Friends of Wildlife

5/6/25

Donor Request

Syracuse, NY

Subject: Request for Funding Support – Invasive Species Eradication at Webster Pond

To whom it may concern

I hope this letter finds you well. My name is Chad Norton, and I serve as Vice President of the Anglers Association of Onondaga and President of our sister organization, Friends of Wildlife, a registered 501(c)(3) nonprofit. Together, we manage Webster Pond—a 4.5-acre bird sanctuary located in the City of Syracuse that is home to approximately 800 ducks and geese. We are reaching out to your organization requesting your support with a unique and urgent challenge that threatens accessibility at our site.

We are seeking funding support to help eradicate an invasive plant species, Japanese Knotweed, which has aggressively overtaken a section of our trail system. The infestation has made this portion of the trail nearly impassable and has compromised the safety and accessibility of the area.

The trail was originally developed in 2014 by Friends of Wildlife with two core objectives:

--To provide an inclusive, handicapped-accessible trail for individuals of all ages and abilities.

-To promote environmental education and enjoyment of our sanctuary.

This project is especially personal for me, as I live with Cerebral Palsy and use a wheelchair. Thanks to generous donors, we completed the trial within just eight months. Our long-term vision includes building a log cabin-style clubhouse with indoor restrooms and running water—another step toward full accessibility and visitor comfort.

The Japanese Knotweed infestation became noticeable about three years after trail completion. Initially, unaware of the plant's identity or risks, we tried manual trimming and root removal, which inadvertently worsened the spread. In fact, our removal efforts likely dispersed seeds across the trail, contributing to its rapid expansion. Seeking expert advice, I consulted my brother, a forester with the NYS DEC Region 8. He confirmed the need for professional remediation and cautioned against further amateur efforts.

Following his recommendation, we contacted Solitude Lake Management, who informed us that a wetland permit would be required to proceed. We are pleased to report that, after nearly 18 months of coordination and approval, the necessary permit has been secured. The affected parcel (measuring approximately 102.3 feet) is owned by the City of Syracuse Department of Parks and Recreation, which has formally approved our request to proceed. The Angler’s Association has leased and maintained this land since 1960.

The proposed project carries a cost of $4,000 annually over five years, for a total of $20,000. Unfortunately, as we rely entirely on donations and grant funding, this amount exceeds our current capacity. We are therefore respectfully requesting your support to help us restore this section of trail and safeguard the accessibility and enjoyment of Webster Pond for all visitors.

We have attached supporting documentation to provide additional background and context. If you have any questions or need further information, please do not hesitate to contact me directly.

Thank you for your time and consideration. We would be deeply grateful for any assistance your organization may be able to provide in support of this important initiative.

Warm regards,

Chad Norton

Vice President, Webster Pond, Anglers Association of Onondaga

President, Friends of Wildlife [phone redacted] | [email redacted]

Dear community supporters,

This is Chad Norton Vice President of the Anglers Association at Webster Pond. Every year comes a new goal for Webster Pond. Every year we have a mandatory expense that we cannot avoid; This year is no different; We want to reach out for help with it, as our income is low in the winter, but the incoming bills are a constant.

Every year, right before the snow flies, we stock a storage shed at the south end of the pond with 250 bags of corn, in order to feed the domestic and grounded birds. This is done separately from the main office so that the volunteers don't have to carry the corn to where the birds are. The south end of the pond never freezes completely, locking the birds in that area. My goal is this: To approach 15 local businesses and clubs, asking each to donate a minimum of $200 in order to cover the cost of the corn, which is $2,875.00, if you are unable to do the whole amount any amount is appreciated. In return, the sponsors will be listed on some type of sign, if they wish, naming their business as a donor, and thus promoting their business.

Having said all that, under no circumstances do I want anyone to get the impression of greed or donor fatigue, because that is not the impression I want to give anyone. I will be very up front with all of you: We try to plan strategically, so that this doesn't happen. We typically only ask twice a year for donations as a general rule; One time is to promote the Spaghetti Dinner, and the other is the calendar drive. Your support in this new objective would be greatly appreciated. If you wish to help please personal message me or comment

Thank you in advance for considering a donation, and as always, thank you for your continued support.

Sincerely,

Chad Norton

Vice President

Angler’s Association of Onondaga