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NYSCC HONORS AWARD WINNERS AT ANNUAL MEETING
2011 NYSCC VOLUNTEER CONSERVATIONIST OF THE YEAR
Mark Storti of Schenectady County
The Schenectady County Conservation Council successfully nominated Mark Storti for Life Time Achievement Award for 2011. Mark became involved with the local Council while in his early 20’s and has been active with Council and youth activities for over 20 years.
In 1992, Mark started and chaired the 1st Indiankill Fishing Derby for youths. This has continued for the past 19 years under his direction. He has arranged for all the fund raising/donations needed to purchase fish, etc.
When funding for member items from our local Assemblyman dried up, Mark took it upon himself to find the $2000 needed for purchasing fish. He organized in 2010 a “Cigar & Spirits” night at a local cigar shop that also included a 2-gun raffle. This is again going to be conducted in 2011. In the spring of 2011, he conducted another fundraiser at a local BBQ establishment during turkey season. He arranged for a speaker on turkey hunting and again held a 2-gun raffle. Due to his efforts, more than enough funds were raised for purchasing fish.
He has been on various Town of Glenville committees, including Park Planning, Open Space, Planning and Zoning, etc, in order to ensure that Open Space lands in the Glenville community remained multi-use, thereby protecting hunting, trapping and fishing. Mark also has been instrumental in arranging for the town to acquire a new 50 acre Open Space area, under the condition that it, too, be a multi-use area.
In addition to the above, Mark has served as president of the Schenectady County Conservation Council for 11 years, was a county representative to NYSCC and served on CFAB for 6 years. Below is a portion of his resume listing those volunteer activities that have had positive impacts for sportspersons and youths of Schenectady County.
- Chairman of the Town of Glenville’s Open Space Committee. (5/06-6/11)
- Deputy Chairman of the Town of Glenville’s Planning and Zoning Commission. (1/06-12/10)
- Local government representative of the NYS GIS Coordinating Body (1/05-12/11)
- Past Region 4 representative of the NYS Conservation Fund Advisory Board (CFAB). (3/00-9/06)
- Past President of the Schenectady County Conservation Council (SCCC), which represents the local outdoors enthusiasts’ interests. (13/93-11/04)
- Past Deputy Chairman for the Town of Glenville’s Park Planning Commission. (1/02-10/04)
- Past President of the Environmental Clearinghouse of Schenectady (ECOS), a non-profit environmental organization. (1/95-12/97)
- Founded the Indian Kill Fishing Day- the largest youth fishing day in the Capital District. (1994-present)
- Actively involved with environmental activities in the Capital District.
- Arranged and spoke at numerous public meetings with political leaders and the general public.
- Provided educational instruction to local professional planners and government managers.
- 2006 Volunteer of the Year by Cornell Cooperative Extension of Schenectady County.
- President of the Scotia-Glenville Kiwanis Club (10/08- Present).
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2011 NYSCC Professional Conservationist of the Year
Scott Cornett, Region 9 DEC Biologist
This year’s 2011 NYSCC Professional Conservationist Award goes to Scott Cornett, Region 7 DEC Fisheries Biologist. The list of those who endorsed Scott’s nomination includes representative from Trout Unlimited Western NY Chapter 068; TU Upper Genesee River Chapter 706; The New York State Chapter of Trout Unlimited; The Essex County Soil and Water Conservation District; and The Region 9 DEC Natural Resources Supervisor.
The letters of endorsement are consistent in mentioning the fine qualities that Scott possesses that make him well worthy of this award, and they say it as well as anyone could.
"Scott started his professional career with DEC in 1990 as a Fisheries Technician and was subsequently promoted to Fisheries Biologist in 2001. He has dedicated his career to the conservation and enhancement of trout resources in New York State, with particular emphasis on restoration or our state fish, the brook trout." (NYS DEC NRS)
“He has accomplished this, even in the face of declining funds and staffing, by partnering with government and non-government organizations alike. These efforts have included extensive stream and angler surveys, the construction of major stream habitat improvements projects and the implementation of biologically and socially supported fisheries regulations. The construction of the stream habitat improvement projects on Western New York’s premier trout streams depended on effective partnering with Trout Unlimited, the US Fish and Wildlife Service, the Army Corps of Engineers, the Cooperative Extensive Service and the Department of Transportation, among many others.” NYS DEC NRS
“Paramount in his priorities is a concern for the resources under his watch, and I can safely say that few are as caring about their charges. Not only is Scott Cornett a fine professional conservationist, it is his personal way of life for him as well.” .” (Kelly, Rep from TU Chapter 706)
“You could not make a finer choice than Scott Cornett.” (Kelly, Rep from TU Chapter 706)
“In my work with the Wyoming County Soil and Water Conservation District it was my privilege to work with Scott on several projects. On every project I was involved with Scott went above and beyond his normal duties. He was also there early on site with contractors and stayed late without compensation many times.” (Reckahn, Essex County SWCD)
“I have always found him very approachable, professional, and a positive representative of the DEC. He is always willing to help, and has worked on projects both representing the DEC and as just another person helping with a project.” (Savko, Region 9 VP NYSTU)
It was mentioned more than once that Scott often worked on his own time.
“This was done on his own time, because at the time, I was only available to look at this site on weekends, this was not an exception but just Scott seeing that I thought that it was important to look at this stream and reevaluate our project, and that the weekend was the only time I had. He was willing to help on his own time” and he has done this several times over the years. (Savko, Region 9 VP NYSTU)
“From the time he was hired as a seasonal worker, through the time he spent as a technician, he always not only accepted responsibilities beyond the level of his employment, but actively sought out the opportunity to do the best he could for the resource, no matter what his job description was.” (Godfrey, WNY TU)
“I was a teacher for 29 years and he reminds me of the best teachers I ever knew. They all had in common, in both their feelings and actions, that their profession was a calling, not just a job.” (Godfrey, WNY TU)
These groups all mentioned the projects they were involved in and Scott’s commitment to seeing these projects completed. Various stream habitat improvements, riparian repairs and enhancements, education, promotion and protection of the outdoors. The above group within Region 9 all say that he is there to lead the way as necessary or support in any way he can. Scott Cornett a true professional and conservationist.
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