Syracuse.com - The Post-Standard 2012 Heroes of Conservation

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Chad Norton, George Wede, Tom Lenweaver, Michael Riordan and John Cecil are this year's selections.

When it comes to the outdoors, Central New York has its share of heroes.

There are those who give countless volunteer hours and often money out of their own pockets to maintain, or to restore the area’s woods, fields and waterways for all to enjoy. Their work benefits the area’s diverse fish and wildlife populations.

In addition, we have our share of individuals who freely pass on their knowledge and skills so that others may enjoy Mother Nature as much as they do. The idea is that by increasing the numbers of those who love, appreciate and use the outdoors, there will be an increased will to preserve it.

The newspaper is again honoring such individuals with its annual feature, The Post-Standard’s “Heroes of Conservation.” This year’s winners include a wildlife artist, a nature center trail guide, a fishing seminar guru, a hunting safety instructor and a fishing program/wildlife area manager.

This year’s honorees were nominated by readers.

The Hunter Safety Guy

Hero of Conservation George Wede. Ellen M. Blalock / The Post-Standard

George Wede, 85, of Syracuse, has been teaching others to hunt safe and ethically for more than six decades.

“Our records indicate that he began in 1949 with 63 years of instruction,” said Lori Severino, a DEC spokeswoman. “This appears to be the longest stretch we have for a hunter safety instructor.”

Wede is a life-time member of the Pompey Rod and Gun Club, Camillus Rod and Gun Club, South Shore Association of Oneida Lake and Pathfinder Rod and Gun Club, in addition to being a member of the North American Hunting Club and the NRA. He is also an NRA pistol instructor.

Wede was inducted into the N.Y.S. Outdoorsman Hall of Fame in 1993. He is an active board member/director and past president of the Onondaga County Federation of Sportsmen’s Clubs.

He still shoots trap and skeet in several local leagues, in addition to taking a moose hunting trip each year up to Newfoundland — a trip he started making more than 30 years ago. He also hunts deer and rabbit.

“The outdoors is my life,” he said.

The Wildlife Artist

Hero of Conservation Tom Lenweaver David Lassman / The Post-Standard

Tom Lenweaver’s eye-catching work has been featured on the covers of The Post-Standard’s “Fishing Guide” and the New York State Freshwater Fishing Regulations manual.

He also has donated his paintings of ducks, pheasants and other birds to help raise thousands of dollars over the years to benefit such groups as the Central New York Wild Fowlers, Ducks Unlimited, Pheasants Unlimited and the Great Swamp Conservancy in Lenox, the Onondaga County Federation of Sportsmen’s Clubs, the New York State Outdoorsmen Hall of Fame and the Friends of the Carpenter’s Brook Fish Hatchery.

“Tom even spent time at a Woman in Nature event teaching the participants how to paint nature,” said Stephen Wolwelko, president of the Onondaga Federation of Sportsmen’s Clubs.

Lenweaver, 67, of Syracuse, said he’s following in the steps of a deceased friend and well-known wildlife artist Lou DePaolis, who likewise used to donate his work for the benefit of local sportsmen’s groups.

He dedicates his work, which can be seen on his website, birdart.com, to his parents.

“They took me hunting, fishing and introduced me to all the wonder of the outdoors,” he said.

The Fishing Seminar Guy

Hero of Conservation Michael Riordan

David Lassman / The Post-Standard

Michael Riordan’s annual fishing seminar the Saturday before opening day of trout season each spring is a sight to behold.

The day-long event is held at the Calvary Baptist Church in Brewerton and attracts 300-350 children and adults. This coming spring will be the seventh year he’s held it.

The 51-year-old Central Square man’s motivation is a commitment to the Angler’s Legacy Project, which asks anglers to commit to introducing at least one person to fishing each year. It was Riordan’s father who got him started and he’s made it his mission to share his lifetime of fishing memories and knowledge with others.

The free, day-long event has 40-plus volunteers who help out, along with a host of donated fishing tackle and equipment from local stores. The schedule includes demonstrations on how to identify certain types of fish, selecting the right equipment, selecting the right bait or lure, casting a fishing pole and how to actually catch fish.

There’s also door prizes.

“It’s my desire to help parents and kids become familiar with the basics so they can go to the local park, river, lake or fishing hole and have a successful time of fishing,” he said.

The Trail Guide

Hero of Conservation John Cecil

Frank Ordo&ntildeez / The Post-Standard

John Cecil loves to show pictures and tell children ahead of time what they’re going to encounter during his guided nature walks at Beaver Lake Nature Center in Baldwinsville — with one caveat.

“It’s nature. You never know what you’ll see,” he said.

Cecil, 79, of Baldwinsville, is a retired, college geology professor who for the past 10 years has been donating his time, knowledge and skills at Beaver Lake. His goal is to get those who go on his walks in touch with the beauty and awe of nature.

“Did you know there’s three carnivorous plants here?” he said, noting the grounds and its waters have three insect-eating pitcher plants, sundews and bladderworts. He also delights in pointing out the numerous song birds, waterfowl and occasional deer, raccoon and other animals that inhabit the grounds.

In addition to the tours, Cecil has self-published two books showing the various wildlife and plants at the nature center. All proceeds from their sale goes back to the center.

Cecil has also donated money and his talents to help refurbish the nature center’s Arboretum trail and gives slideshow presentations before various groups about Beaver Lake. His talk is entitled, “Beaver Lake Safari.”

The Webster Pond Guy

Hero of Conservation Chad Norton Ellen M. Blalock / The Post-Standard

Chad Norton is all about maintaining and improving Webster Pond’s reputation as "nature’s best-kept secret."

Norton, 26, of Syracuse, is vice president of the Anglers Association of Onondaga, a non-profit group based at the pond courtesy of a long-term lease with the city of Syracuse. The 95-acre pond/nature sanctuary, with fish and wildlife as the main attraction, is located off Valley Drive.

Norton, was born with cerebral palsy and works from his wheelchair, oversees the pond’s various activities, including the junior and adult fishing programs, student field trips, arts and craft shows, band concerts and visits by various groups.

He created a Webster Pond website, websterpond.org, after taking a computer course at ITT Technical Institute in Liverpool. It took him a year to complete it as he only has the use of one of his 10 fingers — the pointer finger on his right hand.

Other accomplishments include bringing volunteers together to make a rehab-area on the pond for injured ducks and geese, the annual stocking of trout in the pond and a fund-raiser involving the purchase of bricks dedicated to deceased loved ones that are put in a garden near the pond.

"His dedication is unmatched in time and effort put forth," said James Mullen, a friend.

View the full article on The Syracuse Outdoors Blog