Senate Resolution No. 2877

BY: Senator GRIFFO

COMMEMORATING the 20th Anniversary of the Central
New York Conservancy of Utica, New York

WHEREAS, It is the sense of this Legislative Body to recognize and
pay tribute to those organizations which are dedicated to increasing
public awareness of, and appreciation for, the natural resources of New
York, recognizing the role all citizens have in protecting the
environment and the quality of life in this Empire State; and

WHEREAS, Attendant to such concern, and in full accord with its
long-standing traditions, this Legislative Body is justly proud to
commemorate the 20th Anniversary of the Central New York Conservancy of
Utica, New York, to be celebrated on Wednesday, June 22, 2022; and

WHEREAS, The Central New York Conservancy (CNYC) was founded as a
New York not-for-profit corporation on June 13, 2002; since its
inception, the conservancy's mission has included comprehensive analysis
and research of, as well as site restoration in Utica, New York's parks
system; and

WHEREAS, The Conservancy also promotes healthy, sustainable, public
green spaces, and advocates for integrated design and management plans
that marry the interests of public users with the health and future of
the landscape and community; and

WHEREAS, Utica's Parks System were designed by the Olmsted Brothers
Firm over the course of 20 years, beginning in 1906, and include over
700 acres of public parkland; during the 1930s and 1940s, WPA
stonemasons built many stone terraces, stairways, pools, bridges and
walls in each of these parks, which add another layer of historical
significance to them; and

WHEREAS, This is a part of the Conservancy's purpose to heighten the
public's awareness of and appreciation for the Parks System's plant
communities and watersheds that need protection and management, as well
as cultural preservation of their historic architectural features; and

WHEREAS, Today, with the help of community volunteers and the City
of Utica Parks Department, the Conservancy has installed trees, shrubs,
and planted areas in the parks; in addition, it has designed and
restored many architectural features and structures; the Conservancy is
also involved in extensive gardening and maintenance along Utica's
Memorial Parkway; and

WHEREAS, The Central New York Conservancy oversees arboricultural
care of existing trees in the parks and serves as the catalyst for
planning, designing, and installing restoration plantings; furthermore,
this vital organization cultivates partnerships with local garden clubs,
interested groups and park users to encourage their participation in
park planting and maintenance; and

WHEREAS, The success of the Central New York Conservancy is in
direct correlation to the efforts of its staff, whose involvement is,

and always has been, characterized by an impressive commitment, an
unbridled enthusiasm, and an uncompromising standard of excellence in
all endeavors on behalf of the organization and the community it serves;
and

WHEREAS, It is the custom of this Legislative Body that the
continuing welfare of the citizens of the State of New York is greatly
enriched and reliably served by the purposeful endeavors of
organizations which are committed to the preservation of our natural
environment and the enhancement of the appreciation of the distinctive
features of our surroundings, and to the economic well-being of the
areas in which they exist; now, therefore, be it

RESOLVED, That this Legislative Body pause in its deliberations to
commemorate the 20th Anniversary of the Central New York Conservancy;
and be it further

RESOLVED, That a copy of this Resolution, suitably engrossed, be
transmitted to the Central New York Conservancy, Utica, New York.