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HomeMy WebLinkAboutEAC Min Oct 2025Minutes of the Ecological Advocacy Committee (EAC) Meeting on October 27th, 2025 Committee Members Present: Andy Schnabel (Chair) Charlene Rountree (Vice-Chair) Andrew Tucker Brian Will John Hamilton Lori Checkley Ronda Spaulding Clay Kusbach Kevin Price Others Present: Garry Harrington – VPA, Director of Rum Village Nature Center Barbara Dale – Project Manager, Office of Sustainability Macey Hanna – VPA, Director of Recreation Michael Schmidt – Attorney, City of South Bend Mary Wojcik – VPA, Horticulturist I.  Call to Order – Meeting at Rum Village Nature Center at 8:35am. II. Approval of Minutes Brian W. moved to approve the minutes of September 15th, 2025.  Clay K. seconded. The motion passed unanimously. III. Old Business Committee Reports Aquatic Resources Assessment Subcommittee Charlene R. informed on how the group is gearing up to prepare an outlined foundation for formal methodology compilation for next year.  The focus will be on amphibian field data collection techniques and best practices.  35th St. Wetlands Subcommittee Andrew T. and Brian W. updated on the results of the litter pick-up.  There has been a noticeable trash reduction each time this event is held.  Most volunteers have been from local conservation organizations. Andrew T. held an educational presentation with Wild Ones in promoting stewardship of this property given their goal toward promoting native landscape.  Neighborhood engagement has been encouraged as well.   Discussion on future status of the property and budget allocations continues with more efforts to approach VPA on a resolution from past reassurances that have not come to fruition.  Park Specific Management Plan Subcommittee Andy S. and Ronda S. brought up the changes on Rum Village’s Weed Wrangles.  It has been one year of regular monthly invasive plant removals, and a large amount of progress has been made.  Due to upcoming holidays, the Weed Wrangles are being shifted to the 3rd Friday of the month for November and December as well as moving to a later time in the afternoon from 2pm to 4pm in order to accommodate colder weather.  Education Subcommittee Brian W. commented on looking forward to spring and summer 2026 events.  He would like to focus on wetland education and bringing awareness to their ecological value, focusing on 35th St. Wetland as an example while doing so. Kennedy Park Recommended Plant Species Andy S. and Macey H. let the committee know of the plant species list being considered for the plantings at the Kennedy Park project.  This project will not start until spring 2026 and is due to have a completion date by summer 2027.   Garmong Landscapers is contracted to work on this with funding for the project coming from ORLIP and its federal grant.  IV. New Business Mary W. informed that plantings are still in progress in late Fall.  The total number of plant units planted is 30,808.  More than 95% are native and over 60% are grown in-house.  Truly an accomplishment! Barbara D. continues work with the Tree grant.  The nursery growth is moving forward as 3 community plantings are planned.  On Nov. 14th, the Office of Sustainability will have a Harrison Schools planting event to help promote the accomplishments of this project.  V. VPA and City Updates Barbara D. updated on the enFocus grant program.  The goal is to train the trainers in its approach as an inspiration for the sustainability effort.  Local individuals such as Lindsey Spaulding with Spaulding Restoration are role models that would be suggested.  VI. Miscellaneous Reminder: Rum Village Weed Wrangle times changing November – December 2025 are 3rd Fridays of the month from 2pm to 4pm. Starting January 2026, will return to 4th Fridays of the month from 2pm to 4pm to keep accommodating cold weather.  VII. Privilege of the Floor Tim Liddell 1242 E Jefferson Blvd. South Bend, IN Tim Liddell joined the committee to speak on 3D Nature Connect as a charity and volunteer platform.  He praised our group’s efforts and offered the Office of Sustainability a $12,000 fund for their projects to continue.  He would like their platform to help encourage volunteering in our concentrated goals.  Action Items Aquatics Resources subcommittee developing an outlined framework for methodology and best practices for the December meeting.  35th St. Wetland subcommittee to compile and approach on the property to gain more formal resolutions to property status and budget allocation.  2026 Committee Meeting dates will be provided by Garry Harrington.  The next meeting will be on Monday, December 1st, 2025; 8:30 am at Rum Village. The meeting was adjourned at 10:02am.