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ALPENA -- Wildlife Sanctuary pamphlets, insect traps, and the Artist in Residence rogram were agenda items when the Alpena Wildlife Sanctuary Board met recently at Alpena City Hall.
Board member Lucille Bray reported that pamphlets describing the Wildlife Sanctuary and Island Park have been sent to the Michigan Department of Transportation for distribution at Welcome Centers throughout Michigan. Pamphlets will also be distributed locally and will be in the pamphlet rack at Duck Park by Memorial Day.
Chair Terry Gougeon announced that permission has been granted again this year to Michigan State University to place insect traps on Island Park. This is the fourth year for the Long Horned Beetle tracking which MSU Forest Entomology students conduct to serve as an early warning for any invasive nonnative species that might show up and also to facilitate control measures.
Sixteen different species of the beetle have been captured over the past three years and no nonnative invasive species have been trapped.
The Artist in Residence program, with Edith Gerber as coordinator, will focus this year on local artists due to a lack of housing for a visiting artist.
Sanctuary Board Secretary and River Center Chair Judy Kalmanek stated that Phase 1 plans for the River Center are well underway with reserve funds to be available for Phase 2.
Montiel Birmingham, Alpena City Planning, Development and Zoning Director and City liaison to the Wildlife Sanctuary Board, described ongoing discussions about tree plantings recommended for Alpena city streets. When finalized, the list could also be a good reference for homeowners.
The importance of tracking donations was discussed as important to reflect the actual costs of board projects.
Heartfelt thanks was extended to Board Secretary Judy Kalmanek for her tireless effort and dedication to both the Wildlife Sanctuary and to the River Center.