MERAMEC HILLS CHAPTER MISSOURI NATURALISTS

FEBRUARY NEWSLETTER

02/04/08

FEBRUARY EVENTS

February 7 (Thursday)

"Design and Develop Projects for Education,"  Bray Conservation Area, 6:00 pm - 8:00 pm

This will be a planning meeting to:

    develop signage for interpretative sites

    write descriptions of various habitat areas

Contact Carol Mahan at 573-368-2590 ext. 29 or e-mail: carol.mahan@mdc.mo.gov. or

            Connie Schmiesdeskamp at 573-368-2489 or

            Pat Perry at 573-364-8440 or e-mail: perrypineridge@embarqmail.com

Directions to Bray Conservation Area: Located near Rolla on Bridge Street Road.  Three miles West of junction of Bridge St. Rd. with Kingshighway.  Turn West at Rolla Area Chamber of Commerce buildings

February 9 (Saturday)

"Tree ID Leaf-Off" workshop conducted by Mike Fiaoni, MDC.  Learn how to identify tree species by bark, shape, etc.

10:00 am - 12:00 noon, Indian Trails Conservation Area.

Contact Loretta McClure or Emily Brown to sign-up and for directions.

February 16 (Saturday)

Workday at Bray Conservation Area from 9:00 am - 2:00 pm.

Project involves laying out "pod" areas for a new pre-school interpretation area.  This will involve digging out sod, laying logs or other materials to designate borders, installing log stepping stones, etc.

Bring work gloves and any tools that might be useful.

For more information, contact:

    Connie Schmiesdeskamp at 573-368-2489 or

    Pat Perry at 573-364-8440 or e-mail: perrypineridge@embarqmail.com

February 19 (Tuesday)

Workshop 3: Youth and Public Presenting Skills: "Grow Native"

6:00 pm - 8:30 pm, Bray Conservation Area

Instructor: Carol Mahan, MDC

All materials are provided, but you must pre-register with Carol to ensure enough materials will be available.

Contact Carol Mahan at 573-368-2590 ext. 29 or e-mail: carol.mahan@mdc.mo.gov

February 25 (Monday)

Regular monthly meeting of the Meramec Hills Chapter Missouri Naturalists, St. Robert's Visitors Center, 137 St. Robert Blvd., 6:00 pm - 8:30 pm.

Program: Lynda Richards on Insects

Refreshments: Emily Brown and Janet McKean

Directions to St. Robert's Visitors Center:

    From Rolla: From I-44 West, take Exit 161

                    Turn right onto Missouri Blvd/Highway Y

                    Turn left at stoplight onto St. Robert Blvd.

                    The Visitor's Center is on the right

    From Waynesville:

                    Take I-44 East and exit 161

                    Turn left onto Missouri Blvd/Highway Y, crossing over the Interstate

                    Turn left at stoplight onto St. Robert Blvd.  The Visitors' Center will be on your right

UPCOMING EVENTS - MARCH

March 1 (Saturday)

Workday at Bray Conservation Area, 9:00 am - 2:00 pm.

Continue projects begun at February workday: developing "pods," interpreting trails, planting native plants.

For more information, contact:

    Connie Schmiesdeskamp at 573-368-2489 or

    Pat Perry at 573-364-8440 or e-mail: perrypineridge@embarqmail.com

March 9 (Sunday)

Chapter social at Lynda Richards.  Details to follow.

March 22 (Saturday)

Workshop on Nature Photography, presented by Dave Dawson, Bonebrake Center of Nature and History, Salem, 1:00 pm - 7:00 pm.

To sign up and/or for more information, contact Dave Dawson.

March 24 (Monday)

Regular monthly meeting of Meramec Hills Chapter Master Naturalists, Ozark Natural Cultural Resource Center, Salem, 6:00 pm - 8:30 pm

Presenter: Amy Buechler, "Teaming with Wildlife" or Justin Thomas, "Invasive Species ID"

Refreshments: Peggy Jo Campbell

                        We need another person to provide refreshments

March 28 (Friday)

"Evening with Wildlife," Salem.  Details to follow

March 29 (Saturday)

Camp Brimshire Capstone Project Workday, 9:00 am - 4:00 pm

Projects include:

    1)Spread cedar/oak mulch along Blind Trail

    2)Clean/rake/trim nature trail

    3)Clean and enlarge wildlife waterhole

    4)Cut/trim low-hanging branches

    5)Control burn prairie restoration (weather dependent)

    6)plant grass at new building site to re-establish lawn area

    7)Cut down cedar/spruce trees in forest

    8)Fence line clearing and repairs

    9)Work on firing range and archery range

    10)Prepare and plant wildlife food plots and native grasses

    11)Install new signs throughout campus

Choose your own activity.  Bring trimmers, cutters, clippers, chain saw if you have them.

Sing up by March 25th by contacting Rich Hashagen at brmshire@socket.net .

Lunch will be provided by Rich and Sherry.  Bring beverage of your choice

Spouses are welcome, but no pets.

UPCOMING EVENTS

April 15 (Tuesday)

Workshop 4: "Public and Student Learning Skills: Snakes," 6:00 pm - 8:30 pm, Bray Conservation Area

Presenter: Carol Mahan

Register with Carol so that enough materials will be available.  She can be contacted by phone: 573-368-2590 ext. 29 or e-mail: carol.mahan@mdc.mo.gov

April 28 (Monday)

Regular monthly meeting, 6:00 pm - 8:30 pm, St. James

Program: Regional Planning

Refreshments: Ineke and Neil Elfrink

                      Rich Hashagen

May 16-18 (Friday - Sunday)

State Convention Missouri Master Naturalists, Springfield.  Details to follow.

There will be no regular monthly meeting of our chapter in May

June 8 (Saturday)

Family Day at Camp Brimshire.  Details to follow.

June 23 (Monday)

Regular monthly meeting of Meramec Chapter Missouri Naturalists, St. Robert

Refreshments: We need two people to sign up

July 28 (Monday)

Regular monthly meeting of Meramec Chapter Missouri Naturalist, Salem

Program: Dr. Tragger - "Ants" (tentative)

Refreshments: We need two people to sign up

August 25 (Monday)

Regular monthly meeting of Meramec Chapter Missouri Naturalists, Rolla

Refreshments: Pat Perry

                        We need one other person to volunteer