Syracuse.com - 2013 'Heroes of Conservation' for Central New York announced

[HuntingNY-News]

This year's heroes were nominated by readers or the groups they represent. Watch video

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

There are those who give countless volunteer hours, sweat and often money out of their 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 individuals who freely pass on their knowledge and skills so that others may enjoy Mother Nature as much as they do. They do it in many ways, including youth activities, education, publicity and mentoring.

syracuse.com | The Post-Standard is again honoring such individuals with its annual feature, "Heroes of Conservation." This year's heroes, nominated by readers or the groups they represent, are:

NICK CASE

He keeps the shoreline clean

 

For years, Nick Case, 31, of Syracuse, was upset about trash piling up on the Lake Ontario shoreline near his grandparent's camp in Sterling. At every family gathering, he'd collect garbage in bags and show it to the rest of the family. For the past three years, he has removed hundreds of pounds of trash, taken pictures of dead fish and wildlife (noting their conditions) and paid to have water samples analyzed. This year, Case spent nearly $4,000 to create the Lake Ontario Preservation Council. The non-profit's mission is to create awareness and to spark action concerning the lake's pollution issues on the shoreline stretching from Sodus Bay to Selkirk Shores. The group has a cleanup outing planned for this spring.

DOROTHY CRUMB

She has ignited the winged passions of many

 

Dorothy Crumb, 90, of Manlius, is a legend among the Onondaga Audubon. A member of the chapter for more than 40 years, she has written or participated in the writing of four books on the birds of New York State and Central New York. She has held every administrative position in the group, with the exception of president; "I didn't want that responsibility," she joked. Crumb has been active in the chapter's annual Christmas and spring bird counts and has led countless bird-watching outings for the club, igniting the birding passions of many. Her favorite bird is a boreal chickadee. "It's hard to find, and has a beautiful shade of brown," she said.

ED O'SHEA

He clears the trails, the old-fashioned way

 

Ed O'Shea, 76, of Marcellus, said about 12 years ago he was looking for something to do to keep active. An Adirondack 46er with a passion for hiking, O'Shea found his niche in the Onondaga Chapter of the Adirondack Mountain Club. He joined a group of retirees from the club that go each week during the spring and summer months to groom and clear local hiking trails. They remove brush, fallen trees and branches, along with doing drainage work. O'Shea bristled at the use of chainsaws and need to carry gas and oil on these outings. Four years ago, he suggested using an old-fashioned, two-person saw, which has been used by the trail team ever since. He purchased 20 of these saws, which he keeps in his garage. He sharpens them himself, a skill he learned by watching a video on the internet.

SPIDER RYBAAK

He's fishing it forward

 

Spider Rybaak, an author, blogger and photographer who specializes in fishing, has been a fixture on the local outdoors scene for years. Rybaack, 64, off Canastota, of said he became dismayed by the growing numbers of youngsters who are "nature naïve" and never seem to get outdoors to enjoy the area's natural resources. For the past 10 years, he has offered free bait fishing and fly fishing clinics, often supplying the tackle and bait for participants. The sessions are held at Wellesley State Park on the St. Lawrence River, Neawantha Lake in Fulton, outdoors shows and elsewhere. His blog, "Fishing and Hunting Oswego County," appears on that county's tourism website. He was recently honored with the "Pass It On Award," sponsored by the New York State Outdoor Writers Association and Bass Pro Shops.

Lance Robson

He's advocating for conservation

 

Lance Robson said when his youngest son turned 18 he backed away from his involvement with the Boy Scouts and his local church youth group. He decided instead to re-focus his efforts to helping outdoors sportsmen and pushing for conservation issues. Today, Robson, 57, of Sennett, is chairman of the state Fish and Wildlife Management Board, which advises the state and landowners on fish, wildlife and habitat management issues, and seeks to protect and expand access for fishing, hunting and trapping across the state. Robson also spent two years on the state's Conservation Fund Advisory Board, which advises the DEC on how the money collected from hunting, fishing and trapping fees should be spent. "Somebody had to do it and I had the passion," he said.

View the full article on The Syracuse Outdoors Blog

[sweet old bill]

my thanks to all of these fine people for all there efforts...