Minutes

St John’s University Arboretum
Community Education Committee

Meeting Minutes: Monday, December 17, 2001

Attending: Linda Mock, Tom Kroll, Father John Kulas, Scott May, John Geissler, Steve Saupe, and Janette Monear

Agenda:

1. Define mission and focus of committee –

Mission: Inspire environmental awareness, sustainable land use, and spiritual renewal through programs and educational opportunities in the spirit of Benedictine hospitality.

Audience: The question was brought up about the numbers of people that the Arboretum could draw and we discussed how we could provide outreach and education and not have thousands of people descend upon the campus/grounds randomly. It was decided that we would create formalized targeted educational opportunities for the public but we would target the audiences in a concentric circle around the campus. Center of circle being the monastery, students, staff, alumni, adjoining neighbors, Arboretum members, and then general public. We also decided that we would encourage family activities but would focus efforts on adults (K-12 committee covers school children). It was also suggested that we start looking at existing partners for opportunities to jointly provide programs. Examples: Minnesota Dept of Natural Resource training programs, Tree Trust Best Management Practices Workshops for builders/developers and natural resource professionals, The Nature Conservancy, Minnesota Society of Arboriculture, etc. and also look at the possibility of having board members create and present workshops.

2. The team created a list of possible programs and activities and identified months that they could be implemented.

Possible Seasonal Events

January

• Snowshoe Trek

February

• Owl Hoot

March

• Bonfire-Wolf Howl
• Cross Country Ski tour

April

• Spirit of the Trees Documentary
• Maple Syruping

May

• Plant/wildflower Tour
• (16 th)– Best Management Practices for Tree Preservation – Tree Trust, SJU, DNR and the

Minnesota Builders Assn.

• Plant sale working with Master Gardeners, Garden Clubs
• The Nature Conservancy

June

• 2 Senior Tours/Activities
• Bluebirds and Creating & Maintaining a Bluebird Trail

July

• 2 Senior Tours/Activities
• Neighborhood Block Party (landowners adjacent to Arboretum)
• Wildflower Tour
• Marriage Encounter Week – create activity/tour

August

• 25th Anniversary – tours/tree walk/chapel walk etc.
• Journal writing and the Environment

September

• Minnesota Society of Arboriculture Annual Conference
• Chainsaw Safety

October

• Prairie grass tour and seed collecting
• (10th) – Homecoming – Special Event
• Bird Watching - Migration

November

• Yulelog/Wreathmaking

December

• Volunteer Recognition with Christmas Concert

We will charge for classes and tours when appropriate. We would also like to identify classes, tours etc. that can be led by Arboretum Advisory Council members. The above list of activities is categorized into seasons and not all events will be implemented in 2002. Budgets will be created when programs are finalized. Other areas of consideration: Outdoor painting or photography classes could be incorporated if teachers could be identified. Volunteer teachers could be from the Monastery, Arboretum members, and organizations like the Audubon Society etc.

Public announcements will be made about the programs and information for campus visitors will be made available.

Proposed Schedule of Events for 2002

January

• Snowshoe Trek

February

• (19th)Owl Hoot

March

• Bonfire Wolf Howl

April

• Maple Syruping (rite of spring pancake breakfast, Prep School Fundraiser?)
• Spirit of the Trees Documentary

May

• Wildflower tours and plant sale
• The Nature Conservancy
• (16th) Best Management Practices Workshop. Tree identification, selection, and care.

June

• Bluebird Trail (National Audubon Society)

July

• Wildflower tours – day and evening

September

• Minnesota Society of Arboriculture Annual Conference
• Chainsaw safety

October

• Seed collecting
• (10th) Homecoming – Special events

December

• Volunteer Recognition with Christmas Concert

As volunteers and partnerships are created the activities will expand but for now we will need to keep things simple so John can continue his work with students, the school district, and ongoing education.