MERAMEC HILLS CHAPTER MISSOURI NATURALISTS

SEPTEMBER 2009 NEWSLETTER

ANNOUNCEMENTS

Master Naturalist Fall Core Training Class Is Full!

The classes, which began on Thursday, September 10, and will continue through November 19, can only accommodate the trainees.  There will not be room for Master Naturalists to attend.  However, we are invited to participate in any of the field trips that are planned.  These include field trips to Indian Trail Conservation Area on Saturday, September 19; White Trace Conservation Area, Saturday, October 17; and Woodson K. Woods Conservation Area on October 31.  If you would like to participate in any of these field trips, please contact Pam Barnabee at 417-458-3099 or e-mail: pamela.barnabee@gmail.com

Volunteer Opportunities to help with Core Classes:

Classroom Volunteers: Set up classroom, set out class attendance sheet, greet participants and go over housekeeping issues, greet speakers and assist with any special requirements or needs, introduce speaker, send thank-you note to speaker

Field Trip Volunteers: Help organize trip and facilitate leader; arrange car-pooling, provide directions, maps, and information; record attendance; send thank-you note to facilitator

To volunteer for any class or field trip, contact Pam Barnabee (tel: 417-458-3099) or e-mail: pamela.barnabee@gmail.com

Bray Conservation Area

The first and third Tuesdays of each month there will be public programs at Bray:

    First Tuesdays: Families and children 7 or older

    Third Tuesdays: Ages 2-7 with an adult

For more information or to volunteer to help with these public programs, contact Connie Schmiedeskamp Connie.Schmiedeskamp@mdc.mo.gov

Old Iron Work Days at Meramec Springs, October 10 and 11

Voliunteers are needed!

Saturday, October 10: 1:30 pm - 5:00 pm (Lunch will be provided for volunteers)

Sunday, October 11 :  10:00 am - 1:30 pm and 1:30 pm - 5:00 pm (Volunteers will receive lunch and treats at the Pick & Shovel Cafe)

    Volunteers may bring a spouse or friend at no charge

For more information and/or to volunteer, contact Neil Elfrink - nelfrink@rollanet.org

SEPTEMBER EVENTS

September 10 (Thursday)

Class 1: Core Training Class, 6:00 pm - 8:30 pm, Webster University, Rolla

Overview of Master Naturalist Program by Syd Hime, MD, Introduction to Meramec Hills Chapter, and the Role of the Naturalist by Jamin Bray.

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 15 (Tuesday)

Public program at Bray Conservation Area  for ages 2-7 with an adult

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 17 (Thursday)

Class 2: Core Training Class, 6:00 pm - 8:30 pm, Webster University, Rolla

    Botany - Andy Read, University Extension

September 19 (Saturday)

Core class field trip to Indian Trail Conservation Area, 9:00 am - 1:00 pm. 

   Tree ID - Mike Fiaoni, MDC

September 20 (Sunday)

Memorial gathering for Mike McKean, husband of MN Janet McKean, at McKean home, 618 Salem Avenue, Rolla

Open house beginning at 12:00 noon and continuing through the afternoon.  Drop by at anytime!

September 24 (Thursday)

Class 3: Core Training Class, 6:00 pm - 8:30 pm, Webster University, Rolla

    Cultural History of the Ozarks - Stephanie Nutt

    Karst and Groundwater - Jim Vandike, DNR

September 27 (Sunday)

Amateur photographers will have the opportunity to photograph some of Onondaga Cave's best features on a special photo tour at Onondaga Cave State Park near Leasburg.  Sponsored by the Missouri Department of Natural Resources, the tour will begin at 10:30 am and is open to the public.

Cost of the tour is $10.00 for adults and $5.00 for ages 6-12.  Advance reservations are required.  Contact the park at 573-245-6576 or DNR at 800-334-6946

Participants must bring their own cameras and equipment.

September 28 (Monday)

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

Carry-in picnic with hot dogs and burgers provided by the chapter.  Members are asked to bring several dishes to share (side dish or dessert).  New class members have been invited to be our guests.  All current members are encouraged to attend to welcome and get to know our newest members.

    Refreshments: Everyone!

UPCOMING EVENTS

October 1 (Thursday)

Class 4: Core Training Class, 6:00 pm - 8:30 pm, Webster University, Rolla

    Mammals - Carol Mahan, MDC

    Wildlife Management - Jim Braithwait, MDC

October 6 (Tuesday)

Public program at Bray Conservation Area for families with children 7-years-old or older. Details to follow.

October 8 (Thursday)

Class 5: Core Training Class, 6:00 pm - 8:30 pm, Webster University, Rolla

    History of Missouri's Natural Communities - Paul Nelson, USFS

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 10 and 11 (Saturday and Sunday)

Old Iron Works Days, Maramec Spring Park.  4 volunteers are needed each day, each pair working 1/2 day: 10:00 am - 1:00 pm  (2 people) or 1:00 pm - 5:00 pm (2 people).  Details in Announcements.

October 15 (Thursday)

Class 6: Core Training Class, 6:00 pm - 8:30 pm, Webster University, Rolla

    Birds

    Grasslands Ecology - Norm Murray, MDC

October 17 (Saturday)

Core class field trip to White River Trace Conservation Area, 9:00 am - 2:00 pm

    Birds - Loretta McClure

    Grassland Management - Justin Gailey, MDC

October 20 (Tuesday)

Public program at Bray Conservation Area for children ages 2 to 7 accompanied by an adult.  Details to follow.

October 22 (Thursday)

Class 7: Core Training Class, 6:00 pm - 8:30 pm, Webster University, Rolla

    Missouri's Ecological Classification System - Tim Nigh, MDC

    Insects - Lynda Richards

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)

October 29 (Thursday)

Class 8: Core Training Class, 6:00 pm - 8:30 pm, Webster University, Rolla

    Wetlands - Rhonda Rimer, MDC

    Amphibians

October 31 (Saturday)

Core class field trip to Woodson K. Woods Conservation Area, 9:00 am - 1:00 pm

    Aquatics - Nick Girondo, MDC

November 3 (Tuesday)

Public program at Bray Conservatiom Area for families with children 7-years-old or older.  Details to follow.

November 5 (Thursday)

Class 9: Core Training Class, 6:00 pm - 8:30 pm, Webster University, Rolla

    Woodland Management - Lee Hughes, MDC

November 7 (Saturday)

Family Work Day at Truman Elementary.  Details to follow.

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 12 (Thursday)

Class 10: Core Training Class, 6:00 pm - 8:30 pm, Webster University, Rolla

    Missouri Geology and Soils - Neil Elfrink, DNR

November 19 (Thursday)

Class 11: Core Training Class, 6:00 pm - 8:30 pm, Webster University, Rolla

    Education and Interpretation - Carol Mahan, MDC

    Graduation

November 23 (Monday)

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

Program to be announced.

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 - Pamela Barnabee is coordinator

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!