2013 Winter Newsletter - Ballard Nature Center

The Monarch Messenger
The Newsletter of the Ballard Nature Center
Winter 2012
Just a little touched?! Here at Ballard Nature Center we are surrounded by people who are just a little touched! Yes, there are
people who are crazy enough to give up a weekend afternoon to
serve as hosts at the visitor center, wash windows and vacuum
rugs, or even spend hours with a chain saw clearing trails after a
wind storm. And, there are those who donate hard-earned money to enable us to pay the monthly bills and to purchase supplies
for educational programs, maintenance, and improvements.
Judy Jansen, who has been a friend of the center for
nearly 15 years, admits to saying, when first she saw the area
that would become Ballard Nature Center right after Ernie Ballard had donated the farmstead, “How will this place ever make
a go of it?” Her son Roger and husband John had replied, “It
will!” Now Judy tells about being truly impressed by the excellence of the educational opportunities offered at the center. “I
can’t believe the number of children who go through here, learning so much about nature. I am moved by the thought of how
wonderfully the center draws people together, and I am so glad
to be a part of that.”
Another volunteer who admits to being touched is Mike
Clagg, who on any given day may be seen working at maintaining trails, mowing the grounds, or helping create a new display.
He says, “I know that all the hard work is worth it when I see
the kids get so excited about the center, like when they go running through the maze which I make for them every fall.” He
adds that he likes seeing people taking pictures of family members on the bridges and decks he has helped build.
Go ahead, ask a friend of the center this question:
“Whatever possesses you to be so generous?” You might hear
him or her say that it is just so touching to watch families enjoy
nature. You might hear the volunteer declare, “A person gets
back what he or she gives.” Another may say, “Helping someone feel a little joy makes a person feel joyful.”
I believe that such truly giving individuals are compelled
by a unique sense of civic responsibility or maybe they are encouraged by a cause perceived as significant. I know, for sure,
that such wonderful individuals are possessed by a remarkable
enthusiasm for life.
Judy Jansen, mowing one hot summer day.
Deb Scholes, explaining a game’s rules
Mike Clagg, building an arching bridge
Upcoming Programs
Christmas Break Program
“Winter Olympics” on Friday, December 28th
Learn how truly amazing animals and plants are!
Which animal wins the gold for being the best digger?
Which frog can leap the farthest?
Which plant grows the fastest?
There will be fun games & challenges to see how well we
compare to these natural Olympians. For kids ages 6-9.
“Did you know
that some frogs can
leap 10 times their
body length?”
Family Science Night
“Touch Another World” on Saturday, February 9th
Touch the Moon! Touch Mars! Rocket over to BNC, Feb. 9th, 6:00 PM
During this year’s science night, we will explore the solar system and examine
some truly extra-terrestrial objects. Professor extraordinaire Brian Poelker and
his EIU education majors will guide us through hands-on learning stations.
We might create some meteor impact craters of our own! It is sure to be a blast!
Enchantment in the Woods
Spring Program on Saturday, March 23rd at 1:00 PM
“Lions and Tigers and Bears, Oh My!” Although you will not encounter such scary creatures in the center’s woodlands, you will
see a troll (but don’t worry Billy Goat Gruffs will protect us)!
Watch youth volunteers from local Girl Scout and Boy Scout
clubs perform enactments of children’s fables and tales.
Play the exciting game of “Do You Know Your Fairytales?”
Take a stroll with us into the woods; it may not truly be enchanted, but it is definitely enchanting!
For kids of all ages and the young-at-heart.
~Registration is required for these programs. Call 618-483-6856, e-mail us: ballardnc@frontiernet.net~
We hope to see you at Lone Star Steakhouse in Effingham on December 20th.
If you need a break from your Christmas shopping or the kitchen on Dec. 20th, make
Lone Star Steakhouse your choice. On this day the restaurant will donate 15% of your meal
purchase to Ballard Nature Center as part of their “Dine & Donate” program. Just present this
invitation to your server or ask at the host/hostess stand for a flyer to present to your server.
Flyers are also available at the nature center. Please help spread the word. Thank you!
New handicapped-accessible trail, here under construction, has been funded by the Koboldt Trust &
Effingham County Community Foundation.
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The new retaining wall on the center’s
east side will come alive this spring
when plants are added. It is funded
by the COHIHO Family Foundation.
We are honored that organizations which offer grants find us worthy. We always strive to exceed expectations.
Controlling Invasive Exotics
Glyphosate, a mild herbicide, is
used to treat bush honeysuckle
The center received a grant from the Wildlife Preservation Fund to control
exotic plant species on its property. Invasive exotics are non-native species that
reproduce prolifically and compete aggressively with native species. They compromise the diversity of the ecosystems they invade. Roughly 40% of the species
considered endangered in the U.S. are considered to be threatened due to the
spread of invasive species. Unfortunately, many invasive plant species were intentionally introduced to the U.S. for erosion control, wildlife cover, landscaping, etc. Species which the center is battling include Japanese Honeysuckle,
Multiflora Rose, Bush Honeysuckle, Sericea lespedeza, and Winged Euonymus
(burning bush). Invasive exotics at the center have been kept to a minimum, and
with the help of this grant we can continue working to protect the diversity of
our habitats. It is a never-ending job and will always be a concern.
We here at the center are truly touched. We are complimented by the show of support.
This year’s banquet was a huge success, both at raising funds & offering entertainment.
Thanks goes to all who attended and donated.
Please spread the word: “BNC is great. Donations are tax-deductible.”
JUST
JUST--FOR
FOR--FUN PAGE
TriBond—Nature Style
“What do these three things have in common?”
“Triceratops,” “tricycle,” and “triangle” all start with “tri.”
Each has three of something. A tricycle has 3 wheels; a triangle
has 3 sides; and a triceratops has 3 horns. “Tri” means three.
In this game you will have to figure out what the three things
in each triangle have in common.
Frogs in
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Birds at
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Santa’s
Reindeer
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A Fox
5.
Snail
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Santa’s
Elves
Egg
Turtle
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Christma
Tree
Poison
Home for
a queen,
workers,
drones
4.
Lady
Bug
Birds
Trillium erectum
(Wake Robin)
Bobcat
Triangulate Orb
Weaver
Triceratops
Three-toed
Box Turtle
Star Trek’s
Spock
Answers: 1. Sing, 2. Hive 3. Fly, 4. Spots,
5. A shell, 6.Pointy ears, 7.Green
rs at
Carole
as
Christm
Triangle
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React c
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Tricycle
—
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The
Incredible
Hulk
Hey, all you budding biologists, young explorers, junior natural-
ists, and eco-explorers, tell your folks that you want to go to
Ballard Nature Center for Summer Nature Camp starting in
June, July, or August. Also, remind them that you must sign up
for the camps and registration will be held on May 1st and 2nd.
Touching
This World
Dave Scholes shows a young
archer proper technique
Bonnie Starwalt, placing the hat just so
In the hands of Brian Poelker, an ordinary
soda bottle becomes a science experiment
Serengeti Steve allowed touching of his
exhibit reptiles and what fun everyone had!
During this year’s Outdoor Day on October 20th, little hands (and big ones) touched reptiles, llamas, folk toys,
tomahawks, bows and arrows, and fishing poles, even a few fish. Many watched Serengiti Steve show how
best to touch a live alligator and heard him tell that the tamed alligator would not bite, but when he gave a
sudden yell while holding the alligator’s nose against his eye, everyone just about jumped out of their seats.
Of course, he was just teasing and we all laughed and later some actually volunteered to hold other tamed
creatures. Outdoor Day participants were even able to touch history when re-enactors, a “frontiersman” and a
“Native American,” revealed the tools and trades of historic times. We watched canine demonstrations, had
our faces painted, and rode the nature train. Just like real scientists, kids performed experiments using twoliter bottles. After seeing live owls, children listened to owl stories, read by members of the National Road
Reading Council, and then little fingers touched delicious “owl” cookies but only for a second before the
cookies disappeared into little mouths. Learning about nature was the emphasis for the day, but lots of touching and watching and even tasting, along with loads of smiling and laughing, was the consequence.
Donating were the City of Altamont, Doug McCain, and Kathy Stokes. Some presenters donated their time and talent. Many helped.
Please remind a teacher: “We love doing naturalists-in-the-classroom presentations in winter.”
E-mail: ballardnc@frontiernet.net
Website: www.ballardnaturecenter.org
Phone: 618-483-6856
We are on Facebook!
Hours
Visitor Center
Mon - Fri : 8:00-4:00
Saturday: 12:00–4:00
Sunday: 1:00-4:00
Closed Sunday & Monday November through February
Trails & Fishing Pond
Everyday—Dawn to Dusk
Ballard Nature Center
Staff
Patty Gillespie—Co-Director
Karan Greuel—Co-Director
Board of Directors
President—Samantha Childerson
Vice-President—Terry Esker
Secretary—Mary Ann Hoeffliger
Treasurer—Stan Kirchhofer
Debbie Clagg
Scott Ealy
Mark Flack
Elaine Kopplin
Chris Niebrugge
Marge Shubert
idays!
ol
Happy H
Breakfast Fundraiser- December 8th, 2012
The December 8th breakfast at Mason Christian Church
will benefit Ballard Nature Center. Join them between
7:00-10:00 AM for a delicious menu consisting of:
Biscuits and gravy
Pancakes
Scrambled eggs
Sausage
Cinnamon rolls
Coffee, milk, chocolate milk, juice
Cost is $6.00 for adults and $4.00 for children 12
and under.
Ballard Nature Center
5253 E. US Hwy 40
Altamont, IL 62411