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December 7, 2014
Issue No. 49
www.westsidenewsny.com
NORTH EDITION
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Bergen Swamp Preservation Society awards two “Partner-in Preservation” awards The Bergen Swamp Preservation Society (BSPS) awarded two “Partner-in-Preservation” Awards at the Society’s annual meeting held October 26. The “Partner-in-Preservation” award is given to an individual or organization for partnering with the Bergen Swamp Preservation Society (BSPS) to preserve and protect the native flora and fauna of New York State. The corporate award was received by Peggy Swapceinski, executive director of the Gillam-Grant Community Center (GGCC), Bergen. The GGCC was recognized for their support of the Bergen Swamp property in Byron and Bergen. The GGCC provided the meeting place to begin and end the Bergen Swamp spring pilgrimage tour of orchids. For over 20 years the GGCC served as custodian of BSPS document archives. Recently, the GGCC hosted a community “meet and
Bergen Swamp Preservation Society Trustee Lee Drake, Sr., Bloomfield, NY (left) awards a “Partner-in-Preservation” award to Joseph Whitcomb, Newark, NY (right). Provided photo by Barb Drake.
greet” produced by the Seneca Park Zoo and the BSPS. A live Eastern Massasauga rattlesnake and a live spotted turtle were displayed to a crowd of over a hundred. These two indigenous reptile species are listed as endangered by New York State and can still be found in the Bergen Swamp. The Gillam-Grant Community Center was nominated for this award by Society trustee John Adamski of Brighton. The individual award was received by Joseph Whitcomb, a long serving trustee. Whitcomb, who resides in Newark, was awarded for his long service on behalf of the Zurich Bog property in Arcadia, NY and to the Society. Whitcomb served the BSPS for over 40 years as a Society trustee, president, Zurich Bog Property chairperson and as a personal inspiration to the current trustees. Whitcomb laid the first Black Locust boardwalk trail into Zurich Bog. This trail enabled visitor access to the orchids and carnivorous plants found in this National Natural Landmark. Whitcomb oversaw the acquisition of four additional parcels of land to the BSPS Zurich Bog property. The most recent was an 18 acre parcel of land that he personally purchased and gifted to the BSPS for preservation and protection of the native wetland plants. Joseph Whitcomb was nominated for this award by Society trustee Lee Drake Sr. of Bloomfield. The Bergen Swamp Preservation Society is the first and oldest private ecological preservation land trust in the United States. The Society was chartered in 1936 by the New York State Department of Education as a “Living Museum.” Since its charter, the Society has operated by volunteers with a membership of 400 persons and corporations. The Society owns and manages five separate properties in upstate New York. Two of the Society’s properties are recognized by Federal Department of Interior as National Natural Landmarks: the Bergen Swamp
Bergen Swamp Preservation Society Trustee John Adamski of Brighton (right), awards a “Partner-in-Preservation” award to Peggy Swapceinski, executive director of the Gillam-Grant Community Center, Bergen (left). Provided photo by Lee Drake, Sr. (Bergen and Byron) and the Zurich Bog (Arcadia). The Society is renowned for the 38 species of native orchids, three species of native carnivorous plants and many other rare wetland plants that are protected on the Society’s properties. Provided information
New way to dispose of electronic appliances Assemblyman Steve Hawley (R,C,I-Batavia) is advising residents about the new way consumers are required to dispose of electronic equipment. Starting January 1, 2015, the New York State Electronic Equipment Recycling and Reuse Act will require that consumers dispose of electronic equipment by either returning it to either the manufacturer or a designated New York State Waste Collection Site.
Service clubs doing Saturday bellringing Elaine Bader and her therapy dog, Sidney, brave the cold to collect for the Salvation Army’s annual Red Kettle campaign. Each of the Brockport service clubs will spend a Saturday in front of Mahan’s and the Brockport Walmart with the three clubs working together on the last Saturday before Christmas. Provided photo.
“There is now a new way that consumers are required to dispose of their electronic equipment. I want to make sure that residents are aware of this change to the law so they are in compliance,” said Hawley. “The new way electronics must be disposed of is simple and easy to understand and costs the consumer nothing. If you have any questions, feel free to contact my office and we will be happy to help.”
Under this law, there are two ways to dispose of electronics. The first way is the use the newlyrequired product manufacturer ’s take-back program. A listing of manufacturers and how to contact them about the take-back program can be found at http://www.dec.ny.gov/chemical/82084. html. The second way you can drop off your electronics is at a designated New York State Waste Collection Site. A list of collection sites can be found at http://www.dec.ny.gov/docs/materials_ minerals_pdf/ewcolsites.pdf. Call ahead to make sure the specific collection site is able to take back your specific piece of electronic equipment. For information about the new take-back program, go to http://www.dec.ny.gov/chemical/66872. html. This includes a listing of electronic equipment that is covered by the program. Call the DEC at 518-402-8706 with questions. Provided information