Steve Jakubcin

ALPENA — The Alpena Wildlife Sanctuary Board held its monthly meeting recently at Alpena City Hall. Discussion items included Island Park maintenance, Thunder Bay River Center update, and the local Artist-in-Residence plans.

Steve Jakubcin, this year’s Artist-in-Residence, presented a brief outline of his plans for this summer using photographic media. He has a broad background of varied creations and will offer a hands-on class for anyone interested.

Judy Kalmanek, River Center chair, reported that fundraising and grants for the River Center are going well with plans for Phase 1 going forward. Fundraising sales of wildflower seed packets are being helped by robotics students from Alpena High School and Hillman High School Honor Society.

Terry Gougeon, Wildlife Sanctuary chair, announced ongoing plans for 50 National Guardsmen from the Combat Readiness Training Center to volunteer for spreading wood chips on trails at Island Paark. This will take place on Friday, June 9 on Island Park.

Board members also discussed how social media could enhance education and preservation of the Wildlife Sanctuary. Also discussed were signs giving information about ticks, vandalism concerns, and loons and sandhill cranes nesting in the Sanctuary.