Winter 2013 - Genesee Land Trust

Winter 2013
Published by the Genesee Land Trust, a Not-for-Profit Corporation
The
Preserve
THE NEWSLETTER OF THE GENESEE LAND TRUST
THE GENESEE LAND TRUST PRESERVES AND PROTECTS LAND WITHIN THE GREATER ROCHESTER AREA, INCLUDING WATERWAYS,
WETLANDS, FARMLAND, OPEN SPACE, FISH AND WILDLIFE HABITAT, AND SCENIC OR RECREATIONAL AREAS. THE TRUST DOES SO
BY ACQUIRING PROPERTY OR DEVELOPMENT RIGHTS AND BY ASSISTING GOVERNMENT AGENCIES, INDIVIDUALS, AND PRIVATE
GROUPS WITH THEIR OWN LAND PROTECTION EFFORTS. THE TRUST IS A TAX-EXEMPT, NOT-FOR-PROFIT ORGANIZATION SUPPORTED
BY MEMBERSHIP FEES, GRANTS, AND OTHER CONTRIBUTIONS. DONATIONS TO THE GENESEE LAND TRUST ARE TAX-DEDUCTIBLE.
BOARD OF DIRECTORS
Cenie Cafarelli
Erin D. Caldwell
Diane Cass
Roger Cass
Jill M. Cicero
Jim Curley
Connie Ehindero
Udo Fehn
Scott Forsyth
Thomas Frey
Erin Grant
Allen Handelman
Jeffrey Hough
Michael Kehoe
Robert Kraus
Jean H. McCreary
Merri-Lou McKeever
George Parker
Tom Riley
Bill Schwappacher
Tom Tette
Nancy Goodman Torpey
Photo© Nigel P. Kent
PATIENCE AND PARTNERSHIPS
Hallmarks of Land Preservation
is nestled behind a row of lakeside homes a short
distance from Lake Ontario, Braddock Bay and
Rose’s Marsh (a large DEC wetland complex of
marsh and swamp), on 15 acres of land owned by
Genesee Land Trust.
ADVISORY BOARD
Robert Avery
Betsy Brooks
Lee Caine
Richard Dollinger
Tim Fitzgerald
Sandra Frankel
Mark Greene
Mary Hadley
Jim Howe
Elthea King-Spiegel
Rick Marx
Jeff McCann
Jan Miller
Randi Minetor
Michael Privitera
Lynn Slowik
James Smith
Kathy Spencer
Bill Steimer
Andy Wheatcraft
Suzanne Wheatcraft
Peter Woods
by Margaret Potter
W
hen Betsy Brooks looks back at the history
of the Braddock Bay Bird Observatory
(BBBO), its preservation, the thousands
of volunteer hours, dozens of master bander
classes, countless research studies, and magical
encounters with more than 148,000 birds since
1985, she thinks of patience and partnership.
BBBO is one of a small number of internationally
recognized research banding stations, one that
has a permanent home at the Kaiser-Manitou
Beach Banding Station. Recognized as a major
bird migration stopover area, the banding station
Creating the symbiotic relationship between the
land trust and BBBO is a point of pride for members
of both organizations, said Roger Cass, one of the
trust’s founding board members. “Genesee Land
Trust is about relationships between people—our
relationship with the people who want to preserve
their land, and our relationship with people
who are willing to provide us with the financial
support to make that happen,” he said.
Roger recalled his first meeting with Betsy Brooks
and her desire to create a permanent banding
station at Braddock Bay. BBBO was a guest of
landowner William Kaiser, so she recognized
the vulnerability of her fledgling research
organization. Roger, an avid birder, instantly
understood the importance of preserving the
banding station and its important work.
Through Betsy and Roger, BBBO and Genesee Land
Trust became partners to permanently protect
(Continued on inside page)
PATIENCE AND PARTNERSHIPS
Hallmarks of Land Preservation
46 Prince Street, Suite LL005
Rochester, New York 14607
585-256-2130
www.geneseelandtrust.org
Gay Mills
Executive Director
gmills@geneseelandtrust.org
Margaret Potter
Director of Development
& Communications
info@geneseelandtrust.org
Emily Johnson
Land Preservation Coordinator
landprotection@geneseelandtrust.org
Randi Minetor
Newsletter Editor
Nigel P. Kent
Photographers
City Blue Imaging
Newsletter Design
Monroe Litho
Printer
the land. Betsy shared BBBO’s research data
with Kaiser, teaching him to identify birds,
particularly the magnolia warbler. With
Betsy’s encouragement, Kaiser brought his
grandchildren and other guests to the BBBO to
show off the birds. Meanwhile, Roger reached
out to Kaiser, informing him about Genesee
Land Trust and the benefits of a charitable
donation of land. In 1999, with patience and
partnership, the two organizations’ work
paid off: Kaiser donated two acres to the
land trust, as well as the buildings where the
banding takes place.
This story did not happen overnight. It
took ten years of relationship building. In
2004, Kaiser sold five acres of additional
property to Genesee Land Trust, which
became the Manitou Beach Preserve—
adjacent to Braddock Bay’s West Spit. In
2006, the land trust purchased a third parcel
that connected the two earlier preserves,
completing the project that Roger and Betsy
had dreamed of for years…a dream made
possible by BBBO supporters, Genesee Land
Trust members and a significant financial
(Continued from front page)
commitment by the Rochester Birding
Association. That’s an impressive partnership!
Both Betsy and Roger realized that the only
way to get things done was to stay engaged and
wait. Not everything happens quickly, but the
outcome—the preservation—is permanent.
In 2012, BBBO banded over 10,000 birds
including 466 magnolia wa rblers — Will i a m
K a i ser ’s f avor ite! Not only do scientists
from around the world visit BBBO, but school
children and families also regularly witness
the great migrations and learn about bird
banding and the importance of tracking the
birds. To learn more about BBBO, visit http://
braddockbaybirdobservatory.wordpress.com
Genesee Land Trust’s Manitou Beach Preserve
is open to visitors year round. When you
visit, you find a loop trail through the open
meadow, along the woodlands edge, and close
to the cattail marshes of Braddock Bay for
walking and excellent birding opportunities
in the spring…a testament to what patience
and partnerships can do. 
New Members & Gifts
©2013 by Genesee Land Trust, Inc.
Genesee Land Trust is partially funded by
the New York Conservation Partnership
Program administered by the Land Trust
Alliance Northeast Program with support from
the State of New York. A copy of Genesee
Land Trust’s annual financial report may be
obtained upon request from our office or
from the New York State Attorney General’s
Charities Bureau,
Attn: FOIL Officer
120 Broadway
New York, NY 10271
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NEW MEMBERS
Martha Blair, Violanda
and Steve Burns, Barbara Carder, John and Jan
Clement, Cognitive Marketing, Lisa Marianetti
and Arthur Dake, Zack Declerk, Victoria and
Michael Doyle, Sheila A. Ferrari, Marilyn G.
Fowler, Nancy and Lory Ghertner, Jane Sharp
Giorgianni, Roy Green, Michael Grover, Lew
and Judy Gurley, Jane Hasselkus and Richard
Edic, Julianne Hoffman, Stephen Hoaas,
Kathryn Jospe, Susan Keith, Mallory McCullum,
Kimberly Merchant, Amber Newman, Holly
Pearl, Jeffrey Perkins, Chris Phillips, Frederick
W. Post, Jr., Nancy Rosin, Raymond Sanger, Jim
and Miriam Scardinale, Beth Sciumeca, Leslie
Schiff, M. Hansom & Rosemary Statt-Hanscom,
Jim and Donna Swiech, Roy Szelewski, Sarah
Thornton, Tom Wells, Christine Whites, Patricia
Wilder, Larry and Carol Yost, Debbie Zeger,
Mary-Jo and Conger Gabel
GIFT MEMBERSHIPS Marcia and Bill
Weinert given by Nicole Rhodes; Jennifer Miller,
given by Polly Stapley; Barbara Silver from her
daughter Akiva Silver & family
GIFTS IN HONOR OF
Kathy Magin
from Thomas Magin, Cathy Feldman from
Robert Taylor, Karen Findling from Cathy
Feldman, Dr. and Mrs. Neal McNabb on the
occasion of their anniversary from James and
Nancy MacWhinney, Channing Kaiser from her
grandparents, Marilyn & Robert Kaiser
GIFTS IN MEMORY OF Marianne
Wheatcraft from Heather & Jacob Adams, Esther
& Arthur Ormsby. Peter Lynd from Edward J.
& Kathleen L. Lynd, Ellis Faro from Phillip &
Amy Osika
Executive Director
Margaret Potter &
Mike Terreri at
El Camino clean up
Gay Mills
Dear Members,
We at Genesee Land Trust are so thankful
for the gifts of so many who join in to help
us care for the land we have protected. The
gift of time, strength, hard work and his
many wheel barrows was the trademark of
one of our beloved volunteers, Tom Witt.
Over ten years Tom volunteered at nearly
every preserve, helped with every event, and
always worked hard to build a stronger land
trust. He was indeed central to the community
of Genesee Land Trust. Tom recently passed
away and we will miss him.
Stewardship of the land that we protect is
at the center of our mission. Volunteers
who help with projects on preserves are a
vital way that Genesee Land Trust meets the
routine needs of maintenance and annual
monitoring. As we protect more acres,
the permanent commitment to defend and
enforce the preservation of the land grows.
Recognizing this permanent responsibility,
Genesee Land Trust established a Land
Stewardship Fund with $3,000 when we
acquired our first properties in 1991. Now
housed at the Rochester Area Community
Foundation, it is a quasi-endowment fund that
has grown to nearly $400,000. Contributions
to the Land Stewardship Fund strengthen the
pledge of permanent land preservation.
Stewardship, permanence, strength,
community - these all are key to our
commitment to the land.
Thank you for your many gifts that make
it possible.
Tom Witt at El Camino
Our Heartfelt Thanks go to. . .
Preserve Editor: Randi Minetor. Donation of Cherry Conference Table: The Max & Marian Farash
Charitable Foundation. Chairs: Anonymous Conference Room Space: Forte Capital. Annual
Meeting: Suzanne Wheatcraft, Diane Cass, Tom Frey. Backyard Habitat Tour 2013 Committee:
Judy Bigelow, Andrea Billin, Mary Coupe, Georgia Nelson, Lee Caine, Susan Keith. Christine
Sevilla Wetlands Preserve Kiosk: Steven Daniel, Carol Southby, Cassy Petsos, June Summers,
Tom Low. Walk at Christine Sevilla Wetlands Preserve: Steven Daniel. Land Management
Administrative work: Sana Mirza. New Land Stewards: Lisa Marianetti, Arthur Dake, Jeff
Perkins. Stewardship assistance: Warren Elvin, Larry Yost, Rachel Curtiss, Cenie Cafarelli,
Doug Larson, Alex Rozanov. Photographers: Nigel P. Kent, Gloria M. Weyerts, Linda Clark.
Wilson Day: University of Rochester students, Tom Frey, Doug Larson, David Kotok, Sonya
Christianson, Pat Canty. Greentopia: Chris Potter, April Salisbury, Benjamyn Shamanoff,
Merri-Lou McKeever, Jeff Hough, Cenie Cafarelli, Debbie Kornfeld, Debbie Zeger, Carol
Whitbeck, Ron Swanson. Website work: Erin Caldwell, Sharon Kunzer, Chris Potter. Google
Analytics: Owen Zacharias. Forever Green Auction: Merri-Lou McKeever, Cenie Cafarelli,
Gabriel Saphar, Kevin Clar, Judy Culotta, Judy Bigelow, April Salisbury, Erin Grant, Chris
Potter, Debbie Zeger, Karen Kremer, Dan Deveau, Mary Moss, Cherie Harder, Chris Young,
Andrea Reithmayr, Connie Ehindero, Karen Arbegast, Cassia Moffatt, Laura Parker, Tom
Tette, Musicians: Dr. Roger Cass and the New Configuration Band, and Chris Potter Trio:
Howard Potter, Chris Potter and Ryder Eaton and EVERYONE WHO FOUND GREAT ITEMS TO
AUCTION! Land Management and Membership: Julie Duffy. Communications Intern: Kevin
Fellows. Urban Intern: Mike Terreri. El Camino Clean Up: Tom Frey, Cenie Cafarelli, Mike
Terreri, Hilary Mosher, Kerry Gallagher, Lucas Sienk, Andrew and Daniel Krell, Laura Moore,
John Deece. Administrative: Susannah Burhman-Deever. Environmental Assessments: Rick
Marx & Elaine Enfonde, Nixon, Peabody, LLC. Legal Assistance: Peter Woods, of ESL Federal
Credit Union, Tim Fitzgerald of Bond, Schoeneck & King, LLP, Scott Forsyth, George Parker.
Holiday Party: Roger Cass, Marlea Allan, Suzanne Wheatcraft, Chris Potter. Alasa Farms:
Bob Cooper, Jay Ross. Campaign: Jeff Hough, Tom Riley, Gabriel & Ed Saphar, Tom Frey,
Diane Cass, Tom Tette, Debbie Zeger. Friends of Conkey Corner Park: Cenie Cafarelli, Tom
Frey and Rodregus Tripp, Rochester Garden Club members—especially Suzanne Bareham
Beth Hickman, Deb Miller, Jane Chapman, Laura Cann and Linda Frame who planted bulbs.
Accreditation final effort: Jim Curley, Mike Kehoe, Jean McCreary, Lisa Strauss. Farmland
partners: Ora Rothfuss, Dave Bojanowski. Harvest Festival Volunteers: Margaret Potter, Tom
Frey, April Salisbury, Cenie Cafarelli, Rodregus Tripp, Pat Canty and her grandson, Theresa
Bowick, Jacinta Bowick, Mitch Gruber, Roberto Burgos, Ray Mayoliz, Foodlink for pumpkins
and apples, our partners Project HOPE, City of Rochester for the tent, table and chairs.
The summer crew at Conkey Corner Park: April Salisbury, Khristian Hicks, and Tre’quan June,
Project HOPE, especially Miguel Melendez (who brought the basketball hoop!), Dawn Bird
and Iieshia Hall, and the Corner Store for storing the play equipment there plus helping with
events, Ray Mayoliz for all of his support. Thank you to the Landscaper Apprentices Jyrice
Tisdale, Nathan Brown, Aynna Jones, Adam Colon, Lawrence Lee, Rayna Green, Christian
Bermudez, Jose Perez, Tatianna Ortis, Kevin Davis, and their leader, Rodregus Tripp,
assisted by Marta Driscoll. A special thank you to all of the professionals who gave of their
time to enhance the program and the experience for the Apprentices: Environmental Design
& Research; JoAnn Beck, Senior Landscape Architect, City Of Rochester; Luis Burgos,
Commissioner of DRYS; Lovely Warren, President of City Council; Miguel Melendez, Project
HOPE; Michael Warren Thomas, Horticulturalist, City of Rochester; Tina Crandall & her
assistant Rachel of the Seneca Park Zoo; Berna Ticonchuk of Finger Lakes Community
College; Marci Muller; Terri Schmitz; Laurie Broccolo and all of her staff at Broccolo Tree
and Lawn and Countryside Nursery & Design Center; and Jordan Shapiro, Urban Fellow,
who kept us all on track. Thank you especially to our partners for the Landscaper Apprentice
Program: Ibero-American Action League: in particular Aida Veras, Jessica Wilson and Jayme
Bermudez. AND THANK YOU TOM WITT! 
FIND US ON FACEBOOK
THANK YOU TO ALL OF OUR DONORS
WE EXTEND OUR MOST SINCERE GRATITUDE TO THE FOLLOWING GENEROUS DONORS TO THE CAMPAIGN
TO PRESERVE A NORTH COAST TREASURE AS OF FEBRUARY 1, 2013
It’s not too late to join the campaign!
Anonymous
Phyllis Bentley
Georgia Gosnell
Nancy & James MacWhinney
Gerry & Fred Sauter
$10,000+
Judy Bigelow
Jeanne & Robert Grace
Joan & Bernard Marcus
Elsa & Philip Schaefer
Georgiana Binder
Jay Greenberg
Pat & Edward Martin
Patricia & John Schmeelk
$5,000+
Pamela & John Blanpied
Margery Greene
Carolyn & Ed Maruggi
Jean A. Schmidt
Dr. Priscilla Martin &
Dr. Donald Bordley
Marian Griswold
Elizabeth & Robert McCarthy
Madeline Schmitt, Ph. D., R.N.
Mary & Keith Hadley
Mrs. Gilbert McCurdy
Jeff Schuetz
Dr. & Mrs. John Robert Bosco
Peter Hammar
Theresa & Kevin McFarland-Porter
Joan Schumaker
Raymond C. Bottner
Cherie Harder
Beth McFarlane
Vicki & Richard Schwartz
Joan E. Brim
Sylvia & David Harrison
Elizabeth McLean
Leslie Schwartz & Ching Tang
Valerie Brownstein
Lisa McGuire & David Henion
Martha & James Miller
Grace Seiberling
Melissa & Ken Carlson
Janice & John Kaufman
Judy Hensley
Hildegard & John Mitchell
Yardena & Yonathan Shapir
Jeffrey G. Chase
Carol & Allen Schacht
Florence M. Higgins
Kenneth Morrow
Gregory Sloan
Marlene Christoff
Carol & Robert Hinkelman
Susan Murphy
Linda A. and Jeffrey O. Smith
Terence Chrzan
Hopkins Farm
Sherry Murrman
Pat & Thomas Smith
Mary Coupe
Virgina & Joseph F. Hurley
Marian & Roger Nelson
Kathy & Tim Spencer
Anonymous
Louise & John Creatura
Vera Versteeg & Lawrence Jones
Sam Nelson
Rita Straubhaar
Audrey Cooper
Diane & Richard Cundra
Colleen & David Kaiser
James Nickles
Kathy Strong
David Fay
Joshua Cuthbert
Marilyn & Bob Kaiser
Elaine & Harvey Nusbaum
Linda & Gregory Swanson
Barbara Bohn Kassnoff
Mr. & Mrs. Edward Olinger
Moira & Peter Szilagyi
John E.Keevert
Florian Orlowski
Edith Thoburn
Marilyn DeMeyer
Carol Kellogg
Elizabeth Thorndike
Kathleen & George Denniston
Sara & Jim Kersting
Judith Ann Overman &
Erick Lundgren
Kathy & Gary DeWitt
Judith Kiley
Sue Pagano
Margaret Vanas
Bayer Landscape Architecture
Anonymous
Marcia & Bruce Bates
Jill M. Cicero & Paul D. MacAulay
Cindy & Leo Kesselring
$2,500+
$1,000+
Joseph & Anna Gartner Foundation Lorraine & Thomas Dawes
Ann DeFazio
Elaine Kraus
Jan Miller and Craig Lending
$500+
Julia Everitt & Lucian Waddel
Mary-Jo & Conger Gabel
James R. Low
Carol & Allen Schacht
Nancy & David Middleton
Carol Whitbeck
Jennifer Wiser
ALL OTHER GIFTS
Mrs. Charles R. Adler
Elizabeth & Peter Affolter
Nancy Atwood
John Austin
Caroline Bailey
Lon Baratz & Joseph C. Arena
David & Janice Beadling
Jeffrey Bennett
Susan Thomas
Evelyn Frazee & Thomas Klonick
Mary & James Palmer
Marie & Roger Doell
Carolyn Kourofsky
Katharine Parsons
Beth Vercolen
Dorothy Donaldson
Karen Kremer
Margaret Pence
Kathleen and Raymond Wager
Kaitlin & Bryce Doty
Eileen Kreutter
Lynda Gavens & Joseph Perrone
Timothy Wasnock
Sandra & David Ebberts
Rosemary Ksiazek
Sally & Glenn Pezzulo
Thomas Wasnock
Vivian Elliott-Brummer
Mary Jane Kunzog
Norma Platt & John Boettcher
Linda Weinstein
Gloria Emmanuel
Barbara Kupiec
Gloria Pleger
Betty & Walter Werther
Barbara Erbland
Irene Kusmierz
Carol & Frank Porter
Mary Ellen Wheeler
Wendy & Robert Farren
Joan Gray Lindberg
Helen Presberg
Judith Whitaker
Susan Feasley
Holly & Greg Lawrence
Ellen Prill
Ann M. White
Tawn Feeney
Dorothy & David Leidig
Alice Raymond
Douglas Wilson
Cathy Feldman
Frances Lennie
Joyce Rikert
Catharine Wise
Barbara & David Ferriter
Susan & James Locke
Suzanne Robinson
Trude & Kevin Wright
Joseph Finetti
Barbara Lopa
Rhona & J.C. Rodgers
Martha Zettel & Bill O'Neill
Bruce Frank
Judy & Rick Luce
Susan Roxin
Laurel Fuller
Kathleen L. & Edward J. Lynd
Ina & Paul Salisbury
Margaret & Kenneth Gordon
Jill MacBeth
Marie Sandman
David Dinardo
A Promise to Protect Our Beautiful Landscapes Forever
Name Genesee Land Trust in your will and you will create a legacy for generations to come. Planned gifts provide Genesee Land Trust
with the financial stability necessary to grow, plan for the future and protect our community’s beautiful landscapes.
Contact us to learn about charitable gift annuities and other ways you can take a charitable tax deduction while supporting
Genesee Land Trust.
REACH US DIRECTLY: 585.256.2130
|
gmills@geneseelandtrust.org
December 31, 2013 is the deadline for making charitable rollover gifts for taxable year 2013
Photo: © Elinor Obsorn
COMING EVENTS
All events are open to the public. Visit http://www.geneseelandtrust.org/
events-activities.aspx for directions to these events.
THE BUTTERFLIES OF GENESEE LAND TRUST: Thursday, April 11, 7 to 8:30
PM at the Penfield Library, 1985 Baird Road. Join Carol and David Southby to
learn about the amazing varieties of these wonderful creatures in Penfield
(Hipp Brook Preserve), Webster (Gosnell Big Woods Preserve) and other
Genesee Land Trust protected properties that you can visit! Carol Southby is
president of the Rochester Butterfly Club and she and her husband, David,
are great photographers/naturalists and members of Genesee Land Trust.
This lecture and PowerPoint will be both educational and entertaining. It is
free and open to the public.
BACKYARD BIRDING WITH KEVIN GRIFFITH: Tuesday, April 23, 7 to 8:30 PM
at the Greece Public Library, 2 Vince Tofany Blvd., 225-8951. Genesee Land
Trust member and expert birder Kevin Griffith will teach you how to attract
and appreciate birds in your own backyard. The Rochester area is one of the
premier birding locations in all of New York State. Well over 250 species can
be observed in any given year and Kevin will share his knowledge in this
lecture and PowerPoint. For more information, call Margaret Potter at 2562130 or call the Greece Public Library.
WARBLER AND WILDFLOWER WALK AT ALASA FARMS: Saturday, April 27, 10
AM to 12:30 PM Join Bob Cooper, retired naturalist at the Cumming Nature
Center, on a walk to explore everything that’s spring! Meet at 6450 Shaker
Road in Sodus. Reservations are requested but not required.
BIRDING AT AMY’S PONDS AND HUNDRED ACRE WOOD: Sunday, May 5, 7:30
to 9:30 AM : Join birding experts John Boettcher, Norma Platt, and Kimberly
Sucy on this Rochester Birding Association-sponsored walk on the privately
owned land of Janet and Bob Smith, protected by a Genesee Land Trust
conservation easement. Boots and binoculars are recommended! Event will
occur rain or shine.
MEDICINAL EDIBLES WALK: Sunday, May 5, 10 to 11:30 AM at The Sanctuary
at Crowfields Farm: Learn about plants walking through the woods
at Crowfields, land preserved with a Genesee Land Trust conservation
easement, and home to The Sanctuary at Crowfield Farm a not-for-profit
education center offering activities that honor and nurture self, community
and the earth (http://crowfieldsanctuary.org/)
MAY DAY CELEBRATION AT PEACEWORK FARM: Sunday, May 5, 2 to 6 PM Join
the Peacework farmers and CSA members for a day of farm fun, including
a maypole dance and other exciting activities! At 3:00, a guided walk will
explore the neighboring Genesee Land Trust Kraii Preserve’s creek-side
woods and wildflowers followed by a potluck supper. More information about
Peacework Farm CSA can be found at www.gvocsa.org. Approximately one
hour from Rochester.
For more information or reservations email info@geneseelandtrust.org
THE LANDSCAPER APPRENTICE PROGRAM
T O
N E W
WELCOME
S T A F F
CONKEY CORNER PLAY
SUMMER MEMORIES: Genesee Land Trust focused
on El Camino and Conkey Corner Park hosting two
new programs as part of its Connecting to Nature
in the City priority: the Landscaper Apprentice
Program and Conkey Corner Play. Rodregus Tripp,
and his assistant Marta Driscoll led the Landscaper
Apprentices in keeping El Camino and the Park in good
shape, and in introducing them to opportunities in
outdoor careers. Thank you to our SOOP sponsor and
partner Ibero-American Action League. Conkey Corner
Play, a joint program with Project HOPE, offered
supervised play at Conkey Corner Park under the
enthusiastic direction of April Salisbury, coordinator,
Khristian Hicks, and Tre’quan June. 
EMILY JOHNSON joined Genesee Land
Trust’s full time staff in October 2012 as
the Land Preservation Coordinator. She
brings her experience in land conservation
with organizations in Massachusetts and
New York. A graduate of Towson University
with a BA in Spanish and Psychology, Emily
earned her master’s from the SUNY College
of Environmental Science and Forestry.
She also studied nonprofit management at
Syracuse University’s Maxwell School.
KAREN ARBEGAST works part-time as our
database manager, having begun with us
as a volunteer more than seven years ago.
Karen is a Nazareth College graduate with
a BA in English and also pursued studies
in environmental chemistry and ecology at
Finger Lakes Community College. Karen’s
desire to help conserve our region’s natural
resources continues to be the motivation
for her work for Genesee Land Trust.
W W W . G E N E S E E L A N D T R U S T . O R G
MARY-JO GABEL provides bookkeeping
and accounting services. With a BS in
Education from Northwestern University
and an MA in Education from the University
of Rochester, Mary-Jo is a former math
teacher with extensive experience in
financial management for non-profits. Her
strong commitment to community service
has led her to volunteer for Horizons
National Student Enrichment Program and
the Harley School.
NONPROFIT ORG.
U.S. POSTAGE
PAID
ROCHESTER, NY
PERMIT NO. 558
46 Prince Street, Suite LL005
Rochester, New York 14607
www.geneseelandtrust.org
ROCHESTER GARDEN CLUB’S SUPPORT OF
CONKEY CORNER PARK
The Rochester Garden Club became a member of
Genesee Land Trust in 2002. In the past three
years, the Club has gifted the Trust with $24,200
dedicated to Conkey Corner Park and El Camino
Trail. In addition to financial support, many of
the club’s members have volunteered to weed,
plant bulbs, donate plants and work with the
children of School #22, the Lincoln School, on
their planting days. They have even scheduled
work days of their own and have arrived full of
energy and good cheer at the park and trail to
beautify this urban green space.
It was Veronica Lee, former Genesee Land Trust
board member and club member, who brought
together Gay Mills and Vicki Doyle, then
serving as the club’s Project Committee Chair.
Vicki fondly remembers when Gay conducted a
hike organized by club member Sue Lawton at
Turning Point Park and along the then-proposed
El Camino Trail. There she shared the history of
Genesee Land Trust’s Urban Initiative to bring
green into the neighborhood around Conkey
and Clifford Avenues. “Gay really did a great job
of sparking the interest in the land trust and
its work in the city of Rochester,” said Vicki.
The Rochester Garden Club, nearing 100
years old, was founded in 1915 and now
has approximately 80 active members and
40 affiliate members. Since its first project
in 1916—the lovely Poet’s Garden in Highland
Park—the club has supported a number of
community improvements and beautification
projects: the Discovery Garden at the Strong
Museum, the Circle of Hope Garden at the
Alzheimer Association Memory Garden, and a
renovation of the front garden at the Ronald
McDonald House.
For Vicki, none has been as gratifying as
supporting Conkey Corner Park and El Camino
Trail. “It has been my honor to present these
projects to the Rochester Garden Club and to
work with Gay Mills over the years,” she said.
“It has been a joy to see Conkey Park embraced
by the club.”
Gay points out that especially in spring, we can
see “the beauty of their support when the many
shrubs, bulbs and flowers come into bloom. We
so appreciate
the extra special
attention that
Conkey Corner
Park, and the
trail, have
received from
the Rochester
Garden Club.”