DuPont Niagara Awards Grants for Klydel Wetland Preservation

In November 2001, E. I. DuPont de Nemours awarded a grant of $1,000 for Klydel Wetland preservation and educational programs. This was in addition to $1,500 awarded in the year 2000 and $2,000 awarded in 1999. This total of $4,500 in funds to date has been used towards 2 purchases of a total of 18 acres in the Klydel Wetland. After conservation easements were placed on the properties by the Western New York Land Conservancy, title was to be transferred to the Buffalo Audubon Society for creation of the North Tonawanda Audubon Nature Preserve. See the press release at the bottom of this web page for more information. THANK YOU AGAIN, DUPONT!!!

DUPONT COMMUNITY FUND AWARDS

The DuPont Community Fund was established to improve the quality of life and enhance the vitality of communities in which DuPont operates. Recognizing the inter-dependence of social progress, economic success, and environmental excellence is the first step to achieving community sustainability. The DuPont Community Fund provides support to programs and organizations that address one or more of the three key components in community sustainability.�

On January�7,�2000, a $2,000 award was presented to the Western New York Land Conservancy on behalf of the application made by Niagara employee, Dan Kaszubski.� The grant was comprised of $1,000 from the DuPont�facility at Niagara Falls, NY and a matching $1,000 from DuPont corporate headquarters.�

Citizens for a Green North Tonawanda is very appreciative that DuPont provided this funding to help preserve a natural treasure in our community.� The Klydel Wetland�is being�utilized to educate the�public about the benefits of wetlands, preserving green space, and understanding natural habitats in an urban setting.

The following was contained in�an announcement made by DuPont about this grant:

KLYDEL WETLAND NATURE STUDY AREA -� The funding will be used toward the purchase of the Klydel Wetland properties by the Western New York Land Conservancy. The community will benefit by the preservation of this wetland by the expansion of a natural preserve rich in flora, old growth trees that are rare to city dwellers, and wildlife habitat.

This grant was one of 60 programs nominated from 32 sites worldwide.� Here's a sampling of some of the other (DuPont sites) / winning proposals:

(Thailand) / Together we grow trees for his Majesty the King

(Edgemoor) / Cedar Lane Outdoor Classroom/Nature Center

(Goiabal, Brazil) / Itatiaia National Park

(Shenzhen, China) / Erecting a Park

(Tamaulipas, Mexico) / Maintenance and Improvements to Dr. Emilio Martinez Manoutu Park

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East Aurora, NY � After more than three years of planning, negotiating and fundraising, the Western New York Land Conservancy (WNYLC), a regional land trust serving the eight counties of Western New York State, has closed on the purchase of its first acquisition within the City of North Tonawanda�s "Klydel Wetlands," according to WNYLC President and N. Tonawanda resident, Paul Lehman. The 17.2 acre assembly of parcels was purchased from Wanda and Edward Padlo. "This conservation acquisition was made possible through contributions from a number of sources but still would not have been feasible had the Padlos not been willing to sell the property for significantly less than the appraised value," said Lehman. "We very much appreciate their �bargain sale� which also has potential for charitable contribution tax benefits. The Padlo�s generosity allowed us to acquire the property at approximately one-third of its appraised value," Lehman added.

"A grant from the Niagara County Environmental Fund, administered by the New York State Center for Hazardous Waste Management at the State University of New York, funded many of the transactional costs including appraisals, environmental audits, surveys, title searches," said Lehman. Funds to purchase the property came from a many sources including the Buffalo Audubon Society, local fundraising including two grants totaling $3,500 from E.I. DuPont de Nemours� corporate office and its Niagara Falls plant, and contributions from different developers.

"We are pleased to support the wetland protection and conservation education work of the Citizens for a Green North Tonawanda and Buffalo Audubon," said Lehman. "Our plan for the property is to turn it over to the Buffalo Audubon Society to manage as an outdoor education area and wildlife preserve. We will retain a conservation easement on the property to ensure that it can never reenter the market for residential, commercial or industrial development," added John Whitney, co-chair of the WNYLC�s conservation committee. William McKeever, Executive Director for Buffalo Audubon, noted that the parcels represent the nucleus of a hoped-for Audubon Nature Preserve to protect the wetlands and keep them accessible for public enjoyment and nature study.

The Western New York Land Conservancy is working on a variety of projects throughout the region including farmland protection projects in the Towns of Amherst and Marilla in Erie County, and development of the Kenneglenn Scenic Preserve in the Town of Wales. As a membership-based organization, the Western New York Land Conservancy is also hoping to increase the number of members involved in and supporting its conservation efforts. Membership information and project updates can be seen on the WNYLC�s web page:� http://www.wnylc.org/

According to Amy Holt, Land Protection Manager for the Western New York Land Conservancy, a number of other transactions are in the final stages of negotiation.� Owners of land in the Klydel Wetland or other areas of Western New York who may be interested in donating or selling their land to the Western New York Land Conservancy or establishing conservation easements with the WNYLC for permanent conservation purposes may contact the WNYLC office at 21 South Grove Street, Room 120, East Aurora, NY 14052; phone 716-687-1225;� e-mail:� [email protected].

DuPont Awards Grants for

for

Klydel Wetland Preservation