Award-Winning Video about Prescribed Fires to Debut at Pine Bush Discovery Center
Published:
CONTACT:
Wendy Craney, Communications and Outreach Director
(518) 456-0655 ext.1211
wcraney@albanypinebush.org
Award-Winning Video about Prescribed Fires to Debut at Pine Bush Discovery Center
The public is invited to visit the Albany Pine Bush Discovery Center located at 195 New Karner Road in Albany, to watch a new video about prescribed fire, which will premiere on April 28, 2011 at 6:00pm. The seven-minute video communicates to visitors why and how the Albany Pine Bush Preserve Commission uses prescribed, or controlled fires to manage its pine barrens ecosystem. "I've participated in many prescribed fires early in my career, and the footage in the video truly gives you a sense of what it's like to be there," said Christopher Hawver, the Commission's Executive Director.
The Commission worked with Jeremy Snyder of Science in a Nutshell Productions to create the video. "We used a number of elements to effectively communicate with the audience, including 3D animation and time-lapse photography," said Snyder. A custom score was created for the video pro-bono by local jazz musician and composer Adrian Cohen.
The video has received two video production industry awards, a platinum Aurora Award and a Telly Award, in recognition of its overall quality and effectiveness in communicating its message. Of particular note was the video’s "compelling footage" of a prescribed burn according the judges.
Science in a Nutshell Productions (SNP) creates videos and interactive presentations to help scientific, technical, or educational organizations communicate their messages clearly and concisely. Jeremy Snyder, the principal of SNP, bridges the worlds of science and art by drawing upon his extensive background in research, engineering, and technical communications and years of experience in video and multimedia production. SNP capabilities include high definition video, 3D computer animation, and interactive computer presentations.
The Discovery Center is centrally located within the Albany Pine Bush Preserve and provides visitors with year-round, hands-on information about the protection and management of the Preserve, especially fire management. One section of the Discovery Center is dedicated to fire management and provides visitors with interactive displays and information. The focal point of this section is a 7 minute fire management video that introduces visitors of all ages to the concepts of fire management within the Preserve. The video is played on a high-definition LED monitor and related hardware installed by Hippo’s Home Entertainment in Stuyvesant Plaza in Guilderland. Hippo’s provided discounted products and service for the project. The funding for the new video was supported by a grant from the US Forest Service National Fire Plan.
The premier night is also an opportunity for the community to meet the Commission’s newest staff member, Fire Management Specialist, Brandon Clifford. A native of New York State’s Southern Tier, Brandon received his graduate degree from Boise State University and brings more than 19 years of firefighting experience. He has been an active volunteer fire fighter, and comes to the Commission having worked in wildland fire for the US Forest Service since 2002. In his most recent position with the Forest Service he was as an Assistant Fire Engine Operator at the Flaming Gorge National Recreation Area in Utah. The Commission is thrilled to have Brandon join the team. With his education and experience the Commission’s fire management program will continue to safely use prescribed fire to meet our management goals of restoring a healthy pine barrens while reducing the risk of uncontrolled wildfire.
Located within the Capital District Region, the Albany Pine Bush represents one of the best remaining examples of an inland pine barrens ecosystem left in the world. This gently rolling sand plain is home to a variety of rare plants and animals, including the endangered Karner blue butterfly. The Albany Pine Bush Preserve also creates a special habitat for a number of other rare and unique plants and animals, while providing visitors with an assortment of non-motorized recreational opportunities including hiking, jogging, nature study, cross-country skiing, horseback riding, mountain biking and hunting. The Albany Pine Bush Preserve contains nearly 20 miles of official marked, multiple-use trails. Most trails are considered easy to moderate and vary from wide open sandy trails to narrow, grassy woodland passages. The topography is generally flat with gradual slopes up and down the natural sand dunes.
The Albany Pine Bush Preserve Commission was created by the NYS Legislature in 1988 to protect and manage the unique and endangered natural communities and species of the Albany Pine Bush for ecological, recreational and educational benefits. For more information please visit www.albanypinebush.org
Wendy Craney (Borden)
Communications Outreach Director
wcraney@albanypinebush.org
(518) 456-0655 x1211 (Office)
(518) 421-0186 (Mobile)
www.albanypinebush.org
Albany Pine Bush
Preserve Commission
195 New Karner Rd
Albany, NY 12205
Partners in action, protecting and managing the Albany Pine Bush.
