ONLINE: Friends of Cherokee Marsh Annual Meeting

press release: The annual member meeting of Friends of Cherokee Marsh is scheduled for Saturday, January 15, 10 am - noon. The meeting will now be online only, via Zoom.

We'll begin with a business meeting to review 2021, look forward to 2022 (our 15th year!), and elect directors for 2022-2023. Election information is below.

Our special guests will be Si Widstrand, retired Conservation Resources Manager for Madison Parks, and Brandon Mann or Jay Walters from the current Conservation Parks crew. Si will share with us the early history of Madison's Conservation Parks. Brandon or Jay will share what's happening now and planned for the coming year at Cherokee Marsh and other Conservation Parks.

10:00 - 10:30 am - business meeting

10:30 - 11:30 am - Madison's Conservation Parks: past, present, and future with Si Widstrand and current Parks crew

11:30 am - 12 noon - social time

ZOOM INSTRUCTIONS

To Join via Quick Link: https://us02web.zoom.us/j/84617360380?pwd=RzJ1VGJFNjlTSTRCbEZ5eXZJTjJSdz09

To Join from Zoom.com or Zoom app: Enter Meeting ID: 846 1736 0380; Passcode: 791040

To Join by Dial Up: Dial by your location

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        +1 312 626 6799 US (Chicago)

        +1 669 900 9128 US (San Jose)

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Meeting ID: 846 1736 0380; Passcode: 791040

To Mute, Raise Hand and Speak:  Please remember to hit the Zoom mute icon or *6 if on dial up to mute when not talking, thanks! This helps everybody hear better. Use the Zoom quick link or connect via Zoom.com or Zoom app rather than by dial up if possible for the best connection and sound. To get the Host's attention hit the Zoom raise hand icon or *9 on dial up and hit it again to lower your hand.  Hit the mute icon or *6 to unmute when the Host invites you to speak, then mute again after speaking.  We will be happy to repeat things if not clearly heard. 

Following the meeting, we'll post the recording online to view any time.

Meet the candidates

Our Board of Directors is responsible for planning, coordinating, communicating, and managing the activities of our organization. At our annual member meeting, members elect directors for the coming two years.

Directors Timothy Baker, Lesleigh Luttrell, and Mary Manering are in the middle of their 2-year terms and thus aren't up for re-election.

Our candidate slate for terms that begin at the 2022 annual meeting consists of current directors Jan Axelson, Mary Binkley, Sheila Leary, Jim Mand and Paul Noeldner.

Our board meets on the third Wednesday of the month at 5:30 pm at the Warner Park Community Recreation Center, 1625 Northport Dr. The meetings are open to all. To confirm the time (occasionally we reschedule) or request an agenda, contact Jan at (608) 215-0426 or janaxelson@gmail.com or any of our other directors.

If you are interested in joining our board, we invite you to attend a board meeting. Our bylaws permit adding interim board members at any time.  

Here are statements from the slate of five candidates for five positions with terms that will end at our member meeting in January, 2024:

Jan Axelson: Since moving to Madison’s Northside 21 years ago, I’ve spent many hours exploring the marsh on foot, skis, snowshoes, and by canoe and kayak. As the Friends begin our 15th year, I would like to continue working to encourage folks to visit the marsh for learning and enjoyment, to preserve and restore our public lands and waters in and around the marsh, and to protect the watershed in the face of development.

Mary Binkley: I wish to remain on the Friends of Cherokee Marsh Board of Directors because I firmly believe in the necessity of preserving and improving the land and waters in and around Cherokee Marsh. Having a background as a Naturalist, I have given many nature tours of Cherokee Marsh trying to help others appreciate what is outside, and hoping they will want to help preserve and improve the beauty and diversity here.

Cherokee Marsh has changed dramatically through the impact of people, and will benefit through restoration efforts to return it to a more natural, healthy nstate. I wish to be a part of this.

Sheila Leary: I am finishing my third year on the Friends board. As a resident of Madison’s Northside for more than 30 years, I have a profound appreciation for the Cherokee Marsh public lands—as precious habitat for flora and fauna, as respite for stressed humans, and as hardworking wetlands providing flood control and water filtration.

After a career in communications, marketing, and event-planning, I enjoy applying those skills to varied projects for the Friends of Cherokee Marsh. I am also a certified Wisconsin Master Naturalist and lead wildflower walks at the Marsh. In the spring and fall, I help pull garlic mustard and gather seeds. If re-elected, I look forward to continuing those efforts and to introducing some new educational events at the Marsh when the pandemic eases.

James Mand: Having just completed my first term on the Board of Directors, I would like to submit my name to be elected to a second term on the board. Have enjoyed working with other board members and group members in promoting the goals of the Friends, through educational opportunities, volunteer work parties with City & Parks departments.  

Have also been the Bluebird Monitor for Cherokee Marsh North Unit for 5 years now, checking and maintaining 20 nest boxes.

And have recently started taking care of the 6 kiosks (2 brand new) at the various Cherokee Marsh units and 2 county parks units in the watershed.

Posting notices of upcoming events for the public, such as nature walks and volunteer opportunities.  

Originally from Chilton WI (Calumet County), have had a life-long interest in nature and birds.

Graduated from WSU-Oshkosh in Biology, and Geology.

Have lived in the Madison area for 40+ years. Retired 5 years ago from a production management position with a local metals manufacturing company.

Live in the Cherokee Condos near the marsh.

Paul Noeldner: Being a board member of Friends of Cherokee Marsh continues to offer wonderful special volunteer opportunities and I would love to continue to help contribute. I enjoy helping with newsletter articles, events and collaboration on volunteer activities with Parks staff and other groups.

My main contribution is helping organize and lead Madison FUN partners co-sponsored year round family and kid friendly Bird and Nature Adventures and other outreach and education activities to help connect more people and diverse communities with Cherokee Marsh and with our Friends group and to help grow support for our goals.