ITEMS:
- Old Business -
Minutes of February 10 meeting were reviewed :- Dogs /Bylaws: Ongoing Moira, Bev and Liz to research and prepare article for both newspapers about off leash dogs, dogs chasing wildlife, and who and/or how are the bylaws enforced. To be ready prior to fawn season.
- 10 people attended luncheon for Ted and Coralie Willcox. Coralie was presented with a bouquet of flowers and Ted was thanked for his tremendous contribution of his beautiful pictures for the GROWLS website. GROWLS wished them well in their new life off island after many years on Gabriola.
- New Business :
- GROWLS fiscal year ended January 31, 2010. GROWLS Treasurer Billie Hatton presented the financial report and GROWLS has a solid base for the coming year with over $6000.00 in the bank. Thank you Billie for an excellent report and for managing GROWLS finances.
- Case Studies –discuss next meeting but have been entered on the website.
- WRNBC AGM was held on Gabriola March 5, 6 & 7, Icebreaker at the Surf Lodge Friday March 5 and the conference at the Haven Resort Saturday March 6 and Sunday March7, 2010. Icebreaker was a chance to meet the conferees.
Five Growls members attended the conference and came away with knowledge about feather imping, Black bear survey was discussed. Reports on rehabbers volunteering in Belize for Parrot Rescue Sanctuary, visiting bat sanctuary in Texas.
Pacific Northwest Raptors handler gave a live demonstration with a Harris Hawk, which was unreleaseable.
Kip Parker renowned wildlife expert from Toronto was the guest speaker who discussed “Setting Limits Saving Lives. He is the author of a new book “Answering The Call Of the Wild: A hotline Operator’s Guide To Helping people and Wildlife.”
A History of GROWLS a 20 min slide presentation produced by Jill Haras and Liz Ciocea was shown. It was an overwhelming success with conference attendees.
A walk in the forest led by Nicki Westharp and Jean Wyenberg took several people on a delightful trail from the Haven and back. This rounded out the last day of the conference. To the person all of the conferencees thanked GROWLS for being such great hosts and commented on how friendly and welcoming our Island is.
- Membership Cards have been printed and now are in the hands of Nicki Westharp who will decide on a plan of action to sign up members.
- Jean Wyenberg will follow-up on Oiled Wildlife Society as at the conference a member of OWS spoke about starting with minimal training packages they have now developed. It would be a good start for Gabriola more info next meeting.
- Island Book Store collected $29.00 from GROWLS cards sold. They are now carrying Lone Pine Books, which deal with birds, amphibians, and indigenous plants of BC.
- EARTH DAY Thursday April 22- Evening at the Roxy with John Neville Bird Songs Of The West Coast and accompanying slides.
Next meeting: Feb 14, Rollo Centre 7 p.m.
Meeting adjourned at 8:20 p.m.