Meeting Minutes - April 5, 2000
Mess Hall, MacKenzie Environmental Center

Nancy Wachholtz brought a brochure from the "Friends of the Kettle Moraine".

Tree Planting: Date is April 29, with a rain date of May 6. Bring shovels, rakes, work gloves. We discussed the planting order and confirmed the following species and numbers: Bur Oak, 12 White Oak, 12 Swamp White Oak, 6 Shrubs: hazelnut, high bush cranberry, ninebark, elderberry (evenly divided) Oaks were chosen because originally they were the dominant trees on the landscape and they will be hardy if we do plantings of native grasses and prairie flowers and want to burn to maintain the plantings.

We agreed that we would start with the oaks this year and possibly add additional tree species in future years. Kim Sopha has agreed to donate a few conifer trees for the areas where we want screening. He could also donate the use of equipment. There is the potential of the village crew removing some boxelder prior to the planting date.

Jim Bernett will mark those to be removed, and Roxanne will investigate the possibility of the village crew doing the removal. We discussed publicity to get help for the tree planting. Steve Mueller agreed to handle this.

• Channel 8
• Poynette Press
• Notices around town

We may be able to get high school students to help plant. Jim Bernett will ask about this.

We will also do some creek clean up, if enough people show up at the event. Steve Mueller offered to lead this effort.

School district request:
The school district has requested a representative to a breakfast to determine a community service project for the elementary school. Megan Yost agreed to attend.

West side planning committee:
This group had a presentation by Ken Potter (UW-Madison) regarding watershed and water quality issues. Potter will propose a watershed investigation by his students (the students get to pick from several potential projects). The group agreed that we wanted to hear more about the project, and its benefits. Theresa Plenty will invite him to a future meeting (Editors note: Potter is confirmed for our May 17 meeting). We agreed that we need to have all the affected municipalities endorse the study. Megan Yost and Theresa Plenty agreed to coordinate to invite the town chairs to the Potter talk. Dave Egan will follow up with the Dekorra town chair by phone.

Bylaws:
The draft bylaws were discussed and changes agreed upon. They will be finalized at our next meeting at which time an executive board will be elected.

Garlic mustard:
Nancy Braker passed out information on the invasive weed, garlic mustard. She proposed that the friends work to control the mustard population that has gotten started on the DNR property north of the creek and west of Poynette. Braker agreed to lead several garlic mustard pulling days. Volunteers should meet at the DNR parking lot on McMillan Road (about 1 mile from downtown Poynette) at 6:30, on April 12, 19, and 27, and May 1.

Future Meetings and Events:

• April 12 Garlic Mustard pulling, 6:30 p.m., DNR parking lot, McMillan Road
• April 18, Friends of Rowan Creek Meeting, 6:30 p.m., Alliant Building
• April 19, Garlic Mustard pulling, 6:30 p.m., DNR parking lot, McMillan Road
• April 27, Garlic Mustard pulling, 6:30 p.m., DNR parking lot, McMillan Road
• April 29, Tree Planting and Creek Clean Up, 9:00 a.m., Poynette Park Shelter
• May 1, Garlic Mustard pulling, 6:30 p.m., DNR parking lot, McMillan Road
• May 17, Friends of Rowan Creek Meeting, 6:30 p.m., Alliant, Invited speaker, Ken Potter, UW-Madison