. He was elected to a two-year term in April 2021 during OBI’s annual meeting.
Rosanne Weir
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Rosanne joined the OBI Land Trust Board of Directors in 2018. She retired from Jefferson Community College having worked for 40 years in Admissions and Enrollment Management. She brings a passion for marketing, event development and management to the all-volunteer OBI board of directors and serves on the OBI marketing committee.
Rosanne has spent summers on the shores of Lake Ontario in Hardscrabble Bay, an important raptor migration route and Grassland bird habitat. Currently she and her husband Jim LaPlante, spend most months at Cape Vincent’s scenic Fuller Bay. Situated at the mouth of the St. Lawrence River, it is an important migration route for waterfowl. Jim and Rosanne spend every moment possible outdoors, bike riding, hiking, and birding. They both travel extensively and include the grandkids and family on their adventures as often as possible. |
Urban & Sally Hirschey, Emeritus
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Sally and Urban Hirschey have been dedicated to the mission of OBI for over 20 years. Sally is the longest running board member until their relocation last year. According to Sally, “ Joining OBI has taught me how important easements and donating land to a land trust can be when it comes to preserving land for future generations.
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Board of Directors 25th Anniversary Celebration 2018 photo by Lee Ellsworth |
