October 2011 KBEEA Meeting

Notes

KBEEA Notes

October 7, 2011

Participants

• Carmen Field                     This e-mail address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it
• Diane Converse                  This e-mail address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it
• Ryjil Christianson              This e-mail address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it
• Patrick Chandler               This e-mail address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it
• Kevin Dee                           This e-mail address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it
• Jess Ryan                             This e-mail address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it
• Lisa Matlock                       This e-mail address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it
• Kyra Wagner                      This e-mail address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it
• Jenni Medley                     This e-mail address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it
• Glenn Seaman                  This e-mail address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it
• Rebekah Jones                 This e-mail address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it
• Catie Bursch                       This e-mail address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it

Introductions

“Research/Education Project with Port Graham” Glenn Seaman

Port Graham Natural Resource Project- Development of a strategy to address natural resources

Additional fundraising is needed to involve KBEEA members in environmental education efforts in Port Graham

Kevin Dee recommended a kayak building workshop at Port Graham and suggested looking at the Department of Education Alaska Native Equity Plan Grants for possible additional funding.

Carmen recommended the Kenai Peninsula College as a resource

Sustainable Homer Update on upcoming “Food Education”- Kyra Wagner

Mobilizing action plan involving a 40 organization collaboration for community health focusing on healthy lifestyle choices, domestic violence, and substance abuse

Its National Farm to School Month- Local events include statewide farm to school challenge, Nov. 11^th kids to farm program with Johanna Herron, Flex school cooking classes, presentations by medical educator Mary Friese on anti-diabetes diets for kids

High Tunnels—We can celebrate having 150 high tunnels established on the Kenai Peninsula south of Clam Gulch. Homer reports 3x more high tunnels than any other office in the country.

People’s Garden Grant- Will find out on October 17^th if Homer has been awarded $110,000 through Soil and Water Conservation District to establish 25 People’s Gardens in Homer and surrounding communities.

Time Bank System a possible way to help support community gardens

Community MAP visioning on November 4^th, 2012. KPC from 9:00 a.m.-12:00 p.m.

Community Composting as part of Garden Grant (Lisa)

“Update from 2011 Children and Nature Network Grassroots Leadership Team Gathering”- Carmen Field

Carmen has attended the gathering for the last 4 years. The goal is to get families and communities outside and work with school administrators to integrate outdoor learning.

National State Parks are closing their gates due to lack of funding

C&NN continually publish new learning and medical research on the impact of children spending time outdoors. 85 new articles will be coming out this year.

New idea from the conference was to use libraries as a conduit to reach people. “Naturbraries”, Wild Reads, Kid’s Nature Classics, Online Book Clubs.

American Camp Association is promoting 30 minutes of reading outside each day, “Explore 30”, in their day and residential camps.

“Natural Leaders Network” for youth 17-30 to act as outdoor service role models. Martin Leblanch is looking for Natural Leaders for Alaska.

Report on the Natural Teacher Workshop held earlier this fall. The event was poorly attended. It was suggested to hold the event during a teacher in service and include more personal stories.

National Marine Educators Association Conference- Carmen and Lisa

Dates set for June 24^th-28^th, 2012, in Anchorage.

Homer Fieldtrip set for immediately after conference. Carmen and Lisa will act as tour guides for the bus ride down to Homer.

Marilyn Sigman is running conference logistics.

Fieldtrip activities will include birding, harbor tours, a visit to the Discovery Lab, an evening at the Pratt Museum (hosted by KBEEA). Saturday will include a day on the bay with a visit to Seldovia, Peterson Bay, dinner at the Saltry, Gull Island tour, and morning tide pooling.

Kevin Dee offered the AGEYA facilities and vans for the field trip.

Beluga Trail Update- Lisa Matlock/Marianne Aplin

Trail work happening next year

Interpretive signs will be put up

Based on recommendation from the city engineer, Benall St. gravel road will be extended 100 yards into the slough. New boardwalk will be 12 ft wide and supported by metal poles.

Discussion on habitat impact and dislike of gravel going into the slough. Ryjil asked how to move forward to stop the road into the slough—would it be possible to read the full plan and send out a public notice?

Lisa called for interest and ideas for improving interpretation on the Baycrest Overlook. Kevin suggested adding poetry to the interpretive signs.

“Alaska Charm School” Lisa Matlock

A quick look at the “Alaska Charm School” website to get ideas for a new approach to getting women outdoors. See http://www.alaskacharmschool.com/

“AGEYA Wilderness Camp Update”- Kevin Dee

Hoping to turn the camp over to a non-profit in the future

Erecting a wind turbine on the property in the next year to offset energy needs

Planning on holding only 1 camp session next summer instead of 2

AGEYA is currently looking for board members. The board meets four times a year.

Developing a live calendar for reserving the facility online.

KBEEA members are welcome to reserve the AGEYA vans and facilities for program use

“Winter Family Fun Day” Carmen Field and Lisa Matlock

Scheduled for January 28^th, 2012

Activity ideas include: Sleigh ride on Palmer Rd., cross country skiing, and snowshoeing. Kevin volunteered AGEYA as a possible location.

“Winterfest” and Volunteer Docents at I&O -Rebekah Jones

Scheduled for the week of December 20^th, 2011. Family friendly activities will include: 20^th-Ice Fishing Lab, 21^st-Soltice Festival, 27^th or 28^th Snowshoeing at the Wynn Nature Center.

“Escapes” theme.

Poppy Benson suggested a Survival Program at AGEYA. A Winter Getaway Day. Take skiers to Glacier Spit.

Rebekah presented for Marianne Aplin the possibility of Islands and Oceans offering volunteer stipends to their summer volunteers. Would this negatively affect other KBEEA organizations? Volunteers would work 8:45 a.m.-6:00 p.m. and receive a $500 stipend. $105/week for a 32 hr. week. I&O would also be working with college interns from April 20^th-September 10^th.

Ocean Science Bowl in Seward Update- Lisa and Kris

One high school team has already begun their research project. The team is looking for volunteers to present a mini-lesson and help with Quiz Bowl practice.

Scheduled for March 2-4 in Seward. Fish and Wildlife will be providing transportation. Kris Holderied is the official coach.

Spring Program Updates Round Table

Carmen

Funding is available for mentor opportunities. Get involved in Youth Conservation Core, High School Science Bowl, and Rotary Club presentations.

Recommended a job shadowing program for 7^th-9^th grade students in May. Carmen will speak with Margi Blanding, Jenny Martin, and local PE teachers for student recommendations.

Earth Day “Celebrate Youth” on April 20^th- One possible plan for the day is to hold an assembly with middle school students featuring high school students who participated in intern/mentoring programs last year. Recruit college age students to speak with high school students. Speakers could possibly be part of the panel on Earth Day.

Megan

The Kachemak Bay Science Conference has been set of March 8^th-10^th, 2012. Possible theme includes Healthy Bay, Healthy ______.

12:00-5:00 Thursday, March 8^th, Science Community Workshop

Friday, March 9^th, Teacher Workshops

Saturday, March 10^th, Scientist and Community Presentations

Marianne Aplin

Continue to look ahead to the Shorebird Festival. Looking for speakers for the festival.

Jenni Medley

AKELP: AK Environmental Literacy Plan call for teacher success stories

Next Meeting Set for February 23^rd, 2012

AGEYA Wilderness Camp, 9:00 a.m.-2:00 p.m.

Possible snowshoe hike at lunch