FEBRUARY 2012
Head Dear Contact First Name,
 

photo25th Anniversary Photo Contest
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The March 14 deadline for the Friends of Madera Canyon 25th Anniversary celebration is rapidly approaching.  Please send us some of your best photographs taken of or in the canyon. Even if you don't consider them contest winning material, we'd like to see them and potentially use them to introduce others to a great public resource.  Click here for contest details.

The contest will award first through third places and honorable mentions in four categories:

  • Wildlife
  • Botanical
  • Landscapes/Scenery
  • Young (age twelve and under) Photographer (any subject)

In a separate category, Historical, pictures will be featured and appreciated but not judged. This category seeks pictures taken at least twenty years ago. It invites up to twenty submissions from the same person and offers scanning assistance if needed.   

 

Photographers of all levels of experience are encouraged to enter. One of your pictures, prize winning or not, could be the inspiration for a first visit or a long involvement with Madera Canyon.

 

For more information click  here.   

 

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 MembershipMembership Renewals
Thank you members for renewing your membership for 2012! All of you except 78  have already renewed. We hope that most of the remaining 2011 members who have not yet renewed for 2012 will do so soon. If you lost your dues envelope you can just send us a check for $35 (PO Box 1203, Green Valley, AZ 85622) or you can renew on our web site using PayPal or your credit card (click here).

 This is the 25th anniversary of the existence of the Friends and we want you to be a part of the family in this significant year!


docentDocent Training Coming Soon
Orientation/training sessions for active and prospective FoMC Natural History Docents will be held on March 1 & 8. Anyone interested in becoming a docent for the 4
th grade nature walks and other activities are encouraged to attend. All docents must be FoMC members because of Forest Service liability rules. FoMC docents also assist with the Traveling Nature Education Program that brings the nature of Madera Canyon into school classrooms, community nature walks and other nature activities with members and the public. If you are an enthusiastic, reliable nature lover interested in working with kids, please contact Doug Moore at maderaedu@q.com or 682-0459.

WhatbirdWhat Bird Is This
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Again we have a tough test for experienced birders and a chance for the rest of us to redeem ourselves.

First, two tough calls:


 

George writes, "Here are two photos taken of birds that turned away from me before I was able to snap the shutter. One is very common in Madera Canyon while the other is more common in weed fields. I think you can tell that they are closely related."

What birds are these? Click here for the answer and some better pictures. 


For the rest of us: 

 

G
eorge says, "This bird with yellow in the wings and tail is a close relative of the two birds above."

The newsletter publisher needed help to name this bird. Do you? Feel free to haul out your favorite bird book or fire up some electronic help. The correct ID is here.

Pictures and descriptions compliments of George West.

annualAnnual Meeting Report
 
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Eighty-nine members turned out for the Annual Meeting held on January 14, 2012 at the beginning of our 25th Anniversary year. Members were greeted by Eileen Buckel and Rozanne Roman and Louise Gibbeson provided them with coffee, juice, and treats during the Social Hour before the business meeting. They were assisted by Jan and Carl Vail and Darren Diehr. Carol Lambert brought merchandise for sale. The 2012 anniversary edition of the "History of Madera Canyon" was available for sale the first time. Rozanne, Judy Thoreson, and Bonnie Tozier manned the raffle table.  

Willem Van Kempen opened the meeting by introducing the 2011 Board of Directors. He thanked out-going treasurer Carol Lambert for all she had done in her three years on the Board. He also thanked Doug Moore, Education Director for a productive year with our Education Program.

Carol Lambert gave the financial report and handed out the 2011 Annual Report. Larry Pratt, U.S. Forest Service, spoke of how much the Forest Service appreciated all the volunteer hours we put in for the betterment of Madera Canyon. He sincerely thanked us for the miles and hours we contribute each year.

Cathy Hufault told us the story of her brother, Ralph Coltin, and the three Boy Scouts that lost their lives on Mt. Baldy [now Mt. Wrightson] in 1958. Cathy held us spellbound as she related how the tragedy came about and how three of the six Boy Scouts managed to survive the snowstorm. She told us of what the families and searchers went through before the bodies of the three lost boys were found after 18 days. Her book, Death Clouds on Mt. Baldy, was available for purchase.

Tom Purdon, 2012 President, introduced the Board for the coming year.

Past President and volunteer Phil Gantt was
named "Bud Gode Volunteer of the Year."

Louise Gibbeson




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 PoloPolo Shirts on Sale
History Book Revised and Updated 


While supplies last, Friends of Madera Canyon polo shirts are available at a member price of $20.00 each, a four dollar saving.

A History of Madera Canyon, newly revised, is now available. At a cost of $4.00 each you may want to buy several copies and use some as gifts.

Both items can be ordered at the Friends Nature Shop.


Board Members
Tom Purdon (President), Willem Van Kempen, (Vice-President), Eileen Buckel (Secretary), Louise Gibbenson (Treasurer, Special Events), George Cottay (VP Marketing, Newsletter Publisher, Web Master), Dita-Erika Hagen (Archives, Preservation, Nominating, Marketing), Tamara Kahrimanis (Adult Education Programs), Wally Lamb (Visitor Information Station, Storage and Inventory), Jerry Popham (Bat House Research, Special Projects, Mailing), Judy Thoreson (Miles and Hours, Annual Meeting), Judy Maury (Marketing Group), Larry Johnson (VP Operations).

Others
Doug Moore (Director of Education), Carol Lambert (Fund Raising, Special Projects, Finance/Audit), Phil English (Boy Scouts), Ruth Maloblocki (Retail Sales), Sondra Dexter (Scholarships), Mike Staples (Canyon Clean-up), Ellen and George West (Membership and Dues Administration), George West (Newsletter Editor), Rozanne Roman (Accessible Trails).

Thank You for Your Support
  

Upcoming Events
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 Thursday, February 23rd at 2:00 PM the Nature Series continues.  Doug Moore, FoMC Education Director, will give a presentation on The Flowers of Madera Canyon at the Community Performing Arts Center,1250 W Continental. Tickets $5.00 399-1750. Sign up after the lecture for an optional Field Trip.

 

Tuesday April 3rd at 2:00 PM is the final event of this year's spring Nature Series. The presenter is Dr. Susan Wethington, Executive Director, Hummingbird Monitoring Network.  Community Performing Arts Center. Tickets $5.00 at the door. or by calling 399-1750  

 

Saturday, April 14th is the Friends of Madera Canyon 25th Anniversary Celebration. Reserve the whole day.
GV village market
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Thanks to the work of several members we continue introducing people to the Canyon and the Friends at the Wednesday Farmer's Market. Dita Hagen has taken most of  the setup and take down load. Judy Maury is organizing volunteers. Thanks to all involved! 

chamber expo
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The January Chamber Expo held at the Desert Diamond Casino offered another opportunity for Canyon and Friends interpretation and publicity.  Tom and Kathy Purdon are shown here.  

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Based on Latest Forest Service Information. Check local conditions and always use care.
QUICK LINKS
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Friends of Madera CanyonWebsite
Have you explored the various links and available resources?

Save the Scenic Santa Ritas
Working to protect the Santa Rita and Patagonia Mountains

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TAS RARE BIRD ALERT
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Click here for the Tucson Audubon Society rare bird alert list. Madera Canyon sightings are often included.
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