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HomeMy WebLinkAboutMinutes May 2025Minutes of the Ecological Advocacy Committee (EAC) Meeting on May 12th, 2025 Committee Members’ Present: Andy Schnabel (Chair) Charlene Rountree (Vice-Chair) Andrew Tucker Brian Will Kevin Price Lori Checkley Clay Kusbach John Hamilton Others Present: Garry Harrington — VPA, Rum Village Park Property Manager Barbara Dale – Project Manager, Office of Sustainability Brent Thompson – VPA, City Forester Michael Schmidt – Attorney, City of South Bend I.  Call to Order – Meeting at Rum Village Nature Center at 8:33 am. II. Approval of Minutes Charlene Rountree moved to approve the minutes of April 7th, 2025. John Hamilton seconded. The motion passed unanimously. III. Old Business Committee Reports Aquatic Resources Assessment Subcommittee Charlene Rountree explained that the committee plans on finishing all amphibian surveys on park properties in May.  Then, afterwards, they will work towards formalizing a protocol for amphibian sampling and organization, storage, and sharing of data in future years..   35th St. Wetlands Subcommittee Andrew Tucker attended the April 21, 2025 Park Board meeting to update commissioners about progress EAC and VPA have made at this property.  He informed the Board about the recent trash-pickup efforts, urged the installation of trash socks, and praised the work of VPA (Mary Wojcik & Maddie Busch) in removing invasives and how invasive honeysuckle has been removed almost comprehensively.  The Park Board seemed receptive to his points. The feral cat houses seem to continue to be a problem albeit not necessarily as directly as before.  Park Specific Management Plan Subcommittee Andy Schnabel stated this subcommittee was inactive since the last EAC meeting. Education Subcommittee Brian Will had conversations with Barbara Dale on this past Earth Day event in light of educational opportunities. Discussed how the committee can provide educational support for these events.  They are focused right now on tree nursery benefit discussions and educating the public on Near West Side Association projects, too.   Possible opportunity with River Park Association article submission to educate the public through this local publication.  Wildlife Coexistence Plan Garry Harrington reported on a recent meeting with John Martinez, Brent Thompson, and Director Gathers to review the recent EAC recommendations for dealing with the problem of too many Canada geese on park properties.  The 3 methods of coexisting with geese suggested by EAC seemed appealing; however, the budget is limited for their implementation.   At the meeting with Garry Harrington, John Martinez requested that EAC develop some wording that could be used on signage for problematic areas.  Major parks to focus on include: Leeper, Pinhook, Howard, and Memorial.  Mary Wojcik is still working on planting more riparian bioswales involving ideal species for those areas.  Plants being used in the bioswales include: Sandbar willow, Pussy willow, Red Osier dogwood, Elderberry, and Buttonbush.  VPA is also looking into splitting the cost of a sidewalk sweeper with another department.  IV. New Business “Tree Stewards” Program Barbara Dale encouraged committee participation in the Tree Stewards program, which is akin to a master gardener for arboreal purposes.  The could help in the foundation for a tree board if needed. Tree Stewards help people become certified to become a Tree Tender.   The Role of the EAC Garry Harrington and Andy Schnabel reviewed the EAC resolution as well as discussed how the committee has both advisory and advocacy roles.  Comprehensive discussion among committee members occurred expressing thoughts, concerns, and conclusions on how the committee operates as a citizen’s committee and thus advises and advocates both.   Simplified Version of Natural Resource Management Plan Andy Schnabel explained that Director Gathers and John Martinez would like EAC to take the lead in creating short, workable (perhaps one-page) field guides that outline best practices for field crew members when dealing with particular parts of the NRMP. V. VPA and City Updates Garry Harrington, on behalf of Mary Wojcik, updated EAC on the many accomplishments of native plantings, invasive species removal, and riparian habitat work (see attachment email). VI. Miscellaneous None noted. VII. Privilege of the Floor None noted. Action Items River Park Association article submission ideas from the Educational Subcommittee. IDNR signage resource for providing educational signage for WCP Directive signage recommendation for VPA.  The whole committee – reread the NRMP again and think about specific topics that would benefit from re-organizing into shorter field guides for VPA staff. Educational committee – review the NRMP and assist in putting together documents related to specific topics for the VPA staff. The next meeting will be Monday, June 23rd, 2025; 8:30 am at Rum Village. The meeting was adjourned at 10:06 am.