Friends of the St Croix Wetland Management District (FSCWMD)
Meeting Minutes – April 8, 2015
USFWS Office
The meeting was called to order by Vice President Bob Goodlad at 6:00 pm.
The Secretary’s report was amended as sent by email. The pollinator partnership (Interagency MOU is between USFWS, NPS, USFS and DNR - not just between FWS and
DNR.
The Treasurer’s report was approved as presented.
1. No thank you notes were written during meeting. Upcoming thank you notes will be
written to St. Croix River Association and Willow River Rod and Gun Club for their
involvement and help with Movie Nights.
2. The Aquatic Invasive Species (AIS) grant was successful. $34,000 was awarded to
USFWS and DNR to treat emergent aquatic invasive species on 2 WPAs and 1 DNR
unit. Grant funds will be used to hire interns and purchase a GPS unit (Juno) that will
be donated to DNR.
3. The scope and partners sign was installed on the observation deck at Oak Ridge
WPA. Warren and Tom Marcouiller completed work. Leopold benches are on hold
due to potential liability issues.
4. Approximately 20 people, including volunteers, have attended each movie night.
Both have been well received by attendees. Expecting up to 50 for the next movie
night. Hotdogs and popcorn will be served. An ad for the event will be in the
newspaper. Volunteers are needed to pack milkweed bags that will be handed out at
the end of the event. A volunteer evening was set for Wednesday, April 22, 6pm at
Willow River Rod and Gun Club will to pack bags and set up for event.
5. Bylaw change discussion was tabled due to lack of member attendance.
6. 5-year Strategic Plan Document was tabled due to lack of member attendance. Please
consider where you would want the FSCWMD to be in the next five years and how to
get to that point. Also, we need your input on why you became involved with
FSCWMD. Please send any input to Mike Reiter. We need your help!
7. Waterfowl surveys (pair counts only) will take place April 30-May 7. Contact Chris
Trosen for maps and survey sheets.
8. Mike Reiter and Caitlin Smith will host a joint booth at the St. Croix Summit being
held at the Waterfront Inn in Stillwater, MN on April 29 – 8am-4pm. DNR will also
be hosting a booth at the event.
9. A volunteer hours binder has been created and will be kept at the SCWMD office.
Each member has their own sheet to track their volunteer hours. Please keep track of
your own hours. Attending FSCWMD meetings counts.
10. Chris presented the Pollinator Resolution to the group for approval. This Resolution
is part of the formal agreement (inter-agency MOU) between USFWS, NPS, USFS
and DNR. This Resolution identifies the need and benefits of additional pollinator
habitat on the landscape in targeted focus areas. By signing on to the Resolution, the
FSCWMD would identify actions they will take to promote pollinator habitat,
including education and outreach, on the landscape. The FSCWMD approved signing
on to the Resolution – a formal sign-up sheet coming soon. The FSCWMD members
have been challenged to find two other entities to sign on to this Resolution. Anyone
from individual landowners to non-profits to agencies can sign on to this Resolution.
The ultimate goal is to work together in a collaborative effort in target focus areas to
benefit pollinator species.
11. Caitlin presented material for the Friends Conference that is taking place in Fergus
Falls, MN Friday, July 31 – Sunday, August 2. Open to all Friends Group members in
the Great Plains area. Attendance capped at 60. There is the opportunity to participate
in a variety of different panels. Reimbursement for mileage up to $100 and $120 for
lodging available for each Friends group. Registration is due June 1.
12. Interns: the Friends group received $4,000-6,000 from Bosch to be used for interns.
This funding will be paid directly to interns for housing versus the FSCWMD paying
for housing directly. If FSCWMD pay directly for housing, it may become
questionable and seen as an intern perk.
13. It was suggested that FSCWMD hire an accountant for end of year recording and a
final report since the group is approaching $50,000 of funds. The accountant cost
could be worked into the AIS grant.
14. New FSCWMD activities were discussed including:
a. Youth Waterfowl ID Course prior to the Youth Duck Hunt in 2015. A
tentative date was set for September 17th at the Willow River Rod & Gun
Club land. USF&WS and DNR folks will also be involved.
b. The Stanley Temple presentation on August 21st will be the focal point of
our 2015 Neighbor’s Night Out.
c. Spring showings of selected featured short films will be held at the Willow
River Rod & Gun Club. Monica Zachay, from the St Croix River
Association provided posters for the events listed below.
1. Friday- Feb. 27th, 7:00pm – “DamNation” This was very well attended. A
great time was had by all with popcorn, beverage and comradery provided!
2. Friday- March 27th, 7:00pm – Green Fire (Date night?)
3. Friday- April 24th, 7:00pm – The Incredible Journey of Butterflies (Family
night with a take home gift- milkweed seeds)
d. Wisconsin Junior Duck Stamp Display: winners will be displayed at office
in August. Looking for additional venues.
15. USF&WS Manager’s Review:
a. The presentation for Tom Kerr’s award (Paul Kroegel Refuge Manager of
the Year Award) is tentatively planned for end of May. No firm date has
been set yet. This event will not take place during Service Learning Day.
b. Controlled burning has taken place on 6 WPAs for over 600 acres.
c. Conservation Day falls on same weekend as Youth Deer Hunt (October
10). Considering changing event date to October 17 (may be Pheasant
Opener).
d. Tom Kerr returning to office April 24.
e. Lots of good, upcoming private lands projects – tell a neighbor/friend
about the Service’s Partners for Fish and Wildlife program!
16. DNR Update
a. Dave Hausman has retired. Two new field wardens are on board: Chelsea
Coulte (Polk Co.) and Kyle Coleson (Pierce Co.)
b. One controlled burn has been completed so far. Hope to complete 12 for
500+ acres.
c. Wildlife surveys underway or coming up: frogs, grouse, pheasant, and
others.
d. Western Prairie Habitat Restoration Area (WPHRA) display being created
for events. Working with educator on design. Bison head available for
events.
17. Ice out occurred on Cedar Lake April 3rd. Bob had his dock in April 4th! Ice out on
Cedar Lake has occurred as early as March 20th and as late as May 3rd.
Our next meeting will be Wednesday, May 13, 2015 at the USFWS Office starting at
6 pm.
With no further business the meeting was adjourned at 6:46 pm.
Respectfully submitted,
Caitlin Smith - Recorder