November 2010 Newsletter - 17 November, 2010

NEW CONSERVANCY BOARD MEMBER: Steven Knowlton
With the list of activities and organizations Steven P. Knowlton is involved in, one might wonder how he has time to devote to his career as an attorney admitted to practice in the states of New York, New Jersey, and Pennsylvania. Yet his deeds speak for themselves. He also has an extensive public service record that includes being the chair of the Nyack Zoning Board of Appeals from March 2000 through 2009 and currently as Trustee of the Village of Nyack, NY. He was recently voted to serve a three-year term on the board of the Palisades Parks Conservancy.
Steve and his wife Heidi share a home in Nyack with their thirteen-year old son. In addition to his professional obligations, Steve serves his community as a member of the Nyack Parks Conservancy, The Mohonk Preserve, The Access Fund, The American Alpine Club, The New York/New Jersey Trail Conference, and The Appalachian Trail Conservancy.

Steve’s love for parks and open spaces is evidenced by the remarkable list of outdoor activities he avidly pursues that include hiking, rock climbing, cycling, camping, cross-country skiing, and he is an active alpine mountaineer. Steve recalls, “I can’t remember a time when I didn’t want to be outdoors, in the woods, on a mountain or climbing a cliff. Although my vocations were not outdoor related, my avocations always were and will continue to be.”

The Palisades Parks Conservancy welcomes Steve who will join in their quest to reveal the wonder, scale, and legacy of the Palisades Parks and to educate, develop, and nurture existing and new partnerships with individuals, and corporations.

PARK PROFILE: FORT LEE HISTORIC PARK
This month, Fort Lee Historic Park celebrates the 234th anniversary of the retreat of the American colonists at the hands of the British during the American Revolutionary War. For this reason it has been chosen as our park profile of the month. Named a significant stop on the Hudson River Valley National Heritage Area Revolutionary War Trail, the Fort's construction began in July of 1776-just a few months before the famous retreat. With the Americans fleeing New York City and Fort Washington captured, General George Washington made preparations to evacuate his remaining army through New Jersey.

On November 20, 1776, just four days after taking Fort Washington, British General William Howe ordered General Charles Cornwallis to convey 5,000 men across the Hudson River several miles north of Fort Lee. When word of the advancing British army reached Washington, he ordered an immediate retreat before the Fort Lee troops could be cut off and captured by the British force. Most of the American supplies and artillery had to be left behind. These were indeed among the darkest days for the cause of American liberty, leading Thomas Paine to pen his famous words: "These are the times that try men's souls…"

On a cliff-top bluff where the Continental Army positioned its batteries over the Hudson in 1776, the grounds of the 33-acre Fort Lee Historic Park blend scenic beauty and American history. Fort Lee features spectacular overlooks of the Hudson, Manhattan, and the adjacent George Washington Bridge. There is a Visitor Center and Museum, a reconstructed 18th Century soldier hut and campsite, and reconstructed gun batteries. It is the perfect destination for a family outing or school trip Click here for more information on scheduling tours

The perfect time to visit is now. Members from over a dozen Living History groups will commemorate the 234th Anniversary of the British Invasion of New Jersey at Fort Lee Historic Park on the weekend of the 20th & 21st. Re-enactors representing Continentals, Militia, British, Hessian & Loyalist troops will take part in different field and camp activities throughout the weekend. A must for any history buff, there will be a parade, artillery demonstrations, battle reenactment and interpretive talks. Click here for a Complete Event Schedule

Park Hours: grounds are open 8 am to dusk, Visitor Center is open Wednesday–Sunday, 10 am–4:45 pm. Information on this historic park can be obtained by calling 201 461-1776.

GREEN TIPS
We hear all the time about the importance of saving our trees but you might want to consider some of the truths about trees. Trees take in carbon dioxide and produce oxygen! Simply stated they provide clean air for us to breathe. Tree foliage works as a natural air filter for dust, micro sized metals, and pollutants such as ozone, nitrogen oxides, ammonia and sulfur dioxides, common in the exhaust of our cars. Combined with their cooling effect, trees have a significant impact on reducing smog and overall air pollution. Tree canopy and root systems improve water quality by reducing storm water runoff, flooding, and erosion-also reducing the entry of pollution into our rivers and storm drains. Through water evaporation from leaves and by providing direct shade, trees cool the air naturally, helping to save energy and cost of utility bills. Shaded neighborhoods and well-landscaped yards help raise real estate value, and having trees in the business streetscape positively influences shopper’s perceptions. Exposure to trees and green spaces has been shown to reduce mental fatigue, reduce aggressive behavior, and provide a feeling of inner peace. Being mindful of some of these benefits, listed here are some things you can easily do to help save trees:

Reduce use of plastic and paper bags by using a lead-free reusable tote; as an added perk some stores give a credit.

Share a magazine subscription with a friend, saving both trees and cost to you.

Reduce unwanted mail by signing up for bill e-statements instead of paper statements and reduce junk mail by contacting catalogue companies and ask to be removed from future mailings. You can opt out of most junk mail through organizations such as WWW.41POUNDS.ORG, a site that also allows you to make a cash contribution to the Palisades Parks Conservancy in the process.

Use reusable containers when bringing lunch to work instead of plastic or paper bags and a reusable mug from home when you stop for coffee in the morning; refills are cheaper and there is no trash to throw away.

Think before you print! Print out only necessary documents instead of e-mails and attachments and before discarding paper, cut it up and reuse for notes or scrap.

Quote of the Month:

"In a moment of decision the best thing you can do is the right thing. The worst thing you can do is nothing."

Theodore Roosevelt

PHOTO OF THE MONTH

Photo by Dorice Arden Madronero.
www.doricearden.com

Have you taken a great photograph of one of our parks or historic sites?Submit Your Photos Here

Palisades Parks Conservancy
Since our founding over a century ago, the Palisades Interstate Park Commission has depended on donations as well as public funds for financial support to meet our mission to promote and expand the preservation of natural, historical and cultural resources. These donations enable us to conserve and protect open space and wildlife habitats, improve facilities and enhance programs and services for our visitors. You can help! The Palisades Parks Conservancy, Inc., the charitable partner of the Palisades Interstate Park Commission is a free-standing federally registered non-profit corporation exempt under section 501(c)(3) of the Internal Revenue Code. Donations may be made over our secure Web site at palisades.exhibit-e.com/donate/ or by mailing to Palisades Parks Conservancy, Bear Mountain State Park, Administration Building, Bear Mountain, NY 10911. For more information, please call us at 845-786-2701 or send email to admin@palisadesparksconservancy.org

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