Jim Bonesteel
Office Number: (518) 712-9211 ext. 101
Direct Number: (518) 707-0178
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​Contact Jim if you:
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Are interested in conserving your land or know of land that should be conserved
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Have comments, questions or concerns that other staff are unable to address
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Want to discuss Planned Giving or Donations of Stock
Look for Jim:
Running the roads and trails of the Plateau. Visiting with landowners and supporters. Hiking, skiing, biking, swimming, and exploring with his family and friends.
A favorite place on the Plateau:
The hemlock swamp on Lt. Col. Gundrum land / Teal Pond Tract
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"Conservation is the application of common sense to the common problems for the common good."
- Gifford Pinchot
Jim Daus
Tomhannock Reservoir WQIP Program Manager
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​Contact Jim if you:
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Wish to conserve your land within the Tomhannock Reservoir watershed
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Are concerned about water quality
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Would like to learn about conservation easements
Look for Jim:
Perched on any overlook, taking it all in
A favorite place on the Plateau:
Talking with any landowner about their land, on their land
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"Earth and sky, woods and fields, lakes and rivers, the mountain and the sea, are excellent schoolmasters, and teach some of us more than we can ever learn from books."
- John Lubbock
Alana Gerus
Conservation Project Manager
Office Number: (518) 712-9211 ext. 103
Direct Number: (518) 704-6766
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Contact Alana if you:
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Have questions about conservation easements or how to conserve your land
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Have questions about the Berkshire-Taconic Regional Partnership
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Have any questions regarding the Regional Conservation Partnership Program
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Look for Alana:
Hiking, bird watching, and plant identifying in every season
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A favorite place on the Plateau:
The hemlock forest in my own backyard on the Plateau
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"If you can hear the birds singing, you're in the right place."
- Benny Bellamacina
Bay Habshey
Operations and Development Manager
Office Number: (518) 712-9211 ext. 105
Direct Number: (518) 704-6541
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Contact Bay if you:
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Would like to talk about membership, making a donation or the many ways to support RPA
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Have questions about the Legacy Giving Circle or the Woods and Water Heritage Circle
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Would like to discuss your giving history or need documentation or other records for tax purposes
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Need information regarding our annual gala, including buying tickets or becoming a Corporate Sponsor
Look for Bay:
Slow-hiking in the woods of New York, chasing waterfalls, identifying spider species, or attempting to build the perfect campfire
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A favorite place on the Plateau:
The bridge overlooking Big Beaver Bog in the Poestenkill Community Forest​
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"The greatest threat to our planet is the belief that someone else will save it."
- Robert Swan
Elizabeth Hayes
Communications & Development Associate
elizabeth@rensselaerplateau.org
Office Number: (518) 712-9211 ext. 108
Direct Number: (518) 707-0477
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Contact Elizabeth if you:
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Have questions about membership or donations
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Have questions about fundraising or raffles
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Want to make changes to your communications or subscription preferences (eNews, etc.)
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Need to update your contact information
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Have something special related to one of our preserves that you would like us to share on social media
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Have a question about an upcoming event
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Would like to share a story about your experience on the land or land conservation
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If you are a new member and want to learn more about us
Look for Elizabeth:
Swimming in the nearest watering hole, getting happily lost somewhere out in the woods with her energetic Husky, or camping out under the stars.
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A favorite place on the Plateau:
The Snow Hole, and the entire drive/hike there.​
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"Look deep into nature, and then you will understand everything better."
- Albert Einstein
Michala Hendrick
Rensselaer Youth Outdoors Director
Office Number: (518) 712-9211 ext. 106
Direct Number: (518) 707-0772
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Contact Michala if you:
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Want to support Rensselaer Youth Outdoors, either through services, volunteerism, or direct donations
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Have questions about the Forest Conservation Corps summer program for teens 14-16 years old
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Would like to loan out one of our Schoolyard Naturalist Teacher Kits
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Are a local educator or youth programming professional interested in collaborating through a classroom visit, program or outing
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Are a landowner adjacent to school properties, and are interested in becoming a Hudson Taconic Learning Landscape
Look for Michala:
Fly fishing in creeks, rivers, lakes, and offshore.
A favorite place on the Plateau:
Valentino Family Community Forest- for its lush green landscape, meandering stream, and resident beavers.
"Wilderness areas, salmon runs, and biodiversity illustrate different values than do skyscrapers, interstates, and industrial agriculture. We shape the future by lessons we leave behind. Which natures should we leave behind? Which lessons do we want our landscapes to teach? Which ideals do we want future generations to sustain?"
- R. Bruce Hill, Infinite Nature
Annie Jacobs
Communications Director
Office Number: (518) 712-9211 ext. 104
Direct Number: (518) 704-4722
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Contact Annie if you:
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Are a member of the press or a representative of a local organization
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Would like to share a story about your experience on the land or land conservation
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Would like to contribute photographs to RPA's newsletters or communications
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Have questions about our communications or marketing​
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You have noticed an error in one of our communications or other materials and would like to make us aware
Look for Annie:
Walking slowly through the forest, walking swiftly through the forest, riding her bike, swimming, climbing trees, farming and gardening
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A favorite place on the Plateau:
It would have to be tied between Grafton Forest and the Poestenkill Community Forest's Big Beaver Bog! ​
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"The more clearly we can focus our attention on the wonders and realities of the universe about us, the less taste we shall have for destruction."
- Rachel Carson
Dan Morse
Data Systems Manager
Office Number: (518) 712-9211 ext. 102
Direct Number: (518) 707-0454
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Contact Dan if you:
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Have questions about our programs and outings
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Have questions about a registration or donation form
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Need a copy of a gift acknowledgement letter for your records
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Need to make changes to your recurring gift, have questions about your giving history or need help making a donation
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Want to update your communication preferences
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Need to update your contact information
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Have general donation questions
Look for Dan:
Spending time in the woods, snowshoeing, and kayaking
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A favorite place on the Plateau:
The hemlock swamp at Poestenkill Community Forest​
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"When we see land as a community to which we belong, we may begin to use it with love and respect."
- Aldo Leopold
Kim Murdick
Volunteer Coordinator
Office Number: (518) 712-9211 ext. 107
Direct Number: (518) 707-0554
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Contact Kim if you:​
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Are a current volunteer and have questions about entering volunteer hours
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Are interested in learning about our current volunteer opportunities
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Want to attend the next Volunteer Orientation
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Are looking for volunteer opportunities for your business or organization's team
Look for Kim:
Walking with her Labrador Retriever Kaili in the early mornings, sitting by a campfire in her back yard, looking for eagles in nature, gardening, and snowshoeing.
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A favorite place on the Plateau:
The Creek Trail at Barberville Falls Nature Preserve​
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"Everybody needs beauty as well as bread, places to play in and pray in where nature may heal and give strength to body and soul alike."
- John Muir
Andrew Schwitzgebel
Stewardship Manager
Office Number: (518) 712-9211 ext. 109
Direct Number: (518) 807-6605
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Contact Andrew if you:
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Have any questions about maps or trails for our properties
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Have general stewardship needs or issues, such as downed trees, trail maintenance issues, parking or kiosk problems, etc.
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Want to talk about invasive species reporting or questions
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Need help getting in touch with a property steward or community forest committee
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Have questions about forest management practices or are looking for resources on land management
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Look for Andrew:
Turning over every rock to search for critters, attempting to identify every plant, insect, and fungus he doesn't recognize, listening to the rush of water over rocks, or attempting to grow roots and become a tree.
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A favorite place on the Plateau:
The moss and fern wonderland downstream of the beaver dams in the Valentino Family Community Forest.
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"We do not inherit the earth from our ancestors, we borrow it from our children."
- Wendell Berry, The Unforeseen Wilderness: An Essay on Kentucky's Red River Gorge