Business
We opened the meeting with further discussion of the group's name, and then those present added their votes to those previously cast via email. When the count was finalized, the name chosen was Southwestern Indiana Master Naturalists Association, or SIMNA.
Eldon Scott has agreed to serve as the group's treasurer, so a motion was made and passed to accept the following slate of officers for the July 1, 2007 – June 30, 2008 SIMNA year:
President: Jane Magary
Vice President: Heidi Doss
Treasurer: Eldon Scott
Secretary: Gena Garrett
Annual dues of $25 were previously agreed upon.
Gena presented a short tutorial on how to use the features of the webpage.
Susan would like to let everyone know that 101 Trees of Indiana (recommended by instructor Ron Rathfron) and Wildflowers of Tennessee, the Ohio Valley, and the Southern Appalachians (recommended by instructor Debbie Goedde) are now in stock in the nature center shop.
Job Openings
Wesselman Woods Nature Preserve is adopting extended hours for the summer and fall, and is in need of people to staff the nature center in short afternoon and evening shifts. Beginning July 1, the nature center will be open 8 AM – 6 PM every day of the week, including Mondays. To apply for a position, contact Susan Haislip.
SIMNA Fundraiser
Keep Evansville Beautiful (formerly Operation City Beautiful) is looking for 4 – 5 Master Naturalists to conduct a litter survey of Evansville. Volunteers will need to be able to commit about twelve hours of work over 2 or 3 days. It has been suggested that the survey group meet on two or three Saturdays. Volunteers will visit several pre-selected neighborhoods by car, noting the presence or absence of litter in each area.
KEB will pay $250 to SIMNA for the project, which will be a great start to our treasury!
This project will not count toward Master Naturalist service hours.
Please contact Gena Garrett at gena.garrett@gmail.com or (812) 204-8475 if you’re interested in participating.
A Note of Thanks
Jane—
I wish to express a huge “thank you” to you and the Master Naturalist group for all of your help this spring at Howell Wetlands. Our second annual Earth Day celebration was a great success, and you and the other Master Naturalists were indispensable and great to work with. Our spring season of school programs at Howell Wetlands exploded in popularity and we saw a 900% growth in demand from last year. I couldn’t have accommodated this growth without the Master Naturalists who helped me lead large groups of children through the Wetlands.
I hope to continue a great relationship with all of you as we grow and expand with exciting new programs, projects, and events. Thank you for your interest, passion, and dedication to education and our WNS programs! You are more valuable than you know!
Your fellow nature lover,
Lauren Preske
Coming soon!
Project Learning Tree Workshop
Date: Saturday, August 25
Time: 9 AM - 4 PM
Location: Wesselman Woods Nature Preserve
Cost: free
Do you enjoy the outdoors? Want to teach others about the outdoors?
Project Learning Tree is an award-winning environmental education program designed for educators, scout leaders, or others working with children in indoor or outdoor settings, outdoor labs, nature centers, or at the zoo.
PLT is a hands-on learning experience, so come ready to be actively involved! PLT instructs you how to help students learn about the world around them, their place in the world, and their responsibility for it. This PLT workshop is free through a grant with the Indiana Hardwood Lumbermen's Association.
Participants in this 7 hour class will receive a free PLT activity guide with over 400 pages packed full of information and activities relating to forest and plant ecology, biodiversity, air quality and more. Bring a sack lunch.
Call Scott Kramer at 812-479-0771 ext 102 to register. Maximum number of participants is 30, so register as soon as possible!
Bird Festival
In May of 2008, WNS, the Evansville Audubon Society, and Wild Birds Unlimited will team up to host a bird education festival. Stan Tekiela, author of Birds of Indiana, will be the keynote speaker. SIMNA has been asked to plan the children's activities for the festival. If you're interested in helping with the planning, the Bird Festival committee will be meeting at the nature center at 7 PM on July 10. Stay tuned for more details!
The next meeting will be held on Monday, July 16 at 6:30 PM at the nature center. Lois Schmidt will provide snacks, and we will be going on a night hike in Wesselman Woods Nature Preserve.
If you'd like to volunteer to bring snacks for the August meeting, please let us know.
Click here for current volunteer opportunities.
Click here for upcoming programs and educational opportunities.
6/7/07
May 21, 2007 meeting minutes
Hello again, everyone!
Here are the minutes and announcements from the May 21, 2007, meeting of the Indiana Master Naturalists group. It's a lot of info, but please take a few moments to read through it.
MEETING MINUTES:
( 1 ) Who Are We?
There was a discussion about what to name the group, but no consensus was reached. It was decided that a vote would be the most fair way to decide on a group name. Names that have been suggested are:
Southwestern Indiana Master Naturalists Association
Southwestern Indiana Master Naturalists Association of Wesselman Nature Society
Wesselman Master Naturalists Association
Master Naturalists Association of Wesselman Nature Society
Please email your vote (or further suggestions) to Jane Magary at jmagary@dpat.com by Wednesday, June 13th .
We will announce the results and formalize the vote at our next meeting.
( 2 ) Business
Susan Haislip would like to ask that anyone who has not yet turned in a volunteer interest survey, please do so ASAP.
Heidi Doss has not only agreed to serve as our charter Vice-President, but she has also already begun putting together programs for future meetings. Dr. Paul Doss has offered to conduct a geology field trip for us in August or September. Heidi has also offered to teach a one-hour program about how children learn, to help us learn methods for introducing young people to the wonders of the natural world.
The position of treasurer remains open at this time.
Dues for membership in the group were set at $25 per year.
Those present agreed that there would be no requirement for additional hours to be a member of the group. Requirements would be to pass the Master Naturalist class and complete service hours.
( 3 ) Guest Speakers
Vic Chamness, President of Wesselman Nature Society's Board of Directors, spoke with the group about the relationship between the Society and the Master Naturalist group. He thanked the group for their volunteer service, and invited Master Naturalists to attend Board of Directors' meetings to provide input and / or to serve on BOD committees.
The BOD has discussed last month's request for reduced Wesselman Nature Society membership fees for Master Naturalists, and the matter has been referred to the Board's Finance and Education Committees for further consideration. A BOD representative will attend the next IMN meeting to anwer any questions from the group.
Vic also talked about the exciting things that were in the works such as working with the city to plan and budget for renovations to the Wesselman Woods Nature Center building and a building at Howell Wetlands.
Group president Jane Magary asked Vic to pass the class members' thanks on to the Board and staff for the terrific instruction provided by staff during the Master Naturalist class.
Amy Brown, Program Manager for Canoe Evansville, gave a presentation about Canoe Evansville and Pigeon Creek. She answered group members' questions and shared a wonderful slide show.
Canoe Evansville's volunteer group meets at the Roca Bar on Kentucky Ave. at 6:00 PM on the first Thursday of each month, and all Master Naturalists are welcome to attend.
( 4 ) Next Meeting:
The next meeting will be held at 6:30 PM on Monday, June 18 at the nature center. We will be finalizing the vote for our group name, and Gena will give a short presentation on how to access and use the features on this website. If you are interested in providing refreshments, please contact Jane Magary at jmagary@dpat.com, (812) 473-6535 (day), or (812) 401-2327.
Click here for current volunteer opportunities.
Click here for upcoming programs and educational opportunities that you can enjoy.
Here are the minutes and announcements from the May 21, 2007, meeting of the Indiana Master Naturalists group. It's a lot of info, but please take a few moments to read through it.
MEETING MINUTES:
( 1 ) Who Are We?
There was a discussion about what to name the group, but no consensus was reached. It was decided that a vote would be the most fair way to decide on a group name. Names that have been suggested are:
Southwestern Indiana Master Naturalists Association
Southwestern Indiana Master Naturalists Association of Wesselman Nature Society
Wesselman Master Naturalists Association
Master Naturalists Association of Wesselman Nature Society
Please email your vote (or further suggestions) to Jane Magary at jmagary@dpat.com by Wednesday, June 13th .
We will announce the results and formalize the vote at our next meeting.
( 2 ) Business
Susan Haislip would like to ask that anyone who has not yet turned in a volunteer interest survey, please do so ASAP.
Heidi Doss has not only agreed to serve as our charter Vice-President, but she has also already begun putting together programs for future meetings. Dr. Paul Doss has offered to conduct a geology field trip for us in August or September. Heidi has also offered to teach a one-hour program about how children learn, to help us learn methods for introducing young people to the wonders of the natural world.
The position of treasurer remains open at this time.
Dues for membership in the group were set at $25 per year.
Those present agreed that there would be no requirement for additional hours to be a member of the group. Requirements would be to pass the Master Naturalist class and complete service hours.
( 3 ) Guest Speakers
Vic Chamness, President of Wesselman Nature Society's Board of Directors, spoke with the group about the relationship between the Society and the Master Naturalist group. He thanked the group for their volunteer service, and invited Master Naturalists to attend Board of Directors' meetings to provide input and / or to serve on BOD committees.
The BOD has discussed last month's request for reduced Wesselman Nature Society membership fees for Master Naturalists, and the matter has been referred to the Board's Finance and Education Committees for further consideration. A BOD representative will attend the next IMN meeting to anwer any questions from the group.
Vic also talked about the exciting things that were in the works such as working with the city to plan and budget for renovations to the Wesselman Woods Nature Center building and a building at Howell Wetlands.
Group president Jane Magary asked Vic to pass the class members' thanks on to the Board and staff for the terrific instruction provided by staff during the Master Naturalist class.
Amy Brown, Program Manager for Canoe Evansville, gave a presentation about Canoe Evansville and Pigeon Creek. She answered group members' questions and shared a wonderful slide show.
Canoe Evansville's volunteer group meets at the Roca Bar on Kentucky Ave. at 6:00 PM on the first Thursday of each month, and all Master Naturalists are welcome to attend.
( 4 ) Next Meeting:
The next meeting will be held at 6:30 PM on Monday, June 18 at the nature center. We will be finalizing the vote for our group name, and Gena will give a short presentation on how to access and use the features on this website. If you are interested in providing refreshments, please contact Jane Magary at jmagary@dpat.com, (812) 473-6535 (day), or (812) 401-2327.
Click here for current volunteer opportunities.
Click here for upcoming programs and educational opportunities that you can enjoy.
6/4/07
Volunteer Opportunities
FALL FLUTTERBY
Date: Saturday, September 8
Time: 1 - 4 PM
Location: Howell Wetlands
Contact Lauren Preske at (812) 479-0771, extension 139 or lpreske@wesselmannaturesociety.org
WNIN KIDS' FEST
Date: Saturday, September 15
Time: 10 AM - 2 PM
Location: WNIN parking lot behind the station at 405 Carpenter Street
Needed: two volunteers to present an activity at a table, and one person to dress as the WNS mascot, Wes the Raccoon
Contact Alice Rademacher at (812) 479-0771, extension 101
arademacher@wesselmannaturesociety.org
From WNIN: To increase attendee satisfaction, WNIN would like to work with you and your organization to develop an engaging activity for your booth. To aid in the development of booth activities, we have paired up with our Ready to Learn department to suggest activity ideas. This is part of the registration process and will be regarded with equal importance as the payment and organization information!
The theme of this Kids' Fest is Health. Please keep that in mind when planning your booth and give-aways.
TopSpot Appreciation Day
Date: Sunday, September 23
Time: 12 - 3 PM or 3 - 6 PM
Location: TopSpot Outdoors on Green River Road
Contact Amy Brown at (812) 479-0771 ext. 105 or abrown@wesselmannaturesociety.org
WNS is looking for at least four volunteers to represent the Wesselman Nature Society at TopSpot's Appreciation Day.
WNS FALL FESTIVAL BOOTH
Dates: October 1 - 6
The Wesselman Nature Society will once again be selling brat burgers, birch beer, banana "canoes" and tree trunks (pretzel rods dipped in chocolate) at the West Side Nut Club Fall Festival.
Many volunteers will be needed throughout the week to keep the booth running. Please call the nature center at (812) 479-0771 and tell the staff when you'd like to volunteer!
TREEmendous Weekend
Dates: October 20 - 21
Location: Wesselman Woods Nature Preserve
Contact Scott Kramer at (812) 479-0771, extension 102 or skramer@wesselmannaturesociety.org
Saturday, October 20
10:00 AM Fall Colors and Champion Tree Hike (1 or 2 hour hike)
10:00 AM - 1:00 PM Tree Craft Fair
2:00 PM Fall Colors and Champion Tree Hike (1 or 2 hour hike)
There will also be bus tours from 8 - 11 AM and 11 AM - 2 PM, to see various Champion Trees in Evansville.
Sunday, October 21
1:00 PM How to nominate a champion tree (learn to measure and nominate a tree!)
2:00 PM walking stick carving
3:00 PM Fall Colors and Champion Tree Hike (1 or 2 hour hike)
Throughout the weekend, there will be wood carvers demonstrating their craft, leaf rubbing plates, identification books, and touch boxes with tree artifacts inside for people to feel in the nature center lobby.
There will be a training on Sunday, October 7, from 2:00 - 3:30 PM, where volunteers will learn how to measure a tree, where the Champion Trees are located within the preserve, the history of the Champion Tree program, about fall colors and how to lead a fall colors hike, and how to run the craft tables.
WWNP TRAIL MAINTENANCE
If you're out hiking the trails and have the time to do a little work while you're out, many of the trails needs a little bit of trimming. You can borrow a pair of clippers from the office, and just cut the overhanging vegetation back about 12 inches on either side of the trail. There are also several interpretive signs that need to be wiped down.
Contact: Scott Kramer
Phone: (812) 479-0771, extension 102
Email: skramer@wesselmannaturesociety.org
CANOE EVANSVILLE NEEDS OFFICE HELP
Wesselman Nature Society's Canoe Evansville program is looking for volunteers for the following tasks:
1. One person with computer knowledge to maintain weekly contact with past canoe program participants. Approximately 4 hours per week
2. One person to answer phone calls on Thursdays and Fridays and book Canoe program reservations. Approximately 8 hours per week.
3. One person to prepare flyers and distribute them to grocery stores and other locations.
4. Someone to answer the phone at the office and answer questions about canoe trips.
5. Someone to send out email information on trip openings to people who have taken trips before.
If you are interested in any of these jobs please contact Gil Himebaugh at maplemachinery@sbcglobal.net or (812) 499-7998.
Date: Saturday, September 8
Time: 1 - 4 PM
Location: Howell Wetlands
Contact Lauren Preske at (812) 479-0771, extension 139 or lpreske@wesselmannaturesociety.org
WNIN KIDS' FEST
Date: Saturday, September 15
Time: 10 AM - 2 PM
Location: WNIN parking lot behind the station at 405 Carpenter Street
Needed: two volunteers to present an activity at a table, and one person to dress as the WNS mascot, Wes the Raccoon
Contact Alice Rademacher at (812) 479-0771, extension 101
arademacher@wesselmannaturesociety.org
From WNIN: To increase attendee satisfaction, WNIN would like to work with you and your organization to develop an engaging activity for your booth. To aid in the development of booth activities, we have paired up with our Ready to Learn department to suggest activity ideas. This is part of the registration process and will be regarded with equal importance as the payment and organization information!
The theme of this Kids' Fest is Health. Please keep that in mind when planning your booth and give-aways.
TopSpot Appreciation Day
Date: Sunday, September 23
Time: 12 - 3 PM or 3 - 6 PM
Location: TopSpot Outdoors on Green River Road
Contact Amy Brown at (812) 479-0771 ext. 105 or abrown@wesselmannaturesociety.org
WNS is looking for at least four volunteers to represent the Wesselman Nature Society at TopSpot's Appreciation Day.
WNS FALL FESTIVAL BOOTH
Dates: October 1 - 6
The Wesselman Nature Society will once again be selling brat burgers, birch beer, banana "canoes" and tree trunks (pretzel rods dipped in chocolate) at the West Side Nut Club Fall Festival.
Many volunteers will be needed throughout the week to keep the booth running. Please call the nature center at (812) 479-0771 and tell the staff when you'd like to volunteer!
TREEmendous Weekend
Dates: October 20 - 21
Location: Wesselman Woods Nature Preserve
Contact Scott Kramer at (812) 479-0771, extension 102 or skramer@wesselmannaturesociety.org
Saturday, October 20
10:00 AM Fall Colors and Champion Tree Hike (1 or 2 hour hike)
10:00 AM - 1:00 PM Tree Craft Fair
painted leaf banners
tree cookie necklaces
make a leaf press
leaf rubbing collages
Adopt-a-Tree journals
leaf scavenger hunt books
tree cookie necklaces
make a leaf press
leaf rubbing collages
Adopt-a-Tree journals
leaf scavenger hunt books
2:00 PM Fall Colors and Champion Tree Hike (1 or 2 hour hike)
There will also be bus tours from 8 - 11 AM and 11 AM - 2 PM, to see various Champion Trees in Evansville.
Sunday, October 21
1:00 PM How to nominate a champion tree (learn to measure and nominate a tree!)
2:00 PM walking stick carving
3:00 PM Fall Colors and Champion Tree Hike (1 or 2 hour hike)
Throughout the weekend, there will be wood carvers demonstrating their craft, leaf rubbing plates, identification books, and touch boxes with tree artifacts inside for people to feel in the nature center lobby.
There will be a training on Sunday, October 7, from 2:00 - 3:30 PM, where volunteers will learn how to measure a tree, where the Champion Trees are located within the preserve, the history of the Champion Tree program, about fall colors and how to lead a fall colors hike, and how to run the craft tables.
WWNP TRAIL MAINTENANCE
If you're out hiking the trails and have the time to do a little work while you're out, many of the trails needs a little bit of trimming. You can borrow a pair of clippers from the office, and just cut the overhanging vegetation back about 12 inches on either side of the trail. There are also several interpretive signs that need to be wiped down.
Contact: Scott Kramer
Phone: (812) 479-0771, extension 102
Email: skramer@wesselmannaturesociety.org
CANOE EVANSVILLE NEEDS OFFICE HELP
Wesselman Nature Society's Canoe Evansville program is looking for volunteers for the following tasks:
1. One person with computer knowledge to maintain weekly contact with past canoe program participants. Approximately 4 hours per week
2. One person to answer phone calls on Thursdays and Fridays and book Canoe program reservations. Approximately 8 hours per week.
3. One person to prepare flyers and distribute them to grocery stores and other locations.
4. Someone to answer the phone at the office and answer questions about canoe trips.
5. Someone to send out email information on trip openings to people who have taken trips before.
If you are interested in any of these jobs please contact Gil Himebaugh at maplemachinery@sbcglobal.net or (812) 499-7998.
Programs and Education
SIMNA GEOLOGY FIELD TRIP
Led by master naturalist instructor Dr. Paul Doss
Date: Saturday, September 22
Time: TBA
Location: TBA
RAPTOR SHOW & FALCONRY DEMONSTRATION
Date: Saturday, September 29
Time: 2 - 4 PM
Location: Howell Wetlands
Cost: $3 donation requested
Contact Lauren Preske for more information: (812) 479-0771, extension 139 or lpreske@wesselmannaturesociety.org
MOONLIGHT PADDLE
Date: Friday, September 28
Time: 7:00 PM
Location: Hovey Lake
Cost: $15 per person
Make reservations with Canoe Evansville at (812) 479-0771, extension 105
For more information, contact April Mallory (canoeevansville@gmail.com).
MOONLIGHT PADDLE
Date: Saturday, September 29
Time: 7:00 PM
Location: Bluegrass Fish & Wildife Area
Cost: $15 per person
Make reservations with Canoe Evansville at (812) 479-0771, extension 105
For more information, contact April Mallory (canoeevansville@gmail.com).
FLYING WILD WORKSHOP
Date: Saturday, November 17
Time: 9 AM - 2 PM
Location: Audubon State Park in Henderson
Cost: $12 per person, bring a sack lunch
This training will be especially helpful for anyone who is planning to help out with the Ohio Valley Birding Festival in May of 2008.
To reserve your spot, contact Susan Haislip at (812) 479-0771 ext. 100 or shaislip@wesselmannaturesociety.org. Register early...there's only enough space for 25 people!
From the Flying WILD website:
"Flying WILD's focus on migratory birds is designed to inspire young people to discover more about the natural world. It encourages middle school students to get involved in activities that promote environmental learning and stewardship. The Flying WILD program places special emphasis on reaching urban schools with student populations that traditionally receive few opportunities to participate in environmental education initiatives.
By providing teachers with educational tools and partnerships, the Flying WILD program encourages the integration of bird education and conservation activities into the school curriculum in an engaging, successful, and academically purposeful manner. In addition to the Flying WILD: An Educator's Guide to Celebrating Birds, Flying WILD offers training for educators to implement the program in their schools. This approach empowers teachers, students, school administrators and community organizations to tap into the services and resources provided by the network of bird experts, bird organizations, and environmental professionals assisting with the Flying WILD initiative."
Led by master naturalist instructor Dr. Paul Doss
Date: Saturday, September 22
Time: TBA
Location: TBA
RAPTOR SHOW & FALCONRY DEMONSTRATION
Date: Saturday, September 29
Time: 2 - 4 PM
Location: Howell Wetlands
Cost: $3 donation requested
Contact Lauren Preske for more information: (812) 479-0771, extension 139 or lpreske@wesselmannaturesociety.org
MOONLIGHT PADDLE
Date: Friday, September 28
Time: 7:00 PM
Location: Hovey Lake
Cost: $15 per person
Make reservations with Canoe Evansville at (812) 479-0771, extension 105
For more information, contact April Mallory (canoeevansville@gmail.com).
MOONLIGHT PADDLE
Date: Saturday, September 29
Time: 7:00 PM
Location: Bluegrass Fish & Wildife Area
Cost: $15 per person
Make reservations with Canoe Evansville at (812) 479-0771, extension 105
For more information, contact April Mallory (canoeevansville@gmail.com).
FLYING WILD WORKSHOP
Date: Saturday, November 17
Time: 9 AM - 2 PM
Location: Audubon State Park in Henderson
Cost: $12 per person, bring a sack lunch
This training will be especially helpful for anyone who is planning to help out with the Ohio Valley Birding Festival in May of 2008.
To reserve your spot, contact Susan Haislip at (812) 479-0771 ext. 100 or shaislip@wesselmannaturesociety.org. Register early...there's only enough space for 25 people!
From the Flying WILD website:
"Flying WILD's focus on migratory birds is designed to inspire young people to discover more about the natural world. It encourages middle school students to get involved in activities that promote environmental learning and stewardship. The Flying WILD program places special emphasis on reaching urban schools with student populations that traditionally receive few opportunities to participate in environmental education initiatives.
By providing teachers with educational tools and partnerships, the Flying WILD program encourages the integration of bird education and conservation activities into the school curriculum in an engaging, successful, and academically purposeful manner. In addition to the Flying WILD: An Educator's Guide to Celebrating Birds, Flying WILD offers training for educators to implement the program in their schools. This approach empowers teachers, students, school administrators and community organizations to tap into the services and resources provided by the network of bird experts, bird organizations, and environmental professionals assisting with the Flying WILD initiative."
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