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LOGGING?! It's true. The site clearing that began in January 2005 is for a big student-apartment complex. The site is partly on previously disturbed land -- much of it was a dump for household and construction debris in past years -- so the CEC didn't raise much objection to the idea of building there. Early plans aimed to minimize the clearing regrading of the sloped site, but current plans include some sitework whose edges impinge on less disturbed natural areas. Some popular stretches of hiking trail are closed during the site preparation and may have to remain closed. Talks are under way to develop living-learning programs for student residents of the new apartments, to raise their awareness of impacts on the woods. One green feature that residents will certainly be aware of is an expressly designed disincentive to drive onto campus: parking lots will be situated behind the buildings and not linked directly to campus roads. Another green innovation is the in-ground geothermal system that will provide 100% of the cooling and some 80% of the heating for the entire apartment complex.
NORTH WOODS 101: Skidmore's North Woods -- one area on the north
edge of campus, and another area a bit farther north behind the Van Lennep
Stables on Daniels Road -- totals 500+ acres, encompassing several wetlands,
a pond, streams, and a range of ecosystem types. Among its 630 species
of plants, several dozen are protected species under New York State law.
The North Woods is the SINGLE locale in Saratoga County for five species,
and another six are quite uncommon, existing only in one or two other
locales in the county. With 33 species, Skidmore's fern flora is rivaled
only by two or three other habitats. And well over 500 species of large
fungi are known to live here.
The Chaplains' Office and CEC invite you to stroll the "Spirit in Nature" path that begins just to the right of Wilson Chapel and winds into the woods behind it. The sanctuary was conceived by CECer and biology faculty member Sue Van Hook, and was created by her and student volunteers as a gift to the campus community, after the 9/11 terrorist attacks. It was opened as part of Skidmore's one-year 9/11 observances in the fall of 2002. The quarter-mile path offers an easy walk for anyone who wants to engage in spiritual reflection, contemplate nature and the universe, or just savor some quiet time in a natural setting. The meditation path is open from dawn to dusk. Pets and
bikes are prohibited. Please respect the area's natural beauty and the
needs of walkers who may come after you: don't damage or remove anything,
and don't leave anything behind. Tread lightly -- and enjoy. The Campus Environment Committee has submitted a proposal
for management and stewardship of the North Woods. The plan would create
"use zones" -- restricted for sensitive and research areas,
and more open for already disturbed and more public areas -- and would
create a new job slot for a woods steward. For details, read the North
Woods Stewardship Plan, especially part III-B. Meanwhile, for a list
of do's and don'ts currently in effect, see the North Woods "Guidelines
for Use," available soon on this Web page, or contact CECer Sue
Van Hook. A comprehensive book about the North Woods (geology,
flora, fauna, policies...) is in the works. Meanwhile, there's a very
good short video that discusses the woods, its resources, the pressures
it faces, and policy questions about its use and protection. The documentary
video was made by Jeff Parker '03 and has been used in Skidmore's freshman
orientation and other programs. Ask CEC for a copy. BACKGROUND AND HISTORY To read about the history of the North Woods -- from
Native American uses, to its development as a luxurious private estate,
to its purchase for Skidmore's campus -- see the Scope magazine
article "Whose
Woods These Were."
BIKE-POLICY NEGOTIATIONS While Skidmore has a legal right to close its property
to all trespassers, the reality is that enforcement is virtually impossible
without a platoon of officers to carry out frequent border patrols. Instead,
the majority of the Skidmore reps felt the best hope of protecting our
woods was to enlist the SMBA bikers' voluntary cooperation, which they
seemed more than willing to offer. In fact, they also have a problem with
nonmember bikers using their land; they estimate that along with their
300 or so members, perhaps 600 other bikers use the Skidmore and SMBA
lands, either often or occasionally. What do YOU think of these controversies and compromises?
To share your opinion, please contact CECers Sue
Van Hook or Sue Rosenberg.
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