|
|
1. The chapter welcomed back Marge Laskowsi who is recovering after her accident last year. Jim Phillips said that, according to her doctors, Marge was talking about butterflies while in intensive care. We are thankful to have her back with us. 2. President Pat Thomas made the following additions to the October 2004 minutes: Wally Mattson has a county record for the broad-wing skipper. Also, he brought a beautiful Polyphemus moth (Antheraea polyphemus) larva (happily eating maple leaves) and cocoon (nestled in a maple leaf) for all to see and enjoy. They were amazing. Pat Sanders mentioned how we must be careful not to rake all our leaves in the fall since many small creatures overwinter there. 3. Marilyn Miller brought information from a website for tee shirts, mugs, tote-bags. We all agreed that Doreen’s logo would be perfect for our shirts. Marilyn is gathering names of those interested in our NABA-Northern Crescents shirts so please contact her marilyn3225@hotmail.com if you’d like a tee-shirt. We will have prices at a future date. 4. Part of NABA’s mission is conservation and this evening Dave MacLean opened discussion for a conservation committee for our chapter. Packets of articles and samples of various butterfly conservation websites were distributed. Dave read from the article “Comparative losses of british Butterflies, Birds, and Plants and the Global Extinction Crisis” (Science, Vol. 303, 19 march 2004). This sobering article tells the sad tale of the butterfly decline in the UK. Despite efforts to conserve, the brits are losing these insects which fared worse than birds and plants. Dave also mentioned success stories such as the Miami Blue (which so far is being successfully bred for reintroduction), Schaus’ Swallowtail and the Karner Blue. We will remain positive and decided to move forward with a long term monitoring project (at least 10 years) close to Duluth or in Duluth. Tim Craig suggested using a method to allow data to be used by scientists. Jim Phillips and Dave MacLean will look into other butterfly surveys being done and report back. Jane Wattrus suggested we examine the Scholastica campus as a possible site. There is also interest in Forest Service Lands, the UMD campus, Nature Conservancy lands and city parks. 5. We will not open the December meeting to the public. Rather, we’ll host a Butterfly Social at John and Pat Thomas’ house. Dec 14th at 6 p.m. It will be potluck dinner. Jim Phillips suggested we could also share some of our favorite butterfly things (books, art, pictures, etc). Respectfully submitted Pat Thomas for Doreen Hansen who could
not attend
the meeting
|
