Lewis and Clark ChapterMaster Naturalist Program

/ August 13, 2015 /
6:00pm – 8:30pm
IDGF Regional Office

Officers:

Billy Wilson – President

David Eberle – Vice-President

Vacant – Treasurer

Karen Loeffelman – Secretary

Compass Orienteering and Map Reading

6-7:30Jerry Bateman, David Eberle
Present: Jen Bruns, Alice and Rod Campbell, Debbie and Sam Duncan, David Eberle,
Brittney Haupert, Karen Loeffelman,Gary and Nora Pearson, Leslie Rios, Jeff Smith,
Steve Ullrich, Billy Wilson

Jerry Bateman, a Hunter Education instructor, gave a training session on how to orient a compass to a map and subsequently how to set the compass to travel from one location on the map to another location. We then went outside to the Lewiston Habitat Area where Jerry gave a hands-on demonstration of how to utilize a compass to set a course in the woods and return to the starting location.

David Eberle then laid out a series of different types of maps and we performed a Map Scavenger Hunt. Without much direction, we were asked to find such items as scale, contour lines, elevations of mountains, and various questions on each of the different maps. We utilized topographic maps, atlases, park maps, and 3-D elevation maps. It was a fun exercise in learning to read different kinds of maps and use them to find specific information.

Before the meeting, Jen mentioned the upcoming “Hunt Idaho EXPO” taking place August 21 and 22 in Lewiston ( She gave an overview of some of the workshops planned for August 22 as well as the chance to try various hunting weapons on the evening of August 21. Jen also reminded us that if you pre-register for the event, you are entered a second time in the gun raffle where, if you win, you can have your choice from a number of guns.

Finally, Billy is planning to attend the Master Naturalist Rendezvous in September. Any other members that want to attend be advised that registration is still open and more information can be found on the Announcements page on the website. The Rendezvous is scheduled for September 18-20th at Harriman State Park. Billy has a copy of the workshop schedule if you are interested. Please email him for that information if you have any interest in attending.

Idaho Master Naturalist Pin

Chapter Meeting Minutes

7:30-8:30Chapter Meeting
Present: Billy Wilson (President), David Eberle (Vice-President), Karen Loeffelman (Secretary), Jen Bruns (IDFG)
Members: Alice and Rod Campbell, Debbie and Sam Duncan, Brittney Haupert,
Gary and Nora Pearson, Leslie Rios, Jeff Smith, Steve Ullrich

There was a motion to approve the minutes from the last meeting (6-23-2015). Motion was seconded and approved. Minutes were accepted with no revisions.

The first order of business was the election of a new Treasurer. Carol Ebbs resigned her position on 8/03/2015. Her father passed away and she needed to move back and attend to her mother and various family affairs. In the interim, Karen Loeffelman (Secretary), had the account information changed to her mailing address and email so we wouldn’t lose any information about the account. Since she was already a signatory on the account when it was established, the credit card information for our Chapter was also changed to Karen’s current address and telephone number.

Brittney Haupert expressed interest in the Treasurer position. This was put to a vote, there were no dissenting votes and so a motion was put forth and seconded to accept Brittney Haupert as our new Treasurer. Karen will visit the P1FCU Credit Union in Moscow and see what the next steps are in getting Brittney signed onto the account. Billy Wilson, as President, would also like to be another signatory on the account.

The remainder of the meeting was a general discussion on how people are doing on their hours, both Education and Volunteer. Most people are having difficulty in meeting the required 40 hours of volunteer time. Some members expressed their schedule is too busy for any opportunities, but the majority of members felt there weren’t enough volunteer opportunities available in the first place.

Billy noted we try and post opportunities with any training groups we ask to come and speak for education. Jeff Smith mentioned an upcoming Volunteer Opportunity with Jim Ekins and some stream restoration/monitoring efforts on Tammany Creek in the Park. Dave Eberle suggested adding the Army Corps of Engineers as a possible fourth entity in our Core group (Hells Gate State Park, Idaho Fish and Game, and USDA Forest Service) where we can claim the required 40 hoursof volunteer time. Jeff Smith, Hells Gate SP, noted that initially it was these 3 departments that allowed their employees to give their work time to start our Chapter and that’s why the Corps wasn’t included in the beginning. Brittney Haupert, a Corps employee, was asked to investigate about what the Corps could offer our group so we might add them as another possible source of volunteer opportunities.

Dave also offered that he has met the majority of his volunteer hours with the USDA Forest Service. He said he starts inquiring with a local office for any opportunities to volunteer. Another tip was that they like a lead time of 1-2 weeks and want to know how many people are available along with what time frame the volunteers can work. Dave offered a list of contacts that will be attached at the end of this document.

8:30pmMember Awards and Wrap-up
Two members, David Eberle and Karen Loeffelman, have met the required hours of Educational and Volunteer hours to become Certified Master Naturalists! Jen Bruns presented them both with pins and certificates. Congratulations Dave and Karen!

Our next meeting/training is tentatively scheduled for September 10 from 6-8pm at the Fish and Game Office in Lewiston. We are hoping to have Jim Ekins, who presented the Master Water Steward Training, speak to the group on water quality and wetlands.

Minutes submitted by:

______

Karen A. Loeffelman

Lewis and Clark Chapter Secretary

Idaho Master Naturalist Program

08-13-2015

Volunteer Information

-Wolf Education and Research Center

Contact: Jessica Collins/Assistant Biologist & Volunteer Coordinator
/(208) 924-6960

Wolf Education & Research Center
(888) 422-1110
PO Box 217 Winchester ID 83555

-Volunteer Information from Dave Eberle

I finally got to speak with Connie Johnson, the person in charge of scheduling volunteer hosts for the Lochsa Historical Ranger Station. Unfortunately, at this time she was doubtful that there would be a need for additional hosts for next summer. She already has a waiting list.Connie currently has 16 couples lined up from Memorial Day to Labor Day via one week commitments.

Friends of the Ranger Station did a total of 5 days of spring cleaning/restoration work there this year. Connie would appreciate additional help next spring. That might be a way to work into getting a one week hosting gig in the future. I will keep you all posted on upcoming spring work.

Every forest service person I have spoken with this summer has told me that they would like volunteer help doing a wide variety of jobs. One effective strategy is to contact a forest service office close to where you live. They will probably be able to find work based on what you would like to do and your availability. They appreciate advance notice.

In many cases, they would prefer a few people or even a group to commit to a specific task. Perhaps we could communicate volunteer opportunities to each other far enough out in advance.

Here is a link to the Nez Perce-Clearwater National Forests:

Please consider liking them on Facebook:

Here is one point of contact for the Palouse and North Fork Ranger Districts:

Kearstin Edwards
Natural Resource Specialist (Recreation & Special Uses)
Forest Service
Nez Perce-Clearwater National Forests
Palouse & North Fork Ranger Districts
p:208-476-8344
f:208-476-8329

12730 Hwy 12
Orofino, ID 83544