LEGISLATIVE RESOLUTION commemorating the 50th Anniversary of the Balti-
more Woods Nature Center of Marcellus, New York

WHEREAS, It is the sense of this Legislative Body to recognize and
acknowledge those environmental education organizations within our midst
that have made significant contributions to the quality of life therein;
and
WHEREAS, Attendant to such concern, and in full accord with its long-
standing traditions, this Legislative Body is justly proud to commem-
orate the 50th Anniversary of the Baltimore Woods Nature Center of
Marcellus, New York, to be celebrated with an Art Exhibit to be on
display from January through February of 2016; and
WHEREAS, In recognition of its 50 years of service to the environment,
the Baltimore Woods Nature Center is holding an art exhibit, entitled
"John A Weeks: A Retrospective Exhibit," featuring works by John A.
Weeks of Baldwinsville, New York; and
WHEREAS, The Baltimore Woods Nature Center, located on 180 acres of
land off of Bishop Hill Road in Marcellus, New York, was originally
formed as Onondaga Nature Centers on May 6, 1966, when a group of State
University of New York (SUNY) College of Environmental Science and
Forestry professors, along with some prominent community members, sought
a way to connect the people of Central New York with its spectacular
nature; and
WHEREAS, In 2008, members of the Board of Directors voted to adopt the
name change to Baltimore Woods Nature Center, a name which reflects the
legend that the first owner of the land sent his livestock to Baltimore
for slaughtering; and
WHEREAS, The Baltimore Woods Nature Center became a key player in the
growth of the Beaver Lake Nature Center of Baldwinsville and the Cayuga
Nature Center in Ithaca, New York; and
WHEREAS, Today, the Baltimore Woods Nature Center employs 10 full-time
staff members and is serviced by many additional volunteers, all of whom
are dedicated to connecting people with nature; and
WHEREAS, For the past 50 years, the Baltimore Woods Nature Center has
served as one of the area's premier locations for educational and recre-
ational programs for the community; for 13 years, the exemplary Nature
in the City Program has connected students of the Syracuse City and
Auburn City School Districts with hands-on lessons of natural science;
and
WHEREAS, The Baltimore Woods Nature Center also provides six miles of
trails for the public to use throughout the year; members of the commu-
nity can hike, snow shoe, and enjoy the picturesque views of woodlands,
fields and streams; and
WHEREAS, Under the luminous leadership of Executive Director Mary Kate
Intaglietta, the Baltimore Woods Nature Center can look back with pride
on its rich history of providing excellent service to the community, and
it can look forward to carrying on its mission for many years to come;
and
WHEREAS, It is incumbent upon all citizens to recognize and applaud
the efforts of organizations such as the Baltimore Woods Nature Center
which works tirelessly on behalf of protecting our natural surroundings
for the benefit of present and future generations of New Yorkers; now,
therefore, be it
RESOLVED, That this Legislative Body pause in its deliberations to
commemorate the 50th Anniversary of the Baltimore Woods Nature Center of
Marcellus, New York; and be it further

RESOLVED, That a copy of this Resolution, suitably engrossed, be tran-
smitted to Mary Kate Intaglietta, Executive Director, the Baltimore
Woods Nature Center.