Thank you, NYSDEC staff and Region 3 ReLeaf volunteers, for your hard work putting together a superb ReLeaf Conference.
Recent SUNY ESF grads Amandy Cruty (left) and Nafisa Tabassum are working as urban forestry technicians this summer with Syracuse City Arborist Steve Harris. They attended ReLeaf 2019 in the Hudson Valley, at Mount Saint Mary College.
Council Executive Secretary Liana Gooding (far right) addresses the Council Board just before the start of the conference. On average, 34 members serve on the Board and come from all nine DEC Regions of New York State.
SUNY ESF alum Lew Cutler came from Syracuse and retired doctor Kathy Gaffney came from Long Island to attend ReLeaf 2019. The conference theme was “Urban Forestry in a Rapidly Changing World,” referring in large part to the intersections of urban forestry and climate change.
Gloria Van Duyne is the NYSDEC Urban and Community Forestry Program Coordinator and facilitated and presented at ReLeaf 2019. She and her team worked with Region 3 volunteers to put on the conference.
Christina McLaughlin is NYSDEC Urban and Community Forestry Volunteer Coordinator.
Andrea Nieves is an Environmental Education Assistant for NYSDEC Division of Forests and Lands.
New York Tree Trust Development Director James Kaechele and NYC Parks Tree Preservation Senior Project Manager Danielle Gift drove up together from New York City.
A massive basswood (Tilia americana) on the Mount Saint Mary campus. For perspective, note the picnic bench at lower right.
The Council honored Mary Beck (Kramarchyk) with its second-ever Heartwood Award to thank her for her many years of energetic and dedicated service as former NYSDEC Urban and Community Forestry Program Coordinator.
Current Board Member Brenda Cagle and former Board Member and current CCE Educator Stephanie Radin catch up.
NYSDEC Region 5 Supervising Forester Jeff Speich can always be counted on to move the merchandise from ReLeaf conferences current and past.