Milkweed and stream behind the Persch home.
NABA Northern Crescents Meeting Minutes
Tuesday October 2005
The group decided to continue with ongoing activities which include: MLMP, butterfly counts, field trips, Muriel's garden at the Benedictine Center, speakers, garden tours, science fair, and local festivals.
Discussed ways of advertising counts or excursions to attract more people who would then learn butterfly identification. Other advertising ideas:
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Advertise at state parks or in park brochures or at arboretums and greenhouses.
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Maybe try the watershed festival again where there may be more people who are interested in preservation and conservation concerns.
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Reach out to other groups such as rain garden enthusiasts, birders, garden clubs, etc. Also emphasize native plants and natives as nectar plants.
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Possibly have an outdoor writer do an article for the local newspaper.
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Try to plan garden tours when more members can attend. Perhaps give members more lead-time to plan to attend so the gardener doesn't go to extra work for a very small turnout.
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Pat Thomas will look into the possibility of a 1/3-page size brochure/handout with basic information about our chapter.
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Wendy suggested listing with the EcoSource Directory which lists a collection of contact groups.
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Pat Thomas plans to speak at Westwood Retirement Community this winter and that may attract people to our group who are also familiar with the work we've done on Muriel's garden.
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Try advertising in the Budgeteer and News Tribune again.
Jim Phillips offered to follow up with Lisa Patne and the Forest Service about the McNair Site Partnership.
Discussed the possibility of a long term monitoring project with CSS and Jane Wattress. Several concerns arose about having another long term project when we: don’t know the land won't be developed at some point; the location isn't close for those good at butterfly identification; and others are deeply involved in the ongoing MLMP and may not have the time to extend to another project. Further discussion with Jane is needed.
Karen Oberhauser, from the UM-St. Paul Campus, will be our featured speaker this spring, possibly in May. Pat Thomas will confirm a final date.
Pat Sanders volunteered to take over secretarial duties. Marilyn Miller volunteered as VP.
Possible program ideas:
-Bring disks with butterfly photos and have show
-Everyone bring their favorite camera for butterfly photos.
-December meeting is a holiday potluck dinner at Pat & Jim Sanders' house Dec. 6 at 6:00 p.m.
-Next meeting is Tuesday, November 8, 2005 at 6:30 p.m. at the MN Pollution Control Agency Office, Paulucci Building in Canal Park.