the MeadowlarkA PUB L I C AT ION F ROM THE B E LW IN CONSERVANC Y S P R I N G / S U M M E R 2 0 1 4
Inside This IssueDirector’s Message . . . . . . . . . . . . 2
2013 Annual Report . . . . . . . . . . . 3
Busy Bees . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 4
Research Roundup: Valley Creek . . 5
Calendar of Events . . . . . . . . . . . . . 6
Just for Members . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 7
Buckthorn Bust . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 8
•Due to the rain, 2014 was
one of the most uncooperative burn seasons in memory. Thankfully, we were able to complete a prescribed burn at our Lake Edith
Natural Area.
Busy BeesAs soon as spring arrives,the littlest pollinators arealready hard at work.
See page 4.
SPRING. BURSTING
FORTH. Multiplying.
Greening. Growing.
Moving forward. Master
plan. Solar panels.
Agreements. Budgets.
Garlic mustard surveying.
Membership renewals. Planning. Fixing
machines. Grant writing. Board meetings.
Volunteer marketing committee meetings.
Partner meetings. Researching. Soccer.
Baseball. Fundraising. Frog walks. Bird walks.
Bird surveys. Equipment breaking. Prescribed
prairie burning. Equipment purchase. Map
fixing. Map making. Member events. Land
protection plan. Events. MCAD students.
SPPS students. Stillwater students. Deer.
Otters. Mink. Beavers. New life. Artist led
activities. New programs. Repairing broken
things. Buckthorn busts. Fun!
2013 flew by. We worked hard to keep pace
with everything that needs doing at Belwin.
The board, staff and partners also helped draft
our 3-5 year strategic plan.
The Belwin board saw two dedicated members
depart in 2013. Charlie Hartwell served on the
Belwin Foundation and then Belwin
Conservancy board for over 15 years and
decided in January of 2013 that other interests
called in a more urgent way – take a look at
http://bbcollaborative.com to learn more. Char-
lie helped Belwin Conservancy update its logo
and other materials as well as provide a heart-
centered connection to Belwin’s work. We are
grateful for Charlie’s commitment and work
throughout his tenure on the board and we
miss him!
George Johnson, after leading us through
strategic planning, knew that he had
contributed significantly by helping Belwin
put in place a strategic plan that embraced the
best that Belwin could be. George is very
involved in a fantastic new project – check out
http://telavision.tv. George’s new work will
“inspire millions of youth around the world to
identify and express their unique gifts in
service of a better world for all.”
We also saw two recent additions to the Board.
Jerry Allan is a principal with Criteria Architects,
2
Inc., an architectural firm located here in Afton.
Jerry also heads the Entrepreneurial Studies
Program at the Minneapolis College of Art and
Design. Jerry jumped into the ongoing strategic
planning work and is now guiding Belwin
through a master planning initiative for our
Art and Nature program. The master plan is
scheduled to be complete by June 2014 and
will be highlighted in the Fall Meadowlark.
In April 2014 John VonDeLinde, Anoka
County’s Parks and Recreation Director, was
elected to the Belwin Conservancy board.
John has been involved with parks, parks
programs and parks management for more
than 30 years. John will be a great resource as
Belwin Conservancy adds new programming
opportunities as well as being a great resource
for the Lucy Winton Bell Athletic Facility. We
would like to grow the
board by at least two
more in 2014.
We want you to know
how much your support
means to Belwin
Conservancy and that
we know we are
accountable to you as members, donors and
supporters. The facing page gives you a
picture of what we intend to do in 2014 and
how 2013 turned out.
Did we meet our budget projections? Not
exactly. Our revenues from corporations were
far less than projected. Belwin is new to
establishing relationships with corporations
and we were overly optimistic in what we
could do. That said, we made some progress
and intend to be more realistic in 2014.
Government grants tend to pass through –
what Belwin receives in income goes out as
expenses. Work in 2013 proved more
complicated than originally anticipated. The
good news is that we were also able to reduce
expenses (as a number of expense items were
contingent on accompanying revenue). The
year ended with a shortfall of approximately
$5,000. While a loss is not a good outcome,
we believe 2014 will move us forward.
A couple of accounting notes: the 2013 year-
end numbers are unaudited. The Belwin
DIRECTOR’S MESSAGE
Conservancy audit will be completed before the
end of summer. In 2014 expenses are broken
down slightly differently from 2013. We have
created a separate category for fundraising
expenses which used to be lumped in with
membership/outreach/education. And we have
now separated Administration from General
Operating. General Operating is cleaning,
insurance, property taxes etc. and Administra-
tion is dues, subscriptions, payroll expense
etc. Both General Operating and Administration
are allocated the various staff that are involved
in those activities. Land and Building Manage-
ment – we used to lump that in with General
Operating, but now feel it is really program
support. As 2014 and beyond will include
significant investments in the buildings of
Belwin, we want to be as transparent as
possible. The same is true for the Lucy Winton
Bell Athletic Fields – 2014 will see a number
of improvements there,
including installation of
solar panels.
Did we reach the goals
our staff and board set for
2013? Yes and no is the
truthful answer. Weather
challenged our restora-
tion plans and fundraising inhibited some new
program work. That said, much was accom-
plished and even bigger things are planned for
the balance of 2014. Numbers don’t tell the
whole story by any stretch of the imagination.
We encourage you to talk to us about our
on-going work and look for more program
opportunities beginning in September!
Nancy Kafka
Executive Director, Belwin Conservancy
(651) 436-5189
Making Hay While the Sun Shines
Much was accomplished
and even bigger thingsare planned
for the balanceof 2014.
2014 and beyond will
include significant
investments inBelwin’s
buildings.
3
BELWIN BY NUMBERS
New ProgramDevelopment
10%
Restoration and Research
39%
General Operating
36%
Membership ,Outreach
and Education 15%
Restoration and Research
25%
Membership ,Outreach
and Education 6%
Fundraising 10%
New ProgramDevelopment
15%
General Operating
12%
Land and Building Management
16%
LWBAF 6%
Administration 10%
2013 2014 Budget
Revenue 2013 2014 Budget
Membership $ 54,558 $ 65,500Foundations 96,100 96,500Corporations 1,500 60,000Government 88,684 116,485Contribution from Belwin Supporting Fund 400,000 371,394Other (Rent, Release from Restriction, Matching Fund) 39,387 117,700
Total Revenue $ 680,229 $ 827,579
People Served Belwin Outdoor Science 10,496
Lucy Winton Bell Athletic Fields* 53,650
Joseph J. Casby Observatory 168
Belwin Conservancy Members 248*This number is inclusive of baseball, football, soccer, and soft-ball. It assumes two spectators for each athlete.
2013 Restoration ActivitiesAcres ongoing restoration 800
Acres burned 31
Bison herd size 50(34 at the observation platform and 16 at the corner of Hudson and Stagecoach)
Hours of integrated pest management 968Hand pulling, tractor mowing, chemical control
Acres of site preparation and seeding 25
Acres of buckthorn removal 44
Acres of oak savanna restoration 12
Number of invasive species managed 25
Number of plant species collected 30
Bird MonitoringAfton Hills (number of species) 48
Bell Oak Savanna 67
Stagecoach Prairies 54
Valley Creek 45
Lake Edith 6896 species across all sites including native and migratory birds. Surveys conducted once a weekfor six weeks from May 1-June 15.
Notables: Nesting Cooper’s Hawk, Henslow’s Sparrow1, Hooded Warbler2, Eastern Meadowlark,Blue Winged Warbler, Dickcissel, Bobolink1 Endangered in Minnesota (http://www.dnr.state.mn.us/ets/)2 Special Concern in Minnesota (http://www.dnr.state.mn.us/ets/)
Membership8%
Contribution from Belwin
Supporting Fund 59%
Foundations 14%
Government13%
Other (Rent, Release
from Restriction, Matching Fund)
6%
Membership8%
Contribution from Belwin
Supporting Fund 45%
Foundations 12%
Corporations 7% Government
14%
Other (Rent, Release
from Restriction, Matching Fund)
6%
2013 2014 Budget
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Expenses 2013 2014 Budget
Restoration and Research $ 264,140 $ 202,638Membership, Outreach and Education 100,897 52,305Fundraising 80,731New Program Development 71,841 118,805General Operating 248,524 96,647Land and building management 128,529LWBAF 52,655Administration 79,151
Total Expenses $ 685,402 $ 811,461
THE PHENOMENON “colony collapse disorder,” or CCD, has gained
media attention thanks to books and documentaries like Vanishing of the
Bees. While the focus of CCD typically falls on honeybees, the domesti-
cated European Apis mellifera introduced to North America in the early
1600s, they are just one species of the nearly 400 natives bees found in
Minnesota. On the prairies of the Belwin Conservancy, diversity of plant
life ensures all the roles of its ecosystem are filled and provide an ideal
habitat throughout the season. By taking a closer look at the differences
in native bees, and knowing why each is uniquely important, we can
work to protect and encourage these tiny workhorses to help keep our
prairies and land healthy.
The PlantsAt least 70 percent of all the world’s flowering plants rely on wind or
help from pollinators like butterflies, bats, hummingbirds and bees to
become fertile and produce seed. These plants offer flowers of a variety
of shapes, colors and sizes to attract certain pollinators; conversely,
pollinators develop preferences for certain
plants. Squash bees are nicknamed so because
of their efficiency and preference for pollinating
native cucurbit plants, like squash, zucchini
and pumpkins. To pollinate those in the
nightshade family, like tomato and eggplant,
bumble bees and other solitary bees rapidly
move their wings to create the familiar
vibrating “buzz” to shake pollen loose.
Native prairie plants are especially well suited for pollinators. Some of
the early season prairie flowers include lupine and golden alexander.
Another early flower, penstemon, is an excellent nectar producer for a
wide variety of butterflies, moths, and bees.
Finding prairie plants that flower in the middle- to late-summer is a
relatively easy task as the prairie is ablaze with color at this time. Blazing
4
star offers nectar to a large number of butterflies including monarchs,
swallowtails, skippers, and sulfers. More specifically, the milkweeds
(including butterflyweed) are the obligate host plants for the monarch
butterfly larvae and provide nectar for many bees. The long, tubular
flowers of wild bergamot support long-tongued bumblebees, hawk
moths, and hummingbirds.
Late season wildflowers are often overlooked, but are one of the most
important groups of wildflowers. Fall flowers offer the last chance to
allow the migrating monarch to fuel up for the journey or the queen bee
to stock up on nectar before hibernation. Many of the fall flowers such
as showy goldenrod and New England aster have clusters of many small
flowers offering many opportunities for nectar and pollen.
At the Belwin Conservancy preserve, we have many prairie flowers in
bloom across the seasons, but not always in the same area. In our most
recent seeding this winter, we created a seed mix to ensure a diversity of
wildflowers across the spectrum of seasons. At the Stagecoach Prairies
Natural Area we seeded 25 acres with large amounts of native grass and
wildflowers seed. Most of the seed mix was harvested with a combine
from our Croixview Prairies Natural Area and then supplemented with
purchased seed that we aren’t able to harvest in large quantities.
The Pollinators On the prairie, pollinators increase seed production and genetic diversity
of any flowering plant, but some plants rely on them. Plants of the
Lamiaceae family, like hyssop and mint, or penstemon of the Scrophu-
lariceae family completely depend on bees for pollination. Fortunately
for the hardy prairie, there are few plants that require “specialized” bees.
Maintaining a diverse, healthy population of
generalized bees satisfies any pollination needs.
Honeybees, though not native, still fill a niche in
the web of pollination. They are able to survive
winter, unlike most other bees, making them an
economic choice for a beekeeper. Not all bees are
social, but the honeybee lives in a colony that can be up to several
thousand workers (sexually immature females), hundreds of drones
(sexually mature males) but only one mature female, the queen. Foraging
in a radius typically up to three miles, one colony can accomplish a lot of
pollination – plus honeybee hives have the added bonus of producing
surplus pounds of honey each season.
Also part of the largest family Apidae, bumble bees are social like
honeybees, although their colonies never get as large or live as long.
With flowers finally in bloom, you can be certain there is a buzzin the air – not just from the bees themselves, but the worry surrounding the declining populations of bees and the plight ofbeekeepers around the country.
The bumble bee uses its long tongue to reach nectar inside an echinacea.
Busy BeesBy Alex Yaeger and Tara Kelly, Director of Ecological Restoration
Not all bees are black and yellow; this metallic greensweat bee visits a rudbeckia.
On the prairie,pollinators
increase seedproduction and
genetic diversity.
The Belwin Conservancy
Preserve has manyprairie flowers inbloom across theseasons, but not
always in thesame area.
Blue orchard bee are part of the solitary mason bee family.
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– continued on page 6
Since the fall of 1998, the first Fridays in Octoberand May have been especially memorable forbiology students at Stillwater Area High School;these are the dates for our field trip to ValleyCreek with Belwin Conservancy.
We have been conducting a macro-invertebratestudy of this exceptionally beautiful stream. Itbegan as part of a Citizen Monitoring projectwith the Department of Natural Resources, andis now coordinated by the Washington Conservation District and funded by the ValleyCreek Watershed District.
The research involves collecting macro-invertebrates, the small critters that live on thebottoms of lakes and streams. Because inverte-brates are at the bottom of the food chain, thestream is healthy if they are thriving. Followingprotocol, we analyze the abundance and the diversity of the invertebrates and determine thehealth of the stream. In addition, we also takemeasurements such as depth, width, and velocity and record observations about the conditions of the riverbanks and channel. Identification of the invertebrates is done backat school. Our data and observations are reported to the Washington Conservation Districtwhere experts can ensure correct identification.
For 16 years, useful data has been collectedand hundreds of students have experienced the simple joy of wading in a stream. They havealso learned about the delicate ecology of a
RESEARCH ROUNDUP
A R E G U L A R S U R V E Y O F R E S E A R C H O C C U R R I N G AT T H E B E L W I N C O N S E R VA N C Y
trout stream and what is needed to protect theecosystem. The good news is that the overallhealth of the stream has fluctuated between“fair,” “very good” and “excellent.”
We are very fortunate in Washington County tohave trout streams that are thriving ecosystems.Throughout the metro there are many examplesof streams that have been so degraded thattrout can no longer survive.
We hope our work will contribute to the long-term viability of the stream. We know that ourstudents have gained awareness, knowledgeand appreciation.
Monitoring Macro-Invertebrates in Valley Creek
Due in part to this rewarding project, many ofour students have gone on to careers in the natural resources. Thank you to everyone whomakes our work on Valley Creek possible including the property owners, and the BelwinConservancy staff who always take the time tointeract with our students and answer theirquestions about stewardship and restorationprojects along Valley Creek.
This research work is science education at it’sbest, and the students respond with great interest year after year.
Volunteers are always needed. If you would liketo become involved with the project, contactme at the e-mail below.
Sandy PedersonStillwater Area High [email protected]
Native bumble bees, however, are more tolerant
of colder weather and lower light, making them
early risers in the cool mornings. More uniquely,
some bumble bees have long tongues – up to 15
millimeters. These species are able to reach into
deep flowers like red clover and Penstemon.
Other natives from the Apidae family include
solitary carpenter bees and digger bees, known
to nest in soft material like dead wood, or in the
ground and often sandy soils, respectively.
Leafcutter and mason bees belong to the
Megachilidae family. These solitary bees are
cavity nesters, sometimes taking advantage of
holes made by other insects in dead wood and
hollow stems. These two groups are adept at
pollinating native ‘new world’ crops like blue-
berries, cranberries, sunflowers, and pome fruits
like apples and pears. Just 250 Osmia lignaria
mason bees, known as blue orchard bees, are
capable of pollinating an acre of apples – a task
that could require up to 40,000 honeybees.
Alfalfa leafcutters are one type of bee undeterred
by the ‘tripping’ action of the alfalfa flower
during pollination; petals hold the pollen-bearing
stamen until an insect begins to probe, releasing
the tension and causing the stamen to spring
forward dusting the bee with pollen, sometimes
hitting it on the head with force.
Other common native bees include sweat bees
of the family Halictidae and polyester bees,
family Colletidae. Mining bees of the family
Andrenidae are seen beginning in early spring.
The PlanBecause colony collapse disorder is witnessed
in domesticated agricultural hives, most
research on the decline of bee populations
revolves around honeybees. Generally, causes
have been attributed to loss of nesting habitat
and native landscape, disease and parasites, the
use of pesticides, and widespread monoculture.
Currently two species of bumble bee found in
Minnesota are on the Xerces Society’s Red List
of threatened and at-risk bees, indicating
honeybees are not the only vulnerable species.
While honeybees and native bumble, mason,
and leafcutter bees are all options for prospec-
tive beekeepers, there are other, less intense
ways to help conserve and protect these
important pollinators.
Providing a good environment for an array of
preferences is one of the best ways to encourage
and help bees. Adult pollinators use nectar as
their primary food source whereas female bees
CALENDAR OF EVENTS
We want every Belwin Conservancy member to have an opportunity to forge a connection withthe place that they are protecting. If you are interested in taking part in any of the events listedbelow, you need only become a member at the level suggested. Most events require a reservationand many have limited space available. Please visit our website www.belwin.org/events/, [email protected], or call (651) 436-5189 to reserve your space today.
6
Bison Release Join us for our seventh annual BisonRelease! We’ll open at 11 – take part in family-friendlyactivities, learnabout bisonand the prairie,and sign up for a ride onour BisonBuggy. The release will occur promptly at noon. Parking will be at the Lucy Winton Bell Athletic Fields(15601 Hudson Road).Saturday, June 14: 11 am; Noon release
All Members $1 minimum ($35 suggested)
Fall Open House The bright colors, the smell ofleaves, the crisp fall air. Come to Belwin and take a walkand enjoy the season. We’ll also have an interestingspeaker and give an update on our work for the year.Saturday, October 11: 10 am- 5 pm
Winter Open House Everyone looks for a chance tostep outside in the wintertime. Our annual winter openhouse is a great opportunity to do that! All 2014members are invited. Come and take a winter walk or ifthere is snow on the ground, bring your cross-countryskis or snow shoes.Saturday, January 24, 2015: 10 am- 4 pm
Open Saturdays – Coming Soon! Starting in Sep-tember, we will be hosting open Saturdays every monthat Belwin. This will be your opportunity to visit Belwinon your own terms. We’ll be hosting an activity on apart of the preserve, but we’ll also be open for you tovisit and enjoy on a regular day every month that youcan count on! We’ll have more details soon about thisnew addition to the Belwin Conservancy!
Family Activities Something we’re excited for thisyear are two activities aimed at families. These eventsare open to all Belwin members. Bring your kids orgrandkids!
Family Scavenger Hunt Come and explore the prairie!We’ll hunt for items that you might find on the prairieand learn a bit about it in the process. This event isaimed at ages 4-10.Saturday, August 2: 9:30-11:30 am
Family Seed Collection It’s important that we takethe time to collect seed from our prairies that we canuse elsewhere at the preserve. This fun and seasonalactivity is perfect for little hands. This event is appropriate for ages 3 and up.Saturday, October 4: 3-5 pm
Busy Beescontinued from page 5
$120 DonationFrog Walk It’s one of the first signs of spring. Join us and take in the cacophony of frogs of Belwin andexplore the signs and sounds of a springtime evening.Tuesday, June 10: 7 pm
Prairie Walk Belwin prairies are an ever-changing mosaic of colors and textures throughout the year.Take a summertime walk with our restorationist andlearn more about these beautiful landscapes.Tuesday, July 26: 1-3 pm
Bird Walk The Belwin Conservancy’s preserve is agreat spot for birdwatching. Different species of birdare active at Belwin as they pass through in the springand fall. Join us for one of two bird walks as you explore the preserve.Saturday, May 31: 6:30-8:30 amSaturday, October 4: 7:30-9:30 am
Renew Yourself at the Belwin ConservancyDo you need to be re-energized in the fall before theseason to come? Please join us for a refreshing morning of yoga. We’ll spend 30 to 40 minutes warming up the body and then head out on the trail.Saturday, November 15: 9 am-Noon
Astronomy Workshop Join us for an evening ofastronomy using the telescope located at the BelwinConservancy. An experienced Minnesota AstronomicalSociety member will help us explore the cosmos. Wewill also take a night walk around the preserve.Monday, September 15: 9 pm (Weather Permitting)
$250 DonationBison Buggy Rides In addition to attending theevents listed above, members who donate $250 areinvited to sign up for four seats on one of the following Bison Buggy rides. The Bison Buggy is ourcustom built vehicle created for visiting the bison herd up close! Space is limited so sign up today! Tuesday, June 24; Tuesday, July 22: 6:30 pm
Saturday, August 16; Saturday, September 20; Saturday, October 4: 1 pm
$500 DonationPrivate Bison Buggy Ride Members who make a$500 contribution are invited to join us for a privateride on the Bison Buggy. The Buggy seats eight adults,and provides an unforgettable experience for everyone! Please call (651) 436-5189 or [email protected] to schedule.
collect pollen to feed their offspring. The more
nectar producing plants that can be incorporated
into a landscape, large or small, the better. It is
especially important to provide wildflowers that
offer nectar in their flowers
from early spring through the
fall. Bumble bees and other
bees that nest in the ground
look for vegetation-free, loose
or sandy soils. Try leaving
some patches free of mulch
and weed barriers, or keep a
mud patch wet for mason
bees. Leave dead wood, stands that have
already been bored by other insects, and hollow
stems, canes or vines for carpenters and leaf
cutters. Houses for bees can also be bought or
built – check out xerces.org for instructions on
how to build and maintain tunnel nests. Avoid
using pesticides: what kills pests also harms
helpful pollinators, and even those not targeting
flowers and food can leach into water sources
and ground habitat. Besides, dandelions,
woodland flowers, and other unwanted ‘weeds’
make great pollinator fuel.
One of the benefits of designing a prairie for
native pollinators is that they tend to be full of
color and texture. Without bees and other
pollinators, our landscape and plate would look
much different. Taking the effort to appreciate
and support this tiny, vital part of our ecosystem
will ensure that our prairies and backyards will
be abuzz with busy workers, and that our seed
banks fruitful for the next cycle of the season.
Come out to the Stagecoach Prairies Natural
Area and watch the newly seeded prairie
become established and (hopefully) thrive with
pollinators!
Fall-blooming showy aster helps keep bees fueled allseason long.
Avoid using pesticides: what killspests also
harms helpful
pollinators.
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$500 and above Anonymous*
John & Nan Beard*
Johanna Bell*
Eric Foster & Daniela Bell*
Nancy Gibson & Ron Sternal*
Sharon Glasrud*
Charlie Hartwell & Maureen Pelton
David Hartwell & Elizabeth DeBaut*
Lucy Hartwell*
Bruce & Jean Johnson*
Douglas Johnson*
George & Susan Johnson
Nancy Kafka & Mark Abrahamson
Joseph Leary*
Harry Levey*
Melissa Magler*
Alida Messinger*
Richard Nicholson*
Irene Qualters*
Patricia Ryan*
John & Linda Satorius*
Jean Marie & Peter Ulland*
Michelle Vaillancourt*
Lawrence Waite
Alys & Frank Wilson*
Nancy Brooks & Tom Youngblood*
$250 to $499 Alan Boucher
Tony & Heather Collen*
Julia & Mike Costello*
Rick Davis*
Mary Lee Dayton
Jill & Robert DeMaster
Lucy & Jeffrey Heegaard
Steve, Michelle & Madison Hobbs
Neal & Elizabeth Johnston*
Jill & Chuck Koosmann*
Charles & Hope Lea
Sarah & Tony Manzara*
Loring & Lucy McAllister*
Mr. & Mrs. Richard Newmark*
Gale & Isabel Qualls*
Bonnie & Jan Reyers*
James Stahnke*
Judy Steberger
$120 to $249IInes Alonso & Clayton Lindsey*
Lynette Anderson*
Mary Anderson
John Hoggatt & Sarah Atkins
Caroline Baillon*
John Beard
Camilla & Robert Beattie*
Gerard & Marcy Bents*
Michele Bevis & Steve Wardell*
John Bischoff*
Colleen Bjerke*
Helen Bond & Kathryn Weese*
Susan & Robert Burns*
Jane & Eric Carlson*
Kurt Casby*
Dan & Dianne Christensen*
Allan & Diane Dettmann*
Cynthia Elder*
Lizabeth & Steven Emert*
Georgia Entenza*
Carol & Frederick Entwistle*
Tim Fischer*
Caroline & Dutton Foster*
Paul Gade & Kathy Sidles*
Rebecca Gauker
Roger Gay*
John & Cynthia Gilpin
Randy & Kathy Graham
Deanna Grigus
Georgia Haft*
Julie Harper-Wylie
Scott Hawley & Holly Melroe*
Priscilla & Kirk Hedberg*
Bernie Heimel
Diana & Greg Hipple*
Ronald Hockin*
Thomas Scanlan & Corinne Hoeft*
Caroline Vernon & Bruce Holcomb
Sara Holmdahl*
Kathy & Mike Hopkins*
Connie & Thomas Johnson*
Dwight & Pamela Johnson*
Michael Jones*
Dr. Arthur & Martha Kaemmer*
Kathleen Kelley*
Julie & George Kinney*
Margaret Kohring*
Gerald Konkol*
Kristin & William Leonard*
Sarah Lilja*
Leroy & Sharon Looser*
Howard Markus*
Steven & Jane Martin
Steven Martin
Kathy Masson*
Bryan & Karin McGinnis*
Gene Merriam*
Alex Molldrem*
JUST FOR MEMBERS AND SUPPORTERS
Thank you!
Rebecca Morris*
Marines Mutter*
Ralph & Helen Pennie*
Susan & Donald Place*
Marion & Stephan Potyondy*
Andy Joyce & Kristin Raab*
Doreen Lynch & William Ramsden
James Rickard*
Mary Rivett*
Lucy Rogers & Larry Grant*
Chuck & Jean Ronnei*
Dan & Nancy Ruh
August LaRenzie & Tammy Seidl
Mary Jane Setterberg
Dick & Ella Slade*
Phillip & Gloria Smith*
Melissa & Jeremy Snell*
Carol Solie*
Judith Steltzner*
The Steury Family*
Dean Stynsberg & Kurt Rentschler
Carol Swanson
Steve & Colleen Swedberg*
Graham & Anna Marie Thatcher in honor of David Hartwell*
James Way & Kathleen Thomas*
Dana Vogen in honor of Elias Vogen*
Elias Vogen*
Mavis & Robert Voigt
John & Sue VonDeLinde*
Laurie Waterman*
James Wells*
Vera Ming Wong & William E. Morren*
John C & Dana Wood*
Lucia Wroblewski*
$1 to $119Walter Abramson
Gilbert George Ahlstrand*
Bruce Albrecht*
Elizabeth Anderson in memory of Joanie Voss*
Virginia & James Anderson*
Anonymous in honor of Ric & Jane Carlson
Sarah Colleran Armajani*
Rene & Douglas Barclay
Polly Bayrd*
Mr. & Mrs. C. Meredith Bend
Denise Berigan-Pirro*
Emily Binstadt
Sandra & Lindell Blanchette*
Len Bohrer*
Christa Bren
Lois Brenner*
Karen Buggs*
Alberta Burns*
Annabelle Bush*
Marjana & Robert Callery*
Jim Cox*
Mary Croft
Frances Czaia*
James & Susan Davis*
Aram deKoven*
Steven DeLapp*
Ann Dieperink*
Joanne & Timothy Drahnak*
Patricia Walker & Rebecca Enos
Dawn & Michael Erlandson
JoAnn Facente
Kathy & Edward Fagerlund*
Michael & Holly Finch*
Colleen & Peter Findlay
Allen Fuechtmann & Laura Fischer*
Barbara Ford*
Jane Lenarz & Robert Geisen
Ann Fallon & Anna Gerenday
Don Gettinger*
Jan Gray*
Alison Green*
Richard & Carol Gross*
Howard Guthmann*
Jim Hagstrom*
Vicky & Bill Hakala
Joe & Barbara Halligan*
Marty & Laurie Halvorson*
Peggy Hanson
Sally & Peter Harris
Lorraine Hasselquist*
Jon Hayman*
Greg & Colleen Hayne*
Elizabeth & William Heegaard*
Francis Coyne & Constance Hilliard
Susan & Charles Hipp
Elizabeth Hixson
Christine & Douglas Hlavacek*
Sharon Hoffman
Jean & Hugh Huelster
David & Robyn Husebye*
Juliane & Ken Janey*
Joel & Laura Jensen
Sherwood Johnston & Laurie Maher*
James Joyce
Peggy Kamish-Eral
Tara & Colin Kelly
Kathryn Kent*
Bradley & Joanne Kletscher
Ken & Anne Knutson*
Ken & Kathleen Konrad
Barb Kopp*
Ruby Koski*
Caroline Kostroski*
Jim & Mary Kubiak*
Kenneth & Janyce Kurttila*
Douglas & Betsy Lake*
Laurel Lapore*
Richard & Linda Law*
Scott Ledy & Helen Baker*
Vickie & Richard Lemanczykafka*
Aaron & Ana Leonard
Josh & Steph Leonard
Kristin Leonard
Teigen Leonard
Wiley Buck & Erica Lepp*
Stuart Levy*
Margaret & Dave Lilja*
Patricia Love*
Jeff Peterson & Mary Lusher*
Charlie & Becky Lyon
Diane MacLennan*
Nancy & James Malkowski*
Sheila Maybanks
James McBride*
Malcolm & Patricia McDonald*
Charlene McEvoy
Diane McGann*
Martin McGough*
Nadine McKenna*
Rick & Joan Meierotto*
Ronald & Cynthia Melzer*
Miriam & Chester Meyers*
Judith & Robert Michaelis*
Gregory & Ruth Ann Michnay
Doreen & Dean Miller
Marianne Moesch
Tamara & Lawrence Morrissey*
Darlene Moynagh
Diane & Dale Nichols*
Douglas Nienhuis
Margaret Nimmo
Mary Jo & Greg Norum*
Deborah Nugent & Barbara Shumsker*
Yvette & John Oldendorf*
Isaac Ophoven-Baldwin*
Marla Ordway
Jennifer & Tim Otremba*
Maddy Papermaster
Laurene Pellerite
Kurt Peters
Frank & Nancy Petersen*
Edmund & Sarah Phillips
Sally Polk
Gale & Dolly Qualls in memory of Jack & Emma Herrick
Linda Quammen*
Lori & Patrick Rafferty*
Deena & Steve Reisman*
Mr. & Mrs. Myron Reubendale*
David & Mary Richert
Margareta Ritt
Dolores Rufenacht
Bob & Matilda Rupp
Martha Sanford & Timothy Casey*
Donna Savage*
Virginia Schoenbohm
Sherrill & Paul Schottler*
Lizzie Schousek
Kathleen Schubert
Anastasia Shartin & David Folkers
Stanley Shepard*
Stacey Sigurdson*
Miriam Simmons*
Connie & CW Simpson
William Simpson*
Robert Snyder*
EVERY SPRING WE COME TO OUR MEMBERS and ask them to
renew their support of the Belwin Conservancy for another year. You’d
think we’d learn by now, but each and every time we are humbled by the
flood of support we receive.
Thank you. Together we are inspiring our connection to the natural world.
Below are the 2013 and 2014 members (as of 5/22/2014) of the Belwin
Conservancy. 2014 members are indicated with an asterisk.
Mark Stedman & Nancy Bode*
Ladonna Stickan
Mickey Stickan*
Valerie Stoehr & Carol Iwata*
Jerome Stransky
Stanley & Lavonne Suring*
Rebecca Swanson*
Davidson Tanner & Carol Rogers-Tanner*
David & Rita Thofern*
Joan Thompson*
Edith Thorpe*
Matthew Thueson*
Hal Tiffany
Barbara Wakefield*
Peggy Walsh*
Doris Wambach*
David Washburn
William Webster*
Gwen Welch*
Susan Weller*
Steve & Sharon Wellner*
Elizabeth Whitman*
Kathy Widin*
Mary & Thomas Wihren
Shawn Willy
Tina Whittmer
John C Wood
* 2014 member. If you don't see an asterisk byyour name, it's time to renew!
Companies, Foundations,Governments & Organizations Hugh J. Andersen Foundation
Aon Foundation
Baillon Family Foundation
Bellcomb Technologies, Inc.
Charles H. Bell Charitable Lead Annuity Trust
Creative Integration & Design
David Winton Bell Foundation
The Donald Weesner Foundation
Fredrikson & Byron Foundation
Lessard-Sams Outdoor HeritageCouncil
Minnesota Department of Natural Resources
Nandale Foundartion
Nicholson Family Foundation
Nuveen Investments, Inc.
Open Door Foundation
Wilson B. Reynolds and Juanita E. Reynolds Fund in honor of Nancy Gibson
Smikis Foundation
St. Paul Pioneer Press
United States Department of Agriculture
Wells Fargo
1553 Stagecoach Trail South
Afton, Minnesota 55001-9703
651 436 5189 651 436 2899 fax
www.belwin.org
The mission of the Belwin Conservancy
is inspiring our connection with the
natural world.
8
Non-Profit Org.U.S. PostageP A I DAfton, MNPermit No. 2
Inspir ing through NatureThe mission of the Belwin Conservancy is inspiring our connection to the natural world.
“Buckthorn, yarrrrgh!” cried out a student in a crowded hallwayas he pumped his fist in the air.
It was March 2008 at Como Park Senior High School where I was a biologyteacher. We had completed a large buckthorn bust in October as part of aunit on invasive species. The fact that this sophomore was still out forblood (or sap, rather) from buckthorn was a sign that the student washooked. He learned that buckthorn was ecologically bad in Minnesota,why it was bad, how to remove it, and he wanted to do it again!
That kind of success had me hooked on Service Learning. Students take academic learning and implement a project that improves their communi-ties. This form of learning emphasizes critical thinking while encouraging aheightened sense of community and personal responsibility.
Last fall 225 students ages 13-18 helped clear invasive buckthorn from anarea near the Education Center at Belwin. Nearly all of these students hadvisited as third graders in a nature investigators class, or as fifth graders incross-country skiing, orienteering, or in a winter survival class. Now thesestudents returned to give back to Belwin.
After lunch, students suited up with a pair of work gloves and safety goggles. Six teams of ten students surrounded a site and removed as
much buckthorn as possible. Buckthorn busting is hard, dirty work. It’s notwork that many of our urban students are accustomed to. Many studentsbalked that they were asked to do physical labor as part of their schoolday. However, they rose to the challenge and cleared several acres of buckthorn. After a two-hour outdoor lesson while hiking, followed bymoving large, prickly buckthorn, a few students tired sooner rather thanlater. Cheerful calls counting down the time for a hot chocolate breakcould be heard throughout the restoration site.
The hot cocoa break not only provided atime to rest, but more importantly it provided time to reflect on the students’accomplishments. “Wow! Look howhuge these piles of buckthorn are!” and“It’s amazing what we can do together!”and “did you realize that the 50 studentsbusting buckthorn for the past hour isequivalent to one of us doing this fulltime for over a week?” and finally, “lookhow great that site looks without thebuckthorn, great job!”
Thank you to the teachers and students from Como Park Senior HighSchool, Washington Technology Magnet School, Open World LearningSchool and Creative Art High School for giving back to Belwin by helpingrestore the Bell Oak Savanna at Belwin.
Belwin Buckthorn Bust!By Josh Leonard, Education Director, Belwin Outdoor Science
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