Newsletter. Volume 21, Issue 2 April President s Annual Report April April 2012

Transcription

1 Westmoreland Conservancy Newsletter Volume 21, Issue 2 April 2012 President s Annual Report April April 2012 It is my job to look back and present a comprehensive report of the past year for Westmoreland Conservancy. We have ventured into new territories, realized long-awaited dreams and celebrated milestones; Together. Last Spring we streamed live video from a bluebird house near the McGinnis Reserve. From watching the eggs being laid, watching them hatch and saying goodbye as they fledged, hundreds of people all around the country joined us and celebrated. The first clutch entertained us from April through May. The first egg was laid Easter Sunday, the last baby fledged May 29th. We all were saddened when a raccoon raided the next nest just after the eggs were laid. Nature is a powerful, often difficult, thing to watch. Our annual Caching with the Conservancy event was held June 4th. We had a beautiful, sunny day which brought out 150+ attendees. This signature event, created to bring people to our reserves and raise our visibility within the community, has generated buzz throughout the region. In 2010 we received the blessing of Murrysville Council and Mayor Brooks to officially name as the Don Harrison Community Trail, the corridor trail extending from the Walter Reserve on Wiestertown Road to Townsend Park. The Inaugural Hike was held June 18, Don & Mary Harrison joined us at the trailhead to officially open the 5-mile trail. It was so popular that we received several messages asking if we would schedule another hike in Fall, when it might be somewhat cooler. A second hike took place October 8th. June 23rd saw the dedication of a memorial in the the King Reserve/Potter s Corner s parking lot. The Potter Family came together to celebrate with the Conservancy and mark the 10th anniversary of the acquisition marked the 20th Anniversary for Westmoreland Conservancy. The 20th Anniversary Celebration was held at Townsend Park. September 17th. Donna Forys, our first president, told the story of the early years and determination. Mark Emerson told the story of our future, and I spoke of our current triumphs. On September 21st Mayor Brooks presented the WC with a mayoral citation for 20 years of community service. Continued next page... Annual Elections Meeting Our regularly scheduled members meeting for April 2012 will include the election of our board of governors. This election is determined by our general membership, so your attendance is very important. After the members elect the new governors, the governors will then elect the 2012 officers. Remember Annual Members /Elections Meeting - April 25th, 2012 at 7:30 pm at the Community Building/Senior Center located at 3091 Carson Avenue, Murrysville. Please plan to attend! Inside Meeting Venue 2 Crane Creek 3 CWTC Eco-Fun 4 Word Search 5 Wildlife Works 6 Schedule of Hikes 6 Schedule of Events 7 Protecting Nature s home, enriching ours

2 Page 2 Volume 21, Issue 2...Continued from front page President s Annual Report Land Trust Alliance s National Land Conference (Rally 2011) was held in Milwaukee, WI October I attended again, and presented a workshop October 15th about how to create a geocaching event similar to our Caching with the Conservancy, as well as why and how it has benefitted Westmoreland Conservancy. Our annual Autumn excursion was October 22. A group of 16 met at McConnell s Mill for a long hike and short tour of the historic mill. After a brief rest most headed over to Shakespeare s at the Old Stone Wall Golf Club for dinner. It was a fun day, as usual. We d love to see some new faces joining us. We try to visit a different location every year. That way we can compare trail markings, maps and information, bringing home new ideas for Westmoreland Conservancy properties! November 19th was the date of REI s monthly Garage Sale. Westmoreland Conservancy set up an information table with the hopes of reaching new members and volunteers. This is a sound relationship to pursue and we re looking forward to future events to spread our message. The encroachment area on the McGinnis Reserve has been effectively closed and we are taking steps to reclaim the damaged area. We are presently waiting to hear from the foundations to whom we sent grant applications to offset the expenses related to the repairs. Three years after the acquisition of the Caywood Reserve we are still hammering out issues related to parking lot construction with People s Gas. Mark Emerson has been diligently protecting Westmoreland Conservancy s interests throughout this long, complicated process. All this activity was interwoven with the progress being made in preparing to apply for accreditation. This is a slow and steady process, making sure that our policies meet national standards and that we continue to operate in a strong, ethical manner. We are currently registered for Fall 2012, so are in the pre-application phase and are looking straight into the most daunting part of the process: Application. This is where we provide copies of our policies, documents, minutes and files for review and await the committee s determination as to whether we will receive the coveted designation of Accredited Land Trust. This label assures potential donors and funders that Westmoreland Conservancy lives up to the promises we make to actively protect the properties we hold and to exhibit sound, ethical business practices afforded us wonderful opportunities. I believe we are moving in a good direction, increasing our visibility to new potential members and volunteers. The dynamics of our Board of Governors is strong and effective, and it is an honor to be a part of Westmoreland Conservancy s growth and history. Respectfully. Shelly Tichy, President Westmoreland Conservancy Meeting Venue Westmoreland Conservancy monthly meetings are temporarily being held at the Community Building/ Senior Center at 3091 Carson Avenue, Murrysville. This venue will continue till further notice. The meeting times will remain unchanged.

3 Volume 21, Issue 2 Page 3 Annual Crane Creek Migration Excursion It s that time of year again! Spring migration is at hand and Crane Creek is the place. Crane Creek is an important location, as this is where an amazing variety of migratory birds stop to rest and eat before a long, dangerous flight over the Great Lakes on their way North. We are planning a full day at Crane Creek State Park (Ohio) on Saturday May 4th. Depending on how many will attend we will leave either the night before or at 3am the same day. Anyone interested in going please call Shelly Tichy ( ) as soon as possible, so we can make appropriate arrangements. Caching With The Conservancy 2012 Our annual Caching with the Conservancy event (CWTC2012) will be held Saturday, June 9th. Put it on your calendar and plan for a great time! We have a few new tricks up our sleeves this time around! The event is co-sponsored by S.L.A.M. and the Municipality of Murrysville. Registration opens at the Townsend Park Upper Pavilion at 8:15 AM. The Welcome address will be at the Lower Pavilion at 8:30 AM. For those who have not yet attended, geocaching is a high-tech version of the old treasure hunt game. Using a hand held GPS unit (most smart phones have an app for that) you find a cache at specific coordinates. Our event takes you through our reserves and several municipal/historic locations. This year we re adding a designated geocaching hike! The Don Harrison Community Trail, which is a 5-mile trail running east-west across Murrysville, has a trailhead at Townsend Park. The first group, led by Tom Dittman will leave from the Townsend ballfield parking area at 9:30 AM and work its way East to the Walter Reserve on Wiestertown Road. Along the way participants will discover six caches. This hike is great for beginner cachers, as they can work as a team to get the hang of the game. The trail has one steep declining hill in this direction. Allow three hours and make arrangements for someone to pick you up so that you might try caching at other locations. At 1PM the afternoon group will leave from Walter Reserve and head to Townsend Park. The steep hill is UPHILL in this direction. Either way, be sure to wear appropriate foot gear. There will be caches hidden at six Westmoreland Conservancy Reserves, as well as one historic and four municipal sites. This should guarantee that no corner of Murrysville is overlooked! Talks on topics such as indigenous animals, invasive/aggressive threats, and wildlife photography will be offered throughout the day given by naturalists and other experts at the Townsend Park Lower Pavilion beginning at 9AM and changing topics every hour. The last presentation is from 3 4 PM. A hot dog lunch will be provided by S.L.A.M. at the upper pavilion from 11:30 AM 1 PM. The Municipality of Murrysville is providing drinks all day (including coffee in the morning!) Please remember that the 5:30 PM picnic is by pre-registration only in order to provide adequate supplies. Please get your registration to us BY JUNE 1st. Form is available on our website: The form may also be accessed from our facebook page, LinkedIn profile, and from geocaching.com/gc3e- 8WV. Donations are gratefully accepted. For more information or to RSVP, please contact the Westmoreland Conservancy at contact@westmorelandconservancy.org There were more than 150 people in attendance for CWTC2011. Let s break that record! See you there!

4 Page 4 Volume 21, Issue 2 Eco Fun Page Terrarium Ornament Spoon a layer of soil over the pebbles, about ½ deep. You will need: 1 clear glass globe ornament. 3 clear adhesive bumpers OR 1 decorative hanger + cork small pebbles soil moss, twigs, small plants to fit into the ornament small scoop or spoon long tweezers Start by putting a shallow layer of pebbles in the bottom of the globe. This will provide drainage. Using the tweezers, arrange moss, twigs and/or plants in the soil. If using cactus or succulent plants, keep them separate from tropical-type plants, as they have different water needs. Replace the top metal ornament hanger OR cork the top and arrange a triangle of bumpers at bottom of globe to keep it stable. Place your terrarium in an area that gets light, but not direct sunlight. You don t want to burn the plants.

5 Volume 21, Issue 2 Page 5 Seen While Walking The Reserves Find the words in the grid. When you are done, the unused letters in the grid will spell out a hidden message. Pick them out from left to right, top line to bottom line. Words can go horizontally, vertically and diagonally in all eight directions. Argiope EasternBoxTurtle PoisonIvy Smartweed Asclepias EasternChipmunk Pokeweed StripedSkunk BeeFly FirePink PrayingMantis TentCaterpillar BlueJay Micrrathena RatSnake TulipTree Boneset Millipede RedTailHawk VirginiaOpossum Burdock Mullien Sassafrass WhiteOak Centipede Nightshade ShepherdsPurse WildCarrot DownyWoodpecker Nutgrass SmallCopper WoodThrush

6 Page 6 Volume 21, Issue 2 Wildlife Works Call For Volunteers This year Wildlife Works is seeking, not only animal care volunteers, which is their most critical need, but also additional volunteers to help run errands and help develop their website. If you know of anyone please have them contact Wildlife Works at or wildlifeworks@comcast.net. Animal care volunteers will be trained and must be at least 18 years old. Please note, this year they are relaxing their 4 hr/week commitment to see if that will help get more volunteers. Westmoreland Conservancy Hikes Schedule of Hikes April 7th - 1pm: Herpetology Walk at Potter s Corner. Meet Jim Pemberton at in the Sloan Elementary School parking lot to carpool to the Potter s Corner section of the King Reserve, a very short drive. Jim will be looking primarily for salamander species as well as snakes and frogs. Jim is an amateur herpetologist who was very active in the Pennsylvania Herpetology Atlas. Wear foot gear you don t mind getting wet. April 17th - 10am: Bio Blitz on DHCT. Join Dick Byers and Tom Pearson on a Spring wildflower walk on the Don Harrison Community Trail. Meet Dick Byers and Tom Pearson at the MCP wetlands at 10:00 a.m. This hike will be at an exploration-friendly pace, so bring cameras, not running shoes. May 12th - 9:30am: Loop de Loop. Meet at the King Reserve parking area on Crowfoot Road. Join Monika Dalrymple on a five mile intermediate level hike that will loop through King and Caywood Reserves. There are moderate to steep inclines on parts of this trail so please consider your abilities. April 21st: Hike Murrysville 2012: (Rain Date April 28) DHCT. May 4th: Crane Creek Excursion. Trip to Ohio for the annual bird migration. Please see page 3 for details. Friends of Murrysville Parks (FOMP) Walks April 21st - 8am: Duff Park. Bird walk led by the Bird Club; meet at main parking place on School Rd South. April 28th - 11am: Duff Park. Nature walk. Leader: Professor Kyle Selcer, Duquense University. May 5th - 11am: Duff Park. Wild flower walk.leader: Pia van de Venne Volunteer Coordinator Parks Murrysville. June 2nd - 10am: Murrysville Community Park (MCP). Wetlands. Leader is Gary McClosky. July 9th - 9am: Pleasant Valley Park. Nature Walk. Leader Tom Pearson. For all hikes, please wear sturdy shoes and dress weather-appropriate

7 Volume 21, Issue 2 Page 7 Schedule of Events April 22nd: Earth Day at St. Vincent s 11 AM 4 PM April 25th: Annual Membership meeting, Elections, Board meeting. May 19th: REI Garage Sale presence 8-12 May 23rd: Monthly meeting June 9th: CWTC2012 June 27th: Monthly meeting July 25th: Monthly meeting Westmoreland Conservancy Online Website: Flickr: Facebook:

8 Westmoreland Conservancy P.O. Box 446 Murrysville, PA Board of Governors 2011 Officers: Governors: President - Shelly Tichy Vice President - Mark Emerson Treasurer - Bjoerg Granger Secretary - Jackie Stempfer Bjoerg Granger Dick Byers Shelly Tichy Richard Wagner Mark Emerson Alan Halperin Juliene Graham Bill Powers Jackie Stempfer Sohail Khwaja The monthly meetings are open and we look forward to seeing you there. Meetings are held at 7:30pm on the fourth Wednesday of each month and temporarilly will be at the Community Building/Senior Center, 3091 Carson Avenue, Murrysville. April 25th (Elections) May 23rd June 27th July 25th Westmoreland Conservancy An all-volunteer, non-profit, 501c-3 corporation, the Westmoreland Conservancy will act to preserve land and natural resources, connect green spaces and help balance Nature and development by protecting rural landscapes and woodlands for all generations. Membership Application Westmoreland Conservancy P.O. Box 446 Murrysville, PA Membership Levels Individual...$15 Family...$20 Business Membership...$45 Additonal Donation...$ Name Address City State Zip Code Editors: Shelly Tichy & Sohail Khwaja wcnewsletter@comcast.net