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EAS Minutes
Dick Vernier
explained the creation of the CD Caves: Life Beneath the Forest
prior to showing the program. There was a spirited question and
answer followed.
Steve Heeger, president, convened the board meeting at 9:00. Treasurer Dick Vernier reported balances as of 04/30/08, 1 month’s activity. Income: company matches, $127.00; dividend/interest, $3.97. Expenses: education, $1,874.45; bulk mail, $100.00; forever stamps, $24.60. Balances: checking $2,868.80; reserved funds (national collaborative), $1,600; six-month CD, $4,476.23; bulk mail, $170.58. Note: $600 is yet to be spent on summer camp scholarships for education. Education receipts for year $1,628; expenditures $2,474.45. Education Twelve children will receive summer camp scholarships; a donation covers excess over amounts approved. Delaware School sent a thank-you for our help with their Earth Day. Carol Pettys thanked Birding Festival helpers in the children’s area. Hike leaders and all involved were also thanked. Bird Count 147 species, 7,315 birds. Field Trips Tuesday, June 3, 7 AM Eagle Slough. Nominating Sue Vernier presented nest year’s slate and thanked those retiring. New Business Susan Haslip requested EAS be the 501c(3) organization needed to start a Friends Group for Patoka NWR. Lois Schmidt moved to do so; S Vernier seconded, motion passed. Bird Sightings. Aaron Chenoweth saw a group of Cedar Waxwings at the nature preserve. I couldn’t keep up with the other reports. Meeting adjourned at 9:45. Carolyn Bennett, secretary
EAS Minutes Angie Garcia, DNR Amphibian Monitoring Program, presented a program about frogs and toads in Indiana, including their confusing calls as well as pictures. Steve Heeger, president, convened the board meeting at 8:25. February and March meeting minutes were approved as printed. Treasurer Dick Vernier reported balances as of 03/31/08, 1 month’s activity. Income: NAS Incentive, $70.00; dividend/interest, $5.36. Expenses: conservation, $10.61; stamps $8.22. Balances: Checking, $4740.85 plus $1,600 in reserved funds (national collaborative); six-month CD, $4,458.46; bulk mail, $170.58. All accounts: $10,969.89. Conservation Sue Vernier reported she and Dick testified at an IDEM meeting concerning the proposed change to the designation of the particulate air quality standard from non-attainment to attainment. No industry representatives were present and all those testifying opposed the change. Education Carol Pettys needs more Birding Festival helpers and door prizes. She passed a sign-up sheet for the June 7 Great American Cleanup. Old Business A memorial for Glenn and Nellie Grant was discussed. Some chapter funds will be used. The species noted on the field trip to Eagle Slough is the start of a census. Carol Pettys has agreed to be the recipient of observer’s lists. New Business Judi Russell will be the newsletter editor next year. Vivian Ruff will handle newsletter mailing. Bird Sightings Verniers reported Bill McCoy sighted white pelicans at Patoka NWR. Carol Pettys had an orchard oriole; Heegers, blue grosbeak; Hitches, pine siskins with nest material. Meeting adjourned. Carolyn Bennett, secretary
EAS Minutes Paul Bousman, Botanical Curator of Mesker Park Zoo and Botanic Gardens, gave us a preview of Amazonia. We will look forward to this exhibit opening this summer. Steve Heeger, president, convened the board meeting at 8:00. December and January meeting minutes were approved as printed. Treasurer Dick Vernier reported balances as of 02/29/08, 2 months’ activity. Income: Education Donations, $10.00; Div/Interest, $10.29. Expenses: Conservation, $5.00; two Newsletter printings, $160.00; Bird count fees, $245.00. Balances: Checking, $4684.32 plus $1600 in reserved funds (national collaborative); 6-month CD, $4400.17; Bulk Mail, $119.98. All accounts $10,844.47. Conservation. Construction of the kiosk at Cane Ridge is done, but no signage yet. Sue Vernier had pictures; the whole thing looks impressive. Sue passed a sign-up sheet for people willing to come to Cane Ridge to weed. The partner funds for a NAWCA grant proposal approved in January is dead. The project fell through, as Peabody Coal was reserving the right to come back and strip mine again. Education. After discussion the following education grants were approved, the total going above what we had received in donations. 1- Supplemental special feed, recommended by the Raptor Center at the U. of Minnesota, for the raptors at WWNP, $500
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3- Delaware school for Earth Day Celebration, $350 4- Reading with Raptor summer program at WWNP for middle school students, $200 5- Culver School Bird Habitat, $240 6- Soil analysis kits for 5th West Elementary in Mt. Vernon, $84.95 Carol Pettys also mentioned participation in the Earth Day Program at Howell Wetlands April 19, 10am-2pm, volunteers needed. She will also be asking for volunteers fro the Great American Cleanup on June 7. One hundred extra copies of newsletters with the Audubon membership form needed at this time for distribution at Earth Day and the Birding Festival. Susan Haslip, Wesselman Nature Society director, reported on Eagle Slough. The 4Rivers RCND is acting as the land trust holder. There is to be an April 5 cleanup. EAS members are being asked to work on a bird list for the area. EAS will have a field trip to the area April 12. See calendar section in the front section of the newsletter for details. Steve Heeger told of an important announcement to be made March 26. Toyota will be giving National Audubon Society $20 million over 5 years The focus will be on habitat, water and energy. Grants of varying sizes will be made, some at the chapter level.
Meeting adjourned at 9:25.
EAS Minutes Ray Irwin, INDOT Director of Green-ways and Bikeways presented information on a statewide plan. He did much of the planning for these enhancements in Indianapolis. Some of the greenways are based on work done by Kessler in 1904-9. Ted Hitch announced that the Sauerheber field trip would not take place because the accessible areas were under water. He also announced that Steve Heeger is interested in a Blue River canoe field trip, when the water is right in April. Ted Hitch, vice-president, convened the board meeting at 8:45. Education. Lois Schmidt presented a list of grant requests that Carol Pettys had prepared. However, as Tim Griffith pointed out we did not have a quorum of the Board (4 officers and 12 directors) present to vote on spending money. But there were several requests that needed timely action, and should not wait until the March meeting. It was agreed to have an e-mail discussion to reach a consensus on 6 of the 9 items. The formal vote will be taken in March. The secretary will send the information via e-mail or snail mail and phone to Board members. There was some discussion of changing the by-laws to have a procedure in place to handle this contingency.
There was no other business discussed.
EAS
Minutes Following a program presented by Tim Griffith on Birding Technology, Steve Heeger, president, brought the meeting to order. Dick Vernier gave the treasurer's report. Income - education donations, $505.00; National Audubon Collaborative Fund, $1,000.00; div/Interest, $6.72. Expenses - mailing expenses/supplies, $70.43; bulk mail and annual fee, $275.00; program speaker - Audubon membership, $35.00; WWNP membership, $250.00. Checking acct. balance, $6,673.63; CD balance, $4,404.99; bulk mail, $171.00; education donations, $1501.00 plus $100 employee match. Carol Pettys was not present at the meeting, but she wanted Steve to ask people to save plastic milk/juice jugs; CD's w/ a shiny side, bird pictures from magazines, photos, old calendars, old Audubon magazines, etc. They will be used at the Birding Festival. Sue Vernier gave the conservation report. A motion was approved and seconded to contribute $600.00 to a North American Wetlands Conservation Act, (NAWCA) partner grant proposal to acquire and restore bottom-land wetlands and wetland associated uplands; the $600.00 will be designated specifically for Patoka River NWR. Motion passed. Another motion passed to apply for an additional $400.00 from National Audubon's Collaborative Grant program. If the application is approved, the $400.00 to be applied to the NAWCA grant and designated for Patoka River NWR. Sue and Dick Vernier attended the Indiana Conservation Alliance sponsored "Conservation Day 2008" at the Statehouse. Sue discussed issues of concern including supporting passage of the Great Lakes Water Resources Compact to prevent diversions of water from the Great Lakes and concern for a loss of up to 47% of dedicated funding for the state Division of Forestry. Steve said that Ted Hitch thought some people didn't like his bird quiz. We all said that we enjoyed it and to continue. Chuck Mills wants to know if EAS would be interested in sponsoring a birding trip to Cuba or Costa Rica. After discussion, we decided not to as the liability would be too high. Discussion was held regarding the new ball stadiums proposed to go in at Wesselman Park and how they would affect nature and wildlife at Wesselman Woods. Tim Griffith suggested a strong letter from Audubon opposing it. Tim Griffith suggested a seed sale at his store with the profit going to Audubon for land acquisition. He suggested in February to coincide with the Great Backyard Bird Count on "President's Day" weekend February 15 - 18, 2008. Motion was made for the seed sale and seconded. Motion passed.Meeting adjourned. Joyce Padfield, secretary pro tem
EAS
Minutes The meeting was held at the Browning Events room at Central Library because the septic system had backed up at the Wesselman Woods Nature Center. This was a last minute change. An attempt was made to notify all likely attendees by telephone and a notice was left at Wesselman about the change of venue. Following the potluck, member’s digital pictures were displayed on a large screen. The Hitches also had several displays of prints. Before the formal meeting, upcoming field trips were discussed. There are complications regarding the January Eagle trip. Notify Ted Hitch if you want join the Sloughs trip. Steve Heeger, president, convened the board meeting. October and November meeting minutes were approved as printed. Treasurer Dick Vernier reported as of 11/30/07. Income: education donations $986.00, NAS incentive $35.00, interest $5.41. Expenses: conservation calls/copies, $6.00; newsletter printing, $40.00; mailing supplies, $27.53. Balances: checking, $5792.34; six-month CD, $4386.92 (renewed to 5/29/08 at 4.85%), bulk mail, $171.08. All accounts $10,350.34. The donation letter has brought in a total of $1,591.00, including $100.00 employer match. Education. Ted Hitch’s interview shown on FOX 7 at 6:25 am about the Christmas Bird Count was noted. Carol Pettys reminded people to save Audubon magazines for the Birding Festival. She requested $600 in education funds for summer camp scholarships to Wesselman to be awarded to fifth graders recommended by teachers because of their interest in nature. A motion by Sue Vernier, seconded by Lois Schmidt to this effect was passed. Conservation. The construction of the kiosk at Cane Ridge has been delayed again. It should be done in time for the Birding Festival in May. Sue Vernier makes periodic reports to National about this since they provided a grant toward funding the kiosk. Bird Reports. Sharon Sorenson suggested people watch for Redpolls as they have been found as far south as Indianapolis. Meeting adjourned at 8:30. Carolyn Bennett, secretary
EAS Minutes Steve Heeger, president, convened the board meeting at 8:55. Approval of October meeting minutes was deferred until after next newsletter. Treasurer Dick Vernier reported that as of 10/31/07. Income: NAS baseline support, $995.00; interest, $5.01. Expenses: Gift membership to program speaker, $20.00; stamps for treasurer, $8.20. Balances: Checking, $4839.46; 6-month CD, $4368.99; bulk mail, $120.63. All accounts, $9329.08. In addition the donation letter has brought in $971.00 which includes $100.00 from an employer match. Field Trips. Oct. 27 to Rim Rock- Pounds Hollow Recreation Area in Shawnee National Forest had improving weather and 9 participants. Nov. 10 to Hemlock Cliffs in Hoosier National Forest had excellent weather, 11 participants and a good guide. Information on future trips will be in newsletter. [See also Field Trip Reports later in this newsletter.] Education. The group thanked Carol Pettys for a display of ‘thank you’ pictures and notes from previous grants. No new information at this time. Conservation. Sue Vernier reported Congress in recess, so no action there. She and Dick attended meetings on the USFWS plan for Patoka NWR, the proposed waste fuel power plant, and I69. The proposed ethanol plant is on the ‘back burner’. Old Business. Some of the ‘request for donation’ letters never reached their destinations. Information regarding this will be in the next newsletter. Christmas bird counts. Carol needs captains and counters.
Meeting adjourned at 9:50.
EAS Minutes Steve Heeger, president, convened the board meeting at 8:50. September meeting minutes were approved as printed. Treasurer Dick Vernier reported as of 9/30/07. Income: Interest, $3.99. Expenses: Newsletter, $60.00. Balances: Checking, $3867.65; 6-month CD, $4350.52; bulk mail, $205.29. All accounts, $8423.46. Field Trips. Oct. 27 to Rim Rock- Pounds Hollow Recreation Area in Shawnee National Forest. Nov. 10 to Hemlock Cliffs in Hoosier National Forest. For information on January 28 or 29 Bald Eagle Bus Trip to Grafton, IL contact Tim Griffith at Wild Birds Unlimited. Education. Carol Pettys shared ‘thank you cards’ from groups supported by collaborative funds. She is looking for project suggestions. Save toilet paper, paper towel rolls and milk jugs of various sizes for craft projects. Conservation. An area group headed by Chuck Bauer on which the Verniers serve will be submitting a grant proposal to NAWMP (North American Waterfowl Management Plan) in support of Minnehaha Fish and Wildlife Area and Patoka NWR. Since the number of partners helps in getting the grant, Sue Vernier will find out if our support of the kiosk at Cane Ridge will qualify EAS as an in-kind partner. Sue Vernier provided information on the following:
Federal Energy bill – it should be a strong bill with CAFE
standards. Old Business. Plans for May 1-4 Birding Festival are underway. Lectures, programs for families and children, field trips and more. Sounds exciting. Sightings. Sue Vernier reported a mini fallout of birds lined up to drink water: Blue-headed Vireo, Red-breasted Nuthatches, Black-throated Green Warbler, Ruby-crowned Kinglet, Goldfinches, Yellow-rumped Warbler, Yellow-bellied Sapsucker. A total of 7 households reported Red-breasted Nuthatches, the most seen in many years. This eruption is probably due to a scarcity of food (pine cones) further north. Meeting adjourned at 9:50. Carolyn Bennett, secretary
EAS Minutes Steve Heeger, president, convened the board meeting. June monthly and August planning meeting minutes were approved as printed. Treasurer Dick Vernier reported as of 8/31/07 Income: NAS Collaboration NAS Incentive, $40.00; Interest, $4.63. Expenses: newsletter mailing labels, $20.79; Secretary of State, $10.00; Supplies /copies, $9.74; transfer to bulk mail, $200.00. Balances: checking, $3933.26; six-month CD, $4332.71; bulk mail, $248.50. All accounts, $8504.87. Field Trips Steve Heeger led discussion as we are still looking for a Field Trip Chair. October trip previously scheduled. Hemlock Cliffs November 10. With Wild Birds Unlimited to Alton, IL for Bald Eagles in January. Details elsewhere. Education Carol Pettys shared reports from Sharon Elementary 5th grade Wren House Project and Castle High School Garden Project. These were funded by contributions to EAS. A report on a field trip from a Title One school to Wesselman Woods was also circulated. Half the cost had been obtained by EAS as a collaborative grant from NAS. Carol moved and Lois Schmitt seconded a motion to apply to NAS for another collaborative grant (up to $500) to continue to fund half the cost of field trips for Title One schools. Motion passed. A motion to ask NAS for collaborative funds of $500 for the Birding Festival May 1-4 also passed. Conservation Sue Vernier reported that an amendment concerning logging in Tongass National Forest prohibiting the government building the roads passed. The Nature Conservancy is supporting Patoka NWR for the first time. Construction on additional viewing facilities at Cane Ridge will start soon. Old Business Carolyn Bennett will handle the e-mail notification/reminder list. Donation Request letter to be sent soon. CBC dates set. New Business EAS will promote giving Audubon membership as a Christmas Gift. Sightings Carol Pettys – redstarts in yard. Sue Vernier – Green Tree Frog in rain gauge. Ted Hitch – Chestnut Sided Warbler, male Rose-breasted Grosbeak, female Summer Tanager in yard. Mississippi Kite flyover. Meeting adjourned at 9:00. Carolyn Bennett, secretary
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