CHUCK HAUGEN CONSERVATION FUND 2004 ANNUAL REPORT

Chuck Haugen passed away while volunteering on Fort Ord on July 18, 2002. On January 9, 2004, the California Native Plant Society (CNPS) Monterey Bay Chapter Board of Directors approved the establishment of the Chuck Haugen Conservation Fund (CHCF). Part of the motion to approve this was that on December 1 the CHCF would provide a report to the CNPS Board and annually the chair of the CHCF would be confirmed by the CNPS Board. It seems appropriate on the Dec. 9, 2004, CNPS Board meeting for the CHCF to submit the following 2004 annual report to the CNPS.

Mission Statement

A new mission statement was unanimously approved on Dec 1, 2004 to read as follows: “The mission of the Chuck Haugen Conservation Fund is to appreciate and inspire volunteers and professionals who participate in the conservation of Monterey Bay’s ecosystems.”

For those interested, the former mission statement was as follows: “The mission of the CHCF is to increase networking between conservation organizations, support native habitat restoration, and aid conservation education. The latter will be supported by a memorial library."

Bylaws:

Bylaws have been drafted and CCC now reviewing them for final preparations. One important section is Article 2, Section one, and it reads as follows:

Section 1. Objectives and PurposesThe primary objectives and purposes of this corporation shall bea)to inspire and increase volunteer participation in conservation projects in the Monterey Bay Area Ecosystems. Activities will include native seed collection, non-native invasive weed eradication, beach COMBERS ( dead bird monitoring), promoting conservation events, and conservation education.

b) to appreciate and inspire professionals working in conservation related fields.This organization will facilitate community building through activities such as an annual picnic, grant awards, and lectures.

c) to aid the conservation education of volunteers and professionals by establishing and maintaining a memorial natural history library..Library may reside at CSUMB but only tentative discussions have taken place so far. All books have been catalogued by David Styer and are currently housed at the BLM office on Fort Ord available to check out by anyone.

Grants

Four $200 grants and one $75 were awarded to conservation organizations in 2004 and the recipients were as follows:

• Elkhorn Slough Foundation
• Beach Garden Project
• Watsonville Wetlands Watch
• Watershed Institute
• BLM Fort Ord Volunteer Program ($75.00)

Financial Report

A treasury report was provided via telephone by Treasurer Amanda Yantos on Dec. 1, 2004. Amanda reported that there was $4,092.93 in the CHCF checking account. This is in addition to the approximate $4681.63 residual balance in the CHCF Fund Account (reported by CNPS treasurer Jim Pittman to CHCF Chairperson Bruce Delgado via email on Dec.6 2004) held by the California Native Plant Society for the CHCF.

Approximately in June of 2004, $2500 intended for use as operating expenses was transferred by the CNPS Monterey Chapter account for CHCF to the CHCF and deposited into a Wells Fargo (Pacific Grove) checking account by the CHCF Treasurer Amanda Yantos. Amanda and CHCF Chair are the officials (signatories) of the account.

The $2500 was used as follows:

• $875.00 in grants
• $779.07 for the 2nd Annual Chuck Haugen Memorial Conservation Picnic
• $115 for reimbursement of volunteer expenses at BLM on Fort Ord
• $100 for beginning non-profit proceedings
• $1869.07 total

Picnic revenue and other donations totaled $3248.00 and so achieved one goal of the CHCF which was that revenues exceed expenses each year.

Chuck Haugen Memorial Library

On-going meetings with library officials and members of the CHCF library subcommittee continue and CSUMB may be the location to house the CHCF library.

Events

The 2004 July picnic was a huge success for CHCF because it was well organized, attended by 150 folks who participate in conservation efforts around Monterey Bay, everyone had a lot of fun, grants and awards were distributed, and the event raised approximately $3000, approximately $2200 above expenses for the event. Some details of the picnic are as follows: Booths:Representatives from CNPS, Watsonville Wetlands Watch, BLM, VWA, RON, and CHCF were there. Rising Leaf expressed interest for 2005 Silent Auction had about 35 items for $1200. Items collected by Phoebe Cushman and organized by Erin Harwayne. Erin distributed quite a few after the picnic was over. Awards went to Becky Christensen of the Elkhorn Slough Reserve, Wild Bird Center of Monterey, Tom Hopkins of VWA for Willow Creek, Paola Berthoin of Rising Leaf, and Joey Dorrell-Canepa of Beach Garden Project. Awards arranged by Phoebe Cushman. Jetta created some very nice certificates. Erin Harwayne collected more certificates issued by local dignitaries. Hikes: Sue Hubbard lead the 11:00 hike for one hour to see Seaside Birds Beak and other interesting plants. David Styer lead the 11:00 hike for 20 minutes for Birds, Bees, Butterflies. Bree Candiloro lead one with focus for children at 11:20. Phil Smith lead the 11:40 hike on Habitat Restoration and Plants. Bruce lead the 2 pm walk on Ft Ord Management: The Big Picture. Hikes arranged by Bruce.

Snow Cones and Popcorn were expertly run by the Styers and at least one small boyscout and made $250. Machines donated by Don Livermore of Los Arboles Middle School in Marina.

The tentative date for the July 2005 picnic is Sunday July 18.

Conservation Calendar

Jonathan Dune of CHCF has agreed to produce a volunteer events calendar so residents and visitors to the CNPS Monterey Chapter have a better chance of volunteering .

Misc.

The CCC meets once per month while subcommittees meet as appropriate.

Members of CNPS on Chuck’s Conservation Committee:

• David Styer
• Bruce Delgado
• Amanda Yantos
• Jan Shriner
• Bree Candiloro

Non-Members of CNPS on Chuck’s Conservation Committee:

• Jonathan Dune

Check box to search CHCF only

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