Landowner Appreciation: Partners in Wildlife Award Presented to John Sferazo, American Greenlands Restoration, Inc

John Sferazo is a retired union iron worker who resides in Hunting Station, New York and the owner of a significant parcel of land in Maine. He was recently recognized by the Maine Department of Inland Fisheries and Wildlife as a recipient of the "Landowner Appreciation - Partners in Wildlife Award", which was presented to him by Corporal Rick LaFlamme and Commissioner Chandler Woodcock. John received the award to recognize him for his tremendous efforts to restore the land that he owns in Maine as precious habitat for wildlife and as a recreational retreat  for first responders and wounded military. That single sentence alone doesn't even begin to describe the efforts of this one man or the network of partners he has brought together to accomplish something wonderful, so keep reading… In July of 2000, John purchased 206 acres of property in Maine with the initial objective of creating a wildlife habitat restoration project. The property was in terrible condition and had been used historically as a place to dump trash and as an asphalt operation. John now owns 709 acres at the Owens Marsh area. After the attacks on September 11, John volunteered as a first responder at Ground Zero. Using his training as an iron worker, he spent 29 days helping to remove debris as rescue efforts continued. The terrible horror of working at the site where the Twin Towers fell, as well as exposure to the dangerous chemicals, left John with both physical and emotional trauma. John was greatly inspired by the courage that was displayed by the thousands of emergency responders, law enforcement individuals, and volunteers, as well as military service personnel and their families that he worked alongside and he went on to establish the non-profit American Greenlands Restoration, Inc (AGRI). [caption id="attachment_1889" align="aligncenter" width="461"] John standing on an old skidder trail that has been regraded and planted to accomodate wheelchair access for hunters. Photo by Chuck Hulsey[/caption]   AGRI was founded as an effort to help restore the land around Owens Marsh as well as restore and assist those who suffer both mentally and physically as a result of their service. John wishes to expand the user groups to get youth hunters more involved as well. Because the property had been operated as an asphalt plant, as well as mined for sand and gravel, and  poor forest harvest practices, a great deal of work was needed to heal the land.  A new matrix was created in the soil, using hundreds of tons of compost, fruit- and nut-bearing trees were planted and the dam was restored. Habitat was improved for countless species and the populations of wildlife on the property have improved dramatically. Actively working on the land and being outdoors helped John heal from his psychological trauma. Determined to give others the same opportunity, he opened his land to other first responders and combat veterans. "Maine is among the states with the highest ratio per capita of Veterans in our Nation and there is no better place for me to go with a project to honor these people who give selflessly - sometimes making the ultimate sacrifice for our country", said John. "When you couple the protection of the wildlife in our lakes, rivers, and forests with the dedication for all those who step-up and serve when Lady Liberty calls, then you have an effort that the people of Maine can admire and honor". [caption id="attachment_1890" align="alignleft" width="367"] One of hundreds of American chestnuts planted for wildlife at Owens Marsh. Photo by Chuck Hulsey.[/caption] Although John Sferazo is the driving force behind the effort, he is the first to say he is just of many who have made the project successful. The list of partners who have worked with John on his effort to restore the Owens Marsh area is lengthy and include: Ruffed Grouse Society, Fedco, Casella Organics, Ducks Unlimited, Johnny's Selected Seeds, American Chestnut Tree Foundation, Fusco, Brandenstein and Rada Law Firm, National Wild Turkey Federation, University of Maine, Dover-Foxcroft Academy, Union Sportsman's Alliance, International Union of Operating Engineers, International Association of Bridge, Ornamental and Structural Iron Workers, L.I. Building Trades Council, Northern Young Forest Initiative (for woodcock habitat development), Linkletter and Son's, Leary Soil Works, Toyota, Field and Stream Magazine, Bonnier Corp, AFL-CIO, Robinson Trucking, Herb Hingley, Welter Seed Co, Musser Forests, Schlabach's Nursey, Maine Department of Inland Fisheries and Wildlife, Maine Forest Service, Maine Department of Environmental Protection, Land Use Regulation Commissioner, USDA Natural Resource Conservation Service, US Fish and Wildlife Service, US Army Corp of Engineers, and the Environmental Protection Agency. During a small ceremony at the Department of Inland Fisheries and Wildlife headquarters in Augusta on August 16, Commissioner Chandler Woodcock and Regional Wildlife Biologist Chuck Hulsey presented John with a special landowner appreciation art print entitled "It's a Privilege" and Corporal Rick LaFlamme presented John with a one of a kind carved moose antler.  John is being recognized as a landowner who serves as a strong partner to make private land accessible to others, and as a leader who stands for the causes that he believes in. [caption id="attachment_1887" align="aligncenter" width="590"] John Sfrezaro (left) with Wildlife Biologist Chuck Hulsey (center) and Commissioner Chandler Woodcock[/caption] Learn more about American Greenlands Restoration, Inc by visiting http://americangreenlands.org/homepage.html Learn more about Maine's Outdoor Partners Program by visiting http://www.maine.gov/ifw/aboutus/commissioners_office/OutdoorPartnersPgrm/index.htm