SIM-11: A Guide to the Protectors of Pine Oak Woods Collection
Scope and Contents
This collection contains materials ranging from 1976 to 2007, with the bulk of materials from approximately 1989 to 2007. The collection includes meeting minutes of the board of directors and its officers, copies of the organizational newsletter from 1976 to 2002, and subject files dealing with the NASCAR racetrack, the South Beach Wetlands, and plant extinction. Additions to this collection are expected.
Dates
- Creation: 1976-2007
Biographical / Historical
The Protectors of Pine Oak Woods is a group devoted to the preservation and conservation of Staten Island parks. In addition, they seek to extend existing park lands and to establish new parks in the borough. They also lead nature walks and tours through both existing and proposed parks and sponsor teenagers at summer conservation camps. Finally, they raise public awareness about parks and development and to influence public opinion in favor of preservation. The Protectors of Pine Oak Woods was established in 1976 with the general purpose of spreading information about land conservation and the specific purpose of preserving Clay Pit Pond. Although the organization began small, it rapidly grew in membership and influence, and has had many sucesses, including the establishment of Blue Heron Park, Kingfisher Park, and the Greenbelt. Its membership has also grown considerably, and is at present is in the thousands. It operates primarily through grassroots action and lobbying, and has encouraged its members to contact government officials to petition for preservation. Recently, the group has been vocal in opposing the development and construction of a NASCAR racetrack and in the protection of the South Beach Wetlands. This group has been praised by many government officials, including Governor Mario Cuomo, Senator Alfonse D’Amato, State Representative Susan Molinari, and both the New York State Senate and Assembly. Richard P. Buegler, the founder and former president of the organization, was a teacher and author, and won many awards for environmental activism, including the EPA Environmental Educator of the Year Award (1979), the Feinstone Environmental Award (1988) and the City Club of New York’s “Earthling” Award (1991). He was succeeded by Hillel Lofaso, who has continued the organization’s work to protect Staten Island parks.
Extent
1.5 Linear Feet
Language of Materials
English
Abstract
The Protectors of Pine Oak Woods is an environmental conservation advocacy group dedicated to the preservation of Staten Island’s natural resources and heritage. The organization was founded to preserve Pine Oak Woods (now known as the Clay Pit Pond State Park Preserve) on Staten Island’s south shore. In the decades since the group has successfully lobbied for the addition of thousand of acres to Staten Island’s park system, including Blue Heron Park, Kingfisher Park and the Greenbelt.
Arrangement
The collection is arranged into three series. Series 1: Minutes is located in boxes 1 and 2; Series 2: Publications is located in box 3 and Series 3: Subject Files is located in box 4 through 10. Series 4: Articles and Reports is located in Boxes 11 through 13. Series 5: Committee Material is located in Box 13. The materials in this collection are arranged chronologically.
Immediate Source of Acquisition
This collection was donated to Archives & Special Collections by Protectors of Pine Oak Woods.
Processing Information
Collection processed by Antonio Golán.
- Language of description
- English
- Script of description
- Latin
Repository Details
Part of the CSI Archives & Special Collections Repository