WILD WARNER MINUTES
JANUARY 18, 2011
Wildlife sightings: Eagle in bay (December), hawks, bunnies, red bellied woodpecker.
Jim Krueger, program coordinator from Northeast Side Senior Coalition (NESCO) talked to us about working together with them. He is looking for us to help with the program. Jim said he would help promote the events.
Wild Warner agreed to arrange five monthly nature walks or programs, March through July.
We also discussed possible grants available for seniors and kids to work together. Marlene and Dolores reminded us to include programs accessible to people with limited mobility.
At least one of the walks will be led by students from the Sherman school “Bird Buddies” program that Trish teaches. Trish would like to see an educational twist put on the walks. Alex and Trish will delegate dates. The solstice, March 21 could be a good start date for seeing buds, flowers, and birds.
Treasurer Report: We need to pay our dues for the year so that we can use the monies for brochures.
Alex has been working on finding a fiscal agent for our non-profit status as well as for grant monies. We need a 5013c number. We talked about the uses if we got a grant. They could include printed material, educational markers, the website, printed signs, internships, junior rangers. We talked about a brochure/map for self guided tours, and a possible DNR grant. Alex vocalized his interest in a paid position for finding grants, etc.
Trish wants to partner with the Parks Department and to set up a meeting about program projects and education. Monies could be used to fund an internship, or do a biota survey of the park. Americorps was mentioned.
We started to talk about expanding our base of members. This could include: business membership, flyers at the library, leafleting residential homes, promotional marketing, and an article in the Isthmus.
We discussed the need for public input in a usage survey of Warner Park. We will speak at the Feb. 10 Parks meeting.
Jack talked to Curt Welke of DNR about the water quality from the fireworks.There was some testing done in 2005 that showed the likelihood of heavy metals in the bottom of the lagoons. We need to post this data on the Web site, along with the annual pesticide use in the park.
Geese Update: Tim is going to try to talk to mayor candidate Paul Soglin about the issue. The geese subcommittee has asked Mayor Dave to invite Geese Peace to help negotiate a nonlethal solution the geese overpopulation.
The next meeting is 6 p.m. Feb. 15 at the Lakeview Library.