March 2025 Volunteer of the Month

By Sarah Reilly

Nominated by preserve naturalist and educator Pammi Price, she remarked “Fred joined the Community Science volunteer ranks and hit the ground running. Despite internet hurdles, he attended most of the FrogWatch training session. Fred then followed up with me to make sure he understood the protocols. Then he learned the calls and took the test to be a certified volunteer, where he scored 100 percent! He went out and made observations throughout the FrogWatch season. He spent 10 nights listening for the calls of frogs and toads from April through August and recorded hearing six species – Spring Peeper, Wood Frog, American Toad, Green Frog, Pickerel Frog and Gray Treefrog - this year. Fred is an enthusiastic volunteer who pays attention to detail, providing excellent data for this community science project and the national FrogWatch USA database.”

Fred grew up in Ossining NY, and after high school pursued further education from multiple schools. His studies include: Dairy Cattle Management 1 year Certificate Program from SUNY Cobleskill (1974), Bachelors in Science for English and Paralegal Studies program from Mercy College (1978), and a Masters in Library Science from SUNY Albany (1982). He also took various archives and records management courses at SUNY Albany from 2000-2008. In 1985, he became a librarian at LaSalle school in Albany, where he worked until he retired in 2019. In addition to being a librarian, Fred has also worked in factories and machine shops- and worked in an ice cream shop scooping cones in Cape May, New Jersey.

Outside of work and education, Fred has two sons, and in his free time enjoys reading, walking in the woods, and music. He can play multiple instruments, such as the guitar, flutes, and drums. His favorite trail in the preserve is Madison Avenue. Being a skilled FrogWatcher, he of course favors the preserves frogs and toads; but also enjoys seeing the mockingbirds around. He recalls his first FrogWatch survey, “The spring peepers were so loud, I could hear them through my car windows although the windows were shut and the air conditioner was on!”

Fred says the best part of volunteering is fellow volunteers and interactions with staff, and we couldn’t agree more. Fred always has a book recommendation at the ready or a story to share as well as completing thorough surveys. Thank you, Fred, for being such a wonderful part of our volunteer community!

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