Our Sunday March 25th Annual Meeting brought out between 50 and 60 BPC members to reflect on our successes to date and review priorities for next year.  Here’s a brief recap of the agenda for those who weren’t there:

• The Conservancy presented a summary of 2011 accomplishments.   Thanks to our many partners including the City of Albany Department of General Services, Ruth Pelham and the Music Mobile,  Capital District Transportation Authority and Capital District Transportation Committee.
• We reviewed the treasurer’s report.  With total expenses of only about $700 in 2011, of which well over half went to CSLAP water testing, we are operating on a shoestring.  You can donate to help!
• We adopted amendments to our bylaws.
• We elected Tara Caligure and Brian Davis to serve on the board – thank you Tara & Brian!
• We presented Michael Gerdes with the “Pond Partner” award for the loan of his canoe, which made it possible for us to complete the CSLAP water testing program in 2011.  Michael has graciously offered his vessel again for 2012.
• Scott Kishbaugh of the NYS Department of Environmental Conservation presented a summary of the results of the water sampling project BPC conducted at the pond this summer.  We’re also seeking volunteers to help out next summer – email us at [email protected] if you can help out on selected Saturday mornings.  Many thanks to BPC Vice President Harry Ermides and the eleven volunteers who assisted him this past summer.
• Professor Andrea Kohl of the College of St. Rose Art Department presented three logo concepts developed by her students for the Conservancy.  At the Board Meeting on March 27, the board selected our new logo.
• We reviewed the priorities established for 2012 by the board.   We plan to continue many of our existing projects – twice yearly clean ups, summer and fall social events and of course the CSLAP water testing.   We also will implement a “storm drain medallion” program to mark each and every storm drain that ties in to Buckingham Pond.