Those Present: Tom Anderson, Claude Eans, Steve Thrasher, Lori Schoonover, Keith Schoonover, Vince Perrotta, Tyson Rose, Jim Arnold, Dave Hunter, Dawne Howard, Mike Kay

We were treated to the company and hospitality of Ginny Brace as the meeting was held at her house.

1. Keith called the meeting to order.

2. Membership: The Board welcomed Dawne Howard as a new member and Keith presented Dawne with her membership certificate.

3. Treasurer’s report Claude indicated that we received October interest of $.32 with our account. Claude sent a $125 check to the Forestry Board Foundation to cover Jack Stohlman’s NRCC Activity Fee.

4. Logging site exams: Mike received 3 plans in time for the November 14, 2016 meeting. Mike will schedule field visits for either next Monday or Tuesday. My, Thanksgiving is almost here!

5. Thurmont Tree Planting: Claude, Tom, and Mike attended this planting. The intent of the planting is to re-establish trees in the park to replace ash trees that are suffering from Emerald Ash Borer attack. The City of Thurmont is treating about 20% of their ash trees and removing the remainder. Since ash trees make up a large part of the park’s canopy Thurmont has plans to replace many of these trees; and, on Saturday, November 5, 2016 volunteers planted 25 potted serviceberry, pin oak, and red maple throughout the park. Funding from this planting was received from the State’s EAB Program and from the City of Thurmont. Next spring the Town intends to plant 26 additional trees using the MUCFC grant that we have placed in our Treasury. (For safe keeping.) Tom mentioned that he was impressed with the amount of volunteers that came out to plant representing Thurmont’s “Green Team”. Claude seconded Tom’s comments saying that volunteers were well equipped and worked hard. We were all glad that the holes were pre-dug and we did not need the pick-ax or planting bar. The City of Thurmont had additional soil, mulch, and water for the planting on hand and Town Administrator Jim Humerick did an excellent job helping to coordinate the planting. Western Regional Urban Forester, Becky Wilson developed the planting plan, ordered the planting material, and demonstrated how to correctly plant trees for the volunteers. Following the planting Becky drafted a Nature Notes article on the planting and Claude submitted many of the photos he took during the day. Claude also drafted a short article and sent photos to Tyson to display on our Web Page.

6. Sustainability Commission: Tom indicated that the Sustainability Commission conducted a public meeting on Friday, October 28, 2016 in Yellow Springs to discuss recycling and waste management at our public schools. This meeting was well attended with over 50 people being present. Tom was in charge of setting up this meeting and said he thought it was very successful.

7. Big Tree program: Dawne, Steve, Claude, Vince, and Mike met Thursday, October 20, 2016 and measured trees at four locations, Buckeystown, Frederick High, Middletown High, Middletown. At Middletown High we met with Ms. Sarah Shriner’s Forestry and Wildlife class to demonstrate how to use our equipment to measure trees, discuss NRCC camp, and Mike gave a brief talk about the Forest Service and the duties of Forest Rangers and Foresters. Everybody had fun and Dawne mentioned how impressed she was of the care that these trees receive. Dawne talked to Ms. Shriner about helping coach her class for the FFA and Envirothon competitions. After some discussion amongst members we made plans to: see what information the Forestry and Wildlife class needs to cover to prepare for these competitions then see if the Forestry Board can design a day long training at the Scout Camp that we can offer to all High School students. Dawne will discuss this with Ms. Shriner and report back at the December meeting.

8. Nature Notes: Lori indicated that she sent Becky’s article to the newspaper; and, now she does not have any more articles. Tom and Mike indicated that they would go back through their archives and see if they could submit some “updated” articles and possibly generate some new articles as well. Tyson reminded that those looking to update past articles can find all the Nature Notes articles from the last 8 years as downloads in the Past Nature Notes section at the bottom of the FCFB home page right below the latest Nature Notes entry.

9. Web Site: Tyson mentioned that the Web Site is up to date. Tyson posted Claude’s article on the Thurmont planting.

10. New business:

• Board member congratulated Ginny for winning the Award for Volunteerism from the Community Foundation of Frederick County. This award will be presented to Ginny at a Banquet on Thursday, November 17, 2016. Board members presented Ginny with a chocolate cake to celebrate this award. We spent time enjoying the cake and our fellowship before adjourning the meeting.