Wood Duck Box Cleaning at Rose Lake

Hello All! The DNR has contacted our club with an opportunity to clean out wood duck boxes at their Rose Lake station. Initially, it was planned to have a work day this upcoming Saturday 1/21. Due to thin ice at the lake, the event has been postponed with an alternate date of Saturday 1/28. With the erratic weather we've had, this too will depend on ice conditions. Phil at Rose Lake will notify the club by next Thursday as to whether we will move forward with the cleaning on 1/28. Please keep your ears open for announcements. If you have signed up to participate, you will be notified via text or e-mail as updates become available.

Pheasants Forever Fundraising Opportunity

Pheasants Forever of Lansing has invited our club to volunteer at an upcoming event. On March 2nd, the PF Chapter in Lansing will be hosting a dinner event for which they need volunteers to assist with set-up. This would include moving tables, putting up signs, etc. This event requires 12-15 people and would earn the club $250!!! This is a huge opportunity for the club to make money, and a great chance for you to get involved with one of the largest Pheasants Forever chapters in the country! Here are the details, please sign up at a weekly meeting, or email msufwclub@gmail.com if interested.

Date: March 2nd

Time: 8:00am-2:00pm

Location: Eagle Eye Golf Course, Lansing, MI

Lunch is provided

Additionally, volunteers would be invited to stay for the dinner event...a great opportunity to connect with professionals! Note: This is the Friday before Spring Break, however keep in mind that this both helps the club with funding for activities like Camping Trips and Conclave, and also helps you with applications for attending conferences. We hope you can participate!!

Here is a link to the event page, and to the Pheasants Forever Michigan Chapter website:

http://www.pf467.org/2012-banquet/

http://www.pf467.org/

Eboard Elections

There are 9 positions that are up for election on December 8th. Most of the current Eboard is graduating and are not eligible for re-election. Position terms are from January 2012 - December 2012.

If you want have something on your resume that makes you stand out from the rest, this is something you should strongly consider. It also provides opportunities to network with professors, graduate students, and professionals. You will gain invaluable experience organizing people, planning events, communicating ideas, facilitating meetings, etc. There are certain expectations for the Eboard, but the point of being on the Board is to learn to be leaders. You aren't expected to already know how to do everything.

Election procedures:

We will open up nominations starting now. If you'd like to nominate yourself or another person for any position listed below, please email the Club email address (msufwclub@gmail.com) by 12:00am December 8th. Please indicate any and all positions you'd like to be considered for. Come the meeting, we will go down the list of positions in this order: President, Vice-President, Secretary, Treasurer, Social Chair, Committee Chairs. Each person will get 1-2 minutes to say something about why they should be voted in. During this time, all other nominees are required to step out into the hall. After everyone speaks for that position we will take written ballots and tally them. If you are elected to a position, your name will be removed from subsequent nominations.

All Eboard positions are expected to:

Meet every other week, attend both the Facilitating workshop and Leadership workshop when scheduled, help with the planning of Club meetings and events, represent the Club in a professional manner, communicate well with other members of the Executive Board.

Eboard Positions Descriptions

President:

Facilitate weekly Club meetings and Eboard meetings, responsible for scheduling at least one Eboard meeting every other week with the advisor Jim Schneider, will have general supervision of Club leaders, shall represent the Club at GSO meetings, shall keep in communication with the GSO President and Chair of the Department of Fisheries and Wildlife, and schedule a Facilitators workshop and Leadership Workshop within the first month of office. It is generally the President's responsibility to facilitate new initiatives for the well-being of the whole Club (more big picture things), also to make sure meetings are planned out (in advance) with the rest of the Eboard.

Vice-President:

Shall assume the duties of the President in his/her absence, help facilitate weekly Club meetings, shall oversee the operations of all the Committees and subcommittees (i.e. Red Cedar River Cleanup) and shall be in charge of getting reports from Committee Chairs, shall be responsible for securing speakers when decided upon, reserving rooms for scheduled Club meetings, registering the Club with Student Services at the beginning of each semester, in charge of organizing the sending of members to Conferences (i.e. TWS, AFS, Midwest, Conclave).

Secretary:

Will be responsible for the files and records of the Club, including keeping the dues paying member list up-to-date, keeping list of people who have helped with fundraising, taking minutes at Eboard meetings. The Secretary is also responsible for the publication of the weekly newsletter and sending other reminders out when needed, notifying The Societies of any official action taken (e.g. elections), submitting any official chapter report required by The Societies and updating presentation slides to display announcements at meetings.

Treasurer:

The duties of the Treasurer will be the collection of Club dues and receipts, reimbursing members when needed, creating and updating the Club budget, turning in tax information to The Societies at the end of the school year, securing Fundraising opportunities (e.g. football parking, apparel sales)

Social Chair:

In charge of facilitating up social events, about 1 per month is the expectation, including dinners, IM Sports teams, camping trips, hiking opportunities, movie nights, etc. Facilitate social interactions between GSO members and Club members, at least 1 event per semester is expected. Also, is responsible for creating social activities within Club meetings (i.e. ice-breakers, games). Facilitate the planning of the annual Harvesters' Banquet in the fall.

Wildlife Research Committee Chair:

Facilitate the operations of the Committee, including Committee meetings and projects. Help initiate opportunities for Club members to experience Wildlife Research, be the point contact person for these opportunities, encourage connections between students and the professionals as they relate to Wildlife Research, attendance at the 3 scheduled Committee meetings each semester, appoint someone to take minutes at all Committee meetings (and make sure those notes get distributed to any on the committee through the Committee list serve), communicates with faculty advisor and graduate student advisor (if applicable)Reports to the Vice-President.

Fisheries Research Committee Chair:

Facilitate the operations of the Committee, including Committee meetings and projects. Help initiate opportunities for Club members to experience Fisheries Research, be the point contact person for these opportunities, encourage connections between students and the professionals as they relate to Fisheries Research, attendance at the 3 scheduled Committee meetings each semester, appoint someone to take minutes at all Committee meetings (and make sure those notes get distributed to any on the committee through the Committee list serve), communicates with faculty advisor and graduate student advisor (if applicable). Reports to the Vice-President.

Outreach Committee Chair:

Facilitate the operations of the Committee, including Committee meetings and projects. Help initiate opportunities for Club members to experience Natural Resources Outreach, be the point contact person for these opportunities, encourage connections between students and the professionals as they relate to Outreach/Education, attendance at the 3 scheduled Committee meetings each semester, appoint someone to take minutes at all Committee meetings (and make sure those notes get distributed to any on the committee through the Committee list serve), communicates with faculty advisor and graduate student advisor (if applicable). Also, is the overseer of both the Policy Chair and Sustainability Chair. Reports to the Vice-President.

Habitat Management Committee Chair:

Facilitate the operations of the Committee, including Committee meetings and projects. Help initiate opportunities for Club members to experience Habitat Management, be the point contact person for these opportunities, encourage connections between students and the professionals as they relate to Habitat Management, in charge of the upkeep of the Club's Management Area by following the Management Plan, attendance at the 3 scheduled Committee meetings each semester, appoint someone to take minutes at all Committee meetings (and make sure those notes get distributed to any on the committee through the Committee list serve), communicates with faculty advisor and graduate student advisor (if applicable). Reports to the Vice-President.

GSO Photo Contest!

Hi Everyone,

This semester, as one of FW GSO's fund raising events, we are going to have a photo contest. Each winner of the contest will receive an award and have their photo(s) published in a 2012 calendar that will be for sale near the end of 2011. Yes, you may be the next "Mr. October" or "Ms. March." Details are as follows:

This contest is open to all faculty, staff, and students (both undergrad and grad).

There are 4 categories.
1) Wildlife
2) Scenery
3) Fieldwork
4) Humor (in relation to one or more of the above 3 categories)

Each photo entered requires a $2 entry fee, but wait! You can enter more than one photo in the contest and will receive a discount for multiple entries: 3 photos for $5 or 8 photos for $10.

You can submit photo(s) and pay fees to anyone on the FW GSO fund raising committee (see below), but you must pay the fee to the person you submit the photo.

**For initial submission, we will take electronic copies of your photos in .jpg format no larger than 150 K. The voting will take place via survey monkey which has a maximum size limit for .jpg files. If indeed your photo makes it into the calendar, we will ask you for a higher resolution more suitable for printing.

Photos and entry fees are due by October 31st, after which we will send out a survey for the department to vote for their favorites.

The top 2 in each category will receive monetary awards. The amount of each award will depend upon the number of entries into the contest. Third place in each category will receive some awesome FW paraphernalia.

The top 3 favorite photos from each category will make it into the FW GSO 2012 calendar.

The winners will also be highlighted in the twice yearly GSO newsletter.

Get to snapping!

Yours truly,
The FW GSO fund raising committee

Brian Langseth
Carson Prichard
Corey Higley
Andrea Bowling (abowling@msu.edu)

Kellogg Bird Sanctuary Workday!

What: Building bird enclosures and helping give medication checks to birds of prey!

When: This Sunday 10/16. We'll leave campus at 10 and be back between 4:30 and 5pm.

Where: Kellogg Bird Sanctuary, near Kalamazoo. It's part of MSU's Kellogg Biological Station.

http://www.kbs.msu.edu/visit/birdsanctuary

We've gone there the past two years and have had a really fun time helping out! So, come get some great hands on experience, build some skills, and get free pizza for lunch!! Bring waders if you have them!

We'll be signing up at our meeting this Thursday, but email us if you want to go and can't make it the meeting! msufwclub@gmail.com.

We need drivers as well. We can reimburse those who drive for gas money!

Weekend Events!

Sat 10/8 9:30am: Fall stream monitoring from the Mid-Michigan Environmental Action Council.

Where: Munn Park on Jolly road.

Event Description:

"Come join the Mid-Michigan Environmental Action Council for a fun day out in the streams. Meet at Munn Park (near the Jolly / Aurelius intersection in Lansing) at 9:30am for a short training session, then we will head out into the streams and collect some bugs! The bugs we collect tell a story of the health of the stream at each of our 6 sites. Complementary snacks, refreshments, and a light lunch will be provided. NO EXPERIENCE NECESSARY! Dress to have fun, and help us take care of the Red Cedar watershed. Monitoring will end in the early afternoon. Waders provided, but feel free to bring your own."

https://www.facebook.com/event.php?eid=248800841826549

*Meet at 9:00am behind the NR Building for rides.

Sat 10/8 4:30pm: Crane Fest in Bellevue!

*Meet behind the NR Building at 4:30pm for rides!

Event Description:

"Imagine a cool crisp afternoon amidst the splendor of autumn colors. The stillness is interrupted by the eerie prehistoric cry of the cranes. As the Sandhill Cranes glide into view, you are thrilled by the majestic beauty of Michigan’s largest bird.

The Festival was started to raise awareness and appreciation of our natural heritage, and to support ongoing educational and conservation projects of the Michigan Audubon Society and Baker Sanctuary. CraneFest is a jointly-sponsored event between the Kiwanis Club of Battle Creek and Michigan Audubon; the festival site is the Kiwanis Youth Area, overlooking Big Marsh Lake.

A major attraction will be watching thousands of Sandhill Cranes return to the adjoining Baker Sanctuary. The “Fly-In” typically begins slowing around 4 PM with best viewing of large numbers of cranes between 5 PM and dusk. Admission is free and parking is $3.

More than 6,000 cranes are expected to greet more than 5,000 CraneFest visitors again this year. With autumn color predicted to be near its peak the same weekend, everyone should consider making CraneFest 2010 part of their fall color tour.

Sandhill Cranes are believed to be the oldest living bird species, having existed for more than 9 million years in their present form. The cranes are Michigan’s largest bird measuring up to five feet tall with wings spanning an impressive six to seven feet. Thousands of these majestic birds return annually to roost at Big Marsh Lake in Baker Sanctuary before completing their autumn migration to Florida. With more than 9,400 Sandhill Cranes counted last October, Baker Sanctuary set a new single day state record for crane numbers. Saved from the brink of extinction, cranes have become a Michigan environmental success story."

Festival includes nature walks, food, merchandise stands, falconers, talks, and most importantly the sandhill cranes flying in. It's a relaxed social kind of event.

Plan on getting there between 4:30-5:30 and staying til about 7:00is.

http://cranefest.org

U.P. Camping Trip

Well as most of you know the Fisheries and Wildlife Club is going on a grand adventure to Michigan's beautiful Upper Peninsula on September 30th, 2011. This will be a camping excursion located in the Picture Rocks National Lake Shore area. There are marvels in store beyond belief and a fun time is always a guarantee.

So here are few more details of what you need:
-The trip fee is $30 (you must pay before you go)
-Tent (if you have one!)
-Sleeping bag/pad
-Outdoor gear (hiking shoes, rain clothes, and warm clothes)
-Binoculars and Field Guides
-Extra spending money (souvenirs and spontaneous meals out(this almost always happens))
-And this is a carpooling event so if you can drive please let us know!

And an itinerary you might ask?
Friday September 30th
-8am Depart East Lansing
-12(noon) Lunch (this may be on the road)
-2pm Arrive at Big Springs
-3:30pm Arrive at Seney N.W.R.
-6pm Setup camp and make dinner

Saturday October 1st
-8am Breakfast at campsite
-9am Depart for waterfall(s)
-10:30am Pictured Rocks National Lake shore
-12(noon) Lunch (we are brown baggin' it)
-2pm Recreational opportunities (hiking, fishing, naturalist identification, or just a relaxing afternoon)
-6pm Dinner

Sunday October 2nd
-8am/10:30am Breakfast and pack-out
-10:30am Exploration or fun (or maybe both)
-12(noon) Lunch
-6pm/8pm arrive back in East Lansing

*Any question contact Matt Ocko (ockomatt@msu.edu) or just leave a comment on the blog. I would like this to serve as a way for others to communicate about the trip as well in reference to camping supplies one might need!*