Grant to help expand operations

CANASTOTA>> Great Swamp Conservancy, Inc. has been awarded a $73,000 Professional Development grant through the New York State Conservation Partnership Program.

The New York Conservation Partnership Program is a public-private collaboration funded through the Environmental Protection Fund (EPF) and administered by the Land Trust Alliance, in coordination with the NYS Department of Environmental Conservation.

Professional Development grants are intended to transform an organization’s professional capacity to serve and engage local communities, accelerating conservation of priority lands, enhancing public access, and creating new opportunities for collaboration.

This grant will enable the GSC to hire a full time executive director to manage the organization, expand educational programming, and develop funding opportunities and newpartnerships.

The GSC, which is celebrating its 20th anniversary, has proclaimed 2017 as “The Year of the Wetlands.”

GSC invites members of the public take a walk to one of the many restored wetlands located at the Nature Center. These diverse habitats support and benefit wildlife and mankind. The Great Blue Heron rookery on the east side trail system is easy to view from the mowed path. There are approximately seven miles of trails, with a 900 foot boardwalk on the west side. Simpson

Park has a catch and release fishing area for families. The Anne V. Pickard Overlook is a viewing area for birdwatchers. Themuseum building has several exhibits from the NYS Museum of Natural History in Albany.

A variety of environmental programs are of- fered for adults and children. Visitors are welcome to walk the trails from dawn to dusk, picnic on the grounds without staff present.

The office is open Tuesday through Saturday from 10 a.m. to 3 p.m. For more information, visit www.great-swampconser-vancy.org, email greatswamp conservancy@gmail.com or call 315-6972950.