Newsletter for The Nature Institute

7/31/2019 Newsletter for The Nature Institute

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Winter 2011/2012

page 3

cypreSS pond reStoration

page 4

report on heartland prairie

page 4

neW aStronomy aSSociation

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diScovery camp

page 7

upcoming eventS

Kevin Bennett was hired as the new Executive Director of The NatureInstitute in May. Mr. Bennett, an Alton native, holds a B.S. degree inEnvironmental Science from Quincy University and a M.A. in NaturalResource Policy and Administration from the University of Illinois-Springfield. He has worked for the Illinois Department of Natural Re-

sources, the Vermont Department of Fish and Wildlife and TheNature Conservancy.

Emily Martin was recently hired as the new part-time Director of Outreach and Development. Ms. Martin, a Springfield native, holds a B.Ain Mass Media Communications from the University of Illinois-Springfield. Prior to joining TNI, she worked in various roles as anoutdoor educator and a media design specialist.

Welcome neW Staff

SunSet from the miSSiSSippi Sanctuary

TNI Newsletter Winter 2011_Layout 1 1/3/2012 11:13 AM Page 1


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Winter 2011/2012

It may seem this greeting is somewhat contradictory butallow me to explain. I do wish you a Happy New Year, butI also must take my leave as a board member of The Na-

ture Institute.

I have had the pleasure of serving on the board of directorsfor the maximum time allowed by our by-laws of nine years.During that time, I've served as vice-president for four yearsand President for the last three.

I recall the day when I was asked if I would like to be on the

board of TNI. I thought to myself, "Okay, I'm a neighbor ofthe property. It's a great organization. I'd like to help. It prob-ably won't take too much of my time. It could even be fun.Why not?" For you readers that are serving or have served ona volunteer board, you know how naive that sounds. Nineyears later, I'm still a neighbor. It's still a great organization. Ihope I've been a help. It took up an enormous amount of timeand it was a lot of fun.

The experience has also been rewarding and gratifying. Thoseare the two words that best describe my relationship withTNI, its staff, the patrons and my fellow past and presentboard members. You all have my gratitude.

As a board, we've had our challenges, disagreements andunanimously acclaimed victories. In a word, we have suc-ceeded.

The Nature Institute is taking giant steps forward with won-derful plans and projects in all facets of its mission of "Foster-ing an awareness and appreciation of the natural worldthrough preservation, education and restoration."

With Warmest Regards This Holiday Season,

Mark Maggos

HAPPYNEWYEAR...GOODBYE

Est.1980

2213 South Levis LaneGodfrey, IL 62035

www.thenatureinstitute.org

Main Office618-466-9930

[email protected]

Talahi Lodge618-467-2521

[email protected]

Hiking trails are now closedWill reopen on March 15th

Dawn to Dusk

Board ofDirectorsMark Maggos - President

Paul Edelman - Vice-PresidentNan Adams - Secretary

Steve Springate - TreasurerAndrew Carruthers

Tom DoyleJudy HoffmanRobert LarsonMike SiemerSue Weber

StaffKevin Bennett - Executive Director

Tim Schofield - Stewardship DirectorPatricia Brown - Education Director

Dorothy Cronin - Education AssistantEmily Martin - Outreach Director

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a meSSage from the Board preSident



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TNI News

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during Silt removal

cypreSS pond reStorationAfter many years of neglect, Cypress Pond was slowlyturning into a shallow puddle of water.

The pond is over 80 years old and had an average depthof less than three feet. Covered with lily pads and othervegetation, it was increasingly being choked out. Fish-eries biologists from the Illinois Department of NaturalResources recommended that we attempt to restore thepond.

By our first estimation, the pond contained between fourto five feet of silt deposits. In a little over a month, a bull-

dozer and track hoe removed eight to ten feet of silt.

The restoration effort included removing the silt, shapingthe pond bottom, putting riprap on the dam, and con-structing a retention basin. The result will be a healthypond, with a depth of twelve to fourteen feet. The shal-low end will be two to three feet deep. This will allow anarea for educational purposes.

The riprap will stop wave action from undercutting thedam. The project is ongoing as we prepare to stock thepond with native fish, amphibians, and reptiles.

cypreSS pond Before

grant helpS With creation of retention BaSin

Great Rivers Land Trust was awarded a $5,000 grantfrom Illinois American Water through its 2011 Environ-mental Grant Program to assist in the construction of aretention basin on the grounds of The Nature InstitutesCypress Pond.

The purpose of the project is to demonstrate the effec-

tiveness of a two-tiered filtration system to prevent sedi-ment and impurities from reaching our streams andrivers. It will also serve as a demonstration site for work-shops to educate farmers, landowners, students, and oth-ers on the effectiveness of the structure.

The basin itself traps sediment before it reaches CypressPond. The water that drains into the basin comes from

surrounding fields, yards, roadways, and ditches. Thewater flowing from the watershed often includes impuri-ties such as herbicides, insecticides, road salt and oil. Selecting and experimenting with high absorbency plantsin the basin that are tolerant to the various impuritieswill be an added component of the plan. It is a terrificopportunity for visitors to The Nature Institute to de-

velop a better understanding of watersheds and erosioncontrol efforts.

This project is also an excellent example of a cooperativeeffort between two local community organizations andthe Illinois American Water Company. The project willbe managed and maintained by The Nature Institute andGreat Rivers Land Trust.

By the great riverS land truSt



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The Nature Institute recently held its first meeting oftheir newly-formed Astronomy Association. We partici-pated in something called The World Wide Star Count.

This is an activitywhere anyone cancontribute to thefurthering of sci-ence in an effort toreduce light pollu-tion.

After a short train-ing session, a fewof us went out andcounted how manystars we could see

in the Constella-tion Cygnus.

We counted six different stars which makes the skeetrange at The Nature Institute a Magnitude 4 site! In thepast few months the sky has given us plenty to see.Heres a recap:

Venus stood out a half an hour after sunset in thesouthwestern sky at a magnitude of 3.9. It was by farthe brightest object in the sky.Mercury was just 2 degrees below Venus but required

an unobstructed horizon to be visible. Both planetsset about one hour after sunset.Uranus was in the sky but a bit difficult to see with-out help. If you could find the Great Square of Pega-sus, you might have seen Uranus along the side thatcontains the stars Alpheratz & Algenib.Jupiter amazed in the East as the sky turned dark. Itwas the brightest object in the sky and with good see-ing and averted vision you might have been able tosee one or more of its Galilean moons! Through atelescope, the view of the largest planet in the solarsystem is simply amazing!Saturn, absent for a while returned in mid-October.

In Novembers morning sky it was close to the starSpica in the constellation Virgo.

Thats it for now. Keep reading and be sure to send anyquestions to [email protected]

Winter 2011/2012

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neW aStronomy aSSociation at the nature inStituteBy eddi agha

Skeet range at the olin nature preServe

The Nature Institutes Heartland Prairie completed an-other successful year in 2011. We held monthly hikeswith over 150 people in attendance, where visitors

learned about native prairie plants and developed an ap-preciation for the project.

TNI hosted a variety of other events as well, including:the dedication of Burr Oaks in the Sandra Wood Grove.an edible and medicinal plant workshop, an astronomyprogram, and a visit from McKendree Colleges ecologyclass.

Volunteers also came out for workdays to help removeinvasive species and collect native prairie seed for re-planting. In partnership with the Alton Parks and Recre-ation Department, plans for a permanent observationplatform are in the works. Thanks to all the friends of theprairie for their support. We hope to see you in the com-ing months for our spring programs!

heartland prairie report



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TNI News

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SteWardShip reportWe had another productive season in the preserve. Thestewardship crew has been busy clearing out Asian hon-eysuckle, autumn olive, and other invasive species inorder to make room for native plants and trees. Much ofthe work has been done on foot with backpack sprayersand chainsaws. A Bobcat equipped with a grinder wasalso used to clear large sections of woods that were over-grown with invasive shrubs and vines.

With the removal of invasive species, the restoration of

native oak-hickory forest can proceed. A few hundredoak saplings have been planted in many of the cleared

areas in order to ensure that aging oaks will eventuallybe replaced. Prescribed fire has also helped in restora-tion efforts. Fire is a natural part of most prairie and for-est ecosystems and is a proven method for removinginvasive species and giving native trees, grasses andflowers a chance to thrive.

The preservation of native habitats is a continual battle,but with our unrelenting efforts to remove invasivespecies and cultivate native ones, we are confident that

the preserve will continue to be a successful model forconservation and stewardship in the Midwest.

preScriBed Burn at the hutchinSon Bird Sanctuary

SteWardShip creW removing invaSive plantS from hillSide at the miSSiSSippi Sanctuary



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Winter 2011/2012

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diScovery camp receiveS grant

Staff and camperS enjoy a Beautiful day on talahiS laWn

On July 5th, Governor Pat Quinn announced The Illi-nois Youth Recreation Corps (IYRC) grant program. TheIYRC was established in order to encourage employ-ment of young people aged 16 to 19 who work in conser-vation and recreational programs.

The Nature Institute received a $54,000 Youth CorpsGrant administered through the Illinois Department ofNatural Resources (IDNR).

The funds were used to hire several counselors whoworked full-time and gained valuable skills that will helpprepare them for continued education and future em-ployment.

The Nature Institute celebrated 29 years of Discovery Camp during the 2011 summer season. Camp staff guided dailyLeave No Trace hikes and conducted fun, educational programs on geology, aquatics, botany, stewardship, arts andcrafts, and storytelling, just to name a few.

With the help of camp staff, our 5th and 6th grade campers organized a fundraising carnival called Change forChange which benefited six local charities including the American Cancer Society, 5As, Dylan's Hope, Catholic Charities, Baby Caitlyn and the Joplin Relief Effort. Families came to the event with pockets full of change to purchasefood and drink or participate in various activities to support their favorite cause. During the one hour event, thecampers raised in excess of $400.

diScovery camp markS 29th year

hiStoric talahi lodge



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TNI News

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UPCOMINGEVENTS ATTNIVolunteer OpportunityJanuary 16, 20129 a.m. to 12 p.m.Meet at Talahi Lodge

TNI is hosting a service project as part of the Dr. Mar-tin Luther King Service Day and part of the Alton Re-gional Convention and Visitors Bureau Serving ourFeathered Friends. Volunteers will work to improvebald eagle habitat at the John M. Olin Nature Preserveby removing invasive honeysuckle from the forest floorbeneath the trees where the eagles roost. All equipmentprovided, bring gloves and weather related clothing.Snacks and hot chocolate provided.

People wishing to register for project should call 618-466-9930. Each participant must sign a waiver of lia-bility. Children ages 9 and are welcomed, with aparticipating adult.

Knee High Naturalist - JanuaryWhere to Begin - Water CycleWednesday, January 11, 2012Morning session - 10:00 to 11:00 a.m.Afternoon session - 1:00 to 2:00 p.m.

Please be sure to register no later than the Friday be-fore the program Limited to 15 children

Knee High Naturalist FebruaryThe Day it Rained HeartsWednesday, February 8, 2012Morning session - 10:00 to 11:00 a.m.Afternoon session - 1:00 to 2:00 p.m.Please be sure to register no later than the Friday be-fore the program Limited to 15 children

Native Flowers PresentationSaturday, March 24, 201210:00 a.m.The Midwestern Native Garden: Native Alternatives toNonnative Flowers and Plants, an Illustrated Guide.Presentation, discussion and book signing by CharlotteAdelman and Bernard L. Schwartz

Discovery Camp RegistrationSaturday March 17, 2012Starts promptly at 9:00 a.m.to 11:00 a.m.Registration will be held at St. Ambrose CommunityCenter located at 820 W. Homer Adams Parkway in

Godfrey.

You can download a registration form on our website(www.thenatureinstitute.org) and bring it to registra-tion. Follow the link to Camp 2012.

Please note that this does not guarantee you a spot inthat camp! Only when you submit the $25.00 depositalong with a completed registration form will yourchild be in camp.

Pre-K -- June 11-15

Kindergarten -- June 18-221st and 2nd grade -- June 25-293rd and 4th grade -- July 9-13

5th and 6th grade -- July 16-201st and 2nd grade -- July 23-27

3rd and 4th grade -- July 30-August 3

TNI Hiking TrailsFrom dawn to dusk March to November, our trails provide a great opportunity to explore the greatoutdoors. When hiking, please observe the following rules:

- No pets are allowed on the preserves- No bike riding on any trails- Be considerate of other hikers- Always stay on marked trails

- Dispose of your trash properly- No picking or taking of anything from the preserve(plants, flowers, rocks, etc.)



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Membership FormThe Nature Institute2213 South Levis LaneGodfrey, IL 62035

Yes, I want to take a leadership role in The Nature Institute's efforts to protectour natural areas and promote environmental education:

Lifetime Member $1,000 Mississippi Sanctuary Society $100

Family Membership $50 Individual $25

If paying by check, please make your tax deductible gift payable to: The Nature Institute

Name: Phone Number:

Address: Email:

2213 South Levis LaneGodfrey, IL 62035

618-466-9930www.thenatureinstitute.org

[email protected]


Documents

Newsletter for The Nature Institute