News

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We need your leaves!

Posted by Elisa ONeal on November 27, 2020 23:34 CST

Don't throw away your leaf bag, compost it with us!For one month only, we are asking that you drop off your leaf bag in the recycling area in our front parking lot. From there Gene Fisseler and Tom Scarscella will move it to a cleared area in the back portion of the sugar cane field. The two have partnered up to help create a compost area there where we hope to eventually recycle our bagasse (pressed cane) after the Harvest Festival. In year's past we have been hauling bagasse off-site to be recycled which is energy intensive and robs potential nutrients from our soil. Let's turn it into compost for our own needs. Your leaf bag contributions will help build the volume needed to get this compost going. So up until the end of December, don't leave it on the curb, bring it to the recycling area! If you have questions, contact Tom Scarscella at frozencat507@gmail.com.

We are in need of your old newspapers!

Posted by Elisa ONeal on August 8, 2020 14:31 CDT

The center is looking for ways to suppress weeds in the cane field and your old newspapers can help. They can be left on the porch at our Stewardship office in the maintenance yard. If you need help getting them back there, let Elisa know. She is at the center Tuesday - Thursday most weeks. Stewardship thanks you!

Camp supplies needed before June 15

Posted by Elisa ONeal on June 4, 2020 12:57 CDT

Consider donating your extras to the EcoEducation program. Here are some supplies they are looking for before June 15th for Summer EcoCamp:

panty hose

small bars of soap, (hotel size)

Thin ribbon

twist ties

pine cones

2L plastic bottles (only need a few)

12 or 16 oz plastic water bottles (only need a few)
Questions? Contact heather@abnc.org.

COVID-19 Response Training

Posted by Elisa ONeal on June 2, 2020 13:24 CDT

If you have been following our community wide emails and newsletter, then you might have heard that volunteering re-started June 1st with our new guidelines in place.

As we move forward, we kindly ask that all volunteers complete a virtual training session to learn about our new health safety guidelines and the check in/out system before returning to the center in a volunteer capacity.

Our staff and the volunteer board have worked together to develop these new guidelines to align with local and national authorities in order to help safeguard the health of our volunteers, guests, and staff. This training is mandatory.
We held 4 training dates in May and have already trained over 100 volunteers and staff members. We will be offering another set of dates in June:

Tuesday June 16th 10:00am
Wednesday June 17th 5:30pm
Saturday June 27th 10:00am

You can register online using this handy online form: https://forms.gle/8cVPtyx4nnNBfhrm6

If those dates do not work for you, then I will be offering another more dates in July and all subsequent months as long as needed until everyone is covered.
For the most up to date information on training availability, please subscribe to our community wide emails and the monthly newsletter. If you find that you are not receiving emails, please contact elisa@abnc.org to get back on the list.

If you have any questions about training, please contact your volunteer coordinator Elisa O'Neal at elisa@abnc.org

Signup for Snacks & Beverages Online!

Posted by Elisa ONeal on February 4, 2020 12:05 CST

You can now sign up to bring snacks or drinks to our monthly meeting online at signup.com. It's super easy and you don't even need to create an account to do it.

You may have used signup.com when signing up for the Martyn Farm Harvest Festival these past 2 years. Here is all you need to do:

1) Go to the signup.com page here: https://signup.com/go/UbNRwJJ
2) Find the date you want to bring snacks or drinks for and click the green " Sign Up" button.
3) On the next page, enter your email into the email field and click submit.

NOTE: SignUp.com DOES NOT share your email address with anyone. If you prefer not to use your email address, please contact elisa@abnc.org and we can sign you up manually.

If you haven't been to one of our volunteer meetings, considering joining us. We usually meet at 6:30 on the 2nd Thursday of the month Aug-May. Speakers are arranged to share their knowledge and experience in a variety of areas and topics from natural or cultural history to conservation and preservation. It really is a great way to expand and develop yourself while enjoying the company of fellow volunteers. Come out and see us!

If you have any questions, please email elisa@abnc.org.

Eco-Camp Requirements

Posted by Liz VanOrstrand on June 25, 2019 14:08 CDT

Our Education Department would like to do a paper mache project with the campers this summer, but they are in need for newspaper. Please note, they can not use any shiny paper or ads, just the newspaper sections. You can drop off the newspaper to the front office and let them know it is for education.
Thank you in advance.

Supplies needed for Eco-Schoolers

Posted by Liz VanOrstrand on August 14, 2018 14:18 CDT

As we move into our fall semester, we will need to restock our supplies for our classes. The Education Department is in need of wine corks, eye droppers (cleaned), cereal boxes, paper egg cartons and TP rolls. If you can help, just bring them to the front office and we will make sure they get to the Education Department.
Thanks again for all you do.

Supplies for Eco-camp

Posted by Liz VanOrstrand on May 11, 2018 10:08 CDT

Our Education Department is in need of the following supplies for Eco-Camp. If you have any of these supplies please bring them to the office and we will make sure they get to where they need to be. Thanks in advance.

2L clear, ( no color) , plastic soda bottles with caps
disposable aluminum pie pans
shoe boxes
play dough
smooth river rocks
nature magazines with lots of colored pictures

Needs for the Lab

Posted by Liz VanOrstrand on November 20, 2017 16:41 CST

If you have any old beach towels, large towels, hand towels or wash clothes you are looking to get rid of, please bring them to Kristin Hill, in the lab. Most of the towels in the lab are nearing the end of their life. Thanks you.

Attention Quilters

Posted by Liz VanOrstrand on November 15, 2017 10:25 CST

Beth Kartrude has past issues of quilters magazines that she would love to share. If anyone in interested in these magazines please let Liz VanOrstrand at liz@abnc.org know and she will put you in touch with Beth.

Volunteers Needed

Posted by Liz VanOrstrand on August 18, 2017 16:12 CDT

We have two volunteer opportunities come up in the next week.

On Friday, August 25 from 9 to 1 pm Raquel Lewis will be the Mistress of Ceremonies as she takes on the project of getting the Pole Barn back in shape. She could use 2 to 4 people to help her out.

Then on Tuesday, August 29 from 9 to noon, we will be giving the auditorium lobby a good cleaning and could use a few extra hands.

Animal Etiquette for the Public

Posted by Liz VanOrstrand on June 27, 2017 12:06 CDT

We have noticed that people need to be reminded about Animal Etiquette. Kristin has given us a few did different lines we can use to remind them of how to act. Please remember that most people don't understand that animals get stressed just like we do. It is our job to help them understand this universal concept. We all need to help people understand how to better connect with our resources.

Animal Etiquette for the Public

" Try to keep in mind that you are entering the animal's home and we want to keep them comfortable. Loud noises and rapid movements startle them."

" The quieter you are when observing educational ambassadors and wildlife, the more likely you are to observe their natural and interesting behavior. Try to avoid loud noises and rapid movements."

" When it comes to the educational ambassadors and wildlife you may see here at the Nature Center, remember proper viewing etiquette. Which includes, keeping voices low, limiting disruptive movement, not throwing items at animals/into enclosures, not tapping on glass/fence, and keeping hands and feet outside of enclosures."

Snakes are out

Posted by Polly Swerdlin on February 15, 2017 10:48 CST

From Tom Scarsella:

I saw a Copperhead in the vegetable garden tool shed on Sunday afternoon. It slithered away into the floor space under the cabinet. Nothing to worry about. We'll move some things away carefully with a goal of reducing the hiding places close to one's feet.

It was a pretty little thing; maybe a foot long and not at all interested in a confrontation. It may have been the same one Hilary and I found hiding under a tub by the compost in January. The snake and I met again in the shed on Sunday afternoon and there was a mutual retreat.

Reminding everyone that Spring has arrived and that snakes are likely to be encountered in all the usual places.

Coffee cans needed

Posted by Liz VanOrstrand on December 22, 2016 10:35 CST

I am in need of 12 empty 3 pound metal coffee cans. Please drop off at volunteer office. Thank you.

Labor Day

Posted by Liz VanOrstrand on August 30, 2016 14:08 CDT

Observed on the first Monday in September, Labor Day pays tribute to the contributions and achievements of American workers. It was created by the labor movement in the late 19th century and became a federal holiday in 1894.

That will be Monday, September 5th and ABNC will be open to the public on this day. If you are available to lead a hike, be a greeter, do a demo or any other the usual activities we have on the weekends, you are more the welcome to join us that day. As always just let the front desk know you are here and volunteering so that they can let the guesses know what to look for on site.

Thanks to all who,as always.