Audubon Mainstay Tom Salo

Named OCCA Conservationist

COOPERSTOWN – Tom Salo of Burlington, active in environmental issues since the first Earth Day in the 1970s and an expert in eagles and hawks, has been named Otsego County Conservation Association 2016 “Conservationist of the Year,” it was announced today.

He will receive the award at OCCA’s Annual Dinner beginning at 6 p.m. Tuesday, Nov. 15, at Templeton Hall. For reservations, call OCCA Executive Director Leslie Orzetti at 547-4488.

A long-time member of the Delaware-Otsego Audubon Society (DOAS), he joined the DOAS board in the 1980s and has served the organization as president, secretary, education chair and field trip chair.

Currently, Salo is co-chair of the Franklin Mountain Hawkwatch, and is state coordinator of the Appalachian Eagle Project, which uses baited wildlife cameras to define the winter distribution of scavengers, especially golden eagles. He has written articles for The Conservationist.

He lives with wife, Jo, in a passive solar house they built in 1982.

For the past decade, Salo has focused on understanding and conserving raptors in New York, particularly golden eagles. He is currently spearheading a DOAS effort to reduce accidental lead poisoning in bald eagles by promoting the use of non-lead ammunition for deer hunting.

“Ever since I was a teen, I felt compelled to leave the world a better place,” said Salo. “I’m one of seven billion now, and still trying to do my tiny part.”

OCCA has been awarding the Conservationist of the Year since 1989. The award is given to an individual, citizens’ group or grassroots organization, governmental body, non-profit organization or business that has made a positive difference in environmental protection, preservation or education in Otsego County.