Newsletter for Autumn 2006

Message from the Hay Flats

First Annual Meeting Celebration
AAPH celebrated our first year on April 29th, a great day for a spring picnic and gathering of friends, members and supporters. Spring migration was in full swing, and with days growing warmer and longer, spirits were high as everyone shared in our first year accomplishments—and good food!

The Board of Directors reviewed our first year’s completed goals, not the least of which was receiving IRS 501(c)(3) non-profit designation; official approval for the naming of beautiful “Reflections Lake”; and, representing the Refuge in the public process to address issues such as water quality, habitat restoration, acquisition and education.

The highlight of the day, however, was the announcement of a wonderful $15,000 ENDOWMENT from the estate of Harriet Richards, Mat Valley resident and ardent birder, who dearly loved the beautiful Palmer Hay Flats Refuge and all its flora and fauna.

APH member Marjorie Campbell presented this most wonderful, generous endowment and dedication to the memory of Harriet. Serving in the Army Nurse Corps during WW II, and continuing a long career as a Public Health Nurse, Harriet spent many years as an avid birder in the Mat Valley, thrilling each year to annual spring migration on the Hay Flats.

According to friend Marjorie and sister Betty, “If Harriet had lived longer, the Palmer Hay Flats is where she would want to be”.

In addition to habitat enhancement, improved trails and visitor access, key to the long term goals of Alaskans for Palmer Hay Flats is youth and adult education. Harriet’s wonderful endowment will serve as a legacy to her memory, as seed monies for our future natural science/education/community visitor facility overlooking the spectacular wetland habitat of the Refuge at Cottonwood Creek.

Thank you, Harriet. We are ever grateful!

Snowshoe School Field Trip
Early June provided a bonus day for kids at Snowshoe Elementary. APH and Wasilla Soil, Water & Conservation District office co-sponsored a rotating field trip day of learning for Snowshoe Elementary kids, on Cottonwood Creek. ADF&G, Wasilla SWCD, Mat-Su Borough Cultural Resources, teachers and parents were there to teach the kids about such exotic and important things as “riparian habitat” and “ecosystems”, as well as important feathered, furry and slimy creatures that live in and around the Hay Flats Refuge. Of great surprise and fascination to some, was their discovery of the ancient Native settlement sites on the high bluff along the Creek. It was a great “out of the classroom” day for everyone.

Trailhead Road Improvements—A Beginning
Long needed road improvements at Cottonwood Creek access were finally initiated in late July. Deeply rutted, neglected and overgrown, this important Refuge access point has invited and suffered abuse for years. With generous assistance from our Mat-Su Bed Tax Grant, we are finally able to begin our long-term plan for improved access to Cottonwood Creek. Board members, Wasilla SWCD and Forest Service fire training crew spent two arduous days of roadside clearing opening the roadway to more sunlight; when the rains subside, the roadway and upper parking lot will be graded and graveled, all-in-all, making access easier, safer and less inviting to abusers. We hope to complete this prior to hunting season, providing better access/camping areas for bird hunters.

Scout Ridge Overlook – A New ReDo!
This is how Scout Ridge Overlook looks now. Old and deteriorating badly, it is in need of complete replacement. Again, with our reimbursable Mat-Su Bed Tax Grant, along with a local Mat-Valley eager Eagle Scout, this important, and much enjoyed viewpoint on the high bluff at Cottonwood Creek will soon be transformed. The new one will be larger, safer and will even have a small roof overhead so you can still enjoy the beauty of the wetlands in mildly inclement weather. Also, the new version will include our first interpretive sign!

Eagle Scout Alex Allred, working with a local building contractor and Spenard Builders, expects to complete the project with his Eagle Scout Troop by early September. Stay tuned for report and photos of the new model!

Partners in Action - D.U. Cleans Up!
Members of the Alaska Chapter of Ducks Unlimited accomplished a major effort this spring—cleaning up Rabbit Slough access. One of three major access points for the Refuge, and conveniently concealed from view, it suffers trash abuse just like Cottonwood Creek and Reflections Lake. APH was unable to cover this area in its annual spring cleanup this year, so we’re really happy that D.U. stepped up to the plate! Thanks to everyone, especially to Terry Berger who wears two important hats - Mat Su Landfill go-to guy, and D.U.’s Mat-Su District Chairman. Together, all who care for the Refuge will do our part to assure this beautiful and essential habitat will remain healthy.

Featured Member - George Taylor
If you ever have a need to know about water quality, native and not-so-native invasive plants, or even all about those slimy, creepy crawlies lurking in the depths of the Mat Valley’s streams and lakes, George Taylor is the guy to ask. (That’s him, leaning over to mug for the camera.) Friendly and mild in demeanor, on any given project you can usually count on George to come up with a solution, offer assistance, and diffuse any tempestuous misconceptions about wise conservation practices on private or public lands.

Don’t look for him in the Wasilla Soil, Water & Conservation District office, though. He’s probably out in the field in boots and gloves, where he prefers working with kids restoring stream banks, meeting with land owners—agricultural and otherwise—about conservation issues and initiating, or checking on exciting, experimental projects like composting dog poop.

George has been an invaluable asset and good friend to APH from our beginnings. Recognizing the natural partnership of his mission and ours, he’s always at the ready with advice, assistance and support. The WSCD and local folks at USDA stand steadfast with us, as we work toward our goals of habitat integrity and enhanced visitor experiences for the Refuge. We are eternally grateful for their support! Thanks, George!

Issue Number One—Abuse
While great plans and great strides are being made toward a wider community stewardship and enjoyment of the Refuge, the abuse continues. Trash dumping, signage vandalism, destroyed vegetation and lead shot in wetland ponds from illegal shooting continue to plague Refuge habitat and impair enjoyment of responsible citizens. As we progress to upgraded public facilities and trailhead improvements, this unfortunate battle continues. No shooting/trash dumping signs are posted, so if you see these abusive violations occurring, please call the Alaska State Troopers number posted at 352-5401, and give them the license plate number of the abuser.

OPPORTUNITIES
APH is a non-profit member-based community stewardship organization. To date, the dedicated nine-member Board of Directors has been a true “multi-task” board, carrying the entire load. Help is needed to carry forward good things for the Refuge.

Currently there is a need for help in the following ways:

• Board member—financial experience preferred, for Treasurer’s position
   
• Board member—legal experience preferred, for advice & counsel
   
• Grant assistance —scoping, writing, monitoring, reporting
   
• Newsletter publishing/distribution—familiarity with publishing software
   
• Membership Committee—building membership, record keeping
   
• Fund Raising Committee—special events
   
• General office system set-up and record keeping

Please consider stepping forward to offer your talents and time to be part of this great organization and a great a future for your Refuge!

Contact us via email - Alaskans@PalmerHayFlats.org - or call (907) 373-7484, to volunteer and to join! We look forward to hearing from you!

Hunting Season on the Refuge started September 1st. Contact ADF&G for current hunting regulations:
Palmer Refuge Office: (907) 746-6330
1800 Glenn Highway, Palmer Alaska


 

Alaskans for Palmer Hay Flats is a citizen member 501(c)(3) non-profit corporation dedicated to caring for the Palmer Hay Flats State Game Refuge through civic awareness, education and enhancement projects.