Meeting Minutes
Wednesday June 1, 2022
6PM @ Black Hill Ranger Station
Attendees:
Gabrielle Oldham Michael Morgan Katie Kranich
John Bennett Ron Anderson Kathie Jarmon
Rob Feldt Dori Murphy
Gabrielle brought the meeting to order at 6:04PM.
The June minutes were reviewed, and approved.
Treasurer’s report
1) John reported that CDs need to be renewed.
Motion: John motioned that CDs be renewed for another 6 months, Kathy seconded. The motion passed unanimously.
2) John reported no other activity.
Big Tree Program
Update:
John gave the county report, and details are provided below:
Five trees were nominated by owners at the St. Mary Anne’s Garden
Mart. To date, none have been
measured. One owner sent the necessary
photo and circumference information; it was a scarlet oak and was too small to
qualify. The other owners have been sent
their paperwork and a request for a photo of the tree and an approximate circumference
measurement to see if their trees would qualify. To date, none of the others have responded
with the requested material. As far as
he knows, we do not have any additional information on the mockernut at Elk
Neck State Park or the 5 potential nominations at Bohemia River State Park. John Hudock
mentioned he found another mockernut on Elk Neck SF property near the fire
tower.
John asked Joli McCathran
if she would allow Katie to measure trees by herself and/or with Rich if she
chooses. Joli
responded that the Cecil Board needs to decide.
John recommends an email to that effect be sent to Joli.
State Report:
State-wide 51 trees were measured/re-measured in May. This is a new record! 113 new trees have been measured in the first
5 months of 2022. This is also a new
record! Six new State
champions/co-champions were measured: Sweet Birch, Gunpowder Falls State
Park, 249 points (multi-trunk tree, not eligible for US Champion status); American Bladdernut, C & O Canal,
49 points (submitted as a new US Champion); Yellow Poplar, privately owned in Charles County, co-champion, 460
points; Common Witchhazel,
Gunpowder Falls State Park, 62
points; Eastern Red Cedar, privately
owned in St. Mary’s County, co-champion, 251; Umbrella Magnolia, Lake Roland, 108 points, tri-champion; Black Willow, privately owned,
Baltimore County, 224 points (second largest example ever recorded in MD—Fred Besley had the largest in 1956).
John isn’t sure if the BT bumper stickers will be reprinted (7 ½ x 3 ¾ in size). The question is about funding. He feels 500 units would be a good start.
NRCC Update:
Gabrielle gave the NRCC camp update:
· Gabrielle gave the report on NRCC and that they are close to 40 people—gaining people but also losing a few.
·
Gabrielle reports a good mix of boys and girls.
·
They are planning to have everyone tested, and
the students will need to test on-site, before the
parents leave. Staff must also. Students will be advised to test prior to
making a potentially 3+ hour car ride to camp.
·
All speakers are lined up.
·
No night counselors are available. This can be a safety issue, as that person is
the first response. A request may need
to be put out to county Forestry Boards.
·
Website Update:
Ron gave the update:
· He replaced a black oak champion.
· The minutes for April were added.
· Not much website activity.
·
Old Business:
· Ron reported on ash survival and there was some discussion about trunk injection. He says Spotted Lanternfly is spreading.
· Kathy’s black oak was a state champ but died and had to be removed. Michael reported the base of the tree was 18,000lbs.!
· June 8th Elkton Commissioner’s meeting—Ron and Gabe will be attending to promote a relationship between the board and Elkton.
·
New Business:
· The FRA of a timber sale on the Fincham property in Port Deposit was reviewed. There were no comments, and the board recommended that it proceed as presented.
Motion: John motioned the Fincham FRA timber sale proceed as reviewed. Ron seconded. The motion passed unanimously.
The meeting was adjourned approximately 8:17PM.
The next meeting will be held on July 6th at 6PM.