MERAMEC HILLS CHAPTER MISSOURI NATURALISTS

JULY NEWSLETTER

07/01/08

ANNOUNCEMENTS

Chapter Monthly Meeting Change

On the recommendation of the Board of Meramec Hills Chapter of Missouri Naturalists, monthly meetings will now take place in Rolla.  The Rolla location was chosen to provide an ongoing meeting place where facilities are available for guest speakers. 

We will be holding our monthly meetings at the First United Methodist Church, 800 N. Main in Rolla.

Directions to the First United Methodist Church:

    1. From Highway 63, turn East onto 8th Street.  Go 3 blocks and the church building will be on your left.

    2. There is a parking lot to the right at the intersection of 8th and Main.

    3. Go through the main church doors (double oak doors).  Do not go to the Methodist Family Life Center which is across the street.

    4. In the lobby, go left into the first entrance and take the stairs to the second floor.  Follow signs to Room 300 (Seekers' Room).

        If you prefer the elevator, go to the second hallway on the left.  Follow the signs to Room 300.

    5. If you cannot climb the main stairs in front, go to the door on Park Street, and someone will be there until 6:00 pm to let you in.

The First United Methodist Church was chosen as the meeting place because we can reserve the room on an ongoing basis.  The Phelps County Courthouse could not guarantee that their meeting  room would always be available.

Ongoing Volunteer Opportunities at Tanager Trails Ozark Nature Reserve

Following are a variety of ongoing projects at Tanager Trails.  If you want more information, please contact Lynda Richards at 573-364-8567 or e-mail: grinrich@rollanet.org

    1. Weed-whip and/or spray parking lot.

    2. Kill invasive exotic plants

        It is best to spray these plants October-March during the dormant season for native plants.  During summer, these plants can be eradicated by cutting off stems and applying Roundup to the cut surface.  Japanese honeysuckle and small oriental bittersweet can be pulled out anytime!

    3. Spray poison ivy along trails.

    4. Pick up trash ANYTIME!  Bring your own trash bags.

    5. Trail maintenance

    6. Maintain parking-lot wildflower bed - February is the best time for this.  Cut and gather dead stalks (with seed heads), toss them over the fence or burn the wildflowers outside the fence.

    7. Label trees, plants, geological formations, cultural artifacts.

        Contact Jerry Decker at 573-368-2806 or e-mail: jadnd@rollanet.org

June 3 - July 5

The Ozark Natural & Cultural Resource Center in Salem will host a "20th-Century Life in the Ozarks" exhibit.  Docents are needed for the event.  Call 573-729-0029 for more information.

JULY EVENTS

July 8 (Tuesday)

Work day at Bray Conservation Area, 3:00 pm - 7:00 pm.

Projects include: 1) finish installing the stone floor in the art activity zone; 2) installing the remaining climbing steps and balance beam in the climbing area.  Come for the entire time or however much time you can give.

For more information, contact Pat Perry at 573-364-8440 or e-mail: perrypineridge@embarqmail.com or call Connie Schmiedeskamp at 573-368-2489.

July 8 (Tuesday)

Program for young children, "Mother Goose - She's Gone Buggy," Bonebrake Center, Salem, 6:30 pm.

For more information, contact Libby Sanders at 573-729-6792.

July 12 (Saturday)

Ozark Kids Connection Day - An all-day event with Naturalist, Jamin Bray.  Jamin needs help with multiple nature learning stations.  Contact Jamin at 573-729-7856.

July 28 (Monday)

Regular monthly meeting of Meramec Chapter Missouri Naturalists, United Methodist Church, Rolla, 6:00 pm

Program: Dr. Tragger - "Ants"

Refreshments:

        Peggy Jo Campbell

        Linda Marshall

UPCOMING EVENTS

August 25 (Monday)

Regular monthly meeting of Meramec Chapter Missouri Naturalists, United Methodist Church, Rolla, 6:00 pm

Refreshments:

         Pat Perry

        Robin Higley

September 22 (Monday)

Regular monthly meeting of Meramec Chapter Missouri Naturalists, United Methodist Church, Rolla, 6:00 pm

Refreshments:

        Sue Hubbard

        Kathy Walker

October 2 (Thursday)

Advanced Training Workshop - Ozark Archeology.  Presenter - Richard Edging

Phelps County Courthouse, Rolla, 6:00 pm - 9:00 pm.

Contact Emily Brown if you wish to attend - tel: 573-762-2727 or e-mail: nature97@socket.net