Volunteer Quarterly Jan / Feb / Mar 2019 Macon County Conservation District 3939 Nearing Lane Decatur, IL 62521 217-423-7708 MaconCountyConservation.org Dates to Remember Volunteer Quarterly Meeting Auditorium Friday, January 18, 11:30am-1pm Do you want to hear the latest news on educational programming, restoration efforts, foundation projects, and what s new and improved? Don t miss your chance! Receive your quarterly update and ask questions. Lunch is provided. RSVP by January 15. Prairie Heritage Volunteer Meetings Rock Springs Nature Center Thursday, January 10, 7pm Thursday, February 14, 7pm Thursday, March 14, 7pm Prairie Heritage Volunteers work hard to fill many niches at Homestead Prairie Farm, from carpentry work to costumed interpretation. Receive your monthly update. Refreshments provided. Welcome New Volunteers! Dulcimer Club - Ellie Sedlak Library - Sandra Lindberg Nature Center Greeter - Skip Mathieson Trail Monitor - Emily Outzen Thank You Volunteers Jenny Garver - Volunteer Coordinator We had a fun action packed fall. Volunteers assisted with a several special events including Prairie Pedal, Fall Harvest, and Candlelight Tour. You make events like these possible and we are truly grateful! Our volunteers have been impressive in 2018! During the months of January through November, 499 volunteers have donated over 11,475 hours. If you forgot to turn in some hours, it is not too late to turn them into Jenny. Thank you for all that you do! Rock Springs Dulcimer Club East Conference Room Saturdays, January 12 & 26, 10am Saturdays, February 9 & 23, 10am Saturdays, March 9 & 23, 10am Bluegrass Music Jam Auditorium Sunday, January 13, 1-4pm Sunday, February 10, 1-4pm Sunday, March 10, 1-4pm Rock Springs Quilters Rock Springs Nature Center Every Wednesday, 9-11am (continued on page 2) Volunteers in Action: Members of the Board of Trustees took time to see projects completed at several sites. Above, they saw trail improvements to reduce soil erosion at Rock Springs Conservation Area. Remembering Our Volunteers Sharna Reif (November 1958 - October 2018)
Dates to Remember (cont.) Cross Country Classics Harriet and Norman Greenberg Auditorium Thursdays, Jan 3, Feb 7, March 7, 6pm Starved Rock Eagle Viewing Trip Saturdays, January 19, 26, and Feb 2, 9am-4pm Take a trip to this popular state park to look for wintering eagles, check out the visitor center, and even see the lock and dam museum. Bring a lunch or purchase one from the restaurant at Starved Rock Lodge. Be prepared to go outside. $25/person. Volunteers receive a 50% discount for this trip! Register online by January 18, 25, and February 1. Min/Max: 5/12. Pere Marquette State Park Eagle Trip Tuesday, January 22, 9am-4pm Visit this state park and venture through river bluffs and woods to get an upclose look at wintering bald eagles along the Mississippi River and lower Illinois River. Bring a lunch or purchase one from the Pere Marquette lodge restaurant. Be prepared to go outside. $25/person. Volunteers receive a 50% discount for this trip! Register online by January 21. Min/Max: 5/12. Volunteer Holiday Party A big thank you to everyone who attended the volunteer holiday party. 91 volunteers donated 136 non-perishable food items to the Northeast Community Fund. Volunteers from many areas came, including quilters, newsletter folders, dulcimer club musicians, nature center greeters, master gardeners, prairie heritage volunteers, restoration volunteers, trustees, library attendants, volunteer naturalists, and trail monitors. With great food and good company the party reminded us again of our blessings here at the Conservation District. Thank you for all of your generosity. Happy Holidays! Tidbits of Information 2019 pocket calendars are here! Stop by the information desk or Jenny s office for yours. We still have volunteer t-shirts. Stop by Jenny s office if you would like one. One free t-shirt per active volunteer. Don t forget your volunteer discount! Active volunteers receive a 50% discount on off-site public trips priced at $25 or less and a $15 discount for trips above $25.
Volunteer Fun & Learning Snowman Craft Tuesday, January 29, 1-2pm East Conference Room Is cabin fever setting in? Warm up inside the Nature Center with friends and create a mini clay pot snowman. Class size is limited. RSVP by January 23 at 217-423-7708. Nature Center Greeter Trainings Friday, February 15, 1-2pm OR Thursday, February 21, 6-7pm East Conference Room We invite seasoned desk volunteers, and those interested in volunteering at the desk, to join us for this updated training. Topics that will be covered include: customer service basics, volunteer resources and help aids, training with the new phone system, and open Q&A time. RSVP by February 14 and 20 at 217-423-7708. Volunteer Herbicide Trainings Thurs., February 28, 6-7pm, East Conference Room OR Sat., March 30, 9-10am, Washburn Classroom Rock Springs Nature Center We invite volunteers interested in assisting with natural area restoration to attend this training. Both trainings will qualify you to use herbicides as volunteers on Conservation District lands. According to the Illinois Pesticide Act, this certification must be renewed each calendar year. This indoor training focuses on using herbicides to control common invasive species, such as bush honeysuckle and autumn olive. RSVP by February 26 and March 28 with Ethan Snively at 217-853-3465 or esnively@maconcountyconservation.org. Conducting Prescribed Fires Saturday, March 9, 8am-12pm Makeup date: Saturday, March 16, 8am-12pm Auditorium This workshop is for people who want to learn more about prescribed fire or volunteer to help conduct prescribed fires with District staff. For the first hour we will meet inside, discussing why and how we use prescribed fire in Central Illinois as a tool for managing natural resources. We will cover fire weather, fire behavior, burn plans, and burn techniques. For the following three hours, we will go outside to explore safety equipment, personal protection equipment, ignition devices, hand tools, smoke management, and more. If weather permits, we will conduct a small prescribed burn where participants will be able to take part in each role of a burn crew. Participants must be able to hike on uneven terrain and not be bothered by smoke. Participants must wear leather boots, cotton/denim pants (blue jeans), cotton shirt, and a non-synthetic hat. District staff has burn clothes that can be loaned out. RSVP by March 7 with Ethan Snively at 217-853-3465 or esnively@maconcountyconservation.org. Mosses 411 Wednesday, March 20, 1-2pm East Conference Room Have you ever wondered what that green fuzzy stuff is you see on bark, the ground, and rocks? We will look into the fascinating life of mosses (bryophytes) and see some examples found out in nature. Dress for the weather and a short hike. RSVP by March 19 at 217-423-7708.
Cross Country Ski Rental Activity Room When we have 4 or more inches of snow on the ground, the public can rent cross country skis from Rock Springs Nature Center. We are looking for volunteers that would like to be placed on our volunteer call list, to assist staff with ski rentals. We can train you the day you volunteer. This volunteer opportunity is for ages 18 and up. For more information, or to sign up, contact Jenny Garver (217-423-7708 or Volunteer Gardener Homestead Prairie Farm Garden The heirloom gardens at Homestead Prairie Farm play a vital role in illustrating life in the 1860s. Macon County Master Gardeners are looking for assistance in maintaining the garden from April to October of 2019. Produce harvested from the garden is donated to local food pantries. This volunteer opportunity is for ages 18 and up. For more information, or to sign up, contact Jenny Garver (217-423-7708 or Library Assistant Library Would you like to volunteer in the Rock Springs Nature Center library? You don t need any library experience! Training is provided. Volunteer duties include checking materials in and out, special projects, and assisting library visitors. This volunteer opportunity is for ages 18 and up. For more information or to sign up, contact Jenny Garver (217-423-7708 or Volunteer Opportunities Nature Center Greeter Information Desk Information Desk volunteers are essential to the Nature Center team. These volunteers greet the public, answer simple questions, and assist staff with projects. Training is provided. Ages 18 and up. For more information or to sign up, contact Jenny Garver (217-423-7708 or Vintage Base Ball Home Games at Rock Springs Conservation Area and Away Games held regionally The Rock Springs Ground Squirrels Vintage Base Ball Club is recruiting new players for the 2019 season! In vintage base ball, 1860s variety, winning is secondary. Having fun is most important. Vintage base ball attracts both men and women for its slower pace, unique rules, showmanship, civility, and good sportsmanship. It s all about friendship, having fun, and showing people how baseball was played way back when. This volunteer opportunity is for ages 16 and up. Volunteers must be willing to travel to away games. Games are typically held two Saturdays a month, with a few Sunday games scattered throughout the season. If you are interested in volunteering, message the team on their Facebook Page, www.facebook.com/ GroundSquirrels, or contact Jenny Garver (217-423- 7708 or
Program Services Update Richie Wolf - Nature Center Manager A new year has rolled in, bringing with it changes to the landscape. Bare trees and frosty fields now are the norm. While nature slows to an icy crawl, the Program Services Department continues planning for the future while educating in the present. In January, new art displays will be up. The Decatur Camera Club will be in the north gallery and Sustain Our Natural Areas (SONA) photography in the south gallery. Eagle trips will also take center stage in winter. With multiple dates available, you are sure to find one that fits your busy schedule. On February 16, we will be tapping trees and boiling sap on the west lawn during our maple syrup day. Sign up and learn how the natives taught the settlers the art of making a sugary treat from tree sap. February also offers a trip to Cahokia Mounds. Learn about one of the largest ancient communities in North America, climb a mound, and explore the exhibits. March brings the first signs of spring with warmer temperatures and longer days. We will offer our annual Boater Safety Class and multiple Scout badge workshops for the youth. Looking ahead, the Festival of Spring and Sangamon River clean-up will be April 27. This annual partnership with the Decatur Audubon Society and the Community Environmental Council will be sure to bring delight to the faces of young and old with canoeing, hiking, crafts, and more. Operations Update Shane Ravellette - Operations Manager 2018 was a busy year and we are very proud of our list of accomplishments. We completed foundation repairs at Homestead Prairie Farm. We redesigned and rebuilt the foot bridge just east of Rock Springs Nature Center. Contractors seal coated the parking lot and Nearing Lane, and at Friends Creek, the Campground loop was oil and chipped. We also completed the new playground at Rock Springs and we have enjoyed the sights and sounds of school groups and other children on it all year. The newest addition to Friends Creek is making progress. The first 30+ acres of prairie is growing and we conducted the first land management mowing cycle. At Willow Branch, our prairie and savanna planting is in its third year, and we could not be more pleased with the way it looks. 2019 will be full of changes and projects as well. We are looking at some possible improvements to the circle drive on the south end of the Nature Center. We will also begin renovations and repairs to the bridges along Bike Trail. This project will be funded in part with a grant through the Illinois Department of Natural Resources. As always, if you have ideas or concerns, please don t hesitate to let us know.
Volunteer Spotlight: Shawn & April Prasun Alysia Callison - Senior Program Naturalist At their inception in 1993, the Rock Springs Ground Squirrels vintage base ball team was the only team of its kind in the state of Illinois. Thanks to the dedication of fun-loving volunteers, the base ball team is still kicking after 25 years. Husband-and-wife team, Shawn and April Prasun, currently captain the club. I had the opportunity to ask April some questions about her experience with the base ball team and her time volunteering here. Her experience with the District has been unique. Since her father, Lee Slider, was a long time District employee, she essentially grew up in the Conservation Areas. When asked about her feelings towards volunteering, she shared a particularly thoughtful sentiment: Volunteering has been a part of my entire life. Spending time meeting people and helping people learn something new makes me happy. Knowing that people can take even a small piece of happiness away with them, because of what I share, is a great feeling. April and Shawn have co-captained the Ground Squirrels for nearly 10 years, carrying on the sense of camaraderie instilled in the team at the very beginning. One of the most important rules of the game: Players can t take themselves too seriously, says April. The game is about having fun and enjoying time with each other, plus they get to play a sport that many people have never played before. The ball team plays with rules from 1858-1860, which include no gloves, no balls or strikes, and no stealing bases. They also have a great team of volunteers, including members that have been playing since the very first game. As time passes, though, they have found themselves in need of new players. April says they accept players ages 16 and older and are looking for people that can commit time every other weekend to playing games. The most important qualification? The ability to have fun, says April, You don t have to have a lot of talent, but you must have a good sense of humor! We appreciate all of the fun and enrichment that the base ball team brings to our community. Thank you April, Shawn, and all of the Ground Squirrel volunteers for all that you do!