Meeting Minutes - July 19, 2000
Alliant Utilities

Attendees: Russell Bellman, Jim Bernett, Nancy Braker, Steve Braker, Wesly Braker, Roxanne Brue, Dan Cole, Tom Kemp, Steve Mueller, Theresa Plenty, Gary Sorenson, and Julie Schoeneberg

Meeting called to order at 6:40 pm by Nancy Braker, president.

Show and Tell: Tom Kemp asked for identification of flowers he cut near his house. Not all were identified but the names of some were swap milkweed and trefoil. Jim Bernett brought a sample of a white pine that is infected with a disease called white pine blister rust. He said that many of the small white pines on pine island are infected with this disease.

Speaker: Pat Sheahan, DNR Department of Government Outreach Team 608-275-3315, sheahp@dnr.state.wi.us Pat Sheahan gave a presentation on how the Friends can apply for funding from major DNR grant programs. How to be efficient in the grant application process: - Contact Janet Beach Hanson at the DNR to get on the mailing list to receive grant information - Before writing the proposal contact the person who will be reviewing and grading the proposal. Match your proposal with the right program so you don't misunderstand the criteria.

• Write to the criteria
• Keep application deadlines in mind so you can do a good job.
• Enjoy what you are doing and recognize the value of it. The more effort you can put in to it the better.
• Get a copy of a similar proposal that was successful. For example, the group that saught funding for Ken Potter's watershed study project of Lake Wingra saught grant money under a river planning grant. He said a copy of that proposal would be available for the Friends to look at. Sheahan is the contact for river planning grants.

Handouts included: A Public Participation Meeting to Discuss the Knowles-Nelson Stewardship Program; Grant Opportunities; and Funding Opportunities For more information on DRN financial assistance: http://www.dnr.state.wi.us/org/caer/cfa/cfindex.html

Tree Planting Report
Jim Burnett reported that all the white oaks that were planted died. He said the nursery will replace the 12 trees. The trees are valued at $3300. Burnett suggested to exchange the white oaks for other varieties since it is well documented that white oaks are difficult to transplant. The group decided that white ash, green ash and basswood would be planted in place of the white oaks. Burnette will look into this.

Gun Club Land Report
Burnett reported that the Gun Club is not interested in selling the wetland along Rowan Creek.

Suggestions for upcoming events:

Fall

• Natural History Walk - Theme: Natural, cultural sites, native American history - Possible speakers, Dave Egan, Lynn Hanson Nancy Braker will organize this event. Winter
• Cross Country Skiing and walk/hike into early evening followed by a camp fire and sing along with folk singers. Steve Mueller will organize this event.

Spring

• Co-Sponsor flower walk with Friends of MacKenzie

Friend's Meetings
August 17 - Alliant * 6:30 pm - Speaker: History of Rowan Creek, Tim Larson, Fisheries Biologist September 20 - Alliant * 6:30 pm - Watershed study planning meeting with Ken Potter (Theresa will confirm with Potter)

Meeting concluded at 8:10 pm.

Theresa Plenty, secretary