Spring/Summer 2014 Newsletter

Audubon Center of the North Woods

News from the North Woods

Spring/Summer 2014 Volume 40, Issue 1

A proud leader in environmental education and renewable energy In This Issue Keeping the Direct Connection 1

Keeping the Direct Connection

Budding Future

Budding Future

1

by Melonie Shipman, Co-Director

by Bryan Wood, Co-Director

Porcupine Points

2

From Our Kitchen

3

Wish Lists

4

“Don’t touch that dial!” used to be an advertising phrase to keep us from changing TV stations because the promo was that something exciting was coming up. Then the phrase became “put down that remote” – again because something appealing supposedly was coming on the television screen. Now the latter phrase might be useful to encourage us to go outdoors.

Most people don’t get to do what they love for a living.

I fortunately am not one of them. Being a part of the Audubon Center of the North Woods creates an excitement for me every day I head into work. I see the impact we make with learners of all ages through our educational programs. I feel the positive energy in the groups that attend here. I know the dedication our staff brings to their jobs every single day. It is not common to find these qualities at just any organization, but as you know, the Center is not just any place. We have impacted hundreds of thousands of lives over our lifespan and are recognized as a leader in the Midwest for environmental education. Every year we strive to reach wider audiences through new programs and initiatives.

The Importance of Scholarships Upcoming Events

5 6-7

Spotlight on Schools

8

Volunteer Spotlight

8

FY2013 Summary

9

Thank You

10-11

Membership

12

VOLUNTEERS NEEDED: Help Ty with our spring maple syrup operation Dinner at the Lake kitchen and cleanup assistance

Upcoming Events See our website for details Maple Syrup Day March 29, 2014 Food & Farms Weekend April 4-6, 2014 Women’s Wellness & Adventure Weekend, May 2-4, 2014 Mother’s Day Brunch May 11, 2014 MN Phenology Network Conference, May 16-18. 2-14 MDHA Forkhorn II Camp June 9-13, 2014 Road Scholar ® ‘Migration Mysteries’, June 8-13 & June 15-20 MAEE Annual Conference June 20-22 Exploring Lake Superior’s South Shore, June 22-28, 2014 Road Scholar ® Family ‘Woods, Water , Wisdom’, July 20-25, 2014 WSF Summer Institute August 4-6, 2014

Instead of going outdoors, many youngsters choose to spend up to nine and half hours of a precious day sitting at a computer on social media. There have been many articles already written about how, for all the worldwide technology, people are actually less deeply connected as the connection is increasingly indirect.

We went from the face-to-face visits and letters of colonial times, to the telephone in which there is at least a vocal connection, to the computer in which there is no direct element with the other person(s). It amazes me to see young sweethearts walking hand-inhand and texting someone else. Boy, doesn’t that make someone feel special.

Such a distancing also permeates education. We have webinars, on-line classes, and distancedelivered programming. A proposal introduced to several nature centers years ago was for encouraging urban youth to go birding. The speaker was mega into technology and thought technology should be provided so a student could be on a hike, take a photo of a bird, and then look at an app to identify the bird. Hmmm, I missed the part where they were learning how — continued on page 4 —

One area that we have made a conscious effort to improve environmentally is through our Food Service. With a new focus on scratch-cooking (making meals from whole ingredients, not processed); we are making healthier and better tasting meals for our participants. Cooking with whole foods also reduces packaging and costs. By buying locally from farmers when seasonally allowable we support the community and reduce our environmental impact. By purchasing beef and pork products from a certified organic farm in western Wisconsin, we are ensuring the meats that are served at our meals are free of hormones, antibiotics and chemicals and that the animals were raised humanely, grazing on the foods they evolved to eat. There are a number of reasons to move towards these kinds of foods, but — continued on page 3 —

Page 2

News from the North Woods

Spring/Summer 2014

Porcupine Points

by Jeff Tyson, Wildlife Coordinator

We open every Porcupine Quillwork Embroidery class by meeting our live nonreleasable North American Porcupine Spike. Before Spike comes out we emphasize to the students that porcupines cannot shoot their quills. He comes out of his crate stands on his hind legs and vigorously shakes out his fur and quills.

All of the students turn their heads and cover their eyes, and a moment later they look around surprised that no quills came out! Many people hold strong opinions and beliefs about porcupines but few have ever had an up close experience to confirm or refute those viewpoints.

Porcupines are famous for their quills; in fact they are covered in 30,000+ barbed quills. These quills are primarily a defensive tool for the porcupine. When threatened, the porcupine will raise its hairs exposing the quills in every

Electron microscopy of the end of a porcupine quill.The backward-facing bendable barbs make the quills extremely hard to remove from tissue.

Friend a Wild Critter Help support the care of any of our resident education birds and animals through our “Friend a Wild Critter” program. Your donation goes towards housing, medical care, food and enrichment items, to help encourage natural behavior in our non-releasable birds and mammals.

As part of the adoption process, you will receive a 4x6 magnet photo of the animal, an “Adoption Certificate”, a personal and natural history of “your” animal, recognition in our newsletter, and a tour of the ACNW wildlife facility. For more information, please contact Jeff Tyson, our Wildlife Coordinator or visit our website.

direction. The porcupines will turn their tail towards the predator. Most of the time this threat is enough to drive away a predator, but there a few predators that are not deterred and can successfully prey on porcupines. The most efficient predator of the porcupine is the Fisher, a large member of the weasel family. The Fisher attacks by lunging at the porcupine with repeated bites to the face with a goal of turning the porcupine on its backside. Another formidable predator of the porcupine is the mountain lion, unlike the fisher they do not have a strategy for killing porcupines but they just tolerate the consequences.

Other animals that occasionally attempt to eat porcupines include the lynx, bobcat, coyote, wolf, wolverine and great-horned owl. All of these animals may come out worse than the porcupine in the attack.

Porcupines are herbivores, their diet changes as the seasons change. In the spring and early summer they often feed on buds and leaves, seeking out fruit when available. As spring progresses to fall the diet also include the inner bark of trees, in addition needles of some species of coniferous trees in the winter are included. Porcupines also seek out salt in their diet. In the wild they may find this salt by chewing on shed deer antlers and bones from other animals. Lily pads are also high in salt content and porcupines will swim out to nibble on them with the assistance of their spongy air filled quills.

Unfortunately, when humans live near porcupines we provide sources of salt that are detriments to their well being.

We introduce salt into the environment by spreading it on our roads in the winter.

This can attract porcupines often resulting in road kill victims. Porcupines are often labeled as nuisance species when they chew on cabins or houses in the woods.

Porcupines seek out these structures as they are made of lumber that has been treated with a compound that contains salt. They are also known for chewing on wooden handles of garden tools, boat paddles or oars that are left outside. When we work hard we sweat, and our sweat contains salt which soaks into the wood making it desirable to porcupines.

Spike, our resident non-releasable North American Porcupine.

When we understand the reasons for the “pest” behavior of porcupines, whether they are defending themselves from a threatening domestic dog, or seeking out the salt required for their diet we become aware of the motivations behind the behaviors. If we are aware of why animals behave the way that they do, we can make accommodations so humans and animals alike can share the environment.

If you’d like to meet Spike in an education program (at our place or yours), contact wildlife@audubon-center.org Spike-Crafted Walking Sticks Our resident non-releasable porcupine, Spike, has been busy putting his personal touch on walking sticks, which are now for sale on Etsy.

Each custom-made walking stick has been artfully gnawed by Spike the porcupine, and then further crafted into the perfect walking stick. Made out of maple wood. All walking sticks have a leather strap attached to the top for ease of use. These are certainly one of a kind! All walking sticks are between 45-58”.

Shop for these and all our wildlife related crafts in our Etsy shop at www.etsy.com/shop/ACNW

www.audubon-center.org 888-404-7743

Spring/Summer 2014

News from the North Woods

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— continued from page 1 —

what it really boils down to is simple; foods that are good for people are also good for the Earth. Because when we consume real, whole foods grown and raised without genetic modification or chemicals, we support those farmers and farms that are treating the land well.

Indeed one of the biggest ways each of us can impact the planet is by our diet. Every food we consume has a story; of how and where it was grown. A story of how the land, water, animals and workers were treated. Supporting farms and farmers that have a good environmental story to tell also results in better food. With that sentiment in mind, this spring we offer our first annual Food & Farms Weekend, April 4-6. During this inclusive weekend, we have pulled together leaders in gardening, composting, beekeeping, produce farms, livestock raising, food preservation techniques and cooking to offer an unparalleled weekend food experience. This exciting program brings all of these resources together in one place to provide learners the opportunity to engage in workshops, seminars, classes and field trips. Each individual can select their sessions so that they can have the tools to write more chapters of their food stories.

Our society deals with a number of chronic health-related concerns that are directly related to the foods we consume; heart disease, high blood pressure, diabetes,

obesity, inflammation and fatigue are some of the most common. An integral part of our role when school groups visit here is to get them ready to head out and explore and learn about nature. It is our responsibility to serve foods that keep their bodies fueled and running on all cylinders and for their 3-5 day stay here, show them that eating healthy food can actually taste good and give you more energy. We are very lucky to have such a great food service team that puts out these healthy and delicious meals for our participants. If you haven’t yet tasted what I mean, please join us for one of our community programs and enjoy for yourself.

With this frigid winter and the mountains of snow we’ve shoveled and snow-plowed away, it was hard to believe that spring would ever arrive. But miraculously it has and with it the growing season commences.

The explosion of buds, sprouts, stems and stalks is a period of burgeoning anticipation for what lays ahead with summer and fall harvests. This spring is also a time for change at the Center as Co-Director Melonie Shipman retires this May. Melonie’s four years of leadership here were marked by a remarkable growth in not only the size of our charter school authorization program, but in its professionalism as well. Thanks to Melonie and the charter school team’s focused work that she oversees, we are now viewed statewide as the leader in charter school authorization. Melonie’s dedication

to the Center in all her responsibilities, her keen eye for detail, and her delicious baked goods at staff meetings will be missed. Speaking on behalf of everyone at the Audubon Center of the North Woods, I thank Melonie for her time with us and wish her the very best as she begins a new season of growth.

Melonie’s retirement marks a new leadership era for the Center as well. I am honored that I will move into the position of Executive Director upon her retirement and I look forward to the opportunities that lay ahead for us during these changing times.

I believe in our mission, our programs and our supporters, but most of all I believe in our staff and their ability to do great things.

I am truly fortunate to work with such a dedicated, positive group of individuals that inspire me daily and I look forward to the privilege of working with all of them to grow an even stronger Audubon Center of the North Woods.

Happy growing season to you and thank you for your support of the Audubon Center of the North Woods.

From Our Kitchen - Our chef, Nick Damico, shares one of the new favorites here at the Center.

Farro Salad with Cranberries 1 ½ cups farro 3 ¾ cups chicken or vegetable stock ¼ cup rice vinegar 1/3 cup orange juice 1 tsp shoyu (or soy sauce) 2 T agave syrup (or honey) ½ cup raisins ½ cup dried cranberries (or 1 cup any dried fruit) ½ medium red onion, finely chopped 3 large stalks celery, finely chopped ¼ cup olive oil 1 T orange zest 1 cup roasted almonds, chopped (or other nut) Handful of chopped, fresh cilantro (or other fresh herbs) 1 tsp kosher salt Fresh ground black pepper to taste

Put the farro in a saucepan and cover with water. Bring to a boil over medium heat, then turn the heat down to low and cook for 20-35 minutes, or until the farro is soft yet still chewy.

While the farro is cooking, whisk the rice vinegar, orange juice, shoyu, orange zest and agave syrup together in a small bowl.

Season with salt & pepper to taste.

Toss the chopped celery, onions, raisins, cranberries, almonds, and cilantro together in a large bowl.

When the farro is tender enough to be chewed easily, transfer it in with the other ingredients in the large bowl. Top with the dressing and mix thoroughly.

Let the salad stand at room temperature for at least one hour before serving. This allows the flavors mix and soak into the grain. Serve warm or at room temperature.

“As we expand our focus to include more whole grains and reduce refined sugars, we have been incorporating more menu selections like this salad” says Kitchen Manager and Chef Nick Damico. “Farro is an ancient strain of cultivated wheat, best described as the heirloom version of spelt. It has a slightly nutty flavor and chewy texture and cooks up relatively quickly. This recipe can be adapted to use whatever suitable vegetables, nuts, dried fruits and herbs you may have on hand.”

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News from the North Woods

Spring/Summer 2014

— continued from page 1 —

to be respectful wildlife observers and build patience and identification skills. At the National RELC conference in Ohio, leaders talked about their frustration that instead of leading interpretive talks, their staffs are occupied answering emails from someone out on the trail who has taken a photo and wants an identification of what they saw, rather than building their own skills.

At the Audubon Center of the North Woods, our mission includes this critical element, “...through experiential learning” as in directly experiencing nature. One of the frequently praised elements of our programming is that in a three-hour program, students are usually engaged outside within 15 minutes of the orientation – and even that is done outside if at all possible. Engaged does mean that they get hot and cold and wet and bug bitten and dirty. It also means that instead of something giving them the answer, they are developing critical thinking skills.

With indirect experiences we lose the opportunity for enhanced skills in our tool box. We lose the moments of wonder that hook us to the natural world and impassion us to be a good steward. It is the “green light dying in the eyes of the old wolf” that changed Aldo Leopold’s life. It is seeing a group of teenage boys feel the rush of hundreds of shorebird wings wisping their faces, tears on their cheeks, walking away with infinite care so as not to disturb the shoreline feeders that still renews this naturalist. It is TSA attendant picking up a coat out of a bin and smelling it close, breathing deep, because the smell of the lingering campfire reminded him of a boyhood long gone.

Think about your most magic moments with nature – were they while watching a TV special? Viewing a YouTube clip? Using a Smart Phone app? Or were they while directly connected to nature? At the Center we will continue to work with technology as a sideline to providing more learning: an osprey webcam, an app for your smart phone, smart boards for our classrooms and Outreach programs, but the core of our work here will continue to be making the direct connection happen for people of all communities. Just as that computer screen is brighter when plugged directly into an outlet so too we shine brighter when directly plugged into the nature we love.

On May 14, 2014, I am choosing to unplug from the Center to more directly connect with other life passions; helping eliminate canine cancers, writing, engaging with friends throughout the world. As I do so I will always be thankful to have worked with such an amazing group of dedicated, genuine people from the Board members to the seasonal teaching staff. May the Audubon Center of the North Woods be making that direct connection to natural wonder for decades to come. All the best, Melonie

ACNW Wish List We are in need of the items below. Remember, your ‘in-kind’ donations are tax-deductible. Additional ‘wished for’ items can be found by visiting our AmazonWish List – simply log into amazon.com with your email address and select “Find a wish list or registry” from the dropdown menu (upper right).Type in ‘Audubon Center of the NorthWoods’ in the wish list search box and click ‘Go’

n utility trailer n reliable, fuel-efficient car for interns n 3/4 ton pick-up truck for snowplowing n canoe trailer n chainsaw n industrial-size washer & dryer n pressure sprayer n twin mattresses in excellent condition n handheld GPS units n firewood n cross country skis & snowshoes for very small kids n backpacking expedition packs n sleeping bags in excellent condition n ice machine n large mixing bowls n vacuum cleaner in good working order n table lamps n large stock pots n cultural site items (glass bead necklaces, flints, non-working flint-lock rifle, replica leather clothing, leather and hides) n bobcat/skidster n electric golf cart n ATV n riding mower/tractor n lawn sweeper n Montreal Voyageur Canoe

Wildlife Barn Wish List We have compiled a list of the following items that would assist us in the care of our educational animals or enhance the visit of those who come to learn about Minnesota’s wildlife. If you have or would like to purchase one of the following items it would be greatly appreciated. Rope comes on 100’ or 600’ spools, donations should be in whole spools. Raptor food is special ordered; the cash donation will go towards food purchases.

Many more items can be found on our Amazon.com wish list – search “Audubon Center of the North Woods” under wish lists.

n ¾” Manila Rope (Available from Amazon.com wish list) n ½” Manila Rope (Available from Amazon.com wish list) n ¼” Manila Rope (Available from Amazon.com wish list) n Raptor food for a month $150 n Parrot/dog toys (new or gently used) n Potted evergreen trees (less than 3’ tall) n Bird/wildlife art work n Gift cards to Petco or Petsmart

www.audubon-center.org 888-404-7743

Spring/Summer 2014

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The Importance of Scholarships

by Clarissa Ellis, School Program Coordinator

Requests from our K-12 schools for financial assistance to fund residential environmental education trips to the Center are on the increase. Through donations to our scholarship fund, we have been able to provide this financial assistance to some of our schools. In some cases, it has made the difference between being able to attend the program, or not. A recent example is Barack and Michelle Obama Service Learning Elementary, located in St. Paul, MN. Last year, we contacted the Science Coordinator for the St. Paul Public Schools, Marty Davis, to brainstorm how to get the word about the Audubon Center of the North Woods’ program out to all schools in the district. Marty identified Obama Elementary as a school with both the need and the mission match. Last November, 45 fourth grade scholars from this school were able to come to the Center because of a grant to our scholarship fund from the EcoLab Foundation and St. Paul Audubon Chapter, both of St. Paul. This is the first time that any scholars from this school have ever had the opportunity to do this type of trip. We worked with the Assistant Principal and fourth grade teachers to create an experience for these students. Their visit was a totally new experience for the kids. Many had never been away overnight, spent time outdoors participating in fun and engaging activities, experienced real life science or had generous and nutritious meals three times a day.

Students from Barack and Michelle Obama Service Learning Elementary School during their visit to the Audubon Center of the North Woods

OBAMA PICS?

Based on the evaluations, feedback, and statements in notes those students gave us, we think it was a very successful and memorable learning experience for them.

Our staff also had a great time working with Obama Elementary’s very diverse student population.

The following are some quotes from the thank you letters we received from the Obama Elementary scholars: “Thank you Audubon Crew, I enjoyed my stay. Thank you for letting us stay and have a good time. I learned so much and the food there was better than my mom’s - don’t tell her that I said that. I love you guys, you rock. I wish I could stay there. The Audubon Center is a wonderful place to learn and love. “ “Dear Audubon Center, Thank you for letting us come. It was fun and the classes were fun too and thank you for the beds and the room and thank you the staff too and for the nice food. It was great having fun with you guys. I wish I can come again.”

“Thank you Audubon Center for making this field trip. You are the best. I hope we get to go one more time. Send me some food like a browny. I hope you send us a card. I’ll send you the next card OK!! Write your response_________________.” (We responded with little notes from the staff. Hopefully the student was not too disappointed that we didn’t send a brownie:)

We are eager to build a continuing relationship and strengthen curricular connections with Obama Elementary and other schools. Contributions to our scholarship fund will aid us in our ability to accomplish this goal. If you would like to make a gift to our scholarship fund, visit the ‘Support Us’ page at www.audubon-center.org. www.audubon-center.org 888-404-7743

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News from the North Woods

Spring/Summer 2014

2014 CALENDAR OF EVENTS

UPCOMING EVENTS

Visit the CALENDAR OF EVENTS on our website or email info@audubon-center.org for more information Mar. 29 ........... Maple Syrup Day & Pancake Brunch Apr. 4-6 .......... Food & Farms Weekend Apr. 4 .............. Dinner at the Lake with Monique Hooker Apr. 5 .............. Dinner at the Lake with Lucia Watson Apr. 19 ............ Dinner at the Lake with Darby Nelson May 2-4 .......... Women’s Wellness & Adventure Weekend May 11 ............ Mother’s Day Brunch with George Maurer & Rachel Holder May 16-18....... MN Phenology Networking Conference May 17 ............ Dinner at the Lake with Jim Gilbert June 6-8.......... Birding Bonanza Weekend June 6 ............. Dinner at the Lake with Sue Leaf June 7 ............. Dinner at the Lake with Sharon ‘Birdchick’ Stiteler June 8-13 ........ Road Scholar® ‘Migration Mysteries’ June 9-13 ........ MDHA Forkhorn ll camp June 15-20 ...... Road Scholar® ‘‘Migration Mysteries’ Jume 20-22...... MAEE Annual Conference June 22-28 ....... Exploring Lake Superior’s South Shore July 20-25 ....... Family Camp Road Scholar® ‘‘ ‘Woods, Water , Wisdom’

Aug. 4-6.............Will Steger Foundation Summer Institute Aug. 4 ................Dinner at the Lake with Dr. John Abraham Aug. 24-29 ........Road Scholar® ‘Migration Mysteries’ Aug. 31-Sep.5 ....Road Scholar® ‘Migration Mysteries’ Sep. 27 ...............Autumn at the Audubon’ Open House Sep. 27 ...............Renewable Trail Run/Walk Oct. 3-5 ..............Women’s Wellness & Adventure Weekend Oct. 18 ...............Dinner at the Lake Dec. 27-30 .........Winter Family Escape Dec. 31 ..............New Year’s Eve at the Lake Year-Round • K-12 Residential Environmental Learning Center • Conference & Retreat Center • Adventure, team-building & naturalist programming • Outreach Programs • Day Programs and Tours Interested in holding your own event at ACNW? We rent out our facilities for retreats, conferences, banquets and special events. Call Wendy at 888-404-7743 or email reservations@audubon-center.org for details.

Have you visited us on the web lately? We recently completed an overhaul and, although still a bit of a work in progress, you’ll find more thorough and better organized information, a calendar of events, online event registration, easier to find school forms and contact info, a gallery of all our critters, and more. Stop on by and take a look - www.audubon-center.org

www.audubon-center.org

Follow us on Facebook at www.facebook.com/AudubonCenter Just around the corner don’t miss this great family event!

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For complete information on any of our events and programs, including rates and registration details,

visit the CALENDAR OF EVENTS at our website - www.audubon-center.org, email us at info@audubon-center.org or call us at 888-404-7743

www.audubon-center.org 888-404-7743

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News from the North Woods

Spring/Summer 2014

Spotlight on schools The Audubon Center presented programs for 78 K-12 public and charter schools in the 2012-2013 school year. Helping students and teachers to see the natural world with new eyes spurs them to further environmentally-focused actions in their schools. We celebrate this seed sprouting into a world in which we all live in balance with nature. If you know of a school that attends programs at the Audubon Center, and is to be celebrated for its science and/or environmental actions, please let us know so we can turn the spotlight on them in future columns.

Minnesota Department of Education 2013-2014 Reward and Celebration Schools Of Minnesota’s 853 Title I schools, in 2013 the Minnesota Department of Education (MDE) designated 131 as Reward Schools and 48 as Celebration schools. We are proud that 3 of the charter schools we currently authorize received these special designations.

The MDE calculates the annual Multiple Measurement Rating (MMR) for each school using the Minnesota Comprehensive Assessment exams taken in the spring, academic growth, the achievement gap, and high school graduation rates if applicable for the school. Schools that receive Title I funding, which is based on its concentration of students receiving free and reduced lunch, are identified on a ranking system from Reward Schools at the top to Priority Schools at the bottom.

These designations are part of Minnesota’s federal accountability system that replaces No Child Left Behind.

Under Minnesota’s program, schools are assigned a MMR based on students’ proficiency and growth, as well as a school’s progress towards reducing achievement gaps and increasing graduation rates. The state’s Title I schools— those serving racially and ethnically diverse student populations with high levels of poverty—qualify for designations if they are top performers.

Reward Schools: The highest-performing 15% of Title I schools in the state. The state named 131 schools in this category.

Celebration Schools: The 25% of schools directly below those designated as Reward schools able to apply for Celebration status by documenting what efforts they are using to increase student achievement. MDE selects schools based on their ability to effectively document best practices that have led to student success to receive the Celebration school recognition.

Among the schools chosen as 2013 Reward and Celebration schools are three ACNW-authorized charter schools: Crosslake Community Schools - Crosslake, MN (2013 Reward School) Glacial Hills Elementary School - Starbuck, MN (2013 Reward School) Aurora Charter School - Minneapolis, MN (2013 Celebration School) Congratulations to these and all the Minnesota schools who received these designations in 2013! (For a full list of all Reward and Celebration Schools, visit the MDE website at www.education.state.mn.us.)

Volunteer Spotlight

As a non-profit organization, we depend on volunteers for help with everything from routine maintenance to special projects. Our board members are also volunteers who selflessly dedicate their time and talents to helping us succeed – a very special group of people who we deeply appreciate. The following is from Pauline Wahlquist, one of our longtime volunteers that helps out the Center whenever and wherever is needed. THANK YOU Pauline!

I moved to Brook Park in 1998 and first heard about the Audubon Center in 1999. I used to come to the Dinners at the Lake alone. Eventually, I started to bring along two or three friends. We loved the food and the programs.

Then in 2008, I retired earlier than I planned to take care of my parents. Later that year, they passed away within a few months of each other – they had been married 66 years. Also in 2008, I got a pleasant surprise when I became a Grandmother. So since I have retired I try to keep busy. I deliver Meals on Wheels once a week. I babysit my Grandson Max, now five – we have a lot of fun together. I have also become an activist for causes like March Against Monsanto, MN350 and Mining Truth.

I enjoy the variety of volunteer opportunities at the Audubon Center. I have painted fences and a conference room, pulled mustard weed, and helped with open house and Maple Syrup day. Probably my number one duty has been to transport injured animals, usually raptors. So far, none have died on me. There was one that I thought for sure wasn’t going to survive the trip. It was a Cooper’s Hawk. It wouldn’t even look at us. So I kept the car quiet for most of the trip but it was a really rainy miserable trip. Eventually I put Bill and Kate Isle on the CD player. When I got to the Raptor Center, the hawk was alert and frisky. Quite a surprise when I moved the towel and there it was looking me in the eye. From time to time, I think about moving closer to the cities. One of my considerations is the Audubon Center of the North Woods. So far I am staying put.

If you are interested in volunteering some of your time and skills, please contact us. We are interested to hear about your areas of expertise and we have a growing list of specific jobs we could use your help. We do not have a minimum hour requirement – any amount of time would be a great asset and much appreciated. www.audubon-center.org

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Fiscal Year 2013 Summary The Audubon Center of the North Woods is committed to strong fiscal health. Below we’d like to share with you a financial summary of Fiscal Year 2013 (7/1/12 through 6/30/13). Our full 990 is available upon request or at www.guidestar.org Statement of Revenue and Expenses: Fiscal Year 2013 July 1, 2012 - June 30, 2013

Sources of Support

Fiscal Year 2013 By The Numbers Donor Participants ........................................311 K-12 Schools Attended ..................................65 K-12 Program Participants:....................... 3,358 Colleges Attended ........................................... 17 College Program Participants ................... 420 Family Program Participants ..........................85 Retreat & Conf. Participants ................... 2,485 Adult Program Participants .........................213 Community Program Participants .............904 Outreach Program Participants ............. 3,310

Amount

Education Programs.......................... $537,868 Charter School Authorization............... $447,574 Retreats & Conferences...................... $202,427 Grants.............................................$58,614 Contributions....................................$39,607 In-Kind Contributions......................... $38,290 Merchandise Sales...............................$33,422 Endowment...................................... $31,132 Miscellaneous....................................$22,839 Timber Harvest..................................$19,045 Total............................................... $1,430,819

REVENUES 3%

<1%

3%

2% 2%

2%

4%

Expenses* Amount

Education Programs.......................... $586,340 Charter School Authorization............... $350,308 Admin. & Development.......................$184,941 Retreats & Conferences....................... $135,183 Loan Payments...................................$88,252 Land Management ............................... $6,772 Total............................................... $1,351,796

38% 31%

31%

EXPENSES

Excess/(Deficit)..................................$79,023 NOTE: We ended our fiscal year with an excess of $79,023. Of that amount, $40,312 is temporarily restricted for our charter school authorization program.

An additional $39,607 represents in-kind donations, very important donations to our Center indeed, but not actual money in the bank.

<1% 7%

10%

43%

14%

* Depreciation of $184,514 for FY 2013 is not reflected in Expenses .

26%

ACNW Balance Summary as of June 30, 2014 Current Assets: Cash & Restricted Cash: ......................... $244,768 Other Assets:....................................... $136,233 Total Current Assets:................. $381,001 Fixed Assets: Land/Buildings/Machinery/Furniture: .... $5,422,815 Less: Accumulated Depreciation: .......... ($2,700,315) Total Fixed Assets:..................$2,722,464 Other Assets: .........................................$52,043

TOTAL ASSETS: $3,155,508

Liabilities: Current Liabilities: ............................... $187,467 Long-term Liabilities: ............................ $663,694 Total Liabilities: ........................$851,161 Net Assets: Unrestricted Net Assets: ..................... $2,066,349 Restricted Net Assets: ........................... $237,998 Total Net Assets: ................... $2,304,347 TOTAL LIABILITIES & NET ASSETS: $3,155,508 NOTE: Fixed Assets include our 535 acres of lakeshore property, all campus buildings and structures, renewable energy technologies, furnishings, machinery and equipment

www.audubon-center.org 888-404-7743

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Thank You!

News from the North Woods

We would like to acknowledge and thank all those individuals and companies who have contributed to the Audubon Center of the North Woods (since our last newsletter) as well as the schools who visited us this academic year. Through your support and patronage, we are able to provide the best environmental education opportunities for people of all ages.

Donations, Memberships & Memorials Osprey yy Tammy Fleming yy Richard Glattly yy Jim Obey yy Samuel Rankin yy Terhuly Foundation yy Don Verbick yy Mary Ellen Vetter yy Sharon Wolters MD & Family

Eagles yy Don Arnosti yy Tim & Gayle Devries yy Abe Sauer (Good Night Loon)

Moose yy B Wayne Johnson yy Tom & Phyllis Mahan yy James & Donna Peter yy Marilyn Ueland

Loons yy Mary & John Bachhuber yy Rodney & Sue Foss yy Louis & Karen Geislinger yy Julie Holly yy Mark Lex yy Pamela L Nelson yy Roger Parsons yy Stan & Bev Peterson yy Swan River PTO yy James & Audrey Waggoner yy Bryan & Katharine Wood

Otters yy Kathy & Mel Aanerud yy Jerry Ammerman yy Anonymous yy Nancy Arnosti yy Jim & Nancy Azarski yy Jerry & Donna Bahls yy Bill & Fran Belford yy Michael & Nancy Bennett yy William & Sherry Bixby yy Barbara Blechinger yy M K Borell yy Susan Bradford yy George & Margaret Brandel yy Becky Bundschuh yy Sheryl Chris Camper yy Martin & Peggy Carlson yy Krista Currie

Spring/Summer 2014

yy Tony D’Amato yy Kathleen Dedeyn yy Dan & Laura Delinsky yy Carolyn Dindorf yy East Central Energy yy Paul Egeland yy Cynthia Fay yy Anna Goyette yy David Greenberg yy Richard & Patricia Hapke yy Ruth Harpole yy Wesley Haut yy Larry & Cookie Heikes yy Thomas & Suzanne Inman yy Judy & Jim Johannsen yy Virginia Kelly yy Scott & Mary Lagaard yy Lake State Federal Credit Union yy Barry & Patti Larson yy Charles & Hope Lea yy Don & Marlyee Lee yy Linda Marcotte yy William Marx yy James McBride yy Stan & Susan Meyer yy Chester & Miriam Meyers yy Elise Mill yy Carol Mizuno yy David & Janet Newberg yy Gloria Noren yy Lois Norrgard yy Northview Bank yy Gretchen Olson yy Laureen Overway yy Cora Packard yy Yvonne Paffel yy Gina Pockrandt yy William & Naomi Pomper yy Roberta Reilly yy Joel & Gail Roberts yy Eric & Jacqulyn Saunders yy Sebald Motor Sales, Inc yy Walt Seibert yy Jim & Mary Kay Sloan yy Mick & Nancy Sommer yy Charles Speiker yy Wesley Marcia Sundquist yy Thomas Torborg yy AEM Trust/Ruby & Roger Trapp yy Tri-State Drilling yy Sue & Don VanGorden

See the next page for member benefits ØØ yy Charles & Catherine Von Ruden yy Franklin & Michelene Wells yy Larry Whitaker yy Louise White yy Timothy Whitfeld yy John & Ellen Yazbeck yy John Zakelj

Cranes yy Sylvia Albers yy Lillian Antonelli yy Cynthia Appleman yy Al Asmus yy Kathleen Aust yy James Beaudry yy Marietta Booth yy Susan Breska yy Jim & Mary Butcher yy Kathleen Cruz yy Kay & John Delinsky yy Mary Deming yy Larry & Nancy Dolphin yy Drilling Plumbing & Heating yy Lee & Dorothy Dybvig yy Bruce & Marlene Ehresman yy Ronald Falk yy Kevin Fink yy Rick Fletcher yy Bill Foss yy Janet & John Green yy Alice Gruber yy Ruth Hiland yy Peter & Gladys Howell yy Charles Huber yy Sherry Jester/Harry Cloft yy Al & Lyn Johnson yy Dale & Judy Johnson yy Helen Johnson yy Patricia & Robert Johnson yy JS Print Group yy Donald Phyllis Kahn yy Jane & Brian Kise yy Jon Gary/Laurie Larson yy Rex Lindberg yy Robert Lininger /Susan Blom yy Nina Manzi yy Sylvia Marcotte yy Howard & Lynne Markus yy Matt’s Sanitation yy Krista Menzel yy Jackson Colla, Grace & Eva Mestemacher

www.audubon-center.org 888-404-7743

Spring/Summer 2014

News from the North Woods

Donations, Memberships & Memorials continued yy Gary & Patty Mondale yy Sheila Moran yy Lonnie & Jackie Ness yy Mary Nicklay yy Carol J Pederson yy Carol Perry yy Mark & Erica Peterson yy Elizabeth Pomper yy Kendra S Pyle yy Wayne & Patti Roberts yy Glen Scott yy Carolyn Serrano yy Jennette Turner/Jon Rodine yy Pete & Pat Webster yy Bob Wedl yy Katheryn a Wood

Owls yy Tim J Agen yy Claudia Russ Anderson/William Anderson yy Donna Anderson yy Ross Anderson yy Anonymous yy Sidonia Balke yy Boy Scout Troop 293 yy Mark Brigham yy Bill & Ann Bruins yy Thomas J Dolan yy Elaine Duvall yy Paula Goetzke yy Freiberg Cleaning Services yy William & Helen Friend yy Friends of Spring Valley Nature Center yy Sue Hankerson yy Tamra Hansen yy Nancy Haugen yy Clarence Johnson yy Eleanor & David Johnson yy Joanne Kendall yy Dee & Greg Koivisto yy Steven & Marilyn Kozak yy Jean La Flash yy Paul & Karen Larson yy Frances Levings yy Monica Martin yy Margaret Merkow yy Madeline Miller yy Robert & Marveen Minish yy Jenna Moon yy Sara Neumann yy Steven & Valarie Palmer yy Camelle Parker yy Nicholas Plante yy Kathleen Rosenow yy Charles & Carol Rowley yy Joe & Geri Sausen yy Linda Schave

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See the next page for member benefits ØØ

yy Jim Simkins yy Sheryl Steele yy Lydia Steensen yy Tim & Joyce Tabor yy John & Patricia Telfer yy Elaine Thrune yy Billie Tucker yy Randy & Jane Tyson yy Terry Wilton yy Lora & Klint Wylie

Frank Buckingham Wilderness Scholarship Fund

Friends

yy Elizabeth Booman yy Erin Cornell for Mrs. Cornell yy Mounds Park Academy 5th & 6th Grade Student Council

yy Anonymous yy Joan Betts yy Kathleen Crowley yy Carol Hill yy Meagan Keefe yy Bryan Koczur yy Craig & Laurie Meyer yy Laurie A Nelson yy Organizing & Inspired Solutions, LLc yy Don & Marilyn Owens yy Martha G Phillips yy Kathryn Pimlott yy Cindy Radatz yy Sandstone Library yy Edward & Mary Sunde

In Memory of: In Memory of Maggy Lightbody Anderson yy Rosemary Rocco In Memory of Rae Arakaki yy Wanda Arakaki Leopold In Memory of Steve Badalich yy Sheryl Steele

yy JoAnn & George Perdrizet

Grants yy Carolyn Foundation yy Marvin P. Verhulst Foundation yy Onan Family Foundation yy Mr. & Mrs. Jonathan Stevens

Friend a Wild Critter

Employee Matching yy 3M Foundation/Don Janes yy General Mills Foundation/Linda Marcotte in Memory of Ray Marcotte yy General Mills Foundation/Linda Marcotte

In-Kind yy David Chasson yy Joyce Kafton yy Dee Kotaska yy Cindy LaFond yy Sylvia Marcotte yy Howard Markus yy Linda Neubaur yy Carol Nulsen yy Allen Schmalzer yy Gary & Tammy Schmidt yy Mary Ellen Vetter yy John Wolforth yy Doug & Kathy Wood

In Memory of Elizabeth L. Crosby yy Franklin & Gisela Crosby In Memory of Henriette Nieboer Fey yy Steve & Judy Seidmeyer In Memory of Robbie Hickman yy Patty Hickman In Memory of Richard “Dick” Johnson yy Gary L Raasch In Memory of Ray Marcotte yy James & Jennifer Davenport yy Linda Marcotte yy Sylvia Marcotte

GOOD NIGHT LOON BLURB?

In Memory of David O’Dell yy Cindy Dingee In Memory of Dorothy Swetz yy Robert Swetz In Memory of Joe White yy Ed & Betsy Souther

www.audubon-center.org 888-404-7743

Audubon Center of the North Woods A proud leader in environmental education and renewable energy P.O. Box 530, Sandstone, MN 55072 Phone: 888-404-7743 or 320-245-2648 Fax: 320-245-5272 Email: audubon1@audubon-center.org

If you would like to save resources and would prefer to receive this periodic newsletter electronically (PDF) via email instead of US mail, please send an email to audubon1@audubon-center.org

Visit our website! www.audubon-center.org News from the North Woods Volume 40, Issue 1—Spring/Summer 2014 Melonie Shipman and Bryan Wood, Co-Directors Laurie Fenner, editing/layout Published periodically by Audubon Center of the North Woods Mail, call or email us your inquiries and ideas.

Printed with soy-based inks on carbon-neutral paper containing 100% post-consumer waste

Join Us...Become a Friend to the Audubon Center Friendship Categories By becoming a member of the Audubon Center of the North Woods, you provide the essential support we need to continue to provide quality environmental educations to thousands of people every year.

Membership Benefits ØØ

OWLS

$25-49

MOOSE

$500-$749

CRANES $50-99

EAGLES

$750-$999

OTTERS $100-249

OSPREY $1000+

LOONS

PLANNED $2,500+ GIVING

$250-$499

All Members receive: l l l l l l l

10% discount off merchandise in our store 10% off youth and family camps 10% off Schwyzer Lodge A gift membership to give to a friend Our periodic printed newsletter Our e-newsletter (optional) Invitations to special events

ACNW MISSION

To instill a connection and commitment to the environment in people of all communities through experiential learning.