Treasurer's Report:   Balance Feb 28, 2007 was $15,378.86. Expenses were $198.88 for March. Balance March 31, 2007 was $15,243.17

Old Business:

The Outdoor Classroom paperwork was completed and sent in. A work day for finishing touches on this classroom has been set for Wednesday April 11th.

Compasses have been ordered.

Refuge Manager's report:

Congressman Baron Hill made an appearance at the BONWR this afternoon. Also there to greet him were BOCS members Lori & Wayne Hoffman, Deanna Robison, Ed Schaefer, Dale & Dianne Carson and Sara Leveille. We presented Mr. Hill with a framed bridge print which he stated would be hung in his Congressional office. One of his staff members expressed a desire to have one of the prints for their office. We also had a brief talk and brought up our desire to obtain stewardship of Old Timbers Lodge, and Mr. Hill questioned Mr. Paul Cloud about his thoughts on our hopes and then stated he would do what he could to move this process along. We also brought up the need for a visitors contact center. Joe Robb then gave Mr. Hill a tour of the Refuge, including a stop at the Lodge and pointed out where the planned visitors contact center site is. Mr. Hill spoke of getting things together quickly for the needed visitors center..

Joe stated Mr. Hill doesn’t like the restraining fence around the Refuge.

Mr Hill found a mushroom.

Passes have changed. The old Eagle and Golden passes are now called something else, but they will still work. 3 people per one pass are now allowed. Hunting passes are now a paid pass, no free pass allowed because of the hunting stamps.

Joe asks that we read the “Environmental Assessment for Hunting and Fishing on Big Oaks National Wildlife Refuge” found on the BONWR website and send a comment on the proposed options to him. This open comment has a deadline of April 17, 2007.

Daryl Karns, Hanover College, has been doing frog surveys.

The Refuge held their volunteer dinner March 30th, at the Clifty Inn restaurant. The Refuge awarded Casey Mefford their ‘Intern of the Year' award, and declared 3 BOCS members as ‘Volunteer of the Year' and presented Lori Hoffman, Dave Bear, and Zy Conner each with a gift certificate from Bass Pro Shop.

April 20 is the first day of Public Use Day at the Refuge. The Youth Turkey Hunt is the 21st and 22nd, the workshop and meal being held the 21st at noon.

New Business:

Dianne Carson is chairperson of the YTH meal. Jeanne Dugle moved that BOCS donate some items to this event, Jan seconded, all were in favor, motion carried.

Deanna has OWBO signs ready for putting up throughout the towns, needs people to do this. OWBO needs raffle items and donations. There is an OWBO meeting April 14th at 6:00pm, here in the refuge office.

Ed Schaefer moved that BOCS gift Congressman Hill’s staff with a framed bridge print, Steve Dugle seconded, all were in favor, motion carried.

A Membership Committee formed, consisting of Jeannie and Steve Dugle, Jan Kleopher, Ken Knouf and Joe Robb. This committee will be responsible for notifying members of meetings, dues reminders, and recruiting new members. The first meeting will be April 11th.

End.

Ed Schaefer moved the meeting be adjourned, Bill Poindexter seconded, all were in favor, meeting ended 7:15pm

Lori Hoffman
BOCS Secretary

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