Thursday, February 25, 2010

FNA visits Fermilab Friends for Science Education Open House

Last Sunday February 21st Paula Lambertz and I set-up camp at the Fermilab Friends for Science Education's (FFSE) Open House event in Wilson Hall. Thousands of families and folks from the community turned out to experience the busy array of tours and events offered. Paula and I stood at the FNA table set up just outside the elevators and watched as excited children stared in amazement as they entered the atrium. We spoke to hundreds of children and adults about FNA and all of the opportunities to experience nature at Fermilab. We collected email addresses, answered questions and exchanged wildlife stories. It was a great event overall- very well organized and good time for all the smiling faces that passed through the elevator on Sunday.
Many people had questions about the wildlife at Fermilab. One family from California wanted to know if we had any large snakes on site. My best answer was the fox snakes I had seen in the prairie and woods edge. An excited group of girl scouts asked for directions to the bison pen. Another little girl from Geneva offered a detailed account of a family of coyotes that lives near her home as her family waited patiently for her through three rounds of the elevator as she finished. It was interesting to note how people were attracted to the table, just passing by the photos of wildlife at our booth seemed to inspire stories.

Monday, February 22, 2010

Report: Annual Meeting

About 24 Directors, members and friends came out for the 3rd Annual General Membership meeting of Fermilab Natural Areas on Thursday, February 18.  As part of the agenda, FNA Board of Directors' President Rod Walton offered an overview of 2009 activities as well as an outlook for 2010.  Jolie Macier presented the Treasurers report and Dick Untch summarized the activities of the Tours Subcommittee.  Elections were held for four open Board seats, with Mitch Adamus, Shawna Coronado, Jolie Macier & Jim Volk being re-elected to two-year terms.  Finally, Susan Dahl, President of the Fermilab Friends for Science Education, and Sue Sheehan of the Fermilab Education Office discussed the history, structure and activities of FFSE.

Wednesday, February 3, 2010

Annual Meeting, 2/18

The Fermilab Natural Areas Annual Meeting is scheduled for Thursday, February 18, 2010.  The meeting will feature a report on 2009 efforts, a financial report and future plans.  In addition, four seats of the Board of Directors are up for election.  Finally, Susan Dahl, President of the Fermilab Friends for Science Education, will discuss her organization.

Please join us on Thursday, February 18, at 7 p.m. in Wilson Hall's One West Conference Room.