Clifford Oliver, Recipient of Battenkill Conservancy's 2015 Community Citizen Award
Clifford Oliver is rarely seen without a camera slung around his neck. A talented and prolific photographer of all things community, he has captured people's and organization's most precious moments from weddings to public events. When not volunteering to document an event, a party or a political happening, he can be found putting in time at the Greenwich Youth Center; working with his therapy dog, Sophie on rescue maneuvers or carefully and cheerfully crossing school children across the Village's Main Street.
As the official photographer of the US Polo Club, fans in Saratoga will recognize him as he captures the action of the ponies. Even when disguised as a revolutionary war hero leading visitors on a tour of the Underground Railroad, Cliff is hard to miss. His big personality, generous spirit and captivating voice project on more than just a stage. More recently he has garnered attention through his mesmerizing portrayal of Solomon Northrup, (author of 12 Years a Slave).
For all these reasons and many more not mentioned, the Battenkill Conservancy has announced that Clifford Oliver is the recipient of their 2015 Community Citizen Award. The award was created in 2012 and looks to recognize a local resident whose service in civic, non profit or educational projects have had a positive and lasting impact on the Battenkill watershed.
Oliver has been photographing the natural beauty of the Battenkill watershed for over twenty years and has been instrumental in providing the iconic shots of the Battenkill. He has photographed many of organization's key activities including its annual Eagle Watch, its Outdoor Adventure Trip and more recently The Battenkill Runs Through It Beach, Music & Food Festival.
Oliver, who is originally from the Bronx in NYC, came to Greenwich in 1990 by way of Syracuse after studying Media Communications in Dutchess County. He lives in the Village of Greenwich with his wife and writer, Wendy Liberatore and son Clark, a college senior studying business at the College of Saint Rose in Albany. Since moving to Greenwich, Oliver has been and continues to be involved in every good thing that takes place in the area. He serves as Vice President of the Greenwich Free Library, is Media Director of the IBA and runs Kids Photography classes for both ASA and BkC's Outdoor Adventure Trip.
Oliver's contributions to the community and his country (he is Vietnam Vet despite looking way too young to be of age during that war) made him an easy choice to receive this year's award. According to BkC board members, he been on the short list since the award was created, “We are fortunate to have a long list of potential recipients that live in the Battenkill watershed and are good stewards of the river. Cliff just happens to be a great guy as well” according to BkC board member, Jim Ballard.
Assembly woman, Carrie Woerner along with Board Chair Stu Bartow, will present a specially designed plaque created by John and Gigi Begin of Cambridge, New York to Oliver at the fifth annual The Battenkill Runs Through It Beach, Music & Food Festival on Saturday, May 30, 2015. For more information or to order tickets, please visitwww.battenkillconservancy.org or email bkc@battenkillconservancy.org
As the official photographer of the US Polo Club, fans in Saratoga will recognize him as he captures the action of the ponies. Even when disguised as a revolutionary war hero leading visitors on a tour of the Underground Railroad, Cliff is hard to miss. His big personality, generous spirit and captivating voice project on more than just a stage. More recently he has garnered attention through his mesmerizing portrayal of Solomon Northrup, (author of 12 Years a Slave).
For all these reasons and many more not mentioned, the Battenkill Conservancy has announced that Clifford Oliver is the recipient of their 2015 Community Citizen Award. The award was created in 2012 and looks to recognize a local resident whose service in civic, non profit or educational projects have had a positive and lasting impact on the Battenkill watershed.
Oliver has been photographing the natural beauty of the Battenkill watershed for over twenty years and has been instrumental in providing the iconic shots of the Battenkill. He has photographed many of organization's key activities including its annual Eagle Watch, its Outdoor Adventure Trip and more recently The Battenkill Runs Through It Beach, Music & Food Festival.
Oliver, who is originally from the Bronx in NYC, came to Greenwich in 1990 by way of Syracuse after studying Media Communications in Dutchess County. He lives in the Village of Greenwich with his wife and writer, Wendy Liberatore and son Clark, a college senior studying business at the College of Saint Rose in Albany. Since moving to Greenwich, Oliver has been and continues to be involved in every good thing that takes place in the area. He serves as Vice President of the Greenwich Free Library, is Media Director of the IBA and runs Kids Photography classes for both ASA and BkC's Outdoor Adventure Trip.
Oliver's contributions to the community and his country (he is Vietnam Vet despite looking way too young to be of age during that war) made him an easy choice to receive this year's award. According to BkC board members, he been on the short list since the award was created, “We are fortunate to have a long list of potential recipients that live in the Battenkill watershed and are good stewards of the river. Cliff just happens to be a great guy as well” according to BkC board member, Jim Ballard.
Assembly woman, Carrie Woerner along with Board Chair Stu Bartow, will present a specially designed plaque created by John and Gigi Begin of Cambridge, New York to Oliver at the fifth annual The Battenkill Runs Through It Beach, Music & Food Festival on Saturday, May 30, 2015. For more information or to order tickets, please visitwww.battenkillconservancy.org or email bkc@battenkillconservancy.org