Wednesday, November 20th
5:30 pm
Franklin Quest
Enter from the north side of campus. We will be in the new 5-story building, enter from the north door (main parking is now on the north side of the building).
DLWPF has accomplished a lot this year, and DLWPF knows our accomplishments are due solely to YOUR involvement. Please join us on November 20th, for a "thank you", from DLWPF to YOU!.
This month's Accolades go to employees of CIRRIS Systems Corporation. In an effort to support the wetlands theme of the Decker Lake restoration, Bill Downton, CIRRIS Customer rep, initiated a fund-raising campaign within CIRRIS. The result is another 120' x 120' plot dedicated to wetlands. Word has it that Bill went desk-to-desk, single-handedly persuading fellow employees to add to the Adopt-a-Plot pot.
At the October member meeting, Bill presented DLWPF with a check for $838.00 raised from the CIRRIS campaign. Thank you CIRRIS employees, one and all!
Another Accolade goes to Jim Bach, landscape architect. Jim has volunteered to work with the Valley Junior High School students in designing the bird blind for the west shore. (See VJ Students in Starring Roles).
The Decker Lake Wetlands Preserve Foundation sponsored two delegates for the "Get That Grant" grantswriting workshop in Park City on November 4th through 7th. Kathy Moran and Patricia Smith were selected to attend the advanced training in grantsmanship. Presented by Community Systems, a Bozeman, Montana organization created by Dr. Barbara Bader, Ph.D, and sponsored locally by the Wasatch Front Resource Conservation and Development Council (RC&D).
From generating grant applications to finding funding sources in the government, corporate, and private foundations; to identifying needs, project design, staffing, budgeting, and follow through on grants management; the intensive four day training was successful in demonstrating how to get grants for worthy projects.
Ms. Moran and Smith will begin immediately to apply for several small grants to launch the Decker Lake Project. According to information presented in the workshop, DLWPF is right on track in terms of organization and planning for multi-phased reclamation. Congratulations are in order to the Foundation board, the committees and the tireless efforts of many volunteers over the past year and a half.
The November 20th Member meeting is dedicated to thanking You, the volunteer, for your support, work, time, and talents over this past year. A lot has happened because a lot of people have gotten involved.
On the Today show, on Tuesday of this week, a new commission on Civic Involvement was announced. Somehow, it seems all they need to do is look at how the Decker Lake community has rallied for a beautiful example of how to get things done.
Please come on Wed, Nov 20th and receive a token of our appreciation. Admittedly, it is only a token, but want to somehow say 'thank you'. What you have done and the rewards hopefully will come back to you time and again as you walk the paths, enjoy the birds, and learn from the information you will receive as you visit the completed site.
Thank you, everyone! See you on Wed, Nov 20th!
When Steve Reed returned Russell Kendall's phone call, Steve had no idea what exciting times lay ahead for the Valley Junior High students involved with the Decker Lake project. Russell, part of the production crew of Center Street, saw an article highlighting the Valley Junior High students involvement at a recent Decker Lake cleanup. Recognizing the values Center Street tries to convey are being exemplified by both the students and the restoration project, Russell could not pass up the opportunity to film the kids in action!
On Saturday, November 16th, there will be another workday at the lake. Only this time it will be "lights, camera, action"! The Valley Junior High students will be joined by the Canyon View Elementary students (alias LAB ALIVE) of Jordan School District for another cleanup at the lake. This time their work will be documented by the Center Street production team and will be aired later this winter. We'll try to make sure you know the air time.
As if the excitement generated by Center Street isn't enough to keep things moving, the Valley Junior High students are taking on another fantastic project. We have mentioned in previous newsletters about the Audubon-sponsored bird blind project. The Valley Junior High Shop class has come forward to help build the bird blind. Well, it just keeps getting better!! Jim Bach, landscape architect, has offered to help orchestrate a contest among the VJ students for the design of the bird blind. Plans are to hold the contest between Thanksgiving and Christmas.
And in their spare time, the Valley Junior students continue to do water monitoring tests at the lake about every other week. This information is valuable and will be used in the "real-world" of data analysis and statistical evaluation. Thank you, Steve Reed and VJ students, you are performing an incredibly important service! Thank you for your support to the following Valley Junior High Students!!
Leland Leavitt, Ryan Tronrad, Jason Tronrad, Brooke Sanders, Dezerae Sharpe, Nicole Mattingly, Mercedes Craig, Julianne Orgill, Scott Dansie, Mary Fericks Brandy Patrick, Christina Mabunga, Emily Bradstreet, Jill Gleave, Stephanie Srape Lisa Richardson, Julie Richardson, Amanda Martin, Lindsey Seibert, Lavina Liti, Jeremy Beecher, Taunya Pugh, Kim Moyle, Sharlene Wardrop, Char Packard, Myrtie Sawyer, Danny Fast, Susan Hardy, Laurie Ashby, Kristi Genessey, Miranda Lund, David Warkertin, Holly Gates, Katie Knight, Amanda Sundberg, Kristin Gooch, Gregory Wendell, Robert McBride, Josh Mann, Kevin Rasmussen, Malissa Beauchamp, Holly Carlson, Jeff Handy, Shawna Horne, Andrea Journey, Keawe Poulson, and Cheri Wimmer.
(If we have left you off the list, or misspelled your name, please call us with the correction at 977-4999).
In October the National Forest Foundation (NFF) visted Salt Lake City to assess building a presence in the area. Decker Lake was on their agenda as David Spann of the RC&D briefed NFF on the planned Environmental Education Center. Another potential partner? Only time will tell, but we'll keep you posted!
Remember.... if you are looking for a creative Christmas gift for that bird watcher on your list, or are at a loss for what to give your mother....
How about adopting a plot of wetlands in someone's name? Add $5 to the usual wetlands plot contribution, print the name of the person you want to gift, and DLWPF will send an Adopt-a-Plot certificate in the name of the 'Giftee', in time for Christmas. Just mark the Adopt-a-Plot form for the plot amount, check the line for the Christmas Certificate, print the name you want to appear on the certificate, and mail in your check. We will send the certificate to either you or your 'giftee'. For more info, call 977-4999.
Decker Lake Wetlands Preserve Foundation