Ithaca College Natural Lands Committee Receives Environmental Accolade

Keith Davis, 5/14/2008

ITHACA, NY— The Ithaca College Natural Lands Committee (ICNL) recently received the fifth annual Richard B. Fischer Environmental Conservation Recognition Award from the Town of Ithaca. Named after the late educator, naturalist and longtime Town of Ithaca resident, the Richard B. Fischer award recognizes the ICNL Committee’s work in using undeveloped properties as learning tools and for contributing to the natural environment of the Town of Ithaca. The award was presented at a tree-planting ceremony on Tuesday, May 13, near the South Hill Recreation Way.

“Receiving the Fischer award is a great honor,” said Jason Hamilton, associate professor of biology and environmental studies, who co-chairs the ICNL with Rick Couture, associate vice president of facilities. Hamilton also serves as faculty manager of the college-owned preserves. “Many of the activities and values recognized by this award, such as enhancing environmental awareness, environmental education, and promotion of environmentally-sensitive practices, are what we are all about.”

The ICNL committee is composed of 17 staff, faculty, administrators and students. Since its founding three years ago, the group has focused its attention primarily on college-owned property in Newfield, developing guidelines for appropriate use of the land and establishing two reserves. Thanks to the committee’s efforts, there is now a sustainable timber management program, endangered species management protocols, and an invasive species plan, all of which emphasize biodiversity, ecosystem function and teaching and research opportunities. In addition to its work on the Newfield property, the committee also actively manages natural areas of South Hill adjacent to campus. The committee is also working with Tompkins County planners to develop a countywide management plan for unique natural areas.

In addition to Hamilton and Couture, members of the ICNL Committee include:

Erin Alvey, Roy H. Park School of Communications ’08

René Borgella, assistant professor, biology

Angela Branneman, assistant professor, theatre arts

Marian Brown, special assistant to the provost

Brad Buchanan, assistant director, recreational sports

Roger Casterline, director, facilities grounds and transportation

John Confer, retired faculty, biology

Duane Corbin, research analyst, institutional research

Mark Darling, supervisor, recycling and resource management

John (Jack) Haurin, School of Humanities and Sciences, ’08

John Henderson, natural and social science librarian

Leann Kanda, assistant professor, biology

Ernie McClatchie, assistant director, intercollegiate athletics

Ron Schassburger, assistant professor, exercise and sport sciences

Jack VanDerzee, assistant professor, mathematics

For more information, contact Jason Hamilton at (607) 274-1439 or jhamilton@ithaca.edu, or visit the ICNL website www.ithaca.edu/naturallands.

Originally published in News Releases: Ithaca College Natural Lands Committee Receives Environmental Accolade.