Santa Fe VolunteersPrairie  2009 Annual Report

Santa Fe Prairie Volunteers 2009 Annual Report            –   Karen Stasky & Greg Starr

                                                                 Phone: 708-598-6139, e-mail: greggstarr@att.net

Don K. continues to be the top volunteer and he puts a lot of effort into everything. Big Doug continues to work intensely along the river, both are out over 100 times a year.  We had an excellent Holiday Party, giant Snowflakes & Fire.

Treasury has $9128.50 with expenses at about $10/day, porta-john and fuel costs are about 60% of costs.  The I&M Canal NHC Civic Center Authority has been funding most of our expenses.  We are all volunteers, no paid employees.

$500 S.C.A.L.E. grant renewed by IEPA and will fund “Keep our Rivers Clean” T-Shirt.

Regular Program of Prescribed Burns at Prairie and along river into Willow Springs.

#1 PROBLEM continues to be FLOODING.

North Dakota Young Leaders, 40 people, 50 from Curie High and at Rendezvous.

Eagle Scout Program, 22 Boy scouts and leaders – over 2500 visitors and volunteers.

Planting: Oaks, Hickory, Walnut, Redbud along riverbank to replace buckthorn.

Nature Conservancy/Nature Preserves grant, support from CC Forest Preserves District.

Water heater removal - fly dumping continues.  Bad vehicles drive along river path.

National Public Lands Day observed.  Auto rally saw 24 people.  Mel, Dawne & Jodi.

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Picnic tables were purchased and maintained.  Caboose windows rehabbed.

Colleen Cook of MWRD Police has been a great help.  Ham Radio Events.

Survey’s for Big Head Carp, INAI survey of plants and Tomanthera survey.

Black Crowned Night Heron, Quail, Meadowlark, Mergansers, Osprey.

“Once Upon a Mountain” authored by Hodgkins Mayor Noel Cummings.

Hodgkins Park District, Ben’s Rental,  Felix, Marcus and Doug L. visit and help. 

Fishing Derby and Indian Boundaries Prairie, handled by Doug B.

Chicago Sate University group visits and we attend Lemont Trail dedication.

Lepar Animal Hospital came out for their event, Karen S.

RR Switch donated by Silbrico-Rick Willis.  John M. works hard.

Purple Coneflower, Red Trillium, Wild Ginger, White Trout Lily, Turk’s Cap Lily

Easter Beer Hunt #5, Ned made the sun come out.  Don K. creates Solar Array.  Mike K. is a weeding machine.  Joe H. cares for the deck and Nick with Technology.

We provide a year-round Porta-John, hosted several river cleanups.

President’s Call to Service Volunteer Awards awarded to SFP Volunteers. Mark M.

Santa Fe RR Historical Society visited and were given a tour. Pat & Cathy – Bob B.

Monthly Reports were prepared for I&MCNHCCA Meetings.  Joe B. & Bob W., EMA.

2010 major expenses: transport vehicle – golf cart, 501C3 application and Boat Ramp.