IBM Glen   edniz
  May 18, 2003 19:07 PDT 


Hello,

            The presence of IBM in the Southern Tier has passed its glory
days of the last half century. As corporations go into decline, many of the
accoutrements of wealth and status come up on the auction block. IBM's
Heritage Country Club located in the Town of Union (Broome County) has
become one such place. There is a substantial country club, golf course and
at least 100 acres of forest, much of which has old growth characteristics.

            IBM had planned on logging this area, but a number of protests
from local environmentalists and Binghamton University students forced IBM
to change its mind. A group called Friends of the Glen has been formed and
Julian Sheppard, a professor of biological sciences at BU, has been one of
the most outspoken proponents and defenders of glen preservation.

            Here is what he said regarding the glen in a "Guest Viewpoint"
that appeared in the Press & Sun-Bulletin on April 29, 2003:

            "The Friends of the Glen firmly believe that the long-term
interests of the community would best be served if the Glen, neighboring
forests, and perhaps some of the surrounding open space, were preserved in
their present state.

            The forest is one of the very few old forests in the immediate
region of the Triple Cities. It contains many species of plants and animals
found primarily in such old forests, and is essential to the ecological
integrity of the Glen. The glen is a beautiful ravine with waterfalls,
cliffs, and other rock formations, the finest of its type in this part of
the county.

            The proximity of this area to the principal population center of
the county means it is used extensively by a large number of hikers,
joggers, dog-walkers, cross-country skiers, naturalists and other seekers of
natural retreats. It would probably be used by many more if trespassing
limitations were removed."

            This is the type of place and the type of grassroots effort for
preservation that should be brought to the attention of ENTS members. It
certainly would be a possible place for a field trip at some point. The
political and social activity that is taking place to preserve this could
serve as a blueprint for efforts to preserve other places that have this
level of environmental and ecological integrity and richness.

            There is a good contact of mine that is familiar with the place,
but I have not had time to pay a visit or be directly involved with the
ad-hoc group that hopes to preserve it. IBM has no more use for this
facility and wants it off their asset sheet. No one can blame them for
that. The preservation of this old growth forest that has somehow escaped
the developmental ravages of the 20th century is now uncertain. I will keep
you informed regarding future developments and hope that any ENTS members
who have ties to the Southern Tier of New York can find an opportunity to be
directly involved.



Ed Nizalowski

Newark Valley, NY
Re: IBM Glen   Lou Sebesta
  May 22, 2003 05:28 PDT 

Ed- Since Binghamton is my home town and some years back I had the pleasure to hike around in the IBM Glen forests with some of our local advocates of saving it intact, I can vouch for fact that it is a beautiful area worthy of preservation. Any development planned should be restricted to the lower cleared and already impacted golf course area, etc.
However, since I'm been working in the mid to lower Hudson Valley I don't get back there as much as I'd like to be able to. Family ties there do bind me to my home town and I still identify w/ it. Later, Lou.
I'll try to keep informed through my local friends there; secondarily, if you hear of any timely important events, I'd appreciate getting notice. Thanks.     Lou