Members of the local United States Pony Club, Riders Unlimited, try out the bench they built and donated to the Red-tail Conservancy.  The bench was placed in a shady spot  along  the hiking trail at the Red-tail Nature Preserve.  Pictured above with RTC Executive Director are Taylor Sutton, Elise Mauren, Katie Stewart and Ellen Steinke.

   By now, most of you know this story:  the Girl Scouts decided to sell Camp Munsee, they want Red-tail Conservancy to buy and preserve it for future generations, and we launched our campaign to buy the camp with a generous donation  from Josie and Geoff Fox.
    Why all the urgency to save a Girl Scout Camp?  It happens to be, in the words of Tom Swinford, Regional Ecologist for the IDNR, "a biological 'hot spot' which (sic) has high value as a wetland, forest, and wildlife conservation area, especially in the context of east-central Indiana where natural lands conservation is far under represented." Tom goes on to write "Preservation of Camp Munsee would lend 'critical mass' to wildlife habitat as well as providing a greater concentration of recreational and educational opportunities to the Prairie Creek area, increasing its attractiveness as a destination."   That's what one of my major "science guys" says about it.  I say it simply is one of the finest upland forest I've seen in Red-tail country, and we have no choice but to preserve and protect it.
    In this project, that means buying it.  The numbers are a bit daunting, but here they are.  The deeply discounted sale price is $150,000.00.  To date thirty-five individuals, including Geoff and Josie, have  donated almost $85,000.00, which is an extraordinary amount of money.  But we've got a long way to go, and here's how we're going to reach our goal.
    Many of you know corporate decision-makers.  Approach that person or persons and tell them how much Camp Munsee means to  you and our  community....ask them for a corporate donation or arrange for me to meet with them.  If you don't know a corporate decision-maker, organize a neighborhood event (dinner party, cocktail party, back yard barbecue, pool party), and invite me or your favorite Red-tailer to give the pitch.  I'll sing the Camp Munsee song, and answer all questions....whatever it takes.
     The Girl Scouts gave us an opportunity to come together as a community and accomplish something we never could have imagined fifteen years ago...we're going to buy that camp and make it our own.  We will make this happen, and by-golly, we'll have a good time doin' it. 
    I don't know what we're going to call the camp, but we should just call it Camp ECI.  I don't even know how to pronounce it, but it sounds good to me.

curriculum this summer.   RTC director, Barry Banks, guided the tours through our high quality forests and wetlands.  Many of the kids who had never visited a nature preserve were a bit reluctant at first to enter these natural areas.  But it didn't take long for them to feel more comfortable and start asking questions about the natural wonders that surrounded them. 
    They were curious about why the water was so cool in the stream that flowed through the woods; what those white things are that the ants started carrying around when we accidentally disturbed their hill; where are all the critters that live here; why does the ground feel like a trampoline on the mounded bog.
   In addition to the tours, RTC board member, John Craddock conducted lectures about the improved water quality in the White River, a subject in which he is a world renowned expert. 
    This MOM's program has been a great learning experience for us all.   There can be no better way to accomplish the second part of our mission "...increasing awareness of our natural heritage".     We   intend  to  expand  the  program  to  include   other   organizations.    If you are interested in having your organization involved with a similar program, contact the RTC office.     

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