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Meet Paul Silchenstedt – A Dedicated Volunteer for Open Space Conservation
North Shore Land Alliance Thanks Paul Silchenstedt for Supporting Our Conservation Efforts Paul has been a dedicated volunteer with the Land Alliance for nearly five years. Armed with his trusty chainsaw and a deep knowledge of arboriculture, Paul is our go-to person whenever a tree falls across a trail or something needs to be safely taken down. His efforts help keep our forests safe and accessible, ensuring that community members can enjoy the trails without climbing over fallen logs or worrying about unstable trees. Even while still working, Paul never hesitates to lend a hand when called. He arrives in his well-stocked van, prepared for any situation with ropes, wedges, log hooks, and even an extra chainsaw, just in case. Watching him work is a joy; he makes cutting through large logs look like slicing through butter. Paul’s immense knowledge and experience with tree work shines through in everything he does. He has become an invaluable part of our volunteer team, and we’re incredibly grateful for the passion, skill and reliability he brings to the Land Alliance. Thank you, Paul, for all that you do for the Land Alliance. Paul Silchenstedt Inspired by Paul’s dedication? Join us in protecting and preserving our local natural spaces. Whether you bring a special skill or simply a passion for helping, there’s a meaningful place for you on our volunteer team Visit www.northshorelandalliance.org/volunteer to learn how you can get involved today!
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Meet Dorothy Schmidt – Supporting Habitat Restoration at Shore Road Sanctuary
North Shore Land Alliance Thanks Dorothy Schmidt for Supporting Habitat Restoration at Shore Road Sanctuary, Cold Spring Harbor. Dorothy Schmidt is an extremely committed volunteer. She is an integral part of keeping the Land Alliance’s Shore Road Sanctuary clean and healthy for wildlife. Dorothy comes a few times a month to Shore Road to cut the invasive reed Phragmites, to pull out mugwort or locust saplings and to clean up garbage along the shore. Despite the clouds of mosquitos that also call Shore Road their home, Dorothy always gets the work done, sometimes having to wear bug-netting. Without Dorothy we fear the phragmites may take over the beach! We extend our greatest gratitude to her for all the work she has done In her own words, Dorothy says “I have found a perfect place to volunteer at the Shore Road Sanctuary. I have been visiting the grassland once a week during the growing season for a little over a year now and have seen my efforts to improve the habitat slowly progress with a little hard work and consistency. My tasks are simple, I try and cut back as much phragmites as possible and remove mugwort and black locust. The Phragmites is my main focus. It has been rewarding to see the cattail flourishing in the bog area of the meadow, as it should, after my weekly weeding out of invasives. “While I am at the grassland, I feel myself relaxed and enjoy the tranquil sounds of the wildlife around me. I have observed the seasonal course of wildlife including the nearby osprey nest and the fledglings’ first flight. It was magnificent.” “The staff has been excellent in answering any questions I have and teaching me about the ecosystem. It has been a great experience for me, and I recommend volunteering to anyone who enjoys nature. Thank you, Land Alliance.” Shore Road Sanctuary, Cold Spring Harbor Inspired by Dorothy’s passion? Join us in protecting and preserving our local natural spaces. Whether you bring a special skill or simply a passion for helping, there’s a meaningful place for you on our volunteer team Visit www.northshorelandalliance.org/volunteer to learn how you can get involved today!
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Meet Peter O’Connor – An Invaluable Resource and Dedicated Steward
The Land Alliance is grateful to Peter (aka Dr. FrankenTree) for his ingenuity and enthusiasm in his volunteer efforts with the Land Alliance. Peter O’Connor has been volunteering with the Land Alliance since September 2020. He is one of our most dedicated volunteers and lends a helping hand every week. He can regularly be seen in the John P. Humes Japanese Stroll Garden cutting bamboo, digging up rhizomes and preparing the Garden for visitors. He started volunteering for the Land Alliance as a way to give back to his community after spotting our name and information at the entrance to the Hope Goddard Iselin Preserve. His favorite Land Alliance holding is the John P. Humes Japanese Stroll Garden because it’s unique and there’s always something new to learn. Stroll Garden Manager, Mary Schmutz, says that Peter is an invaluable resource and a dedicated steward of the Garden. Peter’s curiosity and inquisitive nature have inspired volunteers, staff and interns. Recently, three black walnut trees were damaged in the woodland garden at the Humes Preserve. Peter swooped in and saw an opportunity to make a difference and embark on a new project. With help from Garden Manager Mary and fellow volunteer Melanie Howard, Peter researched methods to save the trees. He organized a work party and, with the help of three nature enthusiasts, attached locust twigs to the girdled areas of the walnut trees. They wrapped the wounds in duct tape and tarp to protect them from the elements. In the coming seasons, we will keep a close watch on the walnut trees as we wish them a safe recovery! John P. Humes Japanese Stroll Garden Inspired by Peter’s Dedication? Join us in protecting and preserving our local natural spaces. Whether you bring a special skill or simply a passion for helping, there’s a meaningful place for you on our volunteer team Visit www.northshorelandalliance.org/volunteer to learn how you can get involved today!
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Meet Peter Meleady – A Valued Volunteer Making a Lasting Impact
North Shore Land Alliance Thanks Peter Meleady for His Dedicated Volunteer Service. Since joining our volunteer corps in 2020, Peter Meleady has made a real difference. An expert horticulturist, Peter has been involved with many invasive plant removals and pruning projects at Shore Road Sanctuary and has reinvigorated the trumpet honeysuckle trellis and blueberry bushes at Wawapek. He is also involved with projects and educational programming at our Community Garden and our Humes Japanese Stroll Garden manager looks forward to his assistance there, too. Peter often going to preserves after work or early in the weekends before he leaves to spend time with his family, shows dedication and knowledge that have resulted in a much-improved landscape. Thank you for your commitment and many contributions to the Land Alliance, Peter! Inspired by Peter’s Impact? Join us in protecting and preserving our local natural spaces. Whether you bring a special skill or simply a passion for helping, there’s a meaningful place for you on our volunteer team Visit www.northshorelandalliance.org/volunteer to learn how you can get involved today!
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Meet Richard Weir – Advancing Education and Conservation at the Land Alliance
North Shore Land Alliance Thanks Richard Weir for Leading Educational Programs and Sharing His Expertise on Tree Pruning and Stewardship Richard Weir trained at Cornell University, spent his career with the Cornell Cooperative Extension in Nassau County. He currently serves on the Land Alliance’s advisory board and stewardship committee. Richard was most generous to share his expertise and hard work ethic this past March when he offered the stewardship team sage counsel on how to prune the very large round of yew hedge at Wawapek in Cold Spring Harbor. Richard offered much more than pruning advice spending nine hours over the course of two days with chain saw in hand to cut the yew hedge to the appropriate height. He was also instrumental in removing decades of wisteria vine growth from the base of the yew hedge, making the job that much tougher! Richard worked non-stop the entire time and inspired Land Alliance staff with his dedication to preserving the central element of this historic garden. Thank you for all your hard work, Richard! Inspired by Richard’s Impact? Join us in protecting and preserving our local natural spaces. Whether you bring a special skill or simply a passion for helping, there’s a meaningful place for you on our volunteer team Visit www.northshorelandalliance.org/volunteer to learn how you can get involved today!
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