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HomeMy WebLinkAboutEAC Minutes June 2025 (2)Minutes of the Ecological Advocacy Committee (EAC) Meeting on June 23rd, 2025 Committee Members’ Present: Andy Schnabel (Chair) Charlene Rountree (Vice-Chair) Andrew Tucker Brian Will Ronda Spaulding Clay Kusbach John Hamilton Others Present: Garry Harrington — VPA, Rum Village Park Property Manager Barbara Dale – Project Manager, Office of Sustainability Mary Wojcik – VPA, City Horticulturist Maddie xxxxxxx 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 John Hamilton moved to approve the minutes of May 12th, 2025. Brian Will seconded. The motion passed unanimously. III. Old Business Committee Reports Aquatic Resources Assessment Subcommittee Charlene Rountree reported that all amphibian field data has now been uploaded to the Field Research folder in the G Drive.  The committee is welcome to review it.  The subcommittee will move on to focusing on formatting a data collection template page for future field research to be made more methodical.  35th St. Wetlands Subcommittee Andrew Tucker updated the committee on his coordination with Mary Wojcik on removing poison hemlock from this property.  There has been much progress made on the removal of treated invasive plants and follow-up herbicide application.  Overall, the property is looking much more ecologically healthy.  They will continue to keep requesting establishing funding for this property from the Park Board.  Park Specific Management Plan Subcommittee Andy Schnabel stated this subcommittee has been inactive since the last EAC meeting. Education Subcommittee Brian Will informed the committee that in coordination with Barbara Dale, the Shirley Heinze Land Trust, and the St. Joseph County Soil and Water Conservation District, a Project Learning Tree workshop will be held on July 31st, 2025, to promote tree stewardship and education about the importance of urban trees.  There is a maximum capacity of accommodation for 50 people to attend.  The workshop is targeted towards community partners on the USDA tree grant. They are looking forward to an urban canopy development event in the Fall, too.  Mid-Year Report to Park Board Andy Schnabel shared key points of the mid-year report provided to the Park Board at the June 16, 2025, Park Board meeting.  That report included comments about recent discussions of the EAC’s role within VPA and the level of communication between EAC and VPA administration.  John Hamilton thanked city attorney Michael Schmidt for his continued attendance of committee meetings and encouraged participation by John Martinez and Brent Thompson.  Michael Schmidt suggested different meeting days and times to help make that more plausible, which the committee can consider.  After deliberation, Barbara Dale suggested Wednesdays at 8:30 am may work better for all.  Garry Harrington can coordinate with John Martinez on whether Wednesday at 8:30 am works better for his attendance regularly at EAC meetings. Simplification of the Natural Resources Management Plan (NRMP) Andy Schnabel brought up the request from John Martinez for a simplification of the NRMP to make it easier to understand and use by VPA personnel. Clay Kusbach suggested a list of seven major organizing topics:  vegetative management, tree care, water and shoreline management, community engagement, wildlife protection, site maintenance and infrastructure, and respective contacts.  The whole committee can review and build off of this.  Clay Kusbach also raised the question of an in-person meeting with VPA maintenance staff to provide information about NRMP and to offer praise for their efforts. Mary W. commented that competing priorities with VPA need to be considered in these efforts and that coordination among VPA, Office of Sustainability, and EAC is essential for this to be successful. Garry Harrington noted that sensitive park habitats have been identified in the current NRMP and should be prioritized. Tree Stewards Program - Barbara Dale reported that a tree stewards event is being organized for Spring 2026.   IV. New Business Final Spring Plantings Mary Wojcik reported on completion of spring native plantings and invasive species removal.  Fall plantings are being prepared as well as re-plantings later this year..  They are continuing their focus on native species whenever possible. Updates Garry Harrington reported on a new  “no mow” area at Rum Village property where the adventure park used to be.  These are being designated for the benefit of positive ecological development.  It was noted that to keep the area as savannah, it would need to be mowed once each year.    Seitz Park is poised to be reopened in July 2025. V. VPA and City Updates Jessica Merkling is an urban wildlife biologist that can provide educational signage and material as well as consultation for the committee to fulfill VPA’s goals on the Canada Goose Wildlife Coexistence Directive.  Clay Kusbach provided her information for Garry Harrington to send to VPA.  VI. Miscellaneous John Hamilton let us know that Wild Ones is performing walk-throughs of native plant gardens in individual’s private backyards. VII. Privilege of the Floor None noted. Action Items July 31st, 2025, Project Learning Tree event being held.  Committee to consider moving meetings from Monday at 8:30 am to Wednesday at 8:30 am to help accommodate VPA participation. Garry Harrington to coordinate with John Martinez on best days and times for his attendance. Clay Kusbach will provide the committee with his list of topics for simplifying the NRMP for VPA. The next meeting will be Monday, August 4th, 2025; 8:30 am at Rum Village. The meeting was adjourned at 10:10 am.