DRAFT MINUTESFriends of the State Line Serpentine Barrens Board Meeting August 29, 2015 |
A) Key Dates
1. Our next board meeting is scheduled for
Saturday, September 26 at Lincoln University, Room 235, 2-4 Conference Dial-in Number: (716)
748-0224 (potential
toll call)
Host Access
Code: 445962*
Participant
Access Code: 445962#
2. Hikes, Talks and Other Commitments
Thursday, Sept. 10, Lawrence Senior Expo, Oxford Union Fire Company 10:00-1:00 Saturday, Sept. 12, Serps Stewardship Day at New Texas – Henry leads Saturday, Sept. 19, Birds, Blooms and Butterflies walk at Nottingham Park, 9:00-12:00 – Tracy and Chris Sunday, Sept. 27, Serps Stewardship Day at Upper Chrome – Molly leads Friday, Oct. 9, Serps Stewardship Day at Goat Hill -- Kent leads Sunday, Oct. 11, Serps Ecology Hike, Goat Hill Rose Trail, 1:00 – Chris leads Saturday, October 17, Passport to Serpentine Ecology, 9:30 – Tracy and Anna lead Friday, Oct. 23, Serps Stewardship Day at NCP -- David leads Friday, November 6, Membership Banquet at Oxford Presbyterian Church, 6:00pm Lecture 7:30 Sunday, Nov. 8, Serps Stewardship Day at Lower Chrome – Kent leads
B) Action Items Going
Forward
Molly Anderson
Will arrange a meeting involving TNC, FSLSB, landowners and the folks who are doing mowing at Chrome.
Obtain from TNC a letter indicating the liability waiver TNC needs from BoF to host BoF equipment in the Goat Hill shed.
Sunday, Sept. 27, Serps Stewardship Day at Upper Chrome leader
Mike Bertram:
Point person for our history initiatives
Bob Gray:
Will confirm our participation in September 10 Senior Expo and offer opportunities for Lawrence to participate in future Serps events (e.g., September 19 and October 23 at NCP).
Bob and Tracy will work on getting Henry current email contact list for blind copy emails to go out middle to end of next week (New Texas Serps Day).
Will draft letter for Jay Gregg to use as starting point for letter of support for Ware Foundation grant application.
Will contact Ray Hayden to suggest that Scouts go in through Becky’s Farm and identify David as FSLSB contact for September 19 trail work.
Will call Molly to discuss logistics for Sunday, Sept. 27, Serps Stewardship Day at Upper Chrome.
Will call Rick (610) 476-6501--cell (610) 582-9664—work to arrange for key to Goat Hill kiosk.
Looking for an opportunity to consult with Ray and Joe about how to approach Webster family for trail easement at Goat Hill.
Will draft letter expressing our understanding of mutual obligations between FSLSB and NCP to be circulated to PPFF and TNC for comment.
Point person for strategic planning initiatives.
Chris Hoess:
Saturday, Sept. 19, Birds, Blooms and Butterflies walk at Nottingham Park, 9:00-12:00—Chris leads hike. Will connect with Rachel Bishop for bird and butterfly background.
Will serve as acting secretary for September 26 Board meeting.
Will work with BoF on October 9 at Goat Hill
Sunday, Oct. 11, Serps Ecology Hike, Goat Hill Rose Trail, 1pm -- leader
Will research conditions that facilitate the spread of fame flower in barrens soils.
Will lead end of July 2016 walk; Board will incorporate as part of our Spring/Summer 2016 schedule
Anna Hull:
Will contact Carol about October 9 glade spurge BoF work.
Will reach out to Lincoln students about October 17 Passport event.
Point person on the Ware Foundation grant application.
Point person for science and education initiatives.
Tracy Raymond
Will prepare Fall events handout for September 10 Senior Expo.
Bob and Tracy will work on getting Henry current email contact list for blind copy emails to go out middle to end of next week (New Texas Serps Day).
Saturday, Sept. 19, Birds, Blooms and Butterflies walk at Nottingham Park, 9:00-12:00 – primary organizer.
Will create brochure for and otherwise promote Sunday, Oct. 11, Serps Ecology Hike, Goat Hill Rose Trail
Will confirm October 17 date for Passport event with Jay.
Will contact Lighthouse Youth Center about cosponsoring October 17.
Will pursue Lenni Lenape speaker for November 6 event
Will bring to the September Board meeting a proposed outreach strategy for the November 6 event.
Will pull together reimbursement request for printing costs.
Will update our volunteer contact spreadsheet (split out workday volunteers from folks receiving general interest emails) and ensure that Stewardship Day leaders get updated email lists.
Point person for membership and outreach initiatives.
David Ross:
Will brief Kent on goals for Oct. 9 Serps Day.
Thursday, Sept. 10, Lawrence Senior Expo, Oxford Union Fire Company 10:00-1:00
Saturday, Sept. 19, contact for Scouts’ trail work at Goat Hill.
Will send Chris template for September 26 Board meeting minutes.
Will follow up with Joe to confirm forms to be used for Goat Hill workdays.
Will contact potential partners at WCU.
Will remind Board members to review the deferred actions list for September 26 Board meeting.
Point person for administrative initiatives.
Kent Wagner:
Friday, Oct. 9, Serps Stewardship Day at Goat Hill leader
Sunday, Nov. 8, Serps Stewardshp Day at Lower Chrome leader
Point person for recreational uses and trail planning initiatives.
Henry Whitesel:
Authorized to sign a contract for November 6 with OPC if we get confirmation that there will be no hall rental fee and no penalty if we fall short of 30 meals. We want to go with the Ziti dinner with cookies.
Thursday, Sept. 10, Senior Expo (arriving around 11:30)
Saturday, Sept. 12, Serps Stewardship Day at New Texas leader Bob and Tracy will work on getting Henry current email contact list for blind copy emails to go out middle to end of next week.
Will look for quote on stone for Goat Hill shed to
give Anna for Ware Foundation grant application.
Will explore potential candidates to do spring mowing at Goat Hill.
Point person for conservation/maintenance planning
C) Agenda Items
Considered
1. Approved Minutes from Board Meeting of 8/02/2015.
2. Approved agenda.
3. September board meeting date, time and location.
Saturday, September 26 at Lincoln University, Room 235, 2-4
Chris Hoess agree to serve as acting secretary in David’s absence.
4. Action Items from previous Board meeting (not addressed later):
Molly Anderson
Mike Bertram:
Bob Gray:
Will contact Joe Frassetta and/or Rick Hartlieb at BoF: · What needs to be done for volunteers BoF land to be recognized as conservation volunteers, hence covered by workman’s comp.
David will follow up with Joe to confirm forms to be used
· Obtain key for Goat Hill kiosk
Bob will call Rick (610) 476-6501--cell (610) 582-9664—work to arrange for key
· How might we approach Webster family for trail easement.
On Bob’s to-do list.
Chris Hoess:
Will research conditions that facilitate the spread of fame flower in barrens soils.
Is researching that – has feelers out.
Anna Hull:
Tracy Raymond
Will update our volunteer contact spreadsheet (split out workday volunteers from folks receiving general interest emails) and ensure that Stewardship Day leaders get updated email lists.
In process
David Ross:
Will contact Patrick Hurley (Ursinus) about scheduling a class work day.
Patrick is on sabbatical this year. His colleague Rich Wallace is already committed for the fall, but will keep us in mind for the spring.
Will contact partners at WCU.
In progress.
Kent Wagner:
Henry Whitesel:
Remaining items (to
the degree not covered in #4):
5. Monthly reports from board member “Leads” as applicable:
Tabled a. Conservation / maintenance (HW) b. Science (AH) c. History (MB) d. Education (AH) e. Recreation / trails (KW) f. Membership / outreach (TR) g. Administration (DR) h. Strategic Plan (BG)
6. Upcoming events, obligations:
Thursday, Sept. 10, Lawrence Senior Expo, Oxford Union Fire Company 10:00-1:00
David and Henry (arriving 11:30) will participate. Tracy to provide handouts.
Bob will confirm our participation and offer opportunities for Lawrence to participate in future Serps events (e.g., September 19 and October 23 at NCP).
Saturday, Sept. 12, Serps Stewardship Day at New Texas – Henry leads
Bob and Tracy will work on getting Henry current email contact list for blind copy emails to go out middle to end of next week.
Henry intends to focus on sites KK or Y
Friday, Sept. 19, Scouts trail work at Goat Hill.
The particular target is the trail to site 19 leaving Rose Trail near Md. Border. Makes most sense to go in through Becky’s farm.
David will serve as FSLSB contact. Bob to update Ray
Saturday, Sept. 19, Birds, Blooms and Butterflies walk at Nottingham Park, 9:00-12:00
Chris will be primary hike leader
We congratulated Tracy on excellent brochure and agreed to distribute on local bulletin boards.
Ranger Rachel Bishop has agreed to serve as a resource on birds and butterflies. Chris will contact; Tracy will create a butterfly handout from information Rachel is providing.
Sunday, Sept. 27, Serps Stewardship Day at Upper Chrome – Molly leads
Bob will call to discuss logistics.
Friday, Oct. 9, Serps Stewardship Day at Goat Hill -- Kent leads
Bob will confirm that BoF will be able to participate and focus initially on completing glade spurge cages. Chris hopes to attend and assist BoF in getting started.
Anna will invite Carol.
Kent will bring remaining volunteers in through Becky’s farm to work on sites 89 and 100.
Sunday, Oct. 11, Serps Ecology Hike, Goat Hill Rose Trail
Chris agreed to take on lead role.
Set 1pm as start time.
Friday, Oct. 23, Serps Stewardship Day at NCP -- David leads
Will coordinate with Jay
Saturday, October 17, Serps Education Event at NCP
Set time as 9:30
Theme: Passport to Serpentine Ecology An event for middle schoolers and their families
Focus on 7-8 stations on Heritage Loop Trail
Tracy will contact Lighthouse Youth Center to see if it would be interested in cosponsoring.
Anna will pursue recruiting Lincoln students to participate.
We agreed to reimburse Tracy for some of her printing costs.
Friday, November 6, Membership Banquet, Oxford Presbyterian Church, 6:00pm, with lecture at 7:30
We authorized Henry to sign a contract with OPC if we get confirmation that there will be no hall rental fee and no penalty if we fall short of 30 meals. We want to go with the Ziti dinner with cookies.
Tracy will pursue a Lenni Lenape speaker.
Tracy will bring to the September Board meeting a proposed outreach strategy for the event.
Sunday, Nov. 8, Serps Stewardship Day at Lower Chrome – Kent leads
7.
Grant Requests
- Oxford Area Foundation – Submitted
We
thanked Anna for her leadership in pulling together the grant application. A
copy of the application has been saved to Dropbox.
- Ware (1675) Foundation
Application
deadline is October 1. Anna again is taking the lead in completing the
application. She intends to reach out to the Foundation staff to discuss our
goals.
We
need a letter of support from Jay Gregg. Bob will follow up.
Henry
to look for quote on stone for Goat Hill shed.
8. Stewardship initiatives - Annual Spring Mowing –U. &, L. Chrome. TNC/Stakeholder meeting – TBD
Molly and Liz, Bob and Henry held conference call conversation.
Molly will arrange a meeting involving TNC, FSLSB, the landowners and the folks who are doing mowing at Chrome.
Primary goals: Try to get someone to mow each grassland each spring. Cease mowing the area on the other side of the stream. To establish a buffer there. Buffer restoration project that TNC would like to move forward.
-Goat Hill - timber harvest in flux–
Waiting on word from Joe. We’ll continue to consider opportunities for mowing.
9. Agreements (a) Finalize informal agreement with NCP re shared storage. Need to send framework to Jay. (b) BoF use of TNC barn - TNC and BOF need to work out an agreement.
What sort of document is needed to allow BoF to store ATV at Goat Hill shed for FSLSB use. TNC wants a letter waiving liability should the ATV be damaged as a result of damage to shed.
Joe reports that BoF has no such agreement at any site.
Bob has asked Molly to draft a letter indicating what it needs from BoF. For approval of letter laying out informal understanding of how FSLSB equipment trailer could be located at the Park.
The obstacle seems to be the difficulty of getting Chester County government to sign off on such an agreement. Bob will draft a letter expressing our understanding of the mutual obligations involved in our parking an equipment trailer at NCP. Might PPFF and TNC accept our sending such a letter to NCP without needing an acknowledgement from NCP?
10. Master Plan: - Id mtgs with organizations and municipalities in Fall
Tabled
11. Deferred Action Items – Prioritize, Assign, Schedule - review draft assignments sent out early August
David will remind everyone to review the list for September 26 Board meeting.
12. Other business
None
13. Adjourned meeting at 4:35 with thanks to Anna for hosting.
|