Minutes of February 12, 2004 Delegates Meeting

MINUTES OF A DELEGATES’ MEETING

of the

NEW YORK-NEW JERSEY TRAIL CONFERENCE

February 12, 2004

1. President Jane Daniels called the meeting to order at 7:00 p.m. at the Seafarers’ and International House, New York, New York. She pointed out that Ed Goodell, Executive Director, was unable to attend the meeting because he is on vacation.

2. Minutes. The minutes of the October 18, 2003 Annual Meeting were approved, with the correction that the thanks in the second line of Item 1 of the minutes should be extended to Rita Heckler, rather than Pete Heckler.

3. President’s Report. Jane Daniels reported that Bob Jonas has resigned from the Board for personal reasons. She stated that she has nominated John Moran, Trails Chair for North Jersey Trails, to fill this vacancy. This appointment was unanimously approved by the delegates.

4. Treasurer’s Report. In the absence of Herb Hochberg, Treasurer, Maureen Walsh presented a report on his behalf (a written summary financial report was also made available to the delegates). She stated that, for the fiscal year ending September 30, 2003, the Conference’s revenue exceeded its expenses by $68,000, and that the Conference had net assets of $942,000 as of September 30, 2003. In addition, she reported that, for the first quarter of the 2003-04 fiscal year, the Conference’s revenue exceeded its expenses by $271,000, largely due to the receipt of $389,000 in donations to our capital campaign. She pointed out that, as of December 2003, the Conference had acquired trail lands at a total cost of $572,000, some of which lands are encumbered with purchase money mortgages totaling $385,000. Finally, she noted that, in January 2004, the Conference was repaid the sum of $100,000, which it had extended as a loan in connection with the acquisition of the Stony Kill Falls property.

5. New Member Clubs. Jim Davis reported that the following groups have applied for membership in the Trail Conference:

a. Sullivan County Audubon Society. Jim Davis explained that this group has established a hawk watch at the Roosa Gap Fire Tower on the Shawangunk Ridge. Phyllis Jones, representing this group, stated that this fire tower is a wonderful spot for a hawk watch, and noted that their web site is www.sullivanaudubon.org. In response to a question, she stated that the society has about 300 members. Maureen Walsh pointed out that, for now, this group is applying for Contributing Membership, but that if the proposed by-laws change regarding monitoring is approved, they could become an Organizational Member. It was then moved, seconded and unanimously carried that the Sullivan County Audubon Society be approved as a member of the Trail Conference, except that one delegate abstained.

b. Protect Our Wetlands, Water, and Woods (POWWW). Jim Davis stated that this group, based in Denville, N.J., will maintain the 15-mile Jonathan’s Woods Trail in Morris County. Larry Wheelock commented that this group manages lands owned by the New Jersey Division of Fish and Wildlife, including the trails on these lands. It was then moved, seconded and unanimously carried that Protect Our Wetlands, Water, and Woods be approved as a member of the Trail Conference.

c. Boy Scout Troop 50 ( Mahwah, N.J.). Jim Davis stated that this Boy Scout troop, located in Mahwah, N.J., will be maintaining part of the Old Guard Trail in Camp Glen Gray. Gary Rohusky, representing the troop, stated that there are about 54 boys in the troop and 30 adult volunteers, and that this troop is one of the largest in Bergen County. Daniel Chazin and John Moran commented that this troop is well-organized and has undertaken its responsibilities with enthusiasm. A question was raised as to the discriminatory policy of the Boy Scouts of America with regard to gay and lesbian members. It was then moved that Boy Scout Troop 50 of Mahwah, N.J. be approved as a member of the Trail Conference. This motion was seconded and carried by a vote of 26 to 2, with one abstention.

d. Catskill Center for Conservation and Development. Chris Olney of the Catskill Center stated that it is a non-profit, member-supported organization which offers programs for land conservation, community planning, and education, with its web site being www.catskillcenter.org. He stated that this organization is very active on issues affecting the Catskills, such as the State Land Master Plan and Unit Management Plans, and he also noted that they spearheaded the Catskill Fire Tower Restoration Project, starting in 1999, with the result that the five fire towers on hiking trails in the Catskills have been restored and are open to the public. Finally, he noted that the Catskill Center owns a parcel of land in Platte Clove over which the Long Path has been routed, and that they are working on acquiring an adjacent property that will provide additional protection to the Long Path. It was then moved, seconded and unanimously carried that the Catskill Center for Conservation and Development be approved as a member of the Trail Conference

6. Proposed By-Laws Change. Jane Daniels explained that this proposed change in the by-laws would make it possible for organizations which monitor trails or trail lands to become voting members of the Trail Conference. She noted that tonight we would have the first reading of this proposed amendment, and that the second vote would be taken at the June delegates’ meeting.

7. Land Acquisition. Richard Benning, Land Acquisition Specialist, made a visual presentation showing the properties that the Trail Conference is working to acquire for the Long Path and Shawangunk Ridge Trail in New York. Jim Davis pointed out that these properties are being resold to the State of New York for preservation as parkland, with the proceeds going into a revolving fund to be used to purchase additional lands. Richard Benning also reviewed the efforts being made by the Conference to establish a hiking trail along the northern end of the Shawangunk Ridge, between the Mohonk Preserve and Rosendale. Finally, Richard Benning outlined our plans to establish various new trail corridors in New Jersey, with the assistance of the New Jersey Green Acres Program.

8. Stewardship Opportunities for Volunteers. Larry Wheelock explained that, in connection with our efforts to establish trail corridors, we need volunteers to assist in the monitoring of these lands to prevent unlawful incursions and note the appearance of invasive vegetation. He also pointed out that we have various science-based programs, in which volunteers monitor endangered species or map invasive species, with the aim of limiting their spread. Larry Wheelock noted that some members who do not want to do heavy work in maintaining trails might want to volunteer in these science-based programs. In response to a suggestion by Phyllis Stewart, Larry Wheelock agreed to send to all clubs a written list of these volunteer opportunities so that they may make their members aware of these opportunities. Finally, Larry Wheelock pointed out that there are volunteer opportunities in the areas of trail maintenance, trail crew work, and GIS data gathering. Walt Daniels pointed out that several trail maintenance workshops will be held this spring, providing volunteers with the opportunity to obtain needed training. It was suggested by a delegate that trail maintainers become better acquainted with their trail sections so that they could serve as “docents” for their trails.

9. Capital Campaign. Jim Davis outlined the Trail Conference’s capital campaign, “Connecting People with Nature,” which aims to raise a total of $2.5 million, of which $2 million would be allocated to the Land Acquisition and Stewardship Fund – a revolving fund that would finance the permanent protection of trail corridors linking public open space throughout the region. Jim Davis also explained that $250,000 of campaign funds would be allocated to the rehabilitation of the Appalachian Trail and the other trails on Bear Mountain, and $250,000 would be allocated to the development of a Geographic Information System (GIS) program for the Trail Conference.

Jim Davis noted that only a few people have been asked to contribute to the campaign to date, and that 33 people have made gifts totaling approximately $1.2 million. In response to a comment by a delegate that the Conference needs to increase its visibility, Jim Davis pointed out that Campmor is actively promoting Conference membership in their retail store.

In response to a concern voiced by Jack Driller, Jane Daniels stressed that Board members are selected based on many attributes, not only their financial resources.

10. Metro Trails Committee. Bob Ward invited interested parties to participate in National Trails Day projects being sponsored by the Conference’s Metro Trails Committee.

11. Hikers for Clean Air. Walt Daniels made a visual presentation on the Hikers for Clean Air organization, of which the Trail Conference is a founding member. He explained the various reasons why hikers should be concerned about clean air (health, visibility, and global warming) and outlined legislative efforts that have been made in this regard. He also described the efforts of Visibility Volunteers, who measure the air quality in various wilderness locations on different days. Walt Daniels stated that this program will be expanded this summer, and he expressed the hope that clubs will assist in the implementation of this program in the New York-New Jersey area. He also stressed the importance of becoming acquainted with all of the scientific facts relating to air pollution and speaking to people on the issue in a manner that will impress them.

12. The meeting was adjourned at 8:51 p.m.

Respectfully submitted,

Daniel D. Chazin, Secretary

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