Working with the city’s Lake Services crew has helped productivity.

He talked about our work done in partnerships: with CWLP on their property, which is especially making a difference now that neighbors are understanding our goal. Vern called out Greg Feeny and Joel Johnson for special recognition on the massive amount of work they have devoted to the bike trails and the special landscaping flair Joel has brought to their efforts.

Our workdays have included many days at Audubon’s Adams Wildlife Sanctuary, 5 days at the Wolf, 3 days at Gudmunson, 1 each at Knuppel, Robinson and Nipper, and 1 day at the Lael wetlands, along with a fire day. It’s how we get most of our work done and Vern emphatically said, “Our volunteers make FOSV what we are.” He said we can be proud of our stewardship effort and that no one else is doing this at the same scale in our area. He recounted our workdays: 47 this year with the Tuesday and Thursday days (the “retiree” workdays) being particularly popular. He remembered George Rose, the difference he made, and how we will miss him. He introduced the board members and reminded folks that being on the board is a real way to make a difference and participate in the group. Plus, Mike Kennedy, whose been lurking at our last several board meetings, has joined us for his first term. Welcome back Bob Barewin, Angi Davis, Charlene Falco, Peggy Goetsch, John Justice, George Sinclair, and Jim Struebing. After taking nominations from the floor (there were none), several board members were re-elected to two-year terms. The business meeting portion was short and predictable, nothing wrong with that. Friends of the Sangamon Valley annual meeting at Nipper Wildlife Preserve in Loami. It was quite cold, but that didn’t stop peer pressure from getting a tour going. 44 people came out and enjoyed six different chilis and soups, not to mention great home-made cup cakes.

We had a record turnout for our Annual Meeting at Nipper Sanctuary in Loami on February 1, 2020.

Rescue birds sangamon county