In a session best described as “get-down-to-business time,” the NWA Chapter of Arkansas Master Naturalists addressed some challenging issues and recognized a few under-the-radar, get-it-done volunteers at its monthly Board of Directors meeting at the historic Shiloh Museum in Springdale (September 10).
After two months of amiable discussions and cooperative revisions, the Board and the Illinois River Watershed Partnership (IRWP) came to agreement on a grant of up to $2,500 to support the Woolsey Farm Wet Prairie Restoration Project. The initial grant proposal stalled over language related to herbicides, but when IRWP Program Manager Casey Rector rewrote the grant application to focus on invasive plant removal through brush hogging and the creation of education signage and brochures, the Board voted unanimously to fund the grant.
“It’s all about education and maintaining the environment the way it should be,” Chapter President Dave Leisure said. “The brochures will explain what native plants are all about, and the signage will highlight our active involvement in an urban farming educational center, including two acres of tallgrass prairie restoration. It’s important, too, for our membership to know that our chapter is not sponsoring, promoting, or paying for herbicides.”
Dave took a moment to recognize one of the Chapter’s most dedicated volunteers, Christie Waggoner, for her outstanding contributions to the success of the organization. “She’s sometimes overlooked, but her work behind the scenes is invaluable,” he said. Christie is NWAMN’s chief recruiter of Naturalists in Training and manages the chapter’s outreach and publicity campaigns. The strong working relationships she’s established with local media ensures that announcements about classes and events are covered by newspapers and TV stations. Kudos, Christie!
The Strategic Planning Process Committee is steadily moving forward, Kathy Trotter reported. She said Chapter members will be receiving an online survey via e-mail, intended to help chart the future with an emphasis on major goals and priorities. (NOTE: By way of procrastination by your reporter in getting our report to press, we saw the survey hit the cyberwaves in mid-September a few days after the board meeting … and reports indicate it has been well received by membership.) Fifteen Chapter members are serving on the Strategic Planning Committee.
Treasurer JB Portillo displayed the Chapter’s financial report and balance sheet on the big screen, indicating a healthy fiscal picture. JB urged committee chairs and others to begin preparing for the 2020 budgeting process now. She also asked members who’ve spent funds on Chapter activities to forward their receipts.
Editor Jim Klinger announced the first issue of the Chapter Newsletter, which has been distributed via e-mail to members. The attractive minimalist production, displayed on the big screen, featured chapter activities, a member profile, volunteer opportunities, news reports, and some sweet photos by Jim. “We want it to be easy to look at, easy to read,” the editor said. “We want to feature all the good stuff you guys are working on.” The newsletter will be published monthly.
Reports about Lake Wedington activities, the Adopt-a-Mile program of the Arkansas Department of Transportation, the Chapter website managed by Cheryl Larson, the NWAMN Book Club and its reading of “How to Give Up Plastic,” and the proposed Gateway Native Plant Center added to a jam-packed meeting.
Yes, but … We save what may be the best for last: Ramblin’ Rose Gergerich’s report about recent activities of the Native Plant Team, especially its awesomely successful sales event at the Washington County Extension Office in Fayetteville on September 3 and 4. The team sold 320 plants via pre-orders and about 350 plants direct to the public, raising about $4,450 for the chapter.
Rose thanked “our amazing energetic Master Naturalist volunteers” for their work at the sales event. Spicebush, columbine, coneflower, little bluestem, milkweed, and blue lobelia topped the sales chart. Forgive us, dear reader, for not being more specific about the species, but you get the idea – and it’s all good!
The Native Plant Team has donated gratis specimens to the Buckingham Trailhead in Bella Vista, the Ozark Natural Science Center, Lake Wedington Recreation Area, Eureka Springs Native Plant Garden, and the Shiloh Museum.
BTW, President Leisure opened the meeting with his trademark Fun Fact about Nature – this month about lightning. The numbers were flyin’ about the room faster than bolts from Thor’s angry fists – a billion strikes on Mother Earth each and every year, 200,000 mph going up and 200 million mph going down, 3X hotter than the surface of the sun – “really, really hot,” Dave said, reminding us at the end that “thunder only happens when it’s raining.” Or maybe that was “thunder only happens when it’s lightning.” What song are you listening to?
--Respectfully submitted by Ebenezer on the first day of Autumn