WRFA’s Jason Sample talks with Arthur Pearson, CEO of the Roger Tory Peterson Institute of Natural History, to learn more about the facility’s reopening celebration, slated for May 29, 2021, as well as its recently completed new strategic plan and vision.

Arthur Pearson

Arthur Pearson

JAMESTOWN – The Roger Tory Peterson Institute of Natural History says it has hired Arthur Pearson to serve as its inaugural Chief Executive Officer.

A Chicago native, Pearson has a richly varied background in the arts, conservation, museum collections and philanthropy. He spent twenty-five years with the Gaylord and Dorothy Donnelley Foundation, most recently as its Director of Chicago Program. In this role, he worked hand in glove with a portfolio of more than two hundred nonprofit groups, with an emphasis on building their operational and financial capacities to meet mission goals.

Among Pearson’s recent accomplishments, he orchestrated a $7 million public-private funding effort to accelerate restoration of Midewin National Tallgrass Prairie, one of the country’s most ambitious habitat recovery efforts. He sparked the development of a $15 million artist live-work space in Chicago’s Pullman National Monument. And he guided a multi-pronged initiative to help the entire small arts sector of Chicago increase its financial sustainably.

Additionally, he has written about a range of conservation issues and is the author of Force of Nature, an award-winning biography of George Fell, Founder of The Nature Conservancy and the Natural Areas Movement. A master stained glass craftsman, his original, nature-based designs have been featured in exhibitions at the Peggy Notebaert Nature Museum and in City Creatures, published by the Center for Humans and Nature.

“Arthur comes on board at a challenging time,” says Doug Schutte, Board Chair of the Institute. “But his skills, passion and experience make him the right person to be leading us now and into the future.”

Pearson plans to build on the accomplishments of Twan Leenders, who has led the Institute over the past several years. Leenders, as the Institute’s new Senior Director of Science and Conservation, will focus his expertise on expanding the Institute’s conservation research and monitoring efforts. Pearson’s goal is to balance, integrate and unify these efforts with the Institute’s commitment to art and education.

“First and foremost,” Pearson says, “Roger Tory Peterson was an artist. He channeled his passion for nature into his art. And through his art, he lifted a veil, helping millions of people across the globe to see the natural world around them as never before. That was his genius, his legacy. That is our charge today – to nurture the next generation of artists-educators-conservationists.” 

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JAMESTOWN – The very popular Doors Open Jamestown will be back again on Saturday, January 19.

Doors Open offers free admission for the day to our local attractions, demonstrating the extraordinary tourism opportunities that are right here in our own backyard.  Sponsored by the Jamestown Community Chamber of Commerce and the Jamestown Renaissance Corporation, Doors Open has grown substantially since it first began.

Participating venues are:

• Jamestown Audubon Nature Center
• Busti Grist Mill
• Chautauqua Harbor Hotel
• Chautauqua Sports Hall of Fame
• Daughters of the American Revolution
• Fenton History Center
• Infinity Visual and Performing Arts
• James Prendergast Public Library
• Lucille Ball Desi Arnaz Museum
• Lucille Ball Little Theatre
• Martz Kohl Observatory
• Marvin Community House
• National Comedy Center (preregistration required due to limited capacity)
• Northwest Arena
• Reg Lenna Center for the Arts
• Robert H. Jackson Center
• Roger Tory Peterson Institute of Natural History
• Spire Theater
• Tot Spot
• Venue 31

The hours are 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. for this FREE day at many of our local museums and attractions.

The luncheon salutes more than 170 doctors on the hospital’s medical staff.

James Campion, MD, president of UPMC Chautauqua WCA medical staff, will present the prestigious 2018 Physician of the Year Award—an honor given annually to an outstanding physician in Chautauqua County who is recognized for his or her significant practice experience, compassion, community involvement, and commitment to a healthier community.

This year’s Doors Open Jamestown event is scheduled for Saturday from 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. at locations across the city.

Doors Open Jamestown features free admission to greater Jamestown area attractions, raffle prizes at each location, restaurant specials and more. The event is sponsored by Jamestown Up Close, Jamestown Renaissance Corporation and Jamestown Community Chamber of Commerce with support from participating attractions and merchants.

This year’s participants include:

• Audubon Community Nature Center
• Busti Grist Mill
• Chautauqua Sports Hall of Fame
• Dykeman Young Gallery and Vintage Emporium
• Fenton History Center
• Infinity Visual and Performing Arts
• James Prendergast Library
• Lucile M. Wright Air Museum
• Lucille Ball Desi Arnaz Museum
• Lucille Ball Little Theater
• Martz Observatory
• Northwest Arena
• Reg Lenna Center for the Arts
• Robert H. Jackson Center
• Roger Tory Peterson Institute of Natural History.

For more information on Doors Open Jamestown or for a list of participating venues, restaurants and stores, visit DoorsOpenJamestown.com or check out the event’s Facebook page.

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The 2016 Doors Open Jamestown event is scheduled for Saturday from 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. at varying locations across the city.

Doors Open Jamestown features free admission to greater Jamestown area attractions, raffle prizes at each location, restaurant specials, and more. The event is sponsored by Jamestown Up Close, Jamestown Renaissance Corporation, and Jamestown Community Chamber of Commerce with support from the participating attractions and merchants.

“Not everyone knows that the exhibits and features of our local attractions change quite regularly,” said Edwin Rodriguez Jr., events and marketing associate for Jamestown Up Close. “This event is for our area residents to get out and about with their friends and family to learn about some of the great features we have to offer here,” said Rodriguez.

Sixteen local attractions and nearly two dozen restaurants and retail stores partner together for this annual event to celebrate the region.

The Roger Tory Peterson Institute on Curtis St. in Jamestown is one of several organizations offering free admission on Sat., Jan. 16 as part of Doors Open Jamestown.

By visiting one or more of the participating attractions, guests have the opportunity to win gift baskets at each location. Those locations include:

• Busti Grist Mill
• Chautauqua Sports Hall of Fame
• Dykeman Young Gallery and Vintage Emporium
• Fenton History Center
• Infinity Visual and Performing Arts (Open 10 a.m. to 2 p.m.)
• James Prendergast Library
• Audubon Nature Center
• Jamestown Gateway Train Station
• Jamestown Savings Bank Arena
• Lucile M. Wright Air Museum
• Lucille Ball Desi Arnaz Museum
• Lucille Ball Little Theater
• Martz Observatory (Frewsburg)
• Reg Lenna Center for the Arts
• Robert H. Jackson Center
• Roger Tory Peterson Institute of Natural History

The former Fenton Mansion, home of the Fenton History Center in Jamestown NY.

“It’s great to see so many local residents learn something new about their hometown,” said Joni Blackman, executive director for the Fenton Historical Society. “This has turned into a festive day for Jamestown and the greater region. I have yet to hear a complaint, even when the weather is stormy,” said Blackman.

Area attractions aren’t the only ones who participate in Doors Open Jamestown. The event also encourages various restaurants, bars, and retail shops to work together to co-promote one another now and in the future.

“Doors Open Jamestown is a day to celebrate the wonderful amenities our community has here all year long,” said Frank Besse, co-owner of Brazil Craft Beer and Wine Lounge. “I think Brazil complements these amenities well with our unique selection of great beer and wine in a relaxing and characterful setting,” said Besse.

Participating restaurants and retail locations are encouraged to offer unique menu items and special pricing for the day.

For more information on Doors Open Jamestown or for a list of participating venues, restaurants, and stores, please visit www.DoorsOpenJamestown.com or call check out the event’s Facebook page.

The Jamestown Renaissance Corporation and Jamestown Up Close are organizations that support downtown and neighborhood revitalization in Jamestown, NY, by promoting reinvestment, stakeholder engagement, and innovation.

JAMESTOWN – Doors Open Jamestown returns in 2 weeks! Join us on Jan. 17 and celebrate a day that features FREE admission at a variety of local attractions.

Participating venues for this year include: Busti Grist Mill; Chautauqua Sports Hall of Fame; Fenton History Center; Infinity Visual & Performing Arts; Jamestown Prendergast Public Library; Jamestown Audubon Center & Sanctuary; Jamestown Gateway Train Station; Jamestown Savings Bank Arena; Lucille M. Wright Air Museum; Lucille Ball Desi Arnaz Museum & Center for Comedy; Lucille Ball Little Theater; Reg Lenna Center for the Arts; Robert H. Jackson Center; Roger Tory Peterson Institute of Natural History.

Additionally, this year’s Doors Open will feature raffles and specials at area-favorite restaurants.

Organizers will continue to post more information on this year’s event on Facebook at www.Facebook.com/DoorsOpenJamesown.

Alberto Rey (b. 1960) – Biological Regionalism: Risley Falls, Fredonia, New York (oils on plaster, 32 by 47 inches). Courtesy of the artist.

JAMESTOWN – The Weeks Gallery at Jamestown Community College will be presenting its first exhibit of the new school year with the opening of an exhibit entitled Alberto Rey: Biological Regionalism on Monday. According to Weeks gallery director Patricia Briggs, the exhibit focuses on the waterways of Western and Upstate New York. As Dr. Briggs notes in her “Scene Unseen” art blog, Rey’s installation “…cuts through the veil of artistic wishful thinking that so often comes between the environment and its depiction as landscape.”

A reception and artist’s talk by Rey, a distinguished professor of art at the State University of New York at Fredonia, will be held from 6 to 8 p.m. on Sept. 12.

The Weeks Gallery will also feature special public presentations by naturalists that underscore the unique nature of the Chadakoin and its importance to the area habitat.

Twan Leenders, president of the Roger Tory Peterson Institute of Natural History, will lead a nature walk from 5-6 p.m. on September 15, introducing participants to the spiny softshell turtle population that inhabits the Chadakoin River and hatches in late summer. The walk begins in the parking lot of the Gateway Center, 31 Water St., Jamestown.

Leenders and John Jablonski, executive director of the Chautauqua Watershed Conservancy, will discuss “The State of Jamestown’s Waterways and Their Surrounding Habitats” from 6:30-7:30 p.m. on Sept. 24 in the Weeks Reception Hall.

And Briggs will lead an informal conversation about the exhibition during a brown bag lunch at noon on Sept. 10.

Access to the gallery and all related program is free and open to the public. The exhibition is on display until Oct. 3.

WRFA will have more information on the exhibit as well as details on future exhibits at the Weeks gallery when we talk with Briggs during this week’s Arts on Fire program, which airs at 1 p.m. Friday afternoon (Aug. 22, 2014) on WRFA.

The Roger Tory Peterson Institute on Curtis St. in Jamestown, NY.

JAMESTOWN – Two area non-profit organizations with a history of cooperation, common goals and a shared linkage to Jamestown’s famous naturalist, Roger Tory Peterson, have begun exploratory conversations about expanded collaborations.

A task force comprised of board leadership and the presidents of the Jamestown Audubon Society (JAS) and the Roger Tory Peterson Institute of Natural History (RTPI) have met to assess the desirability and feasibility of new program collaborations and the potential for consolidation of some administrative functions.

Reflecting the accomplishments of Roger Tory Peterson, both organizations have as a core goal to connect human beings with the natural world.

Both organizations have weathered the headwinds of the recent national recession and have emerged with reduced staffs and increasing financial stability.  Both rely on grants and donations from foundations and private citizens. The Chautauqua Region Community Foundation holds donor designated funds for both organizations from gifts and estates of local residents.

The task force will continue to meet throughout the coming months and will report from time to time on its progress.  For more information about each organization, the public is encouraged to visit the websites jamestownaudubon.org and rtpi.org.

Sponsored by the Jamestown Community Chamber of Commerce, Doors Open has grown substantially since it first began.  Locations participating this year are:

• Audubon Center and Sanctuary
• Chautauqua Sports Hall of Fame
• Fenton History Center
• Gateway Train Station
• Infinity Performing Arts
• Jamestown Savings Bank Arena
• Lucille Ball Little Theatre
• Lucy-Desi Center for Comedy
• Prendergast Library
• Reg Lenna Center for the Arts
• Robert H. Jackson Center
• Roger Tory Peterson Institute for Natural History.

Many of the participating venues will offer specials in their gift shops or prize drawings, and local businesses and restaurants will offer Doors Open specials as well.  Watch for more details to come, but save the date – January 18 for Doors Open Jamestown!