Kim Meadors, WNS Executive Director, introduced herself and told us of exciting plans for the upcoming months. Don Ralph provided delicious snacks, and Steve Pitt gave a fantastic presentation on the history of Pigeon Creek. Thanks, Don & Steve!
If anyone missed Heidi's workshop on leading hikes for children in the outdoors and would like a copy of the handouts she provided, you can email her at fidiot@evansville.net. She may offer the workshop again in the Spring if enough people are interested.
Due to continued firearms use and hostile behaviors taking place at Eagle Slough, the steering committee is asking that we avoid the area for now. If you have questions about the situation or the property, please call Susan at 812-479-0771 ext. 100.
WNS and USI have announced a partnership to use Howell Wetlands as a learning laboratory for faculty and students. Click here to read the Courier and Press article.
SIMNA Moonlight Paddle
Thursday, September 11
Canoe Evansville has agreed to schedule a special moonlight paddle for SIMNA members, to be held at Bluegrass Fish & Wildlife Area on September 11th. The cost is $13.50 per person, and can be paid directly to Canoe Evansville manager Ashley on the evening of the paddle. You MUST RESERVE YOUR SPOT BY MONDAY EVENING (Sept. 8th) so that I can tell Ashley how many people to expect. Email masternaturalists@gmail.com or call 812-204-8475.
Participants can choose to meet at the nature center at 6:30 PM on Thursday and take the shuttle out to Bluegrass, or you can meet the group at the second lake (I believe it is Loon Pit) at 7:00 PM. Please dress for the weather and bring water and bug spray. If you have questions about the trip or equipment needs, please call (812) 479-0771 ext. 105 and speak to Ashley or Neal.
possible trip to Indiana Dunes
There has been talk of organizing a weekend trip to Indiana Dunes National Lakeshore this season. Heidi Doss, who worked at the site as a National Parks Service naturalists, is willing to meet up with a SIMNA group at the Dunes either September 27 & 28 or October 4 & 5. If you are interested in the trip, please let me know (812-204-8475 or masternaturalists@gmail.com) and I'll add you to the email / contact list for the trip.
Harvest Festival & Hayrides
October 24 & 25
5 - 9 PM
The event formerly known as Haunted Hayrides will be getting a facelift this year and evolving into a mostly scare-free, family-friendly, educational set of activities that relate to the harvest season.
We will need about 500 sweet gum "gumballs" and about 500 three- or four-inch pine cones for the kids' crafts area, so if you have either of these available on your property, please consider donating some! If you have gum or fir trees but don't have time to collect gumballs or pinecones, that's okay. We can find someone to come out and collect them.
The outline below is TENTATIVE, but gives a general idea of what we are hoping to put together. If you would like to act as lead organizer / chairperson of planning a specific area of the festival--or if you have contacts in the community who could help us plan or donate supplies -- we'd love to hear from you. If you would like to volunteer at the event, we'd love to hear that, too!
We are also looking for local businesses who would be interested in sponsoring a Halloween inflatable display along the hayride route for $150. Sponsors will be recognized in printed event materials and will be named on a sign at their sponsored inflatable. Sponsors can also underwrite a specific area of the festival (kids' crafts, speakers, a hay wagon, etc). For more details or to sign up for a sponsorship, please contact Susan at shaislip@wesselmannaturesociety.org or (812) 479-0771 ext. 100.
ACTIVITIES
non-scary hayrides in Wesselman Park
concessions -- hot dogs, chili, chips, soda, apple cider, hot chocolate, S'mores kits
painting miniature pumpkins -- we are looking for a source to donate or deeply discount the pumpkins and paints
kids' crafts in the nature center lobby
raptor programs
owl pellet dissection workshops
fall leaves talk presented by Julie McDonald from Audubon State Park
gourd talk presented by Master Gardener Debbie Goedde
bat program - ??
2 half-hour Owl Prowl hikes
S'Mores around the campfire ring
stargazing on the golf course
VOLUNTEER TASKS:
solicit donations of money or supplies
pick up donated supplies from donors
pre-event prep work (cut craft supplies, make S'Mores kits, package concession items, etc.)
help with setup
collect money at the gate
work the concession booth
help with the hayrides (load wagons, manage lines, etc.)
supervise pumpkin painting activity
manage campfire area
help with kids' crafts -- three simple crafts, two people for each craft
lead 1 or 2 Owl Prowl hikes each night
tear down
Please contact me (Gena) directly if you have info, want to chair an area, or would like to volunteer! You can email me at masternaturalists@gmail.com or call (812) 204-8475.
Volunteer Opportunities
Just a reminder: to obtain your IMN certification from the state, you need to log and turn in 40 hours of volunteer service. All of the volunteer activities organized through SIMNA and WNS count, as well as time spent attending workshops where you are learning naturalist teaching methods or preparing for a volunteer position (Project Learning Tree, Hoosier Riverwatch, etc). Attending SIMNA meetings does not count toward your 40 hours. However, if you give a presentation at a meeting, you can count that time and the prep time toward your volunteer hours.
Once you have completed your 40 hours, please continue to keep track of any time you spend volunteering for WNS programs and events. Susan can provide a form for tracking these hours.
garden rehab
Dennis and Carol Slow will soon begin rehabilitating the garden just outside the nature center doors, and are looking for volunteers to help with the work. If you are interested in helping, have native plants in your yard to donate, or have questions, you can email them at caslow@hughes.net.
Fall Festival
October 6 - 11
The Fall Festival is fast approaching, and WNS will need lots of volunteers to keep its food booth running. Volunteers are most needed for daytime shifts, but there are some evening slots as well. Please call 812-479-0771 and speak to Lisa or Susan to sign up.
Programs
Butterfly Bedazzled Hike at Howell Wetlands
Wednesday, September 17
9 - 10 AM
free!
Garden Conference 2008
Saturday, September 20
The Southwestern Indiana Master Gardener Association is presenting a garden conference featuring an exciting keynote guest: garden designer, author and columnist Jon Carloftis. Other topics include lawn care and equipment, culinary uses of herbs and edible weeds, rain gardens, using native plants and wildflowers, pruning, bulbs, sun plants, community supported agriculture, hostas, water gardens, a creative spirit inspired by the garden, seasons in the garden, and birdscaping.
The conference fee is $35 and includes lunch. Registration will take place from 7:30 - 8:15 AM, and the conference will run from 8:15 AM - 4:00 PM on Saturday the 20th. For reservations, call USI at (812) 464-1989 or 1-800-467-8600 by September 16th. For an event flier and schedule, click here.
Indiana Master Naturalist Fall Gathering
Friday, October 10 and Saturday, October 11
Fort Harrison State Park in Indianapolis is hosting the second annual statewide gathering of Master Naturalists in October. This conference is only open to those who have completed their 40 hours of service and received their certification from the state. To view the full sheet of event information, click here and scroll down to page five.
Our next SIMNA meeting is scheduled for Monday, September 15th. We will begin at 6:00 with an insect hike led by Dr. Eric McCloud from USI's biology department. Hope to see everyone there!
If you have a suggestion for a speaker or program to open our October meeting, please email it to masternaturalists@gmail.com or call Gena at 812-204-8475.
We will not have formal meetings in November and December, but will be convening at Jane and Jim Magary's at 3 PM on Sunday, December 7th for a potluck SIMNA holiday party. Mark your calendars!
June & July 2008
We started our June meeting with a wonderful tree hike led by UE professor and IMN instructor Cris Hochwender. We had a great turnout and everyone learned a lot. Thanks, Dr. Hochwender!
The following slate of officers and project chairs was accepted:
President -- Jane Magary
Vice President -- Heidi Doss
Treasurer -- Joan Andersen
Secretary -- Gena Garrett
Eagle Slough Project Chair -- Eleanor Zitek
Birding Festival Project Chair -- Susan Haislip
Canoe Evansville Project Chair -- Don Ralph
Howell Wetlands Chair -- Kate Lynch
We're still looking for someone to serve as the Project Chair for Wesselman Woods Nature Preserve programs!
Many thanks to Kathy, who is working hard to rehab the planting beds at the front entrance of the nature preserve. She has replanted with native species and labeled the new plants so they are both beautiful and educational.
"No hunting," "No vehicle traffic," "Foot traffic only," and "Natural Resource Area" signs have been posted at Eagle Slough, but motor vehicles and hunting is still going on. The advisory committee asks that NO ONE confront people out at Eagle Slough, especially if they are hunting. If you are hiking or working there and hear engine noise or gunfire, call the authorities.
For our July meeting, we gathered at the Evansville Museum. The weather did not cooperate with our plan to stargaze, but we checked out the summer sky in the Planetarium with no problems.
If you have completed your 40 hours of service and received your certification from the State, you can choose to order an Indiana Master Naturalist logo patch. To save on shipping, we are collecting names and payment and will send in a group order after the August meeting. If you'd like a patch, please give your name and $4 to Susan Haislip. The supplier will be cross-checking with the state lists, so please do not order a patch unless you are certified. We'll put together a second patch order in the fall or winter, to give newer graduates more time to complete their required hours.
Upcoming SIMNA activities:
On Thursday, July 31st, Heidi Doss will present a training on the topic of teaching children in the outdoors. The class will meet from 6 - 8:00 PM at the nature center. The class is limited to 15 people, so please email Gena at masternaturalists@gmail.com or call (812) 204-8475 if you wish to sign up. If you sign up but later realize you will not be able to attend, please let us know so we can offer your spot to someone else.
The next SIMNA meeting is scheduled for Monday, August 18 at 6:00 PM. We'll meet at the Nature Center and begin with SIMNA member Steve Pitt's presentation on the history of Pigeon Creek.
On Thursday, September 11th, Canoe Evansville will be offering a moonlight paddle exclusively for SIMNA. Please email an RSVP to masternaturalists@gmail.com or call Gena at (812) 204-8475 if you wish to attend, and indicate if you'd prefer to paddle at Hovey Lake or at Bluegrass Fish & Wildlife Area. If you are planning to bring your own canoe or kayak, let us know. The cost of the program is $13.50 per person. Please RSVP at or before the August 18th meeting.
For our September 15th meeting, we're planning to take a hike at Howell Wetlands, since many Master Naturalists have not had a chance to visit the property. Don't worry--there are barely any bugs at all!
Lauren Preske has requested that we save empty toilet paper rolls for her, as she frequently uses them for programs. You can bring your collected tubes to the nature center, but please indicate that they are for Lauren when you drop them off so that they can be set aside for her.
Volunteer opportunities:
Scott has left WWNP, so there is an even greater need for volunteers than ever before.
nature camps at WWNP (contact Lisa to volunteer: 479-0771, extension 103
or lhoffman@wesselmannaturesociety.org)
7/29, 9:30 AM: Butterfly Buzz program at Howell Wetlands
Upcoming events:
Moonlight paddles with Canoe Evansville (ages 7 & up, $15 per person)
July 19, 7 p.m. at Hovey Lake
Aug 15, 7 p.m. at Bluegrass Fish & Wildlife Area
August 16, 7 p.m. Hovey Lake
Contact: Ashley Benthall, canoe@wesselmannaturesociety.org or 479-0771
Hikes at Howell Wetlands
July 19, 8:30 AM -- wildflower hike with Debbie Goedde
July 19, 7 PM -- insect nightlife hike with Purdue entomology student Brandon Runyon
July 26, 9 AM -- butterfly hike with Debbie Goedde
Contact: Lauren Preske, lpreske@wesselmannaturesociety.org or 479-0771, extension 139
If you stop by the nature center, pop in and say hello to the new Executive Director, Kim Meadors!
Thanks everyone, and see you soon!
May 2008
Upcoming meetings and trips
>> Heidi Doss has arranged for Dr. Cris Hochwender, UE professor and SIMNA class instructor, to lead a tree ID hike for the group on Monday, June 23. We will meet at the WWNP nature center at 6:00 PM, and our regular meeting will follow the hike. Again, we will NOT be meeting on the third Monday, but will be meeting on June 23 instead.
>> In July, we will not have a regular meeting. Instead, the group is invited to meet at the Evansville Museum on Tuesday, July 8 for a Planetarium show followed by stargazing through a telescope on the Museum's back lawn until 9:30 PM (weather permitting). We will meet in the front lobby at 7:30. If you wish to attend the Planetarium show, please arrive before 7:45 PM, as there can be no late admission into the dome. Contact Gena (gena.garrett@gmail.com) if you have any questions.
>> Heidi is also working to put together two sessions of hike leader training this summer, to give pointers and practice at leading educational hikes for adults and kids. She'll be covering topics like how to handle crowds, discussion skills, and activities. Watch the blog / newsletter for further details!
>> Several members expressed interest in going on some field trips during the upcoming year. Suggestions include visiting a show cave (walking tour, not spelunking!), going to Jasper Pulaski Fish & Wildlife Area to see sandhill cranes, visiting Indiana Dunes National Lakeshore, and going on a SIMNA-only moonlight paddle with Canoe Evansville. If you have other ideas, we'd love to hear them!
Business
>> SIMNA dues have been revised to $15 per individual and $25 per couple / family for the 2008/2009 year. Since graduates of the 2007 class paid a higher rate last year, the members voted to "grandfather in" anyone who paid dues last year for the upcoming group year (June 2008 - July 2009).
>> Nominations will be accepted for officer positions and for project chairs until the week before the June meeting. Members may vote at the June 23 meeting.
Thus far, nominations include:
Joan Andersen for treasurer
Gena Garrett for secretary
Heidi Doss for vice president
Jane Magary for president
Eleanor Zitek has accepted the role of project chair for Eagle Slough, and Don Ralph has agreed to serve as project chair for Canoe Evansville. (We'll be adding projects and properties pages to this site as things develop, so check back often!)
Volunteer Opportunities
>> If you're available to help out with Canoe Evansville's annual Pickin' on the Pigeon event on June 7, please contact Susan at (812) 479-0771 ext. 100 or shaislip@wesselmannaturesociety.org. The event runs from 10 AM to 4 PM, and setup will begin at 8:00.
>> Scott Kramer is looking for volunteers for the always-exciting Reptile Invasion event on June 14 & 15
>> Scott is also looking for someone who is interested in helping out with Toddler Tales on Wednesday mornings through the summer.
>> If you're interested in providing refreshments for a future meeting, send an email to Gena at masternaturalists@gmail.com to sign up. Click here to view the snack schedule. We're looking for someone to bring treats for the June meeting!
Birding Festival a success!
The first-ever Ohio Valley Birding Festival, held May 1 - 4, was a success!
Jane Magary says, "Family Day was a very successful first year event. Carol Pettys co-ordinated a dozen activity stations for youngsters, along with all the volunteers to staff the activities. Most of the volunteers were Master Naturalists. All the activities were well attended, even requiring special dispatch to refurbish the suet feeder supplies. To satisfy hungry attendees as well as hungry volunteers, the Bible Center grilled lunch for us. Additional workshops during the day included Debbie Goedde's gourd decorating and "Fun with Owl Puke" popularly presented by our own Gena Garrett. Home Depot provided 72 bird house kits for a bird house building clinic in the amphitheater. The grand finale was a raptor show, with a huge attendance and a delightful close to an outstanding day."
Susan Haislip says, "The event was a great success with over two hundred people taking part in a wide variety of birding activities throughout the weekend. The birding hikes/trips were very popular, with attendees recording scores of birds - from the many migrating warbler species to black necked stilts. The many Family Day activities hosted by the Evansville Audubon Society and the WNS Master Naturalists were enjoyed by all who attended. Lectures, raptor shows, bird banding and various workshops at both Wesselman Woods and Audubon State Park provided a diverse offering for novices and experienced birders alike. Many thanks to all the birding enthusiasts and other talented folk who volunteered their time to put forth this quality environmental program for the community. The Steering Committee would like to hear your comments!"
Carol Pettys sent a note thanking all the Master Naturalists who volunteered their time and talents to help in the children's area.
If any participants have recommendations and/or suggestions for next year, please email Susan with your ideas at shaislip@wesselmannaturesociety.org
To see photos from the festival, click here.
Odds and ends
>> The Natural Resources Education Center, based in Indianapolis, offers lots of excellent educational workshops throughout the year, and they have an email list you can join to receive upcoming program info. There is also an Indiana Master Naturalist listserv that you can join once you've completed your 40 hours. Remember, SIMNA meetings don't count toward your volunteer hours, but time spent at naturalist trainings and workshops can count!
>> If you take photos at an event and would like to share them with the group, please send them as attachments to masternaturalists@gmail.com. Meanwhile, check out the beautiful photos Eleanor Zitek shot at Eagle Slough!
Keep up the good work, everyone!
April 2008
We started our April meeting with a wildflower hike along the mini-loop at the nature center. One the hike, we saw lots of wildflowers: nbsp;jack in the pulpit, rue anemone (or false rue...we weren't sure!), yellow violet, spring beauty, Solomon's Seal, bluebell, Jacob's Ladder, white and red trillium. Se also saw a Pileated woodpecker, and a sharp-shinned hawk on the hunt! Thanks to Heidi for suggesting the hike, and thanks to Jane for the delicious snacks we enjoyed afterwards! Click here to view photos from our hike.
Meeting Minutes
Many interesting birds have been seen at WWNP lately, including rose breasted grosbeaks, indigo buntings, and prothonotary warblers.
WWNP is looking for someone to cook lunch for the Wednesday work crew. The position will require about 5 hours of work a week, and will pay $8 per hour.
WNS is accepting applications for an executive director. Applicants must have fundraising, management, and / or nonprofit experience. Interested parties should contact Vic Chamness (get contact info from Susan).
There is need of someone who is knowledgeable about WWNP (or willing to be trained) who can staff the desk and greet guests at the nature center. Must be friendly and willing to learn!
Jackie Crowley, Master Naturalist and seasonal naturalist at Audubon State Park in Henderson, has put out a call to arms. Invasive garlic mustard is taking over at Audubon and needs to be pulled! Audubon will provide trash bags, park maps, and a picture of garlic mustard to anyone willing to spend a day hiking and pulling invasives. Stop at the front desk and ask Sally for supplies and for the IMN sign in sheet -- you can count hours toward your Master Naturalist certification.
Because the official organizational year runs July 1 - June 30, we will be seeking nominations for officers and committee chairs at the May meeting.
Many, many thanks to everyone who helped with the Ohio Valley Birding Festival! The first-year event was a success, and the weather was nearly perfect!
Our next meeting is set for Monday, May 19 at 6:30 PM at the Nature Center. Hope to see you there!
March 2008
Dues
The group approved a proposal to adjust membership dues. Individuals can SIMNA for $25, and couples can join for $35 if both people have completed the Master Naturalist class.
Raptor Docent Training
Lauren will soon be accepting applications for new docents who wish to join the Raptor Ambassador Program. For more information, visit http://masternaturalists.blogspot.com/2008/03/raptor-ambassador-program-docents.html or contact Lauren at (812) 479-0771, extension 139 or
lpreske@wesselmannaturesociety.org
Eagle Slough
Susan announced that Wesselman Nature Society has partnered with the Vanderburgh County Soil and Water Conservation District, the Four Rivers Resource Conservation and Development Area, and the Indiana Nature Conservancy to purchase 127 acres of wetlands north of Ellis Park and place it into conservation. Known historically as Eagle Slough, the area preserves a stand of bald cypress trees and provides valuable habitat for migratory birds. WNS is looking forward to drawing up a management plan and offering programs at Eagle Slough in the future. If you're interested in helping clean up the property, a group will be gathering at the North entrance of Ellis Park at 8:00 AM on Saturday, April 26th. Call or email Susan Haislip for directions: (812) 479-0771 ext. 100 or shaislip@wesselmannaturesociety.org
To read the Courier and Press article about the acquisition, visit http://www.courierpress.com/news/2008/feb/28/groupsjoin-to-savewetlands/
Groundbreaking at Howell Wetlands
April 11 3 PM
Kentucky Bluebird Festival at Audubon State Park
April 12
For a schedule of the day's activities, including a Flying Wild educators' workshop and a bluebird box building session, visit http://masternaturalists.blogspot.com/2008/03/kentucky-bluebird-society-at-audubon.html
Earth Day at Howell Wetlands
April 19 8 AM - 2 PM
Lauren needs volunteers to help out with Earth Day at Howell Wetlands on April 19th.
>> 2 people to drive the shuttle for 2 hours each
>> a parking guide near the cul-de-sac
>> someone to dress up as WES the raccoon
>> a few people to help me load the trailer on Friday (April 18) at noon
>> and some to staff several activity stations
To sign up, contact Lauren at (812) 479-0771, extension 139 or
lpreske@wesselmannaturesociety.org
Master Naturalist Lois Schmidt is recruiting volunteers for the children's activities, and needs people to fill the following spots:
>> 2 people to help with seed balls from 12 - 2 PM
>> 1 person to help with butterfly necklaces from 12 - 2 PM
Please contact Lois directly to sign up: lojack@insightbb.com or (812) 867-5253
Pioneer Days at WWNP
Lisa and Scott need volunteers to help with kids' activities at the annual Pioneer Days event at Wesselman Woods. The event runs Tuesday, April 22 through Friday, April 25, and the kids' activities will take place from 8:30 AM - noon each day. For a full list of activities, visit the Master Naturalist blog: http://masternaturalists.blogspot.com/2008/03/volunteers-needed-for-kids-pioneer-days.html
To volunteer, contact Scott Kramer at (812) 479-0771 ext 102 or skramer@wesselmannaturesociety.org
Ohio Valley Birding Festival
Birding enthusiasts and novices alike will want to be sure to mark their calendars for a new event this spring in celebration of International Migratory Bird Month. Wesselman Nature Society has partnered with the Evansville Audubon Society, Evansville's Wild Birds Unlimited store and John James Audubon State Park to bring four days of birding excitement to Evansville and the surrounding region on May 1–4, 2008.
A whole host of activities are being planned for birders (or potential birders) of all ages and skill levels. Guided hikes to area birding hotspots such as Howell Wetlands, Hovey Lake, Bluegrass Fish and Wildlife Area and the Patoka River National Wildlife Refuge will showcase a variety of native and migratory bird species. Various lectures and workshops will be offered, including topics such as photographing birds, making gourd birdhouses, and providing backyard habitat for birds. Special Guest Stan Tekiela, author of Birds of Indiana, will also be on hand to share his birding expertise and autograph copies of his books.
Saturday, May 3rd will be a special day for children and families. Join us at Wesselman Woods Nature Preserve to experience a full day of family birding fun! Children will have many opportunities throughout the day to participate in hands-on learning activities related to birds and their environment. A bird banding demonstration, family hike and a live raptor show will make this a day you won't want to miss!
To see a full events calendar, go to http://masternaturalists.blogspot.com/2008/04/ovbf-event-schedule.html
We are offering two shifts for volunteers who can help out with the kids' activities. during Family Day on May 3: 9:30 am - 12:30 pm; and 12:00 noon to 3:00 pm. You may opt for one shift, or choose to work both. All of these activities are easy enough to learn that you'll need no preparation. All supplies will be provided for you. Below are the stations we'll be offering. If something specific appeals to you please let us know. Otherwise, simply contact Susan (812-479-0771 ext. 100 or shaislip@wesselmannaturesociety.org), indicating which shift(s) you would like to work. After that, all you'll need to do is dress for the weather and show up for your appointed shift!
To see a list of the kids' activities we're offering, go to http://masternaturalists.blogspot.com/2008/04/ovbf-kids-activities.html
I'm working to update the group's webpage (http://masternaturalists.blogspot.com) to make it more interesting and more informative. If you have any feedback or suggestions, please let me know!
The next meeting will is scheduled for Monday, April 21 at 6:30 PM. We'll be meeting in the small classroom at the nature center. Hope to see you there!
:) Gena :)
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