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Pond surrounded by forest near Redfield
RD White

Top of Mind from the Bottom of the Hill

volunteers of Tug Hill Tomorrow Land TrustPaul and Diane Miller live at the Bottom of the Hill. Tug Hill that is – along Fish Creek near where it flows into Oneida Lake.

Growing up on Fish Creek, Paul came to love the outdoors, fishing in particular, at an early age. After a career in the Marines, he and Diane returned to Paul’s family home on the southern boundary of the Tug Hill region.

As part of their love of the outdoors — something they passed along to their three daughters — Paul and Diane got involved
with Tug Hill Tomorrow Land Trust. In 1994 they responded to our first community-wide request for support to initiate local conservation efforts. Our land trust has stayed “top of mind” for them ever since.

One of Paul’s biggest contributions to the Tug Hill region has been researching the wild genetic characteristics of brook trout in the remote core forest known as the Heart of Tug Hill. “Fishing,” says Paul with a twinkle in his eye “is tough volunteer work, but
someone has got to do it!”

Paul continues to be one of our foundational volunteers, reflecting a commitment to the land trust of over 30 years. Today, in addition to volunteering, they are monthly donors as a way to support conservation throughout the year.