The Bergen Swamp Preservation Society awarded two “Partner-in-Preservation” Awards at the Society’s annual meeting held October 19 at the Holloway House Restaurant in Bloomfield. The “Partner-in-Preservation” award is given to an individual or organization for partnering with the Bergen Swamp Preservation Society to preserve and protect the native flora and fauna of New York state.
The corporate award was presented to Larry Sorel, director of the Seneca Park Zoo, Rochester, for their preservation efforts on behalf of the rare reptiles native to the Bergen Swamp. These reptiles include the Eastern Massasauga Rattlesnake (Sistrurus catenatus catenatus), the Queen Snake (Regina septemvittata), the Spotted Turtle (Clemmys guttata), the Bog Turtle (Glyptemys muhlenbergii) and the Coal Skink (Plestiodon anthracinus). These preservation efforts have been directed by Seneca Park Zoo employees, John Adamski and Dr. Jeffrey Wyatt, DVM.
The Seneca Park Zoo was nominated for this award by Society trustee Lee Blair Jr. of Byron.
The individual award was presented to Mona Rynearson, trustee emeritus. Mrs. Rynearson, who resides in Newark, was awarded for her long service as a Society Trustee, Zurich Bog Property Chairperson and personal inspiration to the current trustees.
Mrs. Rynearson joined the Society Board of trustees in 1964 and served for a continuous 48 years before her retirement early this year. Mrs. Rynearson helped to construct the first corduroy trail into the Zurich Bog and petitioned for the Zurich Bog’s 1973 registration as a National Natural Landmark by the United States Department of Interior National Parks Service. Mrs. Rynearson was nominated for this award by Society trustee Ken Townsend of Newark and trustee Peg Pelletier of Marion.
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 been run entirely by volunteers. The Society has a membership of 357 persons and corporations. The Society owns and manages five separate properties in upstate New York. Two of the Society’s properties are National Natural Landmarks: the Bergen Swamp (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 by Steve Locke, Trustee
President of the Bergen Swamp Preservation Society
Provided photos by Lee Drake.
11/17/13
