Ferguson Named Executive Director of SUNY Institute for Rural Vitality

Dr. S. Scott Ferguson, professor of business and management at SUNY Cobleskill, has been named executive director of the College’s Institute for Rural Vitality. Ferguson will lead the Institute’s continued work in engaging regional partners in a collective effort to enhance the community and economic vitality in rural New York. 

A presence on the SUNY Cobleskill campus for more than 12 years, Dr. Ferguson has served in multiple roles in addition to his tenure as a professor in the Business Administration degree program. He served as the College’s inaugural chief diversity officer and has led the planning and implementation of many campus-wide initiatives, including serving as chair for SUNY Cobleskill’s 2017 Strategic Planning program. 

Outside of his experience at SUNY Cobleskill, Dr. Ferguson is an ambitious entrepreneur and business management professional, with successes to his credit ranging from small business start-ups to multinational, Fortune 500 companies. As an extension of his business ventures, he currently serves on the Schoharie County Chamber of Commerce’s Education Committee and is a former president of the Chamber’s Board of Directors. He also serves as president of the Cobleskill Auxiliary Services Board of Directors and vice president of the Canajoharie Central School District Board of Education. 

“Dr. Ferguson’s leadership qualities have served to enhance many facets of our institution, and he has played an instrumental role in defining and advancing the values of SUNY Cobleskill,” said Marion Terenzio, president of SUNY Cobleskill. “His expertise in economic and community development will be of great resource as the Institute for Rural Vitality continues to elevate its mission in the spirit of collaboration and stewardship.” 

The Institute for Rural Vitality was introduced in 2016 through a $749,000 grant from the United States Department of Agriculture (USDA) and a unique partnership with Albany Law School. The Institute addresses the region’s most pressing issues in economic development and education, from college access and career readiness to legal support for agricultural businesses. Its distinct centers place SUNY Cobleskill students and faculty at the forefront of community partnerships and coalitions, adding their experience in support of these initiatives. 

SUNY Cobleskill was recently awarded an additional $761,141 through a USDA Agriculture Innovation Center grant. The Institute for Rural Vitality directed the funding to expand the services of the Farm & Food Business Incubator, a program offered in partnership with the Center for Agricultural Development & Entrepreneurship (CADE) to better equip growers and producers in the Mohawk Valley in addressing the farming industry's diversification and profitability challenges.

To date, the Institute has been instrumental in securing more than $6 million for community-based economic development projects and actively recruited a private partner poised to build an $84 million grow center on campus. The Institute’s commitment to regional development has recently been recognized by the American Association of State Colleges and Universities (AASCU) as the recipient of its 2019 Excellence and Innovation Award for Regional and Economic Development. 

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NYS Senator Oberacker is Guest Speaker at DelCo Chamber Event

The Delaware County Chamber of Commerce invites you to start your day with a productive and potentially profitable virtual learning opportunity, on Thursday, Feb. 18  from 8:30 - 9:30 a.m.  The Chamber's FREE  Third Thursday : Chamber Connects virtual Q & A live webinar is a terrific opportunity to participate in a leader-led conversation focused on building a better business and better business climate!

Stay current on what's happening in Delaware County and the region, and learn how to effectively pivot  toward a sustainable and thriving business model. 

The featured speaker for this event is New York State Senator Peter Oberacker, representing New York's 51st senate district - which includes the towns of most of Delaware County.

Senator Oberacker was elected in November and is the ranking member of the Senate Committee on Alcoholism & Substance Abuse and the Senate Committee on Internet & Technology.  Additionally, He also serves on the senate standing committees on education, health, higher education, and judiciary.

This event is sponsored by sfcu. sfcu is a full-service financial institution providing the tools and resources our members need to make banking easy and convenient. 

To register for this FREE visit delawarecounty.org or call 607.746.2281. Once registered, you will automatically be emailed a Zoom link to join the event.

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Plant Workshop at Landis

We're excited to introduce the first in a series of three informative and interesting classes to be presented by Chris Cash, popular recently retired SUNY Cobleskill Plant Science Professor.  

The other classes in the series will be scheduled soon, but now, we invite you to join us for What Is this Plant, and Will It Work for Me? by Zoom on Saturday, February 27, from 10:00 - 11:30 AM with flexibility for Q & A at the end. REGISTRATION IS REQUIRED FOR THIS CLASS; registrations will receive the Zoom link prior to class. Click here to register by PayPal or if you prefer to avoid PayPal, contact us at info@LandisArboretum.org to pay by phone using your credit card.

 

In this first class, Chris will help you grow your knowledge of plants and what they need in order to thrive in our world. Plants have names and we need to start there. Chris will guide you into the world of plant names, suggested reference books, and online tools to identify and learn about plants. These are tools that casual gardeners and practicing botanists alike are using to identify plants.  Chris will also provide simple look at local 'plant communities' and how you might employ knowledge of plants and ecosystems to making your own garden selections and create a garden that works.

This workshop series will also include Roots and What's Underground (and Why It Matters), and The Importance of Soils to Your Happy Healthy Garden. Information on these sessions will be provided soon.

 

Instructor:  Chris Cash, Professor of Plant Science at SUNY Cobleskill, retired

Location: Zoom (registration required)

Members: $5/person; Nonmembers: $15/person

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Exploring Nature Workshop at Landis

THE WORKSHOP IS FULL.  ANY FUTURE REGISTRANTS CAN BE PLACED ON A WAITING LIST Exploring Nature Themes in Writing February 12, 19, & 26, March 5, 12, & 19 1:00 PM - 3:00 PM   Participants will explore the effective use of nature themes to develop their own writing of fiction, poetry, and/or memoir. The instructor will share the work of authors who have used nature themes, as well as provide prompts and feedback to participants. The workshop is open to all regardless of experience. Participation in any or all sessions in the series is encouraged!  REGISTRATION IS REQUIRED AND LIMITED TO 12 PEOPLE.  Click here to register.  The workshop classes will be on Zoom; registrants will receive the link for accessing Zoom after registration.

Join Hanford Mills for 'Winter's Coolest Crop' Feb 4th

Thursday, February 4 at 7 pm

Winter’s Coolest Crop: Ice Harvesting History and Culture

Free program!

Andrew Robichaud, Assistant Professor of History at Boston University, joins HMM staff Liz Callahan and Kajsa Harley for a free online presentation about the ice trade in the 19th century. They will discuss the history of ice harvesting in the Northeast. They will also talk about the traditions of ice harvesting here in the Catskills and at Hanford Mills.

Sign up for the program here

If you can't join us for the live program, you can watch a recording of it on the Hanford Mills YouTube Channel. 

Andrew Robichaud is director of undergraduate studies and assistant professor of history at Boston University. He teaches courses in American history, including courses related to environmental history, urban history, animal history, and the history of Boston. His specializes in nineteenth-century America.

Robichaud’s next book project, tentatively titled On Ice: Transformations in American Life, is a history of climate, ice, and the ice trade in North America, and explores the cultural and economic ice age in nineteenth-century America.

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BOCES Offering Cabling Tech Program

SCHOHARIE – High School students interested in a career with great job growth projection and median salary in the U.S. in excess of $60,000 need to look no further than the Capital Region BOCES Network Cabling Tech/Smart Home Technology program.

The program, in it’s second year of existence, will be housed at the Albany Career and Technical School campus starting with the 2021-22 school year after being located at the  Schoharie Campus.

“We have heard from prospective students and our component districts in the Albany area that they are interested in the Network Cabling program that they want to attend the program. At the same time we are constantly in contact with employers seeking workers for the industry. To maximize the potential of the program and to best meet the needs of our students, schools and even employers, we believe it is the right time to make this change,”  said Jeff Palmer, director of Career and Technical Education at Capital Region BOCES.

The Network Cabling Technician/Smart Home Technology provides a clear path to both a job in the industry or to further education.

“Our program prepares the workforce needed to build out and cable this new infrastructure. We have the right program in place and are actively looking for the students interested in these great careers,” said teacher Ed Henson, a 35-year veteran of Verizon.

The program works with business partners such as Verizon, National Grid and MIDTEL to teach students everything from network cabling using fiber- and copper-based systems Smart Home technologies, voice of IP phone systems and 5G wireless antenna installation.

“We need young people that want to work. I can’t stress this enough,” said Jason Becker, executive vice president for MIDTEL. “We were a sleepy company for 100 years and then all of the sudden in the last 25 years, boom,” he said, adding that the growth was industry wide as demand switched from telephone to internet and data service.

A Mid-Hudson Cable technician corroborated the demand, saying he and coworker are working 12 hours a  day, seven days a week to need the demand.

Beyond the demand created by people needing access at home to the high-speed internet, the switch from to 5G internet connectivity that was already taking place requires a whole new infrastructure to be built – with new 5G antennas  being installed  and fiber cables being strung.

The Network Cabling Technician/Smart Home Technology program utilizes C-Tech, an international workforce development company specializing in curriculum development, to provide industry recognized certificates.

Using those certificates, students like Chris Rarick, a senior from Ravena-Coeymans-Selkirk Central High School, can begin careers in telecommunication, audio/visual and telephone industries, or have a head start on higher education.

“I‘m working now on the side installing security cameras and wiring. I had to run cable to all the remote locations, test them and make sure they were operational.  Just recently completed a job and it was a lot of fun,” Rarick said.

Upon graduation, Rarick hopes to make his business a full-time venture.

“I feel like this has already helped me reach my goals and taught me everything I need to know to get started in wiring and cabling,” he said

Classmate Jasmine Neill said the program has given her a bright future. 

“I am going to work in telecommunications - anything within the industry. I really enjoy the skills and the trade,” said the Sharon Springs student.

Students interested in the program should contact their home school district’s school counselor. For more information on the program, visit https://www.capitalregionboces.org/career-technical-education/courses-programs/network-cabling-smart-home-technology/ or email edward.henson@neric.org or Nancy.Liddle@neric.org.

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February is Career and Technical Education Month

ALBANY -- February is Career and Technical Education Month — a time when school districts across the country celebrate programs designed to prepare students for the workforce or to further their education.

Once an education path for those students only seeking vocational skills, career and technical education is now a pathway for students looking to build career skills, get a start on their college education or just learn a life skill that will allow them pay for college. At Capital Region BOCES Career and Technical School (CTE), more than 70 percent of high school students pursue higher education, while many others directly enter the workforce with a highly technical skill set.

“CTE gives me a good opportunity and experience to see what it’s actually like working in a dealership,” said senior Leon Bhajan, who is taking part in work-based learning at Destination Nissan in Albany.

“I am working in the shop, doing whatever they need me to do. The other day I helped someone put a motor in a car. It is a lot of hands-on work and real experiences,” he said. “It’s great to get out of school and get this experience.”

For 2013 graduate John Broadus, CTE meant a guaranteed career in the heating, ventilation, air conditioning and refrigeration (HVAC/R) field.

"There are a lot of possibilities in the trade. It’s recession-proof and I am doing quite well,” Broadus said.

Capital Region BOCES CTE offers approximately three dozen programs that prepare students for specific careers, but also give students such skills as communications, interviewing and time management that span the spectrum of careers.

Those programs are guided by input CTE receives from the business community. These professionals serve on nearly 20 different advisory panels that meet periodically at BOCES and guide the curriculum and planning, as well as provide work-based learning opportunities for students.

A key example of the BOCES CTE-business partnership is the Engineering Technician program that was launched in 2017 and was the result of a partnership between BOCES and GLOBALFOUNDRIES. The program trains students for careers at the high tech giant and other employers in the region and beyond.

"There's a demand among business leaders across the region and state to place an emphasis on college- and career-readiness," said Jeff Palmer, director of career and technical education at BOCES. "The programs we offer include everything from culinary and welding to electrical trades, auto body repair and internet application design. But they also prepare students with life skills that apply to whatever career a student pursues.”

“It’s about preparing students for life,” he added.

SUNY Cobleskill Outreach Instructor Ed Wallace concurred.

“Several students in recent years have come out of the BOCES program and entered the workforce as technicians and equipment operators, several others have gone on to secondary institutions like SUNY Cobleskill,” Wallace said.

Business officials said training high school students for careers in the skilled trades is crucial to keeping the industry alive.

“We need to create the connections for students early on. This is a way we can keep them in the pipeline as workers in our industry down the road,” said Jerry Skiff, director of service for Anderson Equipment Co.

More than 1,000 students from throughout the Capital Region take courses at the Capital Region BOCES campuses in Schoharie, Albany and at the Center for Advanced Technology at Mohonasen, as well as New Visions classrooms. Nationally, more than 15 million high school and postsecondary students are pursuing career and technical education, according to the U.S. Department of Education.

By choosing an education that includes career and technical training, those students are getting an education that is critical to their personal success, as well as the success of this region and the country.

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Rep Delgado Meets with Local Officials

U.S. Representative Antonio Delgado met with Greene County officials to discuss COVID-19 vaccine distribution, rural broadband, and infrastructure issues. Rep. Antonio Delgado spoke with Greene County Legislature Chairman Pat Linger, Greene County Highway Superintendent Scott Templeton, Greene County Deputy County Administrator Warren Hart, Greene County Administrator Shaun S. Groden, and members of the Public Health and Emergency Operations departments.

“Yesterday, Senator Gillibrand and I announced the reintroduction of our Rebuilding Rural America Act,” said Rep. Antonio Delgado. “This legislation would help communities like Greene County repair their weather-damaged roads, revitalize rural broadband, and build their local economy back better. Projects like the stabilization of the Hudson River shoreline need investment from the federal government. I thank Greene County leaders for speaking with me and sharing their coronavirus crisis struggles. I will keep working to deliver critical funds to Greene County, and rural counties across New York's 19th congressional district.”

“Greene County is very thankful to the Congressman for taking the time to meet with us,” said Greene County Legislature Chairman Pat Linger. “We have multiple projects underway that will require Federal assistance to accomplish. Stabilization of the Hudson River shoreline, broadband and cellular deficiency mapping and infrastructure build-out, and emergency funding for rural highway repair are all imperative to both the quality of life and economic development here in Greene. We are committed to our residents and visitors, and know the Congressman shares the same feeling. We hope he can assist in getting the funding committed to help move Greene forward with these critically important infrastructure needs.”

After his meeting with Greene County officials, Rep. Antonio Delgado met with Columbia County officials to discuss COVID-19 vaccine distribution. The Congressman spoke with the Chairman of the Board of Supervisors and Supervisor for the Town of Stockport Matt Murell and Columbia County Public Health Director Jack Maab about limited vaccine doses and a need for better coordination between the federal, state, and local levels.

“Counties like Columbia are ready, willing, and able to get shots in residents' arms,” said Rep. Antonio Delgado. “However, they need more vaccines and federal funding to cover the costs of vaccination distribution. My bill, the Direct Support for Communities Act, would send dollars directly to our counties, towns, and villages fighting the COVID-19 pandemic. I thank Chairman Murell and Director Maab for meeting with me and discussing this critical issue.”

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Audubon Offers Free Digital Program and Materials for Teachers and Homeschool Parents

Bird Flight Patterns and Music Sign-up is Required By: Delaware-Otsego Audubon Society For more information contact: Susan O'Handley, Publicity Chairperson, Delaware-Otsego Audubon Society, Oneonta, NY; (607) 643-5680; info@doas.us

[ONEONTA, NY; REGIONAL] Coming up in late March 2021, Delaware-Otsego Audubon Society will be offering FREE access to this very special program to all our members through a special opportunity provided by the New Bedford Symphony Orchestra in Massachusetts!  The program and correlating educational materials will also be available at no cost to any educator in our region as well as homeschool programs.  Teachers and Parents can sign up using our contact form on our website at  https://doas.us/contact-us/ .

About the Program

Explore the exciting connection between bird flight and musical motion in this concert video with accompanying teacher’s guide and curriculum. The video features performances by the New Bedford Symphony Orchestra and NBSO Education Trio with special guests Heloise Degrugillier, Recorder Soloist performing the world premiere of Jamie Allen’s Nightingale Concerto. The video also includes a special interview with Xavi Bou, photographer for the Ornitographies Project, a video featuring David Lentink from Stanford University’s bird flight and robotics lab and a visit with Sam Claggett, Conservation Education Specialist from the Buttonwood Park Zoo with a special bird guest. The orchestra and trio will perform works by Haydn, Mendelssohn, Vaughan Williams, Strauss and Derek Bermel’s Murmurations. The teacher’s guide will provide music, science, writing and visual art activities that further the bird flight pattern and music exploration. Activities include a starling murmuration interactive lesson with student-made “starlings on a stick,” play-along flap and glide melodies with the NBSO trio, thermal currents soaring experiment, music composition and improvisation activities, NBSO musician videos and much more. Educators and Homeschool Parents – sign up today at https://doas.us/contact-us/ to receive access to the concert video and the teacher’s guide with clickable links to music videos, activity demonstrations etc.

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Oberacker Calls for Health Commissioner Zucker's Resignation

State Senator Peter Oberacker (R/C – Schenevus) today commented on a new report from New York State Attorney General James on nursing homes:

“The report from the Attorney General proves what we already knew – bad policies emanating from the governor’s administration greatly jeopardized the health and well-being of our most vulnerable.  Both Governor Cuomo and his Health Commissioner have dodged questions relating to COVID related deaths in our nursing homes, hidden the true statistics, and advanced policies that contributed to increased casualties.  

“I join with Senate Republican Leader Ortt in calling for the immediate resignation of Health Commissioner Howard Zucker.   Additionally, it is time for subpoenas to be issued and a full independent investigation conducted – those we have lost and their families deserve a true accounting.”

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CCE Plans Meeting for February 22nd

The Board of Directors of Cornell Cooperative Extension of Delaware County will meet via zoom video conferencing/phone at 7:00 p.m. on February 22. 

The board will be attending via zoom video conferencing/phone from the following locations: Bovina Center, Delhi, Andes, Davenport Center, Ithaca, Unadilla, Walton, DeLancey, Stamford and Sidney.

The public can also join the meeting via zoom. For directions, please call 607-865-6531.

“Accommodations for persons with disabilities may be requested by calling Cornell Cooperative Extension of Delaware County at 607-865-6531 by January 21, 2021 to ensure sufficient time to make arrangements. Requests received after this date will be met when possible.”

Cornell Cooperative Extension is an employer and educator recognized for valuing AA/EEO, protected veterans, and individuals with disabilities and provides equal program and employment opportunities. 

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Sheriff DuMond Reminds Hunters to Beware of Errant Rounds

As a result of recent damages to fiber optics cables in the county, Delaware County Sheriff Craig S. DuMond and the management of the Delhi and Margaretville Telephone Companies remind everyone that shooting at birds or animals on utility lines, as well as target shooting in the area of those utility lines, will very likely result in damages to the fiber optic cables and other critical telecommunications infrastructure.  Damages to this infrastructure often leads to widespread and prolonged disruption of critical telecommunication infrastructure. 

Although these damages are often unintended and you may not observe any immediate evidence of damage, the internal damage may lead to service interruptions effecting critical telecommunications services.  These services include E-911; emergency two-way radio communications used by fire department, EMS and law enforcement agencies; critical Ethernet and broadband circuits; television emergency alert systems; emergency cellular back-haul circuits; as well as residential and business internet, telephone and television. 

The repair costs and liabilities resulting from “loss-of-service” fees can run into the tens of thousands of dollars per incident. Most importantly, these repair costs are a chargeable event to the entity or person(s) responsible and may even lead to criminal prosecution.

To help ensure that critical communications and emergency services are continuously maintained for you and your community, please be responsible and utilize due care when discharging a firearm to ensure that these telecommunications lines are not damaged.

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BOCES Electrical Trades Program Expands to Schoharie

In an effort to better meet the needs of students and component school districts, Capital Region BOCES is expanding the Electrical Trades program to the Schoharie Campus.

The program that prepares students for careers in electrical trades will now have labs and classrooms on the Albany and Schoharie campuses.

The change, Jeff Palmer, director of Career and Technical Education at Capital Region BOCES said, is necessary to best match the needs of students and school districts and to address the growing demand for the program.

“We look forward to making this exciting program with great career potential more available to the students in the Schoharie region,” Palmer said.

Just a few years ago, the program added a second classroom in Albany and now there is demand to add a third classroom, which will be located in Schoharie.

Students say they enjoy the opportunity the program offers.

“It’s a job that is going to be needed. It is a good career option. As more cars go electrical, they are going to need people to create the charging stations,” said Zachary Provost, who attends the program from Mohonasen,

“I like learning about electricity and wanted to get into the program to get a career with options and where I can make money,” added Joe Oystintravis, who attends the program from Berne-Knox-Westerlo.

The Electrical Trades program has been offered for decades and teaches the fundamental skills in electrical theory and through classroom instruction and hands-on shop lessons. Graduates can either further their education or enter the field through apprenticeships and go on to become successful residential, commercial and industrial wiring professionals.

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Roxbury Library February 2021 Hours

As a deterrent to the local spread of COVID-19, the Roxbury Library

Association is restricting the Roxbury Library's open hours to Mondays:

10:00 a.m.-12:00 noon, for CURBSIDE PICKUP ONLY, during the month of

February 2021. Please call (607)-326-7901 or email

frontdesk@roxburylibraryonline.org to arrange for curbside pickup of

books and audiovisual items.

During the month of February 2021, the RLA Thrift Shoppe will be open on

Wednesdays: 10:00 a.m.-12:00 noon, on a BY-APPOINTMENT-ONLY basis.

Please call (607)-326-7901 to make a Wednesday morning appointment. To

make an appointment on another day, please call (607)-326-7901 or email

dian@roxburylibraryonline.org, and the library staff will arrange a

mutually convenient time for a visit to the RLA Thrift Shoppe.

Please note that the Roxbury Library Association cannot accept donations

of any kind during the month of February 2021.

The Roxbury Library Association regrets any inconvenience caused by the

Roxbury Library's limited COVID-19 hours.

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DEC Issues Guidance to Avoid Coyote Conflicts

The New York State Department of Environmental Conservation (DEC) today issued guidance to help prevent conflicts between people and coyotes.

"Coyotes may become more territorial during the breeding and pup-rearing seasons, which in New York run from January through March, increasing the risk for potential conflicts with people and pets," said DEC Commissioner Basil Seggos. "While coyotes are an important part of New York's ecosystem, New Yorkers are encouraged to be aware of the increased risks for conflicts and follow DEC's guidance to prevent coyote encounters."

The Eastern coyote is found in many habitats, from rural farmland and forests to populated suburban and urban areas across New York State. Coyotes are well adapted to suburban and even urban environments and tend to avoid conflicts with people. However, conflicts with people and pets may occur, particularly during the spring denning and pupping period. If coyotes learn to associate food, such as garbage or pet food, with peoples' homes, these animals may lose their natural fear of humans and increase the potential for close encounters or conflicts.

To reduce or prevent conflicts with coyotes, New Yorkers are encouraged to take the following steps:

• Do not feed coyotes.
• Do not leave food outside. Pet food and garbage attract coyotes and other wildlife and increase risks to people and pets:
• • Do not feed pets outside.
  • Prevent access to garbage.
  • Fence or enclose compost piles.
  • Eliminate availability of bird seed. Concentrations of birds and rodents that come to feeders can attract coyotes.
• Do not allow coyotes to approach people or pets. If you see a coyote, be aggressive in your behavior: stand tall and hold your arms up or out to look as large as possible. If a coyote lingers for too long, make loud noises, wave your arms and throw sticks and stones.
• Teach children to appreciate coyotes from a distance.
• Do not allow pets to run free. Supervise outdoor pets to keep them safe from coyotes and other wildlife, especially at sunset and at night. Small dogs and cats are especially vulnerable.
• Fence yards to deter coyotes. The fence should be tight to the ground, preferably extending six inches below ground level and taller than four feet.
• Remove brush and tall grass from around homes to reduce protective cover for coyotes. Coyotes are typically secretive and like areas where they can hide.
• Contact the local police department and DEC regional office for assistance if coyotes exhibit bold behaviors and have little or no fear of people, or if seen repeatedly during the daytime in a human-populated area or near residences. Seeing a coyote occasionally throughout the year is not evidence of bold behavior.
• Ask neighbors to follow these steps to prevent coyote conflicts.

For additional information about the Eastern coyote and preventing conflicts with coyotes, visit the DEC webpages below:

Eastern Coyote

Coyote Conflicts

Feeding Wildlife: A Wrong Choice

Tips to Eliminate Wildlife Conflicts

Regional DEC Wildlife Offices

https://www.dec.ny.gov/press/press.html

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Audubon Highlights Carbon Reduction via Solid Waste Practices

Special Program featuring Otsego County and Delaware County Solid Waste Department Representatives Tuesday, February 16, 2021, 7:00pm - ONLINE Pre-registration is Required. By: Delaware-Otsego Audubon Society For more information contact: Susan O'Handley, Publicity Chairperson, Delaware-Otsego Audubon Society, Oneonta, NY; (607) 643-5680; info@doas.us Shane Digan, Planner and Recycling Coordinator, Otsego County Solid Waste Department, Cooperstown, NY; (607) 547-4225; sean digans@otsegocounty.com Tyson Robb, Solid Waste Coordinator, Delaware County Solid Waste Department, Delhi, NY; (607) 832-5800; tyson.robb@co.delaware.ny.us

[ONEONTA, NY; REGIONAL] Please join Delaware-Otsego Audubon Society for this special online Zoom program on Tuesday, February 16, 2021, 7:00pm to learn about how our counties (both Delaware and Otsego) are working to reduce carbon through solid waste practices, recycling and composting. We all know that recycling is important, but do we know exactly why? What happens to the recyclable material once you put it in the recycling bin? What food composting options are available in the region and why is it important to compost? Does trash contribute to climate change (hint-yes!)? Learn about legislation that is being introduced at the state and local level to improve recycling, composting, and solid waste management and more. Remember to bring all of your trash, recycling, and compost questions!   This is a FREE program.  Pre-Registration is required. https://doas.us/event/solid-waste-recycling-composting-to-reduce-carbon/

CLICK HERE TO REGISTER

About Our Presenters

Shane Digan, Planner and Recycling Coordinator for the Otsego County Solid Waste Department, works to increase recycling rates and extend programs to residents and businesses to promote responsible waste management while trying to keep costs low for the County. He maintains recycling resources on the County’s website, has utilized social media, television, and radio advertisements to promote sound recycling practices, helps manage the annual Household Hazardous Waste Day, and is currently working to grow the County’s food waste composting program. Shane is currently working on a “waste-smart” business certification and new recycling law for Otsego County.

Tyson Robb is the Solid Waste Coordinator in Delaware County. He is responsible for overseeing operations at The Landfill, Material Recovery Facility, and Compost Facility. Before working for the DPW Department Robb was an Environmental Technician with Delaware County’s Planning Department. Robb also teaches a Soil Science and Sustainability class through the Geography Department at SUNY Oneonta.  Robb is now focused on material management specifically landfill diversion and environmental sustainability.  Delaware County’s investment in state of the art composting and recycling facilities have lessened its carbon emissions through landfill gas and extended the life of its landfill. This regionally sustainable approach has benefits both locally and globally.

This program is a follow up to an earlier panel discussion on Climate Action with specialists from our region. Find recordings of past programs at https://doas.us/webinars.   It is part of the DOAS Climate Action Leadership Training Program, funded in part through a 2020-21 Audubon in Action Grant from National Audubon Society.

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Audubon Hosts Naturalist and Photographer, Kyle Dudgeon for a Look into the Life of the Great Gray Owl

Friday, February 19, 2021, 7:30pm - ONLINE Pre-registration is Required. By: Delaware-Otsego Audubon Society For more information contact: Susan O'Handley, Publicity Chairperson, Delaware-Otsego Audubon Society, Oneonta, NY; (607) 643-5680; info@doas.us [ONEONTA, NY; REGIONAL] Of all the birds and wildlife that call the forests and mountains of Montana home, one species in particular leaves an impression on its observer unlike anything else. This species is the Great Gray Owl. After months of searching unsuccessfully for a breeding territory where one had to have existed, nature photographer and writer Kyle Dudgeon finally made his dream come true. He spent several weeks studying, photographing and advocating for a family of owls in the Bridger Mountains near Bozeman, MT. Join us as Kyle takes us through his experiences with dozens of great gray owls over two years in Montana, as well as the story of protecting a nest from the interests of logging. Please join us online on Friday, February 19 at 7:30 PM for a virtual get-together with the Delaware-Otsego Audubon Society.  This is a FREE program.  Pre-Registration is required. Registration Information can be found at the DOAS Website at https://doas.us/event/in-search-of-the-great-gray-owl-kyle-dudgeon/ Above: Great Gray Owlets; Photo by Kyle Dudgeon. https://doas.us/wp-content/uploads/2020/12/great-gray-kdudgeon.png About the Presenter Kyle Dudgeon is a 23 -year old nature photographer and writer based in Bozeman, Montana. A New York native, photography has led Kyle’s journeys across North America, capturing wild moments in incredible places. With his photographs and written word, Kyle strives to share with his following the power and emotion that the natural world possesses, in hopes of encouraging conservation of species and environments at risk. In 2019, Kyle Dudgeon Creative was founded on an idea to translate a passion for wild things and wild places into a means of visual storytelling. A project involving Great Gray Owls in the Bridger Mountains of Montana was Kyle’s first true introduction into what he hopes will be a long career in the conservation realm.   The Delaware-Otsego Audubon Society (DOAS) offers programs year-round that are free and open to the public including member meeting programs, bird-watching field trips and special events.  DOAS operates the Franklin Mountain Hawkwatch, hiking trails  and a summer day camp program at the Audubon Sanctuary just south of Oneonta, NY.

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LTE: Seeking Coaches for Baseball

I am 25 years old from Dallas, Georgia, and I have autism. I am also the commissioner/director of the Alternative Baseball Organization, a 501c3 authentic baseball experience for teens 15+ and adults with autism and other disabilities to gain social and physical skills for success in life on and off the diamond. It takes 6 months to fill a full team due to the lack of catered services available in most areas for teens and adults with disabilities. So in spite of the pandemic, recruitment for 2021 has begun virtually. We are looking for a volunteer coach/manager, volunteers, and players to help us start new programs serving those in Schoharie County and the surrounding area in addition to our other Atlantic programs in South Philly, Chester County, Hudson County (NJ), Columbus (OH), Wayne County/Detroit (MI), Watertown (NY), Louisville (KY), Chattanooga, Nashville, Buffalo (NY), Bangor (ME), and many more teams in Georgia and North Carolina tentatively set to start in late Spring-summer 2021. We are different from other programs in that teams travel to other areas, play on traditional high school size fields, and play using the same rule-set as the pros on television. The organization provides equipment and resources to help such a program become successful.

When I was much younger, I had speech issues, anxiety issues, and more that came with having autism… I wasn't able to participate in competitive sports due to the developmental delays, in addition to social stigma (preconceived ideas) from those who think what one with autism can and cannot accomplish. With the help of my mom, teachers, mentors, and coaches who believed in me, I've gotten to where I am today in my life: To live with the goal to inspire, raise awareness, and acceptance for autism and special needs globally through the sport of baseball. 

As many with autism graduate from high school in many areas, services plateau. In a lot of suburban and rural areas, there are no services for those to continue their path toward independence. Many travel to find the limited services which may or may not be available to their specific needs. Realizing a lack of general incentive and opportunities for those on the spectrum, I started this organization to give others on the spectrum/special needs the opportunity to be accepted for who they are and to be encouraged to be the best they can be!

The program follows Major League rules (wood bats, base stealing, dropped third strike, etc.), and is a true typical team experience for others on the autism spectrum and special needs to help develop social skills for later in life. Alternative Baseball also has clubs in 30+ states who are also preparing for their late Spring start dates. In 2019, the organization was commemorated as a Community Hero at an Atlanta Braves game and has been featured on ESPN's BASEBALL TONIGHT and NBC's Weekday TODAY Show.

I wanted to let you know we are looking for a volunteer coach/manager, players, and volunteers to help us start new programs serving those throughout Schoharie County and the surrounding area. We must find the coach/manager in order to begin. We have had past success from media putting out the word in their communities. Players can be of all experience levels. We take them from where they start out at (whether they require to be pitched to slow overhand or hit off the tee), and help develop their physical and social skills. I am available for interviews via Zoom or by phone (due to COVID-19 coronavirus pandemic.) and can also provide a multitude of B-Roll footage through our Google Drive. Any help is appreciated! Thank you for your time! I look forward to one day having the opportunity to serve your community for hopefully many years to come!

(See our segment from ESPN's Baseball Tonight here!: http://www.espn.com/video/clip?id=23353934. Also, please take at look at my TedXAtlanta talk on providing more opportunities in and outside of sports for those with autism and other special needs: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=x0RGXug-WV4). Sign up at http://alternativebaseball.org/

Sincerely,

Taylor Duncan

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