September already! Usually my notes start with a short natural history of something I’ve seen recently at Lac Lawrann. And while the temperatures are still indicating summer, a lot of changes are happening at Lac Lawrann and that is what I will focus on today. The first big change is that Craig Hoeppner, the Director of Parks, Recreation and Forestry for the city of West Bend has moved on to a new position in another city. Craig has been a staunch supporter and volunteer at the conservancy since he arrived in West Bend 15 years ago. To find out how much Craig has done for the people of West Bend all you have to do is look around the city. Regner Park, splash pad and bath house, Quaas Creek, Veterans Park, East side River restoration and Ridge Run, and more, not to mention Lac Lawrann. The city was fortunate to have his guidance and we look forward to the city quickly hiring his replacement and working with them to continue moving forward with all these quality of life initiatives in the city. We however, will be fortunate to have Craig continue with us at the Conservancy as he will be joining us as a voting board member at our next board meeting. Joining Craig on the Friends Board will be Wendy Wosoba. Wendy has been a board member in the past and in returning will bring with her experience in organizing and scheduling the Nature in the Classroom volunteers and working on our annual wildflower sale. We look forward to welcoming them both at our September 18 board meeting.
Another, yet equally important, change at Lac Lawrann is the hiring of our new Conservancy Naturalist, Courtney Cox-Poulsen. Courtney comes to us having completed Master Naturalist training at the Schlitz Audubon Nature Center. She is currently serving on the board of the Waukesha County Land Conservancy and has worked as a volunteer naturalist at Urban Ecology Center and the Retzer Nature Center. Most recently Courtney also worked as a Land Steward and Naturalist at Hawthorn Glen Nature Center in Milwaukee. Courtney brings her passion for nature and outdoor education to Lac Lawrann and I look forward to having you meet her at our Luminary Walk, October 12, from 6 to 9 PM.
See you on the trails at LLC.
Paul
