FSMW Board Meeting (April 17, 2025)

Online Zoom Meeting April 17 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, Announcements
   • Pat Frey
   • Nature Club Report – Gwynne?
   • Ticks, garlic mustard, buckthorn baggies
5. Treasurer’s Report – Michael
6. Old Business
   • NAP Work Plan https://drive.google.com/file/d/1ySpWq52wZZfEEe5najJPRyYoM3qzElWT/view?usp=drive_link – Judy, Michael
   • Mitchell PTO student tree planting – Judy, Jessamy?
7. New Business
   • Expo (May 23)
   • May 3 Workday
   • Spring Nature Walks / Activities Calendar – attached
   • Review Attachment 2, “Inventory of Ideas” – as needed
8. Next Meeting: May 15, 2025 (NEED CHAIR)
9. Adjournment

Present: Peter Bednekoff, Michael Benham, Gwynne Fischer,
Dagny Hanner, Phil Huhn, Autumn Jackson, Bill McNitt, Sarah
Redman, Janet Rieke, Judy Schmidt, Manfred Schmidt, Julie
Steiff

1. Hellos / Introductions.
2. Adoption / Modification of Agenda. Agenda modified and adopted.
3. Approval of Minutes of Prior Meeting. Minutes approved.
4. News, Announcements and Reports
   • Pat Frey: Our treasurer Pat Frey fell and sustained serious injuries. She has been in the hospital for weeks and will soon move to rehab. GF reported that she has recently spoken to Pat, and Pat’s condition has improved remarkably. She’s on the road to recovery! Larry will let us know when she can have visitors other than family.
   • Nature Club: In Pat’s absence, GF has stepped in to lead Nature Club. Attendance has been growing, and some of the students are quite rambunctious. MB offered to help; Pat’s husband Larry might also help.
   • Garlic mustard. Judy S has been pulling garlic mustard in the woods for 15 years; as a result, we don’t have a big problem with it. Today she saw some in Western portion behind the co-op. It’s not too widespread yet, and Judy S is keeping an eye on the usual places it pops up. Everyone should know what it looks like so we can stay on top of it, as it doesn’t take long to get out of control.
   • Ticks. Judy S reminded everyone that we have deer and ticks in the woods. It’s time to take precautions: Tuck pants into socks and shirts into pants. Wear light-colored clothing so the ticks are easier to see. Use a lint roller when you come out of the woods. Spray your ankles. Remember you’re more likely to collect ticks if you go off trail.
   • Bittersweet. GF has noticed bittersweet near Turnberry. MB says it kills trees; the weight of it can bring them down. We can’t use pesticide on school property, but the bittersweet is on City property. MB asked whether we want to tackle it or push the City to control it more aggressively.
   • Workdays: The April 5 workday was postponed until 12 noon this Saturday due to bad weather. We will put in boardwalk.
   • Moonlight Serenade. Judy S and SR were the only ones who showed up. They had a great time singing moon-related songs. They attracted a flock of honking geese and saw bats and hooded merganser. They would like to try it again sometime.
   • Treasurer’s Report: MB. Nothing has changed since Pat’s last report. MB has access to our accounts and will take care of the treasurer’s duties until Pat is back.
   • Volunteer hours report: AJ. We had just short of 100 hours for the first quarter of 2025, which represents an in-kind value of $3000.
   • Webmaster’s Report. Phil sent out his webmaster’s report by email.
5. Old Business
   • NAP Work Plan. Judy says City is following through on what they said they would do. No action needed.
   • Student tree planting. April 30 and May 1 are proposed planting days. Details are sketchy. MB will follow up with the parent who’s leading the effort.
6. New Business
   • Climate Justice Expo (May 23 and rain date). We have been invited to participate, but we’re awaiting further details. Judy S will follow up.
   • May 3 Workday. We discussed possibilities: spreading wood chips, removing invasives, finishing pallet removal and new boardwalks. The tasks are TBD after this weekend’s workday.
   • Rotting posts. MS said the signposts of the showcase are rotten. If it falls over, it will be hard to repair. We should fix it before it falls over. PH suggested metal bases for the trail signs. We will look at everything this weekend and make a plan.
   • Spring Nature Walks / Activities Calendar. Upcoming: Early Bird Nature Walk Sunday April 27. Wildflower Walk Saturday May 10 (AADL in partnership with NAP).
7. Next Meeting: May 15, 2025. Judy S will chair because MB will be
8. unavailable.
9. The meeting adjourned at 8:29 pm.

Minutes submitted by Julie Steiff.

Attachment 2:  Inventory of Ideas: 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
• Bat house

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 signposts 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?
• Remove poison ivy
• Pocket Forest planting and maintenance