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Attending: Bob Gray, Anna Hull, David Ross, Henry Whitesell
Upcoming Dates
Sun 15 Dec Work Day -- Chrome Barrens
Sun 26 Jan 4:00-6:00 – FSLSB Board Meeting, Henry’s house
Action Items
Bob Gray
Discuss with Molly
Our equipment/budget needs (repair current bush hog; a 2nd bush hog)
Request copies of TNC strategic planning documents that reference Chrome and Goat Hill.
Approach University of Pennsylvania about strategic plan
Anna Hull
Consult with Mike Bertram on dates for Botanical/Ecology hikes
David Ross
Approach West Chester University and University of Delaware about strategic plan
Henry Whitesel
Find PPFF annual report template and drafts of past reports
Discuss with Joe Frassetta
Request copies of DCNR strategic planning documents that reference Goat Hill.
Plans for trail to Octoraro
Plans for camp site
Thoughts about controlled burn
Contact Vernon Ringler (Oxford Area Historical Association) about 2014 hikes/outreach
Mention strategic plan idea to Patrick Hurley
Agenda Items
Elections
Following the nominations from the October 25 Board meeting we approved for terms starting January 2014
Chair – Bob Gray
Vice Chair – Anna Hull
Secretary – David Ross
5 year Strategic Plan
Purpose
Identify initiatives and objectives in the various areas of our mission:
Science – botanical/ecology/geology
Future preservation (notably at New Texas)
History
Restoration
Maintenance
Recreation
The plan then becomes a guide for our restoration and maintenance work days and allows us to set priorities for other projects.
The study Roger Latham authored for Unionville Serpentine Barrens (Natural Lands Trust) would be a good starting point.
Steering Committee – initially Bob, Mike B. and Henry
Partner with schools/colleges
University of Pennsylvania grad school of regional planning – Bob
West Chester University, Geography – David
University of Delaware – David
Ursinus College (Patrick Hurley) – Henry
Explore grant opportunities
Ware Foundation
DCNR
Herrs
Identify existing planning documents
TNC (Goat Hill, Chrome) – David/Bob to follow up with Molly
DCNR (Goat Hill) – Henry to follow up with Joe Frassetta
Chester County (Nottingham Park) – Henry to follow up with Jay Gregg
What to do about Lower Chrome Serpentine Barrens
We agreed to target grasslands 3, 4, 5, and 6 on eastern edge for bush hog
Brainstorming support items to request from TNC (Molly’s January budget request)
Our primary need is to expand access to mechanical equipment to make our workdays more production. Repair the existing bush hog; request a second bush hog
Exploring the burn option
Controlled burns have proven effective at restoring serpentine grasslands in.
A controlled burn is our preferred option for restoring the large grassland in NE corner of Upper Chrome; 2nd choice mechanical scraping.
We will need to move carefully to restore stakeholder confidence in viability of controlled burns following the last burn at Nottingham Park
Our preference is to use the TNC burn team (Patrick McElhenny). Given the size of the burn zones we envision, we likely would want to plan on two or three controlled burn sites for a single day.
We think that Jay Gregg is looking for an opportunity to resume burns at Nottingham Park. Joe Frassetta has discussed controlled burns at Goat Hill.
Consulting with Landowners
Goat Hill (Henry talk with Joe Frasetta)
Strategic planning documents
Trail to Octorara
Camp site
Burns
Nottingham Park (David and Henry talk with Jay week of January 6)
Strategic planning documents
Ensure our work areas are consistent with our mission
Burns
New Texas
We agreed to limit our investments here unless the Hannums put the property under conservation easement. Focus of our strategic planning effort should be on demonstrating how attractive protecting the land could be to Hannums and funding agencies.
Hikes/Public Outreach for 2014
Serpentine Rock building tour
Henry to contact Vernon Ringler (Oxford Area Historical Association)
Hike focusing on mining at Goat Hill
Henry to contact Vernon Ringler
Botanical/Ecology hikes
early May (New Texas ?)
Late September
PPFF Annual Report
Henry to provide template or Bob will request template from Marci
Spring 2014 Work Days
Henry to draft restoration and maintenance work day schedule for spring by January so that Anna can prepare announcements/posters for outreach |