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Vermilion County Conservation
Aspires to be an organization committed to all natural and wildlife resource conservation activities which ensure future growth and scenic enhancements for public use. Our mission is to support the efforts of the Vermilion County Conservation District through conservation of our natural resources, improvement of natural and scenic areas, and enhancement of the quality of life through all resource preservation. Board of
Directors: Directors: VCCD Liaison - Mark
Pittman The Vermilion County
Conservation District Foundation was organized in 1984 as a nonprofit
corporation and is funded through tax-deductible contributions, gifts of
land, stocks, insurance policies, or other assets. To make a
contribution or learn more about our activities, contact:
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November 2003 THE MARSH The Newsletter of the Vermilion County Conservation District Foundation
V.C.C.D. Foundation Sponsors Timber framing is a building technique that is a millennium-old craft. Known in Europe and the Mediterranean for over 2000 years, many timber frame buildings still in use date back over 800 years. Timber frames incorporate large dimension lumber with time-tested joinery. The Foundation and V.C.C.D. recently hosted the International Timber Framers Guild, who constructed the 30 foot observation tower at the Wetland Boardwalk. The timber framers hailed from Canada, England, New Hampshire, Wyoming, San Francisco, and many of the Midwestern states including Illinois. The main portion tower was completed on October 2, 2004, but will not open to the public until spring 2004, when the handicapped accessible ramp is completed. In the meantime, the tower is a sentinel, overlooking the wetlands. A beautiful sight, we eagerly await its grand opening. WELCOME TO THE OUTDOOR CLASSROOM School bells ring at the Vermilion County Parks too. The Outdoor School program developed by the V.C.C.D. staff is in its 31st year. Fourth and fifth grade students from Vermilion County and beyond are bused to Forest Glen and Kennekuk for 4 days of school in the outdoors each Fall and Spring. The classes, which meet many Illinois State Learning Standards, serve approximately 1,500 students each year. Instructors at Kennekuk are Mark Pittman and Lara Darling, while Gary Wilford and Mike Kotcher educate children at Forest Glen. Workbooks, sponsored in part by the Vermilion County Conservation District Foundation, are given to each student to keep. As the name implies, most studies are outside. Daily hands-on learning covers everything from endangered species to rocks, habitat and environmental issues. Hiking, discussions, exploration, and writing all about our natural resources fill the day. Ask your children or grandchildren, nieces and nephews about Outdoor School. Perhaps you can even count yourself as one of the 46,500 Outdoor School students educated by the Vermilion County Conservation District in the past 31 years! JORDAN CREEK WILDLIFE SANCTUARY The V.C.C.D. Foundation owns 550 acre Jordan Creek Wildlife Preserve, east of Rossville, IL. A gift from Eugene Schlecht, the acreage was given to the Foundation with the understanding that it be kept in its natural state, never to be developed. The land contains a dedicated Illinois Nature Preserve along Jordan Creek, which is home to several state endangered mussels. The preserve features several habitat types including riparian streams, wetlands, mature oak forest, savanna, secondary successional forest, grasslands, a seep, a small pond, and an old orchard. The Jordan Creek Preserve is not open to the general public. Admittance is allowed by special permit only. Recently, after obtaining permission from the V.C.C.D.F., a graduate student from the University of Illinois completed the first phase of a research project on tree growth and protection from deer browse damage. An estimated 300 oak trees of various species were planted using natural barriers made of osage orange, otherwise know as hedge apple, tree brush to protect them as they grow. Mark Pittman of the V.C.C.D. reports that many of the oak trees he has checked are doing very well. This project is long range, so only time will tell. Research on any V.C.C.D.F. or V.C.C.D. property requires a written request with documentation on any findings turned in as they are procured, and a final report upon conclusion. 2003 RAFFLE WINNERS Our first raffle fundraiser was a success. Thanks to all of you who purchased tickets. The drawing was held November 2 at the Homestead Cabin in Forest Glen. Congratulations to our winners: 1st prize - Robin Shouse won a beautiful framed 36"x24" photograph of "Fall on Lake Vermilion" donated by Joyce Knoblauch, Knoblauch Studios. Jane and Michael Holtz of Images Framing and Fine Arts donated the frame. 2nd prize - Gordon Thoennes won the V.C.C.D. gift basket containing certificates for shelter and boat rentals, books, and maple syrup. 3rd prize - Fred Underhill won a five-year membership to the Foundation. WELCOME The Foundation welcomes new and renewed members who have contributed through the District newsletter, the Conservationist. Thank you for your kind and generous response to our Foundation membership plea. |
