Those present: Steve Thrasher, Andy Driscoll, Jim Arnold, Tom Anderson, Tyson Rose, Claude Eans, Vince Perrotta, Ginny Brace, Keith Schoonover, Mike Kay

Many Forestry Board members arrived early to participate in the NRCC interview with applicant Isabella Reese. The regular meeting began after Isabella and her parents left.

1. Call to order: Keith called the meeting to order.

2. NRCC: After Keith called the meeting to order Tom made the motion to sponsor Isabella to NRCC for $550 to cover the $450 tuition and the $100 activity fee. The motion was seconded and passed by membership. We asked Isabella to take plenty of photos and keep a journal. Perhaps we can get her to draft an article for the Web Page and do a series of Nature Notes NRCC promotional articles to run this summer and next spring to drum up interest in this program.

3. Treasurer’s Report: Tom mentioned that he wrote a check for $10,303.53 to pay Conservation Services for their work with Neighborhood Green. Tom also sent a check for $550 to cover Isabella’s trip to NRCC. Tom mentioned that we received $1.63 interest on our account last month.

4. Logging site plans. John Miller resubmitted a plan for the Stonemetz property after we denied the previous plan due to its incomplete nature. Following some discussion plans were made for Mike to pick up Steve at 8:00 am this Thursday (July 17, 2014.) and meet Tyson at the corner of Mt. Ephraim and Stewart hill at 8:30 am to conduct the inspection.

5. Merit Badge Training: Claude mentioned that the final date for the program was set for Saturday, October 11, 2014 and the program will be held at the Walkersville Watershed like it was last year. Claude mentioned that we should try to finalize an agenda soon since the summer is quickly slipping away. Mike mentioned that he was approached by members of the Washington County Forestry Board who said they were planning a similar training in their county slated for Saturday, October 4. Mike mentioned that he would talk to Forester, Aaron Cook to get more details on the Washington County program. After much discussion we decided to: A. Let Claude know if you would be available to assist with this program and what class you would like to instruct. B. We would schedule a dry run program at the watershed perhaps on the night of the regular meeting slated for September 8. Most thought that it would be nice to have additional instructors so folks could take a break from time to time and to allow Claude the opportunity to visit each site to see what we are doing.

6. Nature Notes: Ginny mentioned that we have a small backlog of articles but asks that we submit some real time articles on the stuff that is happening outside right now. Mike made some promises that he may or may not be able to keep.

7. Web Site: Tyson mentioned that the web site is up to date.

8. Other Business:

   • Mike mentioned that State Forester Steve Koehn has retired effective July 1, 2014. Don Van Hassent was appointed as the State Forester on an acting basis.

   • Ginny mentioned that Oakdale Elementary School is looking for a Forestry Board member to speak to their class next fall about sustainability issues. Keith suggested that Heather could do this since she was not there to hit him for doing this.Mike mentioned that he is part of the planning committee for the Discover your Woodland program that will be held in either Frederick or Washington County this fall.

   • Tom mentioned that he was driving around a found a roadway named “Ailanthus Circle”. Finally this majestic tree gains some respect!Ginny asked if any members might be able to help her cut up downed trees in Waterford Park and Andy volunteered to do so.