Meeting the men and women who are restoring the American chestnut, exploring the Alvar plant community on the new green roof, connecting with the Onondaga Earth Corps … there were so many highlights for the 185 attendees of the 2015 ReLeaf Conference at SUNY ESF. A special shout-out to the Region 7 folks who worked hard to put on the best program and presenters:
Kristina Ferrare, Steve Harris
Fran Lawlor, Jessi Lyons
Chris Manchester, Doug Morrison
Greg Owens, Brian “the Brain” Skinner, Pat Tobin, and Kate Woodle
![IMG_9109](https://i0.wp.com/104.131.126.58/wp-content/uploads/2015/07/img_9109.jpg?resize=401%2C401)
Mealtime conversations were the best! SUNY ESF graduate student Leanna Kirschen (left) works with Syracuse City Forester Steve Harris, and Tony Suave (right) works with the Onondaga Earth Corps.
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Andy Hillman, who served for four years as NYSUFC president, passed the torch to David Moore. Andy, we owe you a huge debt of gratitude. David gave a moving and motivating acceptance speech.
![IMG_9007](https://i0.wp.com/104.131.126.58/wp-content/uploads/2015/07/img_9007.jpg?resize=400%2C300)
NYSUFC Executive Secretary Liana Gooding with her husband, DEC Forester and SUNY ESF alum Mark Gooding.
![IMG_9103](https://i0.wp.com/104.131.126.58/wp-content/uploads/2015/07/img_9103.jpg?resize=640%2C480)
What a profound pleasure it was to meet up, learn, and dine together in SUNY ESF’s LEED Platinum Certified Gateway Center, one of the nation’s top 10 green buildings.
to be continued …