Jackson Pathfinders Monthly Meeting

The monthly meeting was held on Thursday, November 20, 2003, at 8:00 PM in the Jackson Municipal Building. Dawn Rakow, Chairperson, presided. Members present were Karen Borga, Recording Secretary, Leo Kissling, Karen Walzer and Barbara Usack. Guests in attendance were Mike Bickerton, Kyle Beauduy, Robyn, Christopher, Kori and Megan Seifort, David Gould, Jr. and Fred H. McGrath, Jr.

Dawn Rakow briefly explained Pathfinders goals and described some of the group's recent activities. Leo Kissling explained scouting service project opportunities. Karen Walzer explained the group's relationship with the Forest Resource Education Center.

Treasurer, Tom Stevens was absent. Tom's November report will be added. Dawn showed the group the interpretive signs for NJCF Frank Applegate Nature Trail.

Corresponding Secretary, Sarah Ralston was absent. Sarah wrote a draft of a letter to the Jackson Township Committee requesting "no dumping under penalty of fines" signs be posted at the Bunker Hill Bogs area. The group approved Sarah's letter and Karen B. offered to deliver the final draft of the letter to the committee.

Wildlife Preservation: Tony Santa Maria was absent but submitted the following report: The voucher for birdseed has been submitted and honored at Hillbilly Haven. The feeders at the NJCF Frank Applegate Nature Trail site in the Wildlife Viewing Area were filled on 11/15 and on 11/17 were empty indicating that wildlife in the area are in need of supplemental feeding. Over population and reduced habitat are the contributing factors in their increased hunger. A symptom of this prevailing condition is the increase in "roadkill" deer that many of you may have noticed. A Screech Owl nestbox has been installed at the Forestry Resource Education Center bringing the total number of nestboxes installed at that facility to 12. I have also mapped the locations for educational purposes at the center. A suitable location has been chosen to install another Barred Owl nestbox on the property of Cathy Carrol who lives by the Maple Lake Campground on Whitlock Street. Cathy and her husband will clear some of the surrounding brush and then contact me when the site is ready. I have been overseeing the woodchip removal / dispersal project with B & R Land Improvement, LLC. I am happy to report that on the 17th, I met with R and our agreement was signed and the work got underway. On the 18th, I returned to the site and noticed that approximately half of the job had been completed. He will finish the job in between his other commitments and will contact me when the job is complete. At this time, he will sign the voucher and payment will be underway. 10 tons of driveway stone will be required to complete the main entranceway. I would like to suggest acquiring this stone through donations and would like some assistance with this proposal. I would only want to spend our own money if we exhausted all other possibilities. We are also going to have to set a trail day in order to rake out all the chips and chip piles that are in the process of being spread. At this time, I would like to come up for air, and this concludes my monthly statement for Nov. 2003

Membership: Barbara Usack added the names from the Fall Festival Day at the Forest Resource Education Center to a prospect list.

Forest Resource Education Center/Bowman Road: Karen Walzer talked about GPS mapping a new trail along the river. The ABC trail is now GPS mapped. Leo Kissling explained Global Positioning System mapping.

NJCF Frank Applegate Road Nature Trail / Boy Scouts Projects: Dawn Rakow discussed names for this trail. Suggestions included white cedar, savanah wildlife management area or conservation area, tall oaks or white tail. Eventually the name Frank Applegate will be removed from the trail head sign. The next trail workday is planned for Sunday, January 11, 2004, 9:30 - 2:00.

Land Acquisition: Karen Borga explained there has been no activity since our last meeting.

The next monthly meeting will be held December 11, 2003 at 8:00PM in the Jackson Municipal Building. Pathfinders annual Holiday Social will be held in the employee lounge.