Nature Vancouver

 

Present: Cynthia Crampton (chair), Jude Grass, Bill Kinkaid, Daniel Overmyer, Nigel Peck, David Cook, Adrian Grant Duff, Viveka Ohman, Jeremy McCall, Dorothy Nelson (recording). 

Cynthia welcomed everyone to the meeting and introduced Daphne Hamilton-Nagorsen as a potential new Director.

2. Regrets Margaret sends regrets.

M/s by Viveka/David that the agenda be approved with the addition of 12.b. Venues and 13. Policy Binder update and 16. New BoD member.

Moved/sec by David/Dan that the minutes be approved as amended. Carried. Agreed that the minutes should be posted on the website.

None

6. Correspondence - none

    Jeremy has distributed the draft budget to the Board and asked for comments and corrections. He describes the document as an information item awaiting further adjustment and approval will not be requested until it is presented in January. Cutoff for financial statements was September 30.

Daniel has distributed the report from the working group with the intention that, when it is adopted by the Board, it will serve as useful information for work in the field. Daniel’s note with his submission reads:

 

David commented that before adoption, the report must be approved as revised by those whose input was solicited, particularly Terry Taylor. Cynthia questioned the value of further delay. Finally, it was agreed that review by members of the Group would be sought with a “Notice of Vote” to facilitate timely completion before the next Board meeting.

The report was received with thanks by the Board and the quality applauded.

9. Vancouver Naturalist

Julian informed the Board that a printing company called Infigo can print The Naturalist cheaper than ColorTime and probably in a more timely manner. Jeremy suggested that Infigo be hired to do the next printing at the end of November. He will prepare a survey for members at large for that issue.

Jeremy reported that Roxanne Paul has resigned as copy editor due to other employment. The next issue is close to publication-ready. It will include an article on Surrey Bend by Ron Kitrick. Marion Coope is still involved and will submit an article.

Christine Adkins and Marian Coope have done some work on the Index. A supplement, to the original index, prepared by Roland Wahlgren is available on the Website.

Viveka distributed the completed pamphlet, a copy for each Director. Members of the Board expressed appreciation of the high quality of the publication. Sheila Byers has a plan for distribution of the total 6000 copies, the bulk of which will go to the Vancouver Aquarium and Stanley Park Ecology Society, with 500 copies for Nature Vancouver.

Jude reported that neither she nor the Birding Committee has seen the contract with Harbour Publishing. Daphne Solecki has requested to issue the deadlines notice.

No information from Ron Long as yet.

Adrian reported to the Board that Unity Church (Oak St. at 42^nd) has extended its willingness to accommodate additional section meetings with a reduced rate of $160/meeting, reduced from $200. Question whether to move to the Unity site in January or in May, decided January preferable. Botany, Conservation and possibly Marine Biology (now at the Aquarium but agreed to abide by the decision of the BoD) will be held at Unity Church. Moved/sec by Jeremy/Adrian that Adrian confirm this arrangement with Bob Gault. Jeremy will cancel with the Museum (Botany will be at the Museum for the remainder of 2009) and Birding section will remain at St. Mary’s Anglican Church.

Policy Binder update. Jeremy has received comments and corrections for the guidelines draft document for field trips. The Guidelines will be published on the Website and members encouraged to read them before attending trips.

Moved/sec by Jeremy/Dan to adopt the guidelines and waivers as revised with the inclusion of David’s recommendation that waivers include the term “private lands” for walks in West Vancouver. Carried. The waiver for Camp is yet to be designed with Chris Holmes. Jeremy was commended for his work on these documents.

John Rawsthorne will be notified that Policy updates for the president’s page and camp page need updating.

  No new updates

Birding Section - Jude reports she has been reelected Chair. All speakers are confirmed for the year. With regard to security at Iona sewage treatment plant, access to the gated part will be restricted during the Olympics. Jude is contact and holds the code for access; both front and back gates are now repaired.

Bill Clark will teach a basic and an advanced section of the raptor workshop in January. Fees have been raised by $15 per registrant. 

Christmas bird count dates include Vancouver December 20, Ladner, Dec 27, White Rock January 3.

A letter has been sent to Vancouver Mayor and Council re cat licensing.

Botany Section – David reports an attendance of 60 at Bill Merrilees’ presentation, “Mega-herbs of the sub-Antarctic” at the October meeting, probably due to his 1500 emails sent out. The site proved unsatisfactory so Botany will move to the Museum.

Cyprus presentation will be put forward to a later date.

Geology Section – no report.

Evening Programs and Workshops – Jude reports no changes.

Conservation Section – Daniel reported he is now chairing meetings. He is promoting a focus on action for the section. Topics of interest include GVRD Parks, municipal parks, ALR, UBC Farm all of which inspire action.

Jeremy reports that additional copies of the booklet designed by Bev Ramey’s daughter, Stella Ramey, to benefit and distributed at UBC Farm have been printed by UBC AMS. They are available at the kiosk at the Farm.

Camp Committee – Bill reported several members have written articles for Discovery magazine on Cinnabar camp. Plant and bird lists from Smithers but not from Cinnabar will be published as well.

Next year’s camp will not be at Keystone-Standard Basin as planned. The Forest Service requires human waste be transported out which is unmanageable. It is likely that this policy will cover all remote sites in future. The next camp will therefore be at Meadow Mountain, North of Kaslo, and West of Meadow Creek. No helicopters are needed. Final decision will be made by the Committee at the Nov 4 meeting.

Marine Biology Section – Viveka reports speakers are:

Dr. Craig Orr, on Salmon aquaculture, November 12

Jan Reynolds from the Aquarium, on the private life of Cichlids in Tanganyika, Dec 10

No Marine Biology program will be held in February.

Field Trips – Field trips most weekends ongoing.

Outreach – Nigel reported Worksafe fair very successful for 2 full days, with good promotion by Daniel. Nigel reported books sold and more ordered by Translink for use as prizes.

YNC – Cynthia reported from Daphne Solecki: 170 new members, fund-raising ongoing. Viveka will lead a walk with 10-14 year olds for Explorer Days to Debouville Slough, Port Coquitlam.

 

        Daphne Hamilton-Nagorsen attended the meeting as a potential Director, and agreed to serve. Welcome Daphne.

      Jude reports the new projection screen is secured after meetings.

 The meeting was adjourned at approximately 9:15 PM.