Fair Hill Nature and Environmental Center

Minutes from the Board of Director's Meeting

September 29, 2005

Mario Gangemi called the meeting to order at P.M.

The minutes from the August 24, 2005 Board meeting were approved unanimously.

Nature School Report: Holly Hannum

Outdoor School Report September 20,2005

Fifth grade classes began on Tuesday September 13^th. They will be completed on Thursday September 22^nd. We will have seen about 450 students from six schools. Grade 2 classes will begin the following day and will run through October 6^th. We will invoice for grade 2 at that time. Schedules for all fall visits have been sent out. Spring schedules have been prepared and will be sent out to schools soon. The spring semester will begin on March 15^th and will run through May 31^st. The first week of June will be available for make up classes and private school visitations.

Janet found a bat expert for our program on October 28^tth. She will do a short program inside followed by a walk and a bonfire.

Our tree book is at the printer. It will make its debut at the fall leaf walk on October 15^th. Erlene is completing drawings for the Wetland Plant Guide and drawing animals for the Animal Track Guide. Amy and Janet are researching and writing text for the track book. Both guides should be out by the end of the fall semester. Janet will invoice for these costs this week.

We made $250 at Fall Fest. Thanks to all who volunteered. Janet will attend Family Day at the Farm on September 25^th at Rumbleway Farm in Colora.

On the fundraising front: On September 6 Chris Sopa and I made the rounds of the banks in Elkton. We dropped off sponsor packets. Mario and I attended the United Way kick off luncheon on Thursday the 15^th and I picked up the Arts Council grant on Friday the 16^th.

I contacted Rick Lewandowski at Mt Cuba Gardens. He was able to confirm that they will have some money to be given away by the end of this year. He had no specific criteria for the selection except to say that it would support the horticultural community. I have written a brief letter of introduction to Mr. Blaine Phillips on behalf of the Nature Center and invited him to visit and see us in action.

Delegates Richard Sossi and Mike Smigiel will visit the Center on Thursday September 22 at 10 am while classes from Chesapeake City are visiting. Mario and I will make a pitch for increased state support for the Center. I thought that we could emphasize our history of cooperation with the CCPS and the reduction of state support in terms of building maintenance, oil, and electricity. Any other suggestions?