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

1. Keith called the meeting to order.

2. Treasurer’s Report: Claude indicated that the Board netted $140 from the Pesticide Refresher program. We made $.27 interest. Claude also indicated that he submitted a $900 check for NRCC.

3. Logging site exams: Mike received 4 plans. Mike made plans with Steve Thrasher to conduct site visits on Thursday, June 15, 2017. We will also measure a large black birch on the Frederick City Watershed for the Big Tree program.

4. FFA Training/Competition: The actual competition will be on Friday, July 14, 2017. Mike will schedule with Russ Thompson for the setup of the test a few days beforehand. So far Dawne, Jim, Tom, and Dave have indicated that they can help with the competition.

5. National Envirothon Training/Competition: To be held at Mt. St. Mary’s College and Seminary. The training date for this program is scheduled for Monday, July 24, 2017. So far, Claude, Tom, Jim, Vince, and Keith have expressed interest in this training.

6. NRCC: As mentioned earlier, Claude submitted tuition payment for our two students. A recent message from Dawn Balinski noted that we met and exceeded the targeted enrollment with 42 confirmed students and 2 that will be placed on the waiting list in case there are some cancellations.

7. Sustainability Commission: Tom noted that the cold wet weather during Green Fest kept the crowds away. As a separate item, Tom mentioned Threshing Days August 5 and 6 at the Frederick Co. Farm Museum at Rose Hill in Frederick, where a farm-oriented show and demonstrations of historic wheat threshing will take place.

8. Nature Notes: Lori mentioned that our backlog is again building up and she is working closely with the new editor Sue Gwynn planning for upcoming columns.

9. Web Site: Tyson mentioned that the Web Site is up to date.

10. New Business: “Citizen Pruner Program” Vince relayed that the walkway along his community is being invaded with tree branches and some pruning needs to be done. When he contacted Frederick City he was advised that this area was on a 7 year pruning cycle; and it would be 4 more years before anything pruning is scheduled to be done here. Vince mentioned that there are a number of communities around the country that are training volunteers as citizen pruners that help municipalities and other communities with the upkeep of their trees. Vince wondered if that was something we could do in Frederick City? Mike advised that Ginny Brace has been doing this at Waterford Park over the years and suggested that Vince talk to her about how she implemented this program. Vince also mentioned that he would approach Frederick City Arborist, Tom Rippeon about this idea. Vince will report back about his progress.

11. Jim showed some slides of the 40,000 bees he wrangled at Lynne Marquez’s house. Am I crazy or would this make an interesting Nature Notes column?