MERAMEC HILLS CHAPTER MISSOURI NATURALISTS

APRIL 2009 NEWSLETTER

  

 

ANNOUNCEMENTS

 

FIELD TRIP - INDIAN TRAILS CONSERVATION AREA - Saturday, May 2, 2009

A chapter field trip has been planned to Indian Trails Conservation Area, Saturday, May 2, from 9:30 am - 3:00 pm.

The focus of the workshop will be Plants, especially the Spring wildflowers on the glade.  Presenters will be Justin and Dana Thomas and Mike Fiaoni.  The Thomases are owners of the Institute of Botanical Training at Salem.  They both have Master's degrees and have taught or conducted research for over 10 years.  For more information, go to: www.botanytraining.com .  Mike Fiaoni is a Resource Forester with the Missouri Department of Conservation and the manager of the Indian Trails Conservation Area.

    The workshop schedule:

        9:30 am - 11:00 am Classroom - The Thomases will teach "Basics of Botany - Plant Terminology" and a short session on invasive plants.

        11:00 am - 12:00 noon Classroom - Mike Fiaoni will teach "Managing the Natural Communities at Indian Trails"

        12:00 noon - 12:30 pm - Lunch (Bring your own sack lunch)

        12:30 pm - 3:00 pm - Glade Area: hands on instruction using techniques learned in morning sessions.

 

The Spring wildflowers should be in full bloom at this time.  Wear comfortable clothes and walking shoes.  Bring Missouri Wildflower book as a reference, notebook, and camera.

 

Register with Emily Brown:  nature97@socket.net or 573-762-2727 or Pat Perry: perrypineridge@embarqmail.com or 573-364-8440.  Please register by April 15th (That ominous day!) so that instructors will have class numbers and enough hand-outs.

This field trip will count for 5.5 hours Advanced Training.

 

CHAPTER COMMITTEES and NEW COORDINATORS

Volunteer Opportunities Committee - Neil Elfrink and Ineke Vander Meulen will Co-Chair this committee

    The following members will be liaisons with centers, projects, and programs with which we are working (The plan is for them to bring to the committee and the membership information about volunteer work at these places):

        Rich Hashagen - Camp Brimshire, St. James

        Nancy Moenster - Bonebrake Center of Nature and History, Salem, and Ozark Natural and Cultural Resource Center, Salem 

        Connie Roberts - Audubon

        Bob Perry - Bray Conservation Area, Rolla

        Bob Perry - Truman Elementary School, Rolla

 

Publicity Committee - Sue Goodman will chair this committee

 

Advanced Training Committee- Emily Brown will continue to chair this committee

 

Core Training Committee - Robin Higley will continue to chair this committee

 

Newsletter - Janet McKean will continue to compile and send out the monthly chapter newsletter

 

Website - Jerry Barnabee will continue to update and add new information to the website

 

Note: If anyone is interested in working with any of these committees, please contact the chair.  We want everyone in the chapter to be involved!

   

 

 APRIL EVENTS

 

April 4 (Saturday)

Nature Close-Up: Part III, 5:00 pm - 8:00 pm, Bray Conservation Area

This is a class designed for teachers, but Carol Mahan has opened it up to Master Naturalists since they share the same goal - to introduce adults to the habits, habitats, etc. of some of our common wildlife.  Participants will get tips on how to get close to and videotape species such as turkey, songbirds, squirrels, furbearers, deer, raptors, etc.  There is no cost for the program.  For more information and to sign-up, contact Carol Mahan (e-mail: carol.mahan@mdc.mo.gov or call: 573-368-2225).

(3 hrs. advanced training credit)

 

April 9 (Thursday)

Native Landscaping Part 2: Planting and Maintenance, 1:00 pm - 3:00 pm, Shaw Nature Reserve, Gray Summit

Cost is $12.00.  To make reservations, call 636-451-3512 or go to the website: www.shawnature.org

(2 hrs. advanced training credit)

 

April 16 (Thursday)

Native Perennials and Grasses for Landscaping - Part 1: Spring Blooming, 1:00 pm - 3:00 pm, Shaw Nature Reserve, Gray Summit.

Fee is $12.00.  To make reservations, call 636-451-3512 or go to the website: www.shawnature.org

(2 hrs. advanced training credit)

 

April 19 (Sunday)

Earth Day Celebration, United Methodist Church, Rolla.  Contact Connie Schmiedeskamp for more information or to volunteer:

            e-mail: connie.schmiedeskamp@mdc.mo.gov 

            tel: 573-368-2469 (Bray office)

            tel: 573-422-3447 (home)

 

April 24 (Tuesday)

First Grade Class Earth Day at Bray Conservation Area, 8:30 am - 1:30 pm.

Volunteers are needed to lead activities or help with different stations: Habitat hike, Mammals, Macro-Invertebrates, Fishing.  To volunteer or for more information, contact Connie Schmiedeskamp: e-mail: connie.schmiedeskamp@mdc.mo.gov or tel: 573-368-2469 (Bray office) or 573-422-3447 (home).

 

April 27 (Monday)

Regular monthly meeting of Meramec Hills Chapter Missouri Naturalists, 6:00 pm - 8:00 pm. Beaver Conservation Area

Program: Tree Identification led by Brian Hall

(2 hrs. advanced training credit)

        Refreshments: Pam and Jerry Barnabee

 

Note: The Bonebrake Center of Nature and History, Salem, will be scheduling children's programs during this month.  These also include the OK Kids Connection program led by naturalist, Jamie Bray.  You can do a program of your own choosing or help with an already planned program.  If interested, contact Libby Sanders at 573-729-3400

 

UPCOMING EVENTS - MAY

 

May 2 (Saturday)

All-day field trip to Indian Trails Conservation Area.  Details under Announcements.

 

May 13 (Wednesday)

First and Second graders, Bray Conservation Area, 9:30 am - 1:30 pm

Volunteers are needed to lead activities or help with different stations: Habitat hike, Mammals, Macro-Invertebrates, Fishing.  For more information and to volunteer, contact Connie Schmiedeskamp:

        e-mail: connie.schmiesdeskamp@mdd.mo.gov

        tel: 573-368-2469 (Bray office)

        tel: 573-422-3447 (home)

 

May 14 (Thursday)

"Common Garden Weeds: Identification and Control," 1:00 pm - 3:00 pm, Shaw Nature Reserve, Gray Summit

Fee is $12.00.  To make a reservation, call 636-451-3512 or go to the website: www.shawnature.org

(2 hrs. advanced training credit)

 

May 22 (Friday)

"Managing Your Land for Quail and Other Grassland Birds," 8:00 am - 10:00 am, Shaw Nature Reserve, Gray Summit

Fee is $12.00.  To make a reservation, call 636-451-3512 or go to the website: www.shawnature.org

(2 hrs. advanced training credit)

 

May 15 - 17 (Friday - Sunday)

2009 Master Naturalists' State Conference, Kansas City

Reservations at Holiday Inn Plaza.  Camping is also available.  Letter has been sent with details and registration.

 

There will be no regular monthly meeting in May due to the state conference.

 

 

UPCOMING EVENTS

June 7 (Sunday)

Chapter social at the home and property of Bob and Pat Perry, beginning at 4:00 pm.

The Perrys have burned 20 acres this winter and plan to burn another 7 before March.  They are willing to lead a walk through the burned acres to discuss burning in the woods as well as habitat restoration efforts.  There should be both wildflowers and grasses up at that time.

Potluck will be shared beginning at 6:00 pm.  Spouses and significant others and families are welcome.

RSVP by calling 364-8440 or e-mail: perrypineridge@embarqmail.com

 

June 11 (Thursday)

Rain Gardening and Managing Storm Water Runoff, !:00 pm - 3:00 pm, Shaw Nature Reserve, Gray Summit

Fee is $12.00.  To make a reservation, call 636-451-3512 or go to the website: www.shawnature.org

(2 hr. advanced training credit)

 

June 22 (Monday)

Regular monthly meeting of Meramec Hills Chapter Missouri Naturalists, 6:00 pm - 7:00 pm, United Methodist Church, Rolla

Program: "How to Operate a Greenhouse" - Presenter: Norman Cox

(1 hr. advanced training credit)

    Refreshments: Emily Brown

                            We need another person to volunteer for refreshments.

 

July 9 (Thursday)

Native Perennials and Grasses for Landscaping Part 2: Summer Blooming, 1:00 pm - 3:00 pm, Shaw Nature Reserve, Gray Summit

Fee is $12.00.  To make a reservation, call 646-451-3512 or go to the website: www.shawnature.org

(2 hrs advanced training credit)

 

July 27 (Monday)

Regular monthly meeting of Meramec Hills Chapter Missouri Naturalist, 6:00 pm - 8:00 pm, Bray Conservation Area Program: David Bruns - How to Identify Lichens

(2 hrs. advanced training credit)

    Refreshments: Connie Roberts

                            We need another person to volunteer for refreshments.

 

August 8 (Saturday)

Chapter field trip to Ha Ha Tonka State Park, tentatively from 9:00 am - 3:00 pm.  Members bring their own picnic lunch.

 

August 13 (Thursday)

Prairie and Savanna Restoration Part 1: Site Prep and Seed Collecting, 1:00 pm - 3:00 pm, Shaw Nature Reserve, Gray Summit

Fee is $12.00.  To make a reservation, call 636-451-3512 or go to the website: www.shawnature.org

(2 hrs advanced training credit)

 

August 24 (Monday)

Regular monthly meeting of Meramec Hills Chapter Missouri Naturalists, 6:00 pm - 9:00 pm, Bray Conservation Area

Program: Carol Mahan - Creating Conservation and Nature Activities for Kids

(3 hrs. advanced training credit)

    Refreshments: Robin Higley

                            We need another person to volunteer for refreshments.

 

September 10 (Thursday)

Prairie and Savanna Restoration Part 2: Seeding and Maintenance, 1:00 pm - 3:00 pm, Shaw Nature Reserve, Gray Summit

Fee is $12.00.  To make a reservation, call 636-451-3521 or go to the website: www.shawnature.org

(2 hrs advanced training credit)

 

September 16 (Wednesday)

Managing Your Land for Quail and other Grassland Birds, 8:00 am - 10:00 am, Shaw Nature Reserve, Gray Summit

Fee is $12.00.    Call 636-451-3521 or go to the website: www.shawnature.org

(2 hrs. advanced training credit)

 

September 21 (Monday)

Regular monthly meeting of Meramec Hills Chapter Missouri Naturalists, 6:00 pm - 8:00 pm, United Methodist Church, Rolla. Program to be announced.

 

October 8 (Thursday)

Native Perennials and Grasses for Landscaping Part 3: Autumn Blooming, 1:00 pm - 3:00 pm, Shaw Nature Reserve, Gray Summit

Fee is $12.00.  Call 636-451-3521 or go to the website: www.shawnature.org

(2 hrs. advanced training credit)

 

October 26 (Monday)

Regular monthly meeting of Meramec Hills Chapter Missouri Naturalists, 6:00 pm - 8:00 pm, Bray Conservation Area   Program: Carol Mahan - Mammal Skull Identification

(2 hrs. advanced training credit)

 

November 12 (Thursday)

"Deer-Resistant" Native Landscaping, 1:00 pm - 3:000 pm, Shaw Nature Reserve, Gray Summit 

Fee is $12.00.  Call 636-451-3521 or go to the website: www.shawnature.org

(2 hrs. advanced training credit)

 

November 23 (Monday)

Regular monthly meeting of Meramec Hills Chapter Missouri Naturalists, 6:00 pm - 7:00 pm

Program to be announced.