| The year 2005 was another busy one for PRAS, and we hope you enjoyed not only our indoor programs, but also our outings. Here’s a summary of most of what happened. Hope to see you out there in 2006!
2005 Indoor Programs: Our programs were as follows: January 11: Wild-Link wildlife corridors, by Jeff Breuker – 36 folks February 8: History of the Wild Turkey in Michigan, by Matt Pierle 46 folks March 8: Invasive Aquatic Species, by Ann Baughman – 32 folks April 12: UMBS Research activities, by Karie Slavik -- 56 folks May 10: Natural History of Raptors & NorthWings program, by Jennifer Hill – 44 folks June 14: Outdoor potluck at Bayfront Park – 46 folks September 13: Photo Safari in South Africa by Ruthie Petzold -- 54 folks October 11: Wintering Kirtland’s Warblers by Dave Ewert – 60 folks November 8: Managing Cormorants in Michigan by Tony Aderman -- 76 folks December 13: Members’ Slide Fest & Holiday Treats – 35 folks Attendance at these 10 programs totaled 485 people, for an average of 48 folks per program. A big thanks to each and every presenter for sharing his and her knowledge and enthusiasm with us (and to Sally Stebbins for organizing them)! 2005 Outdoor Activities: Jan. 13 “Indoor outing” at SEE-North’s Exploration Center (Sally Stebbins) -- 8 folks Feb. 26 Snowshoe at Wilderness State Park (Doug Fuller) -- 22 folks March 13 Cross-country skiing at UMBS (John & Mary Lou Tanton) – 15 folks April 16 Owl banding at Cheboygan State Park (Ed Pike) – 14 folks April 30 Early Spring birds at the Waldron Fen (Sally Stebbins) – 16 folks May 3,10,17,24,31 Bird walks at Thorne Swift Nature Preserve (Sally Stebbins) – 52 folks May 5,12,19,26 Bird walks at Spring Lake Park (Sally Stebbins) – 48 folks May 7 Dingman Marsh birding (John Kafer) – 12 folks May 14 North American Migratory Bird Count – 14 folks May 22 Wildflower Walk at the Headlands (Ed Voss) – 15 folks May 28 Birding the Jordan River Valley (Jill Anderson) –9 folks June 4 Birding at Camp Michigania on Walloon Lake (Glen Williams) – 18 folks June 21 Birding at Charlevoix Rod & Gun Club (Ron Svoboda) – 10 folks July 12 Paddling to the Black Hole (Cindy Mom) -- 17 folks July 16 Birds & Blooms at Thorne Swift Nature Preserve (Sally Stebbins) – 14 folks Aug. 6 Birds & Blooms at Thorne Swift Nature Preserve (Sally Stebbins) – 9 folks Aug. 27 Waldron Fen Nature Walk (Sally Stebbins) –25 folks Sept. 10 Birding the North Country Trail (Dick & Linda Taylor) – 13 folks Sept. 22 Birding & Biking near Bay Harbor (Sally Stebbins) – 8 folks Oct. 15 Stutsmanville Bog & Harbor Springs LTC preserves (Sally Stebbins) – 28 folks Nov. 9 Birding the Straits area (Steve Baker) -- 12 folks Dec. 14 Christmas Bird Count – 15 folks A total of 434 people participated in these 29 outings, for an average of 15 folks per outing. A big thanks to each field trip leader, and to Sally Stebbins, who coordinated them! 2005 Treat Providers: Our indoor programs are made extra special, thanks to the delicious treats that seem to almost magically appear on the table each month. Thanks to the following folks for their “magic”: Joey Arbaugh, Faith Brooks, Audrey Etienne, Barb Freiberg, Suzie Frisk, Jane Guisinger, Cindy Hofstetter, Joan Kirkman, Ron Krause, Suzanne LaBeau, Martha Lancaster, Jo Mertz, Jan Miller, Linda Rachwitz, Kris Skornia, Jane Smith, Marilynn Smith, Jake Snider, Ginny Spencer, Diane Strzelinski, Sharon Szczesny, Mary Lou Tanton, Dolores Wehrenberg, & Glen Williams. Thanks, also, to Kris Skornia for coordinating this appreciated effort! PRAS’s 2005 political actions: In addition to programs and field trips, PRAS also took the following “political” actions: 1. In March, the PRAS board officially opposed the Cross Village Township boat launch proposal, due to concerns about adverse environmental impacts. 2. In July, the PRAS board officially opposed the legalizing of Off-Road Vehicles (ORVs) on Emmet County’s seasonal roads. Over the summer we collected 335 opposition signatures and submitted them to the Emmet County Board of Commissioners. 3. In September, the PRAS board commented on the DNR’s draft plan for ORV management. 4. Also in September, the PRAS board voted to support the referendum to restore the mourning dove shooting ban, and signed on as a charter member with the Committee to Restore the Dove Shooting Ban (which means our chapter’s name may appear in publications regarding this issue). The vote to restore the dove shooting ban will be on ballots in 2006. 5. In November, the PRAS board wrote to government officials to request that the Kirtland’s Warbler management programs continue to be fully funded. |