Cazenovia landscape architect Don Ferlow received the Cazenovia Preservation Foundation’s top award for environmental preservation at the organization’s May 23 annual meeting. The award was one of four given out that night in front of an audience of about 70 CPF members and supporters. The group also elected new members and a new board of directors, reviewed their 2012 successes and achievements and laid out plans for 2013.

“This year will be very busy. Along with bringing more than 550 acres of farmland under permanent protection in 2013, we’ll also be expanding CPF’s trails network and increasing program offerings compared to prior years. We’ll also be looking for ways to enhance CPF’s funding sources to augment the loyal and generous support we get from members each year,” said CPF President Carlos Gavilondo.

The Cazenovia Preservation Foundation, which is now in its 46th year of existence, works to protect historic, agricultural and natural resources in and around Cazenovia for the benefit of the community.

In recent years they have been actively involved in numerous community land use projects in and around Cazenovia, including the Empire Brewing Company proposed farmstead brewery on Route 13, renovation of the Westshore Gateway area, and preservation of the Ender’s house and Carpenter’s Barn.

The CPF scored a number of accomplishments in the year since its previous annual meeting, including closing on a 422-acre preservation easement on the Reed farm in New Woodstock, closing on a 155-acre preservation easement on Shadowfax Farm on Damon Road in Cazenovia, the planting of 13 trees on Fenner Field, publishing new Cazenovia trail maps, holding talks and presentations for the public and an increase in membership from 280 to 285 members, said CPF Conservation Manager Judy Gianforte.

For the ensuring year, the CPF is working to create a new loop trail in the Willow Patch off Mill Street, to acquire a six-acre woodland with trails in south meadow next to the South Village development, to improve the drainage of Carpenter’s Pond, continue its “Walks and Talks” lecture series and to update its strategic plan, Gianforte said.

The board elected four new members to three-year terms on its board of directors: Nicki Donlin, Robin Ellis, Katherine Huftalen and Pauline Ireland It also re-elected its board officers to continue in their current positions. The officers consist of President Carlos Gavilondo, Vice President Tim McCay, Treasurer Don Stehle and Executive Secretary Alexis Ellis.

The highlight of the evening for members, though, was the presentation of the CPF’s annual preservation awards. Frank and Stephanie Rue received the Rural Architecture Award for the preservation of the crica-1910 historic barn on their Erieville Road property; project architect Carl Stearns accepted the awarded on behalf of the Rues.

The Commercial Architecture Award was given to the Burritt family for their preservation and renovation of the old Albert’s restaurant building a 52-54 Albany St., which they turned into Allure Fitness and Dance studio.

The Residential Architecture Award went to Brian Coughlin, project architect for the restoration of the house at 21 Farnham St., currently owned by Jenny Rhodes and Andy Halperin.

The Robert C. Webster Award for “tireless efforts and dedication to protecting natural resources and improving the built environment in Cazenovia” was given to Don Ferlow.

“This is probably the most prestigious award we give,” said Gavilondo.

Ferlow, who is currently chair of the Cazenovia Advisory Conservation Commission, has been a practicing landscape architect for more than 40 years. He has planned, designed, and implemented hundreds of projects during his career, and is often consulted by Cazenovia municipalities on development projects.

Ferlow is the senior landscape architect and wetland scientist at GHD, formerly Stearns & Wheler, in Cazenovia, an adjunct professor at SUNY ESF. Last year he received the Distinguished Practitioner Award in the Private Practice by the NY Upstate Chapter of the American Society of Landscape Architects.

For more information on the CPF, visit their website at cazpreservation.org.

Jason Emerson is editor of the Cazenovia Republican. He can be reached at [email protected].