Board of Directors meeting and Fire Forum: August 5, 2005
Green Valley Recreation West Social Center Auditorium
A. FIRE FORUM
The Fire Forum began at 9:00 AM with introductions of the participants by FOMC President Luis Calvo and Forest Service Information Officer Gail Aschenbrenner. Attending the forum from the Forest Service were: Bob Lefevre, Hydrologist and Coordinator of the Burned Area Emergency Response (BAER) team, Keith Graves, Nogales District Ranger, Don Marion, Madera Canyon Manager, Saluk Shafiqullah, Hydrologist, Sarah Davis, and Laura White. From the Friends of Madera Canyon were Doug Moore, Naturalist and Author, and George West, Ornithologist with the Hummingbird Monitoring Network.
Gail Aschenbrenner gave a brief history of the Florida Fire and showed slides of the fire, the crews working the fire, and crews rehabilitating forest land after other fires in nearby sky islands. Bob Lefevre presented information on how the BAER program functions to respond after fires, what issues are addressed, what things they can do within the BAER budget constraints and what they cannot do. Laura White spoke about rehabilitation efforts on the Aspen fire on Mt Lemmon. Keith Graves spoke about the need for considerable time to clear trails and make the area safe for hikers. Don Marion outlined the trails that were open and those that were closed at this time. The Vault Mine Trail, Agua Caliente Trail, the Nature Trail, and all picnic areas and the campground within the Madera Canyon Recreation Area are open. Trails such as the Super Trail and Old Baldy Trail remain closed until crews can remove hazards. They cautioned hikers not to go on closed trails as there would be serious legal consequences.
George West gave a short presentation on the Hummingbird Monitoring Network’s program at the Chuparosa Inn in Madera Canyon and how this work provided a baseline for impacts such as fire.
President Calvo presented District Ranger Graves with a plaque thanking the Forest Service for their hard work on the Florida Fire and in protecting the residences in the canyon and the recreation area.
President Calvo then presented Canyon Manager Marion with a framed photograph of Don working on the fire – with the mat signed by all residents of the canyon – thanking him for his efforts on the fire and for the rapid repair of water lines to many residences.
Members of the audience asked many questions of the Forest Service, focusing primarily on the status of trails, specific forest areas, and wildlife. Ranger Graves thought that hikers would once again be able to reach Mt. Wrightson sometime next summer if all goes well. Everyone believed that wildlife was little damaged by the fire because most animals could flee the burning areas into adjacent areas that did not burn. The only animals that would have suffered would be aquatics such as frogs or fish, neither of which was found in the canyon.
Members of the board and FOMC volunteers staffed the Friends’ display booth, passed out membership applications and brochures, and served prickly pear cactus lemonade and cake to guests.
B. BOARD OF DIRECTORS MEETING
The meeting was called to order at 10:47 AM by President Luis Calvo. All 13 members of the board were present along with many guests. The primary topic for this meeting was the Education Program.
Chuck Lobeck reported on the outcome of the Education Committee meeting on July 19. The committee recommended that Doug Moore be retained as Director of Education as an independent contractor. A Contract and Job Description for the position were read. Lyle Collister seconded the motion that passed unanimously. A copy of the contract and job description is in the FOMC files with the secretary. The board expressed pleasure at being able to have Doug Moore lead the education program. The committee will work with Doug to get the fourth grade field trip education program underway as soon as practical.
Nancy Chandler noted that some members of the Hiking Club would be willing to serve as docents for the education program on any day but Thursday. Doug Moore will work with the various schools to see if their schedules can better coincide with availability of docents.
White Elephant grant - The board decided to ask for $15,000 to be used for Environmental Education
The Annual Meeting will be on October 29 leading off with coffee and donuts at 10:00 AM, then the meeting with committee reports, volunteer appreciation, board voting results, raffle or door prizes, and a speaker – Doug Moore to talk about the revised and updated education program.
Pam LeClair has at least eight potential candidates for the board to run for four vacant seats. The ballots will be sent out by September 15 and returned at least by October 24. The announcement of the annual meeting will be a cover letter from President Calvo to go along with the ballot and candidate biographical sketches.
Phil Gantt and crew has sent out over 450 brochures to all current members and over 1,200 brochures and letters with membership applications to new home owners in Green Valley and Sahuarita. The new volunteer polo shirts, t-shirts, hats, and visors are back from the printer and ready for distribution and sale.
Carolyn Fowler reminded the board that the new dollar amount to offset Arizona State Income Tax is $400 per couple donated to a local school. When filling out the form, remember to specify the school and that the money is to be used for field trips of students to Madera Canyon. This information will be on the web site, in the Canyon Chatter, and perhaps have forms available at the annual meeting.
The meeting was adjourned at 12:31 PM.
Respectfully submitted,
George C. West,
Secretary FOMC
Upcoming Meetings
The next Board meeting will be held on Friday, September 2, 2005 at 9:00 AM at Friends in Deed, Room D.
The Annual Meeting will be held on Saturday, October 29, 2005 beginning at 10:00 AM at the White House Picnic Area in Madera Canyon
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