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CAPSTONE PROJECTS - Each graduating class of the Master Naturalist program will participate in a Capstone Project. The 2009 class made improvements to the backyard wildlife habitat on the 40 acre property at the Missouri Department of Conservation Camdenton office. The 2010 class will continue with those improvments. The projects include rebuilding a rain garden, creating a dry creek, controlling invasive species, and improving landscaped areas of Missouri native plants. Exhibits are being created inside for educational purposes, including a cave ecosystem, insect collections and tree identification. Habitat structures such as bird houses, bird feeders, bat houses, and owl boxes are being placed around the MDC grounds and improvements are being made to existing trails.
VOLUNTEER SERVICE - A wide range of possible volunteer opportunities are available to our members. Activities such as Eagle Days, Outdoor Skills Day and Kids Day Out; Stream Team events, helping out at schools and public libraries are options. Fish counts, turkey watches, and turtle cruising are among other opportunities available. Resource management is also an important aspect. A minimum of 40 hours of volunteer service is required each year to retain certification.
Approved Volunteer Projects/Tasks
The following tasks/projects are approved for fulfilling your annual 40 hr. volunteer service requirement. Contact the lead/contact person to go to work. We still need a few leads so please let me know if you are interested. Other projects/tasks may also qualify. This list does not include Capstone Projects (other than landscaping at the native plant garden).
MDC Native Plant Garden – You can work anytime and/or there are specific workdays planned. (Kathy has a workday scheduled for 23 June, but you can work here on your own schedule.) Kathy Fayant is the lead/contact for this project and can be reached at 573-346-2311 or e-mail kathyfayant@yahoo.com
Ha Ha Tonka weekly Summer Activities – Billy has talked to Larry Webb and the week-end activities sound very interesting. You can contact Larry at 573-346-2986 or e-mail ha.ha.tonka.state.park@dnr.mo.gov
Stream Team 4193 – For people interested in helping and becoming members of ST4193. To date what will be asked of us is to monitor our stream 4 times per year. Each session should be (my guess) about half a day effort. We are looking for all those who got the 8 hour first training session as well as anyone interested in stream monitoring. Team members will not be required to attend every monitoring session if we have enough people, but we should have 4 to 6 per time so the work is split up and the equipment can be moved and setup. Waders or tolerance for cold wet feet are a requirement. Chuck Chur is the lead/contact for this project and can be reached at 573-348-5689 or email cchur@isd.net
Orion Science Center projects
• Build/install a bat viewing room and port - The center building has an internal open air shaft running through both floors and bats use the shaft in the summer to rest/sleep in the day time. The bats have used the shaft for the past two years and are using it again this summer. The viewing room will have to be small due to space limitations and will have to block out all light when the door is closed. The viewing port cover will need to block out all light also. There should be no need for any electrical work. This is a winter project since the bats use the shaft all summer and fall. We need a lead/contact for this project. If interested contact Billy Backues at 573 346 9902 or e-mail ellenbackues@yahoo.com
• Install an Observation Bee Hive in a window - Mr. Mundhausen indicates he has or can come up with the bee hive so the project involves installing the hive and finding the bees. This project can start immediately. Gerry Williams is the lead/contact for this project and he can be contacted at 573 374 9147 or e-mail grwms@lakeozark.net.
• Build and install a hand rail on an existing trail - The trail is steep and railroad ties have been placed to provide steps. The railing will need to be approximately 25-30 feet long and will only be needed on one side of the steps. The ground is hard and rocky so the railing posts will probably need to be steel. This project can start immediately and can be worked at any time since its outside the center building. Billy Backues is the lead/contact for this project and he can be contacted at 573 346 9902 or e-mail ellenbackues@yahoo.com
• Stream table similar to the one MDC has - The center has a flat sturdy table on casters that can be the base of the table. The table top and sides ( to be added) can be sealed with roofing tar. The water pump(s) can be 110 VAC since there is no need for the table to be mobile. There is room for plumbing and water reservoirs under the table and they need not be an intergal part of the table. This effort can be started immediately. Billy Backues is the lead/contact for this project and can be reached at 573 346 9902 or e-mail ellenbackues@yahoo.com
• Signage for trees and plants on nature trails - The center has a couple hundred yards of trails that need work. There is no mulch on the trails but trails are smooth and easy walking and the need for mulch appears questionable. This project can and should be started immediately to make it easier to identify the trees and plants that need signage. We need a lead/contact for this project. If interested contact Billy Backues at 573-346-9902 or e-mail ellenbackues@yahoo.com
Library Displays for each of the local libraries – The proposal is to install a bookcase display in each of our six library branches. The display case would consist of a top glass/plexiglass enclosed shelve to allow display of items that would catch the eye of the patrons. Such items might include animal skulls, shells, whole specimens, etc. The lower shelves could be used for educational brochures or informative materials that patrons might take home with them. Items such as Missouri Conservation Department Magazines, Master Naturalist Class Information and any current topical information that should be disseminated. These displays would be rotated quarterly or more often if desired. This display would offer the opportunity to reach literally thousands of people each year. Bonnie Kester is the lead/contact for this project and can be reached at 573-280-6671 or lakeoz3@aol.com
Development of a brochure and information pack to promote leaving vegetation on the lake waters edge – Ameren U. E. is looking for our help. They have some money for the project but need some of our man hours and creativity for the effort. Along with the brochure, Ameren U.E. would like to develop a demonstration site or sites on private property around the lake. Lee Stanley is the lead/contact for this project and can be reached at 573-374-1226 or e-mail stanley@usmo.com
Refurbish the Hurricane Deck School outdoor classroom and nature trail – Clean-up and signage is needed. This project is ready to go now. Lee Stanley is the lead/contact and can be reached at 573-374-1226 or e-mail stanley@usmo.com
If anyone has ideas or projects that they believe could be used to fulfill the annual 40 hrs of volunteer service requirement please contact one of our Projects and Volunteer Service Committee members and we will get you a decision. Committee Members are:
Jane Delano Carol Siano
George Hubbell Lee Stanley
Tony Siano Billy Backues (chair)
Additional service opportunities
Update Invasive species display at MDC office. Time & date TBA.
Highway cleanup mid-summer. Time & date TBA. Eric Davis lead person.
Assist DNR at Ha Ha Tonka wih maintenance of trails, transplanting plants around the park, assisting DNR personell with planned Saturday park activities, etc. Contact Larry Webb at 573-346-2986 if interested.
Assisting at Ha Ha Tonka's National Natural Area Conference October 25-28. Contact park superintendent, Nancy Masterson, at 573-346-2986.
Quail habitat research at Allen Research Farm. Contact is Billy Backues
Oak Mast (acorn) count in fall. Contact is Billy Backues.
ADVANCED TRAINING - Advanced training is an opportunity to learn more about specific topics of interest. Numerous training opportunities are available locally and across the state. Advanced training must be approved through the Training & Program committee prior to participation for credit. A minimum of 8 hours of advanced training is required each year to retain certification.
Upcoming Advanced Training Opportunities
Monthly AT at most chapter meetings - 1 hour
Missouri Master Naturalist Conference, October 15-17, 2010 Cuivre River State Park, near Troy, Missouri
Prairie Photography Workshop, June 19 with Photographer and MPF Member Henry Domke at the Prairie Garden Trust in New Bloomfield. RSVP to info@moprairie.com or call 1-888-843-6739.
For complete information of Advanced Training opportunities, go to Calendar of Events.
Learn more about the Missouri Master Naturalist Program.
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