ENTS,
This is an incredible accomplishment - a lifetime project for our dear
friend Bruce that has come true for the benefit of all. Bruce was tireless and
as determined as anyone I ever knew. He battled the entrenched forces in New
York's DCE and won. That is power to the people.
Bruce has a memorial in MTSF established by his family. I plan to visit
the memorial in the next week. It is in an out-of-the-way spot, just as Bruce
requested.
Bob
-------------- Original message --------------
From: "Edward Frank" <[EMAIL PROTECTED]>
New Protection Act for New York
The law is named after environmentalist Bruce Kershner, who passed away in
February of 2007. Kershner had made it his mission to protect old growth
forests especially, and is credited with discovering almost 300 of them in
eastern North America. He was also an author, and wrote 12 books on nature and
the environment, including The Secret Places of Western New York and Southern
Ontario.
New York has an estimated 400,000 acres of old growth forest, mostly in the
Adirondacks. Kershner was a staunch advocate of the protection of these
forests, pointing out that once they were gone, they would not be replaceable
for many generations. The bill inspired by Kershner’s work will offer those
forests the highest possible level of protection through the State Nature and
Historical Preserve.
Though the bill is the first of its kind in the United States, officials hope
that other states will look to New York as a role model, and be inspired to
create similar laws of their own.
======================================================================
News from Landis Arboretum
For more information contact: Thom O'Connor, 518-875-6935
HISTORIC TREE PRESERVATION MEASURE NOW LAW
Initiative Named After Amherst Naturalist Bruce Kershner
SCHOHARIE REGION (09/30/2008; 2122)(readMedia)-- New York State Governor David
Paterson signed the "Bruce Kershner Heritage Tree Preservation and Protection
Act" into law on September 5, 2008. The measure, sponsored by Senator Mary Lou
Rath (R-C-I, Williamsville), chair of the Senate Tourism Committee, and
Assemblyman Sam Hoyt (D, Buffalo, Grand Island), is aimed at protecting the
remaining old growth trees and forests in New York State.
According to Fred Breglia, ISA Certified Arborist at the Landis Arboretum,
"This law was something that was desperately needed," said Fred Breglia of the
Landis Arboretum. "Its passage is the first step in preserving the remaining
stands of old growth that are left in New York. Hopefully other states will
look to New York as a role model for the development of similar laws. Working
with Senator Mary Lou Rath and Assemblyman Sam Hoyt to help create this very
important law is just one of the many ways the Landis Arboretum (The Capital
Regions Arboretum) is helping to foster the appreciation of trees and their
importance in our environment." Mr. Breglia also is President of the New York
Old Growth Forest Association, which he cofounded.
Bruce Kershner, of Amherst, passed away in February 2007. He was an
award-winning environmentalist and author of 12 nature books, including The
Secret Places of Western New York and Southern Ontario.
Bruce Kershner was a staunch advocate for our old growth forests," said Senator
Rath. "He discovered over 300 old growth forests across the northeast, where no
one believed they still existed. By preserving and protecting these remaining
forests, including the Zoar Valley, this measure is intended to carry on Mr.
Kershner's efforts."
It is estimated that there are approximately 400,000 acres of old-growth forest
in the state, primarily in the Adirondacks. Western New York, including smaller
areas and the Zoar Valley, has over 700 acres.
Although most of the primeval forests that once covered New York State and the
entire Northeast were cleared many years ago as settlers first moved west to
develop farms and communities, there still remain small vestiges of this
original forest tucked away in overlooked corners of the state. Originally most
remained uncut because the terrain where they are located was so challenging
that logging was impracticable and farming impossible. Over the years, owners
have continued to leave these woods essentially untouched either through
oversight or a desire to protect this unique asset. Many exist within public
lands across the state, including the Adirondack Park, Allegheny Park,
Letchworth Park and parts of the Zoar Valley.
The bill focuses on the concept heralded by Mr. Kershner that if these forests
are allowed to be destroyed, they are probably gone forever, and are certainly
not replaceable within our lifetimes, or the lifetimes of our children,
grandchildren, and great-grandchildren.
The bill also adds old growth forests to lands deserving protection in the
State Nature and Historical Preserve, the highest protection afforded to the
unique treasures of our state.
In addition to a providing a link to our past, these trees represent an
important part of our future," said Rath. "From a tourism standpoint, people
are attracted to these forests and the beauty and sense of wonder they inspire."
The bill is the first of its kind in the United States.
==============================================================
Edward Frank
"Two roads diverged in a yellow wood, And sorry I could not travel both. "
Robert Frost (1874–1963). Mountain Interval. 1920.
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