SIM-11: A Guide to the Protectors of Pine Oak Woods Collection

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.