FSMW Board Meeting (April 18, 2024)

Online Zoom Meeting April 18 7:30, Thursday

FSMW is a 501(c)(3) non-profit. In this meeting we will explore what we as a community can do to manage and care for Scarlett Mitchell Woods, the central 40 acres of the Scarlett Mitchell Nature Area. This area contains the heart of the woods and the pond, which was dredged in 1982. It is owned by the Ann Arbor Public Schools and is no longer managed by Nature Area Preservation. Help us to implement actions to fulfill our vision of Scarlett Mitchell Woods hosting native life, that contains no invasive species, and that invites community members to walk, enjoy and learn.

For more information contact: Judy Schmidt or phone Mike at: 734-395-8959

Agenda

1. Hellos / Introductions as needed
2. Adoption / Modification of Agenda
3. Approval of Minutes of Prior Meeting
4. News and Announcements (1 minute each)
   • Serendipity Walk
   • Freeman Environmental Education Center – AAPS Budget
   • Garlic mustard issues / Stewardship Network Spring Challenge
   • School and Community Grant Program opportunity
   • Buhr Park Pocket Forest – April 27, 28
   • NAP Environmental Education and Engagement Coordinator
5. Treasurers Report – Pat Frey (5 minutes)
6. Volunteer Report – Autumn Jackson (5 minutes)
7. Webmaster’s Report – Phil Huhn (5 minutes)
8. Old Business
   • FSMW Logo / Business Cards / Workday Signs – Autumn Jackson and others 
   • Nature Club / Seeding Project – Pat 
   • Activities Calendar
9. New Business
10. Adjournment

Next Meeting – May 16, 2024, 7:30 pm

Attachment 1:  Field Days!  Lots of Options!

(aka Ideas for Spring Unfolding and other seasonal walks in the woods)

Education and Fun

• Search for amphibians – learn their calls – March/April
• Identify Fungi – early spring – September/October Study Group 
• Spring Ephemerals –  (Spring Beauty, May Apples, Trillium, etc) April/May
• Insect relationships – Native bees; carrion beetles; mosquitoes, caterpillars
• Birding for beginners – Spring migration
• Owl prowl 
• Pond dipping – May
• Vernal pools
• Geology of the woods – study group?
• Mosses and lichens – study group?
• Tree flowers and buds

Data Collection

• Library tool collection (?)
• Binoculars
• Measure highway noise in the woods – various seasons
• Solicit expertise from our Friends group and the wider community
• Using identification apps
• FSMW Walk to evaluate which areas to concentrate on next

Work Days 

• Searching for and pulling garlic mustard, and other tender invasive plants
• Removing buckthorn baggies
• Obtaining and spreading wood chips on the trails
• Fixing boards on trails 
• Coating benches
• Repainting sign posts so they are readable
• Planting seeds and seedlings
• Repair or replace trail markers that are rotting.  Do we have a scout troop we can contact?

Attachment 3:  Support for Freeman Environmental Education Program

Messages to the superintendent, Jazz Parks parks@a2schools.org with a CC to Dawn Linden, Assistant Superintendent for Teaching and Learning lindend@aaps.k12.mi.us.

Possible Talking/Writing Points

• AAPS Environmental Ed. Program is more than 60 years old. It is highly equitable, and serves every student from Young Fives though 6th grade, with additional programming for 7th – 12th grades.
• It only takes 2 certified teachers to run this well-regarded, highly successful district wide program.
• The reach of the program is extended through thousands of volunteer hours, and additional community resources, such as the Ecology Center/City of Ann Arbor programming for 2nd and 7th grade.
• Programs like these help to attract and hold families.
• This program directly supports AAPS curriculum, BOE goals and the City of Ann Arbor’s Sustainability commitments.