FROM THE DIRECTOR...
 
Did you know that in 1970 the United States Geological Service (USGS) started using satellite imaging to measure summer ice levels in the polar region?  In January 2008 the USGS reported these summer ice levels to cover 1.65 million square miles, the lowest level since 1970 or 1.15 million square miles less than the average from 1970 to 2000.  This loss is comparable to combined areas of Alaska, California, Texas and Georgia. Scientific data also indicates that many parts of the northern hemisphere in the past 25 years were hotter than any other 25-year period since 900 A.D.  The primary reason is simple: ice reflects sunlight, so less ice means that more heat is absorbed by earth, and the earth’s surface temperature becomes warmer.

As part of our commitment to addressing environmental issues that will affect our future, we have added Anne Jaffe, full time to our staff.  Anne is well-versed in environmental issues in Westchester and will focus on developing local environmental education awareness programs for members, the community and school groups that illustrate the pros and cons of these issues. These programs will identify choices we can make that will have a positive effect on the future of our environment.

I’d also like to announce that we are offering two new programs in this spring calendar. On April 6th, GNC staff will lead a bird-watching trip to Jamaica Bay Wildlife Refuge, one of the most important migratory resting areas on the east coast for waterfowl.  On June 28-29, we have planned our first family campout at the GNC.  Activities will include a barbecue prepared by our staff, nature activities, night walks in search of resident owls, and marshmallow desserts by a campfire.  Space is limited for both activities, so please contact the GNC for further information.

Kurt Hundgen

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While on a family vacation in the Caribbean recently, I spent part of most days with my five-year-old granddaughter building sand castles on the beach outside our (rented) house.  Each day we’d create these magnificent make-believe mansions, only to come out the next day and find them washed away.

In a way, directing a nature center has been like that for me over the past thirty years.  Each year we work hard to create exciting and educational programs and exhibits, only to come back the next year and do it all over again.  Hiring staff, training volunteers, working with the media to get the word out – an endless cycle – sort of a form of biomimicry – Mother Nature does the same thing with her seasons.

Now that my time at the Greenburgh Nature Center has come to an end, I’m getting out of that cycle, but hopefully moving on to new forms of environmental activism in the seasons to come.  I want to thank my family, as well as the many board members, staff, volunteers, and particularly the “customers” – children, parents, teachers, etc. – who’ve motivated me to want to make the GNC the family-friendly place to learn about nature and how we can pass a healthy environment along to the next generation.

After volunteering in the GNC’s animal museum and then working at the Center part-time for the past ten months, we are pleased to announce that in February 2008, Anne Jaffe joined our staff on a full-time basis.

Anne earned her B.A. in Political Science from Stanford University, where she helped start the University’s recycling program, and she has been involved in environmental movements ever since.  Through the 1990’s, Anne was a participant in Westchester County’s Volunteers-in-the-Parks program, working as a volunteer environmental educator and leading field trips at the county’s nature preserves.  She currently serves on the Environmental Conservation Board and the Climate Protection Task Force for the Village of Irvington.

Coming from a family of 12 children, Anne says that she enjoys being part of our GNC team and is right at home when things are most busy at the Center.  From Pennsylvania to Utah to California to New York, Anne feels she “finally landed in just the right place—at the Greenburgh Nature Center.”  We agree!

We'd Like To Thank The Nature Center is very fortunate to have the support of many local businesses.  We would like to acknowledge some of our friends who recently donated goods or services to the Center.  We are very appreciative of their generosity. Central Animal Hospital, Scarsdale Dobbs Ferry Animal Hospital, Dobbs Ferry Panera Bread, 915 Central Avenue, Scarsdale Somers Animal Hospital, Somers Sprainbrook Nursery, Scarsdale Starbucks Coffee, Scarsdale   Tim’s Birdscaping Service, Hartsdale