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Sam's Point Conservation Center Dedicated

Eastern New York Chapter Honors Meg Stewart

Cragsmoor, NY — September 15, 2007 — Friends and family of Dr. Meg Stewart joined together with friends of Sam’s Point Conservation Center for a ceremony dedicating the center in her honor. Dr. Stewart, who passed away last summer, was a long time trustee and supporter of the Eastern New York Chapter.

The newly named Meg Stewart Conservation Center, a 3,000 square foot LEED certified "green" building, was recently awarded the American Institute of Architects Honor Award for Architectural Design and Sustainability. It was through a generous legacy gift from Meg’s estate that the chapter was able to complete the first phase of the center’s construction. Hikes, tours and a picnic dinner followed the dedication.

Said chapter Executive Director Katie Dolan, "Meg was an exuberant spirit and a staunch supporter of the chapter’s conservation work on many levels. Her dedicated service as a board member and Director, Chair of the Conservation Committee and member of the Albany Pine Bush Commission speaks for itself. Meg understood the importance of making a lasting contribution and we are delighted to gather here today with her friends and family to dedicate this center in her honor."

The Nature Conservancy’s Eastern New York Chapter is responsible for the management of the 5,400-acre Sam’s Point Preserve, which is owned by the Open Space Institute.

Located along the spectacular Shawangunk Ridge, the preserve encompasses the best known example of globally rare ridgetop dwarf pine barrens. The Shawangunk Ridge is one of the most important sites for biological diversity in the northeastern United States. The wide range of habitats found on the Ridge is home to thirty-six rare plant and animal species.

Completed in 2005, the Meg Stewart Conservation Center contains interpretive exhibits and educational displays that allow visitors to better understand the rare and unique environment found at Sam’s Point Preserve.

Visit Sam’s Point on the web at nature.org/samspoint.

The Nature Conservancy is a leading conservation organization working around the world to protect ecologically important lands and waters for nature and people. To date, the Conservancy and its more than one million members have been responsible for the protection of more than 15 million acres in the United States and have helped preserve more than 102 million acres in Latin America, the Caribbean, Asia and the Pacific. Visit The Nature Conservancy on the Web at www.nature.org.