Fort Collins Audubon Society
Board of Directors Meeting

Tuesday February 06, 2001
National Seed Storage Lab
Colorado State University

Attendees:  Rick Harness (President), Kris Cafaro (Secretary), John Waddell (Treasurer), Dave Dubois (Director), Laurie Zuckerman (Director), Nick Komar (Field Trips), Rick Schroeder (Publicity/Birdathon), Louise Creager (Education), Bill Miller (Conservation), Barb Turnbull (Hospitality), Ron Harden (AOC Delegate)

Minutes of Previous Meeting

Minutes from the January meeting were accepted as distributed.

Reports of Officers

1. Treasurer’s Report – John Waddell
   The Treasurer’s report was not ready.  It will be presented at the March meeting.

Standing Committee Reports

1. Birdathon – Rick Schroeder
   The 2001 Birdathon will be on May 12.  Rick passed around a sign-up sheet, and handed out Birdathon bumper stickers.

2. Publicity – Rick Schroeder
   There were 60 attendees at last month’s program.  Rick reported that he is sending program announcements to local media and CDOW, and posting them at such locations as Jax.  He asked the Board for publicity ideas.  Ron reported that he is taking announcements into the Loveland library.  Barb suggested notifying the schools.  Board members noted that Brian Olver is the Science Curriculum Coordinator for the Poudre School District.  Nick suggested posting announcements to Co-birds.

3. Education – Louise Creager
   Johnson Elementary would like the Raptor Center to give a presentation at the school, but they do not have the $200 fee.  Louise proposed that, since we are not doing any Audubon Adventures, we could give them the $200.  This is the only school that has asked for help.  Rick S. moved that we give the money.  Discussion followed – Nick suggested that we make sure that people know that FCAS sponsored the program.  Rick responded that he will work on publicity for it.  The program has not yet been scheduled, but will be held soon.  Motion passed.  Louise reported that she will be doing a program at the Lab School next month.  Rick H. noted that Linton Elementary has money available for programs.  He went on to report that Johnson Controls gave $30 last month in memory of Eileen Nelson.  He suggested that we use that money toward the raptor program.  Barb suggested that we ask that the program be videotaped.

4. Field Trips - Nick Komar
   Nick reported that the field trip to Canyon City went well, with 10 people attending. They visited Royal Gorge Nature Center, which was opened specifically for the group. He would like to send a gift certificate to the nature center coordinator in appreciation. The Board agreed.Bill reported that he’d had a call from Kasy Weber-Smythe, who owns 37 acres in Glacier View Meadows. She would like people to visit the property. Bill will follow up with her.

Updates:

1. AOC Board Meeting – Ron Harden
   Ron handed out a summary of the recent AOC Board meeting, including details on the Executive Director’s report, Important Bird Areas report, Legislative Lobby report, Birdathon presentation, AOC Board action, Development Report, and NAS Board Meeting to be held in Denver in March.  This summary is appended to the minutes.

2. Larimer County Parks and Open Lands Design Charette – Bill Miller
   Bill reported that 40-45 people attended the charette, including new Commissioner Glenn Gibson.  This is part of the process of updating the 1993 Master Plan for County Parks and Open Lands.  Commissioners Gibson and Bender have both suggested that extractive uses be used as management tools on county open lands.  There is also a controversy surrounding the possible use of open space tax money for operations & maintenance of open lands.  A public vote would be necessary to permit that use of the tax money. 
   
   Rick H. proposed the question of whether FCAS wants to send a letter to the County Commission on this issue similar to the one sent by the League of Women Voters.  Bill pointed out that it’s important to get the facts straight before we do so.  He noted that the Sierra Club is active on this issue, and he will send emails on this issue from the Sierra list server to the Board.  Ron thought we should provide information to FCAS members to enable them to act.  Nick suggested we include information in the newsletter.  Ron moved that FCAS write a letter to the County Commission and the media supporting the existing open space program.  Nick seconded.  Motion passed.  Bill will prepare and present a draft at the March meeting.

3. Downtown River Corridor Implementation Program Project Forum – Dave Dubois, Bill Miller
   Sponsored by the Poudre River Trust, this meeting addressed ideas for the downtown river corridor development implementation plan.  Issues addressed included trails, in-water recreation, habitat, and economics.  Bill reported that public opinion expressed at several open houses has been in favor of an unrestricted river corridor that allows for wildlife movement.
   
   Bill Neal has been formulating redevelopment ideas.  Potential problems include issues with increased traffic, and the need for parking facilities which may be paid for by tax money.  The city has passed floodplain regulations and a 300 foot setback (100 foot setback within the downtown redevelopment area) to protect the river.  The city owns much of the land in the downtown area already.  They are authorized to buy out businesses located within the 100-year floodplain.  Dave noted that there was good environmental representation at the meeting.  Bill noted that nothing official will come out of the meeting; ideas will need to be presented to the city.

4. Arapaho Roosevelt National Forest Meeting with Jim Bedwell – Rick Harness, Bill Miller
   The new forest supervisor, Jim Bedwell, held a meeting with diverse groups in an effort to introduce himself.  Rick H. noted that it was made clear that the USFS has fewer resources available for its work, with the exception of money for fire suppression and thinning.

5. Bath Nursery Avian Appreciation Days
   There was a good turnout for this event, at which FCAS had a booth.

New Business

1. Canada Geese Abuse in City Park
   Rebecca Perry, the city employee who has approached FCAS about this issue, did not attend the meeting. Rick H. noted that Rebecca has become aware of the killing of geese in City Park by teenagers.  Park rangers do not pursue law enforcement in City Park, but are restricted to city natural areas.  Rick H. expressed the opinion that rangers should be permitted to work in City Park.  Board members suggested that Rebecca be asked to write an article for the newsletter.  Ron wondered if FCAS should pressure the city to take action; we could provide volunteers to monitor the situation.  Rick H. will follow up with Rebecca, and send info to the Board by email.

2. Lynne Hull’s “Procession of the River Species” - Laurie Zuckerman
   Nick put together a proposal for funding from the Audubon Colorado Project Fund for the Procession of River Species program.  Susan Kirkpatrick, however, has told him that the fund is no longer available.  Ron noted that the fund consists of the interest off approximately $20,000 a year.  He thinks the fund needs to continue to be honored, and will check with Susan about the issue.  Kris suggested that the proposal be submitted under the IBA program to the Fort Collins Community Foundation for funding.  A sub-committee (Nick, Kris, Laurie, Louise) will meet on February 12 at 7 p.m. to refine the proposal.  Kris will send a draft to the Audubon Colorado development director for his comments.

3. Nominations for Audubon Medal
   Rick H. reported that nominations are requested for individuals to receive the Audubon Medal, a national honor for someone whose work has had national or international impact.  He suggested Ron Ryder, while other Board members mentioned Rick Harness as a possibility.  People with ideas for nominations should contact Rick H.

4. New Logo for FCAS
   Rick H. passed around a new FCAS letterhead design created by Laurie.  The question was raised whether we should keep the ptarmigan as the logo, since there are no ptarmigan in the immediate Fort Collins area.  Bill suggested we investigate the original artist of the ptarmigan design first, as it could have some historical significance.  Laurie will work on some possible design ideas for a new logo.  Other possible species mentioned included mountain plover and burrowing owl.

5. Fossil Creek Wetlands Natural Area
   A clean-up date will be scheduled for April.

6. Nature Center
   Nick would like to form a subcommittee to explore the idea of establishing a nature center in the Fort Collins area.  Nick envisions that the process would involve: 1. Creating a vision; and 2. Identifying the necessary steps.  Larry Lechner has expressed interest.  Nick reported that Larry has a lot of experience with park development and management.  Bill moved that a subcommittee be formed.  Ron seconded.  Motion passed.  The subcommittee will include Nick, Larry, and Bill.  Nick will put a notice in the newsletter.

Announcements

1. Newsletter articles are due in to Dale ASAP.

2. Charles Powell passed away.  Remembrances can be sent to the family in c/o Bohlender Funeral Home  121 W. Olive  Ft. Collins  80521.

3. Great Backyard Bird Count will take place this year February 16 – 19.

4. Greater Denver Legislative Workshop - Saturday, February 10 from 10:30am to 3:00pm, at Bethany Lutheran Church.  Bill Miller, Nate Donovan (an environmental attorney), and Rick H. will be attending.  Rick reported that FCAS will cover the registration costs.

5. Ron noted that people should suggest ideas for grants and donation sources to the AOC development director.

6. Board members brought up the previously suggested idea of presenting bird ID tips at the programs and in the newsletter.  Rick H. reported that he hasn’t yet worked on the idea.  Nick suggested we could use the CFO bird quiz slide.

Adjourn – 9:15 p.m.

Respectfully submitted,

Kris Cafaro, secretary