Hello, fellow CSA members! If we weren’t all thinking summer thoughts before the new CSA Assembly News arrived this week, I’m sure we are now . . . especially with that beautiful sunset picture on the front. (Jay Burt takes the best sunset photos!) Inside the bulletin, on page 30, is a summary report from your CSA Ecology Committee which was very active in 2008 and has lots of plans for 2009.
We are writing to you to request a little help with a new program we’re sponsoring for the assembly this summer. This Ecology Intern Program is noted as the last item in the report on page 30.
As per the report, we want to (1) start an environmental education program for children with weekly activities scheduled just like we do for tennis, swimming, etc. These will be interesting, fun, hands-on activities for several age groups, and (2) create an environmental assessment of the CSA grounds and a plan for protecting its fragile ecosystems. This baseline assessment would be facilitated by GPS and GIS mapping systems.
During the November meeting, the CSA Trustees approved our intern proposal and allocated $500 toward funding it this summer. A budget of $4,500 is needed this initial year to cover the intern stipend, some transportation costs, and supplies. Housing is being arranged by the Ecology Committee.
The Ecology Committee is committed to raising the necessary funds to make this happen this year. We see this as a community project and, as such, we asked for and received a very generous grant of $1,500 from the Benzie Audubon Club, targeted for outdoor education.
We are nearly halfway to our goal! This is where YOU come in, of course!
We are asking CSA members who are passionate about our environment, about protecting the natural surroundings and passing that information on to the next generation – to donate whatever amount you’re able, to help make this happen this summer! We are confident that we will be able to raise the remaining funds quickly during the month of April . . . with a little help from our friends.
Last fall, for various reasons, we formed an association with the Harris World Ecology Center at the University of Missouri-St. Louis and through them have arranged for the intern(s) to fill the position.
Two very capable young people, Erin Fleming and Nelson Galvis, are planning to work as a team for at least five weeks beginning about July 1. They both have the necessary GIS skills, field ID skills, and ecology background. Erin has had numerous teaching experiences with children at a nature center and both of them have the enthusiasm, interest, and personalities to work with kids. They are presently working together on a research project in Ecuador. Nelson’s native language is Spanish, so maybe we’ll have some bilingual ecology activities. We are excited about having them at the CSA!
Dr. Bette Loiselle, biology professor in the WEC-UMSL, will be the academic sponsor for the interns. They will also be aided by Dr. Michael Kennedy, longtime CSA member and GIS expert. Overall coordination will be given by Dr. Julia Nerbonne, adjunct professor of conservation biology at the U. of Minnesota and CSA summer resident. Members of the ecology committee will help as needed. Activity scheduling will be coordinated with Ken Cox to insure it fits well with our current programs.
Please make your donation (tax-deductible) via the Pilgrim Fund – denoting at the bottom of your check that it is for the Ecology Intern Program and mail to CSA Pilgrim Fund, c/o Jim Royle, 5660 Hacienda Ct., Saginaw, MI 48638. Any amounts received above the $2500 we need for this project will go toward the current unrestricted Pilgrim Fund appeal, so please be generous if you can. Thank you!
Nancy Baglan, Ecology Chairman
Ed Petrick, Julia Nerbonne, Marjie Pearsall, Jane Comings, Emily Baker, Bill Barnes,
Carol Edmonds, Eleanor Comings, Nancy Donald, Holly Freeburg
