Syracuse.com - Slate of 2011 CNY 'Heroes of Conservation' announced

[HuntingNY-News]

The Post-Standard is once again honoring individuals who give to the outdoors and outdoor sports with their time and money with its annual feature, "Heroes of Conservation," which this year is being sponsored by Romano Subaru. The honorees were nominated by readers.

A hero is someone who shows great strength, stick-to-it-tiveness and awesome ability — someone who comes through in the clutch.

In the area of conservation, Central New York has its share of folks who give untold volunteer hours and often money out of their own pockets to maintain or to restore Central New York’s woods, fields and waterways so we all can enjoy them. In addition, we have those who unselfishly give of their time and resources to pass on the positive practices and traditions of outdoor activities, emphasizing ethical practices, safety and love of the land.

The newspaper is once again honoring such individuals with its annual feature, The Post-Standard’s “Heroes of Conservation,” which this year is being sponsored by Romano Subaru. The honorees were nominated by readers.

John Berry/The Post-StandardJohn Gustafson, the co-founder and treasurer of Lime Hollow Nature Center. John Berry / The Post-Standard

Advocate for nature preserve

John A. Gustafson, a retired SUNY Cortland biology professor, is one of the key people behind the success of the Lime Hollow Center for Environment and Culture.

The nature preserve, established in 1992 in Cortlandville on Cortland County’s western border, is a well-known community resource that boasts nearly 400 acres, 10 miles of trails, 300-plus members, a $1 million visitor’s center and more than 23,000 visitors each year.

Gustafson, 86, of Homer, came up with the idea — along with Charles Yaple (another SUNY Cortland professor) and others — of creating a 100-acre nature preserve in the ecologically unique Lime Hollow area, which was then owned by the Tunison Laboratory of Fish Nutrition, a U.S.G.S. facility.

Since the center’s creation, Gustafson has become a longstanding board member, treasurer and generous donor.

“He (and his wife Nancy) even took out a second mortgage on their house so we could acquire property,” said Glenn Reisweber, executive director for the center.

Gustafson said he’s been a longtime disciple of Aldo Leopold, a well-known forester and conservationist who promoted the idea that mankind needs to appreciate and care for the natural world.

“You love it or you lose it,” Gustafson said.

Ellen Blalock/The Post-StandardDavid Simmons

Shooting sports ambassador

“The only thing more fun than going out and shooting is watching the looks on new shooters’ faces.”

So says David Simmons, Central New York’s unofficial ambassador for shooting sports such as trap and skeet.

Simmons, 51, of West Monroe, has been active with the National Rifle Association and the local Friends of the NRA Committee for more than a decade. He is president of the Baldwinsville Rod and Gun Club, and under his watch the club has upgraded its trap and skeet ranges and increased its membership.

He has started charity shoots that have benefited Baldwinsville Meals on Wheels, the American Cancer Society and the Gregory J. Harris Military Courtesy Room at Hancock International Airport. He has encouraged outside groups such as Pheasants Forever, Ducks Unlimited, the Ruffed Grouse Society and the Greater Ithaca Activities Club to shoot at the club.

Simmons has helped with Boy Scout rifle and shotgun merit badge classes. He is a Women in Nature committee member, and he has been a shooting instructor at the Sportsmen’s Days held each fall at Carpenter’s Brook. When needed, he has donated hundreds of dollars for ammunition so youngsters and women can enjoy the sport he loves.

Steve Cannerelli/The Post-StandardChris NutterThere for the kids and others

Chris Nutter’s love for the outdoors knows no bounds.

“The outdoors is so peaceful and beautiful. It’s God’s country,” he said.

An Eagle Scout as a teen, Nutter, now 51, has been involved in scouting for years and has been active as a merit badge counselor and firearms instructor.

The Cicero resident is also a master bow hunting instructor and a firearms safety instructor. He never tires of promoting the safe use of treestands.

Nutter is also a member of three rod and gun clubs and a regional board member for the National Wild Turkey Federation and the Conservation Alliance of New York.

He has helped run youth and all-women pheasant hunts, in addition to taking disabled veterans, mentally disabled adults and young residents of group homes on fishing and hunting outings.

“The kids know that I’m there ... and that I’m willing to do it,” he said.

Nutter is also a watchdog for the rights of gun owners and hunters and has made numerous trips with local sportsmen to lobby state lawmakers.

Steve Cannerelli/The Post-StandardChuck ParkerOutdoor sportsmen’s advocate

Chuck Parker, 61, of Mexico, is one of those dedicated volunteers on the front lines of conservation/wildlife management and preserving the rights of outdoor sports enthusiasts across the state.

His involvement includes being first vice president of the New York State Conservation Council, president of the Oswego County Federation of Sportsmen’s Clubs, secretary/treasurer for the Oswego County Sportsmen’s Foundation (founding member), and a representative to the Region 7 Open Space Planning Board.

In addition, he is Oswego County’s hunter safety coordinator and a longtime member of the Mad River Club, along with managing the websites for five organizations.

“I believe that seven out of 10 sportsmen do not belong to a sportsmen or rod and gun club, nor realize that a county federation or a statewide organization even exists to protect their interests,” he said. “They may have strong feelings on the future of hunting and fishing, but they are not doing anything to let their opinions be known, or to protect our sport. That needs to change.”

Ellen Blalock/The Post-StandardChuck GibsonMr. Montezuma

Chuck Gibson’s love for birds and birding stretches back to his childhood when he attended Boy Scout camp and got his birding merit badge.

Today, at 72, the former head custodian at Lyons High School has made an impact on the Montezuma Wetlands Complex, actively volunteering at the Montezuma National Wildlife Refuge and the nearby Montezuma Audubon Center.

Refuge staff members have given Parker the nickname “Mr. Montezuma.”

Depending on the day, he can be found staffing the desk at the visitor’s center, planting trees, removing invasive plant species, assisting with duck banding, doing raptor surveys or building small, apartment-like purple martin houses that he fixes to the top of poles.

Gibson is president of the Friends of the Montezuma Wetlands Complex. Why volunteer?

“It’s about giving back. You also get to see things at the refuge that the public generally doesn’t have access to,” he said, smiling.

View the full article on The Syracuse Outdoors Blog