The Lynda Spickard Environmental Award is awarded in memory of Lynda Spickard, former chair of the Susquehanna Group. Each year we honor an individual who has had a long term positive impact on the environment in our community, which is open to the public. This year we present the award to Dr. Julian Shepherd, Associate Professor of Biological Sciences at Binghamton University.

"When I heard Julian was being given the Lynda Spickard award, my first reaction was amazement. I thought he had been given that years ago! But then I realize that the reason was that he had put so much time and energy into giving the award to others.

I've known Julian for over 40 years and have taught 4 courses with him. The most significant one of these was Tropical Ecology and Conservation, in which we introduced hundreds of students to the Costa Rican tropics.  We have retired from this but the torch has been passed to others and the trips continue.

Julian's passion for the natural world has expressed it self over the years in various bird censuses as well as countless field trips in pursuit of neat habitats and sometimes even bugs. He created a huge inventory of all the significant local natural areas that is seeing significant use. He is truly our most accomplished local naturalist! More than anyone else Julian walks the walk as well as talks the talk. He still rides his bike all the time, competing seriously with Augie Mueller for the crashes of old men on slippery roads title.

There is no one more deserving of this award. Its about time!"
– Dick Andrus, Retired Prof of Environmental Studies and Biological Sciences

Julian Shepherd has been an active member of the Susquehanna Group, including Chair and Executive Committee Member. Long a champion of environmental stewardship, both at the University and in the community, he’s demonstrated environmental commitment by living lightly. He has 'shepherded' many people as a teacher and nature guide. Among other achievements not cited by Prof. Andrus, he has steadily done laboratory analysis and scientific advisement with the NY Water Sentinels, was instrumental in establishing the Binghamton University Nature Preserve and IBM Glen at Waterman and serves as their advisor, received the Supercommuter award from Planet Bike, served on the Binghamton Shade Tree Commission, and for years maintained a section of the Finger Lakes Trail in Chenango County.

"In the early 1990's, my wife and I noticed swarms of small flies emerging from a large soft brownish patch on our lawn.   My wife called the Biology Department of Binghamton University and Julian said they are likely March flies.  He recommended using Milky Spore and to be careful to not put too strong a chemical on the lawn since it could kill beneficial organisms. Through the years he has been very willing to share his knowledge and love for nature in a pleasant, welcoming way.  He is a local treasure and along with his wife Lee has shared his musical talent with the community."
– Valdi Weiderpass, Vice Chair, Susquehanna Group

Julian continues to teach and show that he is not letting up in his activity and commitments. He earned a reputation for advancing numerous endeavors that have enriched the community and his students. We are very pleased to honor him with this award, recognizing his lifetime achievement.

Sierra Club Thanksgiving Hike
Saturday, November 25; 10 AM
Waterman Conservation Center, 403 Hilton Rd, Apalachin

Join us for this post-Thanksgiving hike to work off the extra calories, give thanks for nature, and observe nature's strategies for enduring the winter months. We invite all to join us and share knowledge about how plants and animals prepare for winter, whether gathering food, going into dormancy, or setting seeds for next years' plants. This is intended to be a crowd-sourced informational hike. Bring what you know about nature, and learn some more.

Free and open to all. Wear clothing appropriate for the weather conditions and temperatures, including water-proof or -resistant boots for muddy conditions.

Facebook event–please share!

https://www.facebook.com/events/127652554572947

Sponsored by the Sierra Club Tioga County Task Force. For additional information, contact Erin Riddle at 607-372-5503 (texts accepted) or riddleriddle@gmail.com .

Rob Piecuch of Southern Tier on Track
"Passenger Rail in the Southern Tier"
November 21, 7:30 PM
Central United Methodist Church, 17 Nanticoke Ave, Endicott

Rob Piecuch, one of the founders for Southern Tier on Track, will present the efforts to implement a study on the feasibility of a passenger rail serving the Southern Tier. Binghamton would be a crucial connection. He will discuss the support needed and the various connection options that are viable.

Free and open to all. Entrance to the Social Hall is from the parking lot in back of the Church. For more information contact Scott Lauffer at lauffer.scott@gmail.com .

Climate Change Close to Home: Flooding in the Southern Tier
Tuesday, September 19
5:30 pm: potluck dinner–Please bring a dish to pass and your own place settings. Coffee and tea will be provided
6:30-8:30 pm: presentations

Central United Methodist Church
17 Nanticoke Ave, Endicott, NY
Go through the back door to the left, down the stairs and through the kitchen to the hall

DR. PETER L. K. KNUEPFER – Associate Professor of Geological Sciences and Environmental Studies at Binghamton University. His research includes the glacial history of New York, and the assessment of past and potential future flooding in the Susquehanna River basin.

MIKE PONTICIELLO – Director of Broome County Emergency Services – local emergency response to floods and severe weather event.

DR. GAY CANOUGH – CEO and Founder of ETM SolarWorks – Presents practical solutions to the problems of climate change: renewable energy sources, managing water runoff.

Presented by the Susquehanna Group Sierra Club, the League of Women Voters of Broome and Tioga, Citizen Action of New York- Southern Tier Branch

Contact: Scott Lauffer lauffer.scott@gmail.com 607-341-3746

    Topic presented at the Susquehanna Group of the Sierra Club meeting 7:30 – 9:00 pm on Tuesday, May 16 '17 at Central United Methodist Church, 17 Nanticoke Ave., Endicott,  NY.

       Carl Lipo, Director of Environmental Studies and Professor of Anthropology at Binghamton University, will discuss the long-held view of Easter Island as an example of an isolated human population that reached dizzying cultural heights before catastrophically collapsing.          Recent research, however, has dramatically revised the account.  Lipo discusses how our knowledge about this remarkable island has changed,  dramatically revising our understanding of the island's iconic moai (statues).

At 7:00 pm, join us in writing letters to Governor Cuomo, Senator Akshar, and Assemblywoman. Lupardo on topic of New York's nuclear power plants.   There will be talking points.

All interested are welcome to attend.   Entrance to the Social Hall is from the parking lot in back of the Church.

For more information contact Scott Lauffer at lauffer.scott@gmail.com

The Susquehanna Group of the Sierra Club is meeting on Tuesday, April 18th from 7:30 to 9:00 pm at Central United Methodist Church, 17 Nanticoke Ave., Endicott, NY

                                                              "A Galapagos Travelogue"
Leia Schmidt recently traveled to the Galapagos Islands.   Her presentation will focus on the wildlife, landscape, and natural history of the Galapagos Islands, with photographs showing  a glimpse of the stunning biodiversity to be found there.

All are welcome.  Entrance to the Social Hall is from the parking lot behind the Church.
For more information contact Scott Lauffer at lauffer.scott@gmail.com  

The Susquehanna Group of the Sierra Club meeting is Tuesday March 21, '17 at 7:30 pm at Central United Methodist Church, 17 Nanticoke Ave., Endicott, NY

         "Caterpillar Gardening: The Plants That Butterflies and Moths need
                                   to Complete Their Life Cycles"
Join naturalist Colleen Wolpert as she guides us in learning how to assist butterflies in all stages of their life cycle, as well as distinguishing them from pests.

Come early, at 7:00 pm – letter writing to Claudia Tenney regarding environment.

All are invited to Susquehanna Group free public meetings.   
Entrance to the Social Hall is from the parking lot in back of the Church.

For more information contact Scott Lauffer at lauffer.scott@gmail.com