Meeting Minutes for January 15, 2007

Attendees

Topics of Discussion

• Board Member list
  There was some discuss on replacing a board member who really isn't able to participate activily due to other committments. SWCD will look into possible replacements. Here is the list of current board members
• Illinois Department of Natural Resources Natural Areas Acquisition Fund Grant
  We have received a grant from Illinois Department of Natural Resources Natural Areas Acquisition Fund for stewardship projects. The $6,500 grant for the Barnhart Prairie was to purchase seed and plant 10 acres of cropland with prairie seed. The seed was purchased from Jim Zimmerman at a cost of $5,500 and the planting cost is $1,000.
• Available Seed
  The cleaned seed has been purchased and is currently being stored at Mary Kay's. We have 120 lbs of forbes and grasses which is enough to plant approx 12 acres assuming 10 lbs per acre. We currently have 15 acres left unplanted. We received grant money to pay for the seed
• Seed Planting
  The agreement has been signed to plant 10 acres of seed this spring as weather permits. Money for the seed planting came from the Grant listed above.
• Education
  SWCD has an Education board that we need to pool resources with. They already have lots of contacts and ideas, so we need to take advantage of their expertise and connections. Brett will attend their meetings as a representative of the Board. Some ideas that came up:
• Self Guided Tours. (Have downloadable brochures for Spring, Summer, and Fall tours)
• Animal Guide. (Various animals to look for, tracks, signs, etc)
• Insect Guide
• Teacher Workshops
• Extensions. (There is now a Master Naturalist course)
• Master Plan
  We need to come up with a 1,3,5, 10 year Master Plan for the Prairie. This will help us maintain focus on important goals as well as help with funding. Many grant sources like to see these plans.
• Karen's Property
  We need to find funding to purchase Karen's 8 acres along the road, which currently sits between the State's property (used to be Ambers) and the Prairie. It is planted in Prairie currently. C-2000 grant was not approved this last year. Some possible funding sources:
• Illinois Clean Energy Community Foundation. (Good website and Open application period). Bruce will follow up.
• C-2000 Grant
• Canadian Thistle Control
  There are some rather large spots in the grassy areas that have a lot of Candian Thistle. These areas are too large to spot spray. Transline is the herbicide of choice and should be sprayed in April or May. Mary Kay said that she can supply the herbicide. We estimate that there are approximately 16 acres that need to be sprayed. Mike Davis (an intern for Eric Smith) might be able to help. In the areas where there is a lessor degree of infestation, we will continue to spot treat.
• Fundraising
  To ensure the future of the Prairie and future projects, we need to come up with various Fundraising ideas. Here are a few:
• Prairie Calendar
• Seed sales
• Dinner on the Prairie
• Grants
• Tethered Hot Air Balloon rides