Annual Report

2016

FRIENDS OF TAMARAC

Vonnie Jacobson, President Lee Kensinger, Vice President Fran Ma6son, Secretary Jim Sinclair Treasurer Don Blanding, Past President Sue Braun Nancy Brennan Linda Brockmann Cathy Ferguson Barb Haberman John Jacobson

James Kawlewski Jamie Klein Denise Warweg Bill Wickum Refuge Representa-ves Neil Powers, Refuge Manager Kelly Blackledge, Refuge Friends Liaison Janice Bengtson, Volunteer Coordinator

Board of Directors

Featured photos of this year’s contest winners

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By Vonnie Jacobson, president Friends of Tamarac Na-

tional Wildlife Refuge

2016 has been a banner year for Friends of Tamarac,

which was highlighted by recognition from The Na-

tional Wildlife Refuge Association as Friends Group of

the Year. We were also pleased to accept our com-

munity’s Regional Chamber of Commerce Tourism

Award for the year. But even more important, it was

a year of tremendous volunteer efforts with the many

projects in which The Friends participate. Our volun-

teers were out making people smile with a Dilly Bar,

educating boaters about AIS, fascinating school chil-

dren with our great outdoors, creating a Tamarac quilt, checking water

quality, creating a Tamarac Journal for students, welcoming ducks and fam-

ilies to our Fall Festival, planting a pollinator garden, raising a Toast to

Tamarac, and picking up some of the worst garbage ever after WeFest. The

list could go on and on, and that is why our peers have chosen to honor us

with these awards. We have been and will continue to be an outstanding

group of highly motivated and generous people. Our mission of connecting

children with nature has prompted all of us to give of our time, talent, and

treasure to create a new generation of conservationists. When one of Tam-

arac’s many students, Taelor Kuhn, spoke at a gathering about her feelings

of connection with Tamarac, we were not surprised when the President of

The NWRA asked her if she would come and talk to congress in DC.

At every step of the way we have been encouraged and supported in our

projects by the exceptional leadership and staff at TNWR. So, a huge thank

you goes to everyone, members, staff and volunteers alike, for an out-

standing year of accomplishments.

A huge thank you goes to

everyone, members, staff and

volunteers alike, for an

outstanding year of

accomplishments.

Message from the President

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By Neil Powers, Refuge Manager, Tamarac National

Wildlife Refuge

At last count, there were more than 200 Friends Groups

supporting National Wildlife Refuges across the country.

Some situated near large cities while others are more

remote and off the “beaten path”. Wherever your call-

ing, Friends Groups work tirelessly to promote and

strengthen refuge programs and provide an invaluable

service to refuge staff.

This year was highlighted with a wonderful event that

recognized years of growth, dedication and persever-

ance by the Friends of Tamarac National Wildlife Ref-

uge. I couldn’t be happier for our Friends and their selection as

the National Wildlife Refuge Association Friends Group of the

Year. For me; this is my highlight of the year. Yes, there are

many other noteworthy accomplishments but this is reflective of

efforts that rallied community support, built new relationships

and propelled our Friends to a new level of refuge support. I

couldn’t be more proud of their achievements.

Our Friends have climbed to new heights, but more challenges

such as budget uncertainty and relevancy with a growing elec-

tronic generation, lie ahead. We are all up for the challenge and

our Friends will soon be engaging in a mentoring workshop tar-

geted to help them and the refuge staff best position ourselves

for the future. Working together has been

extremely successful for us in the past and

will be our key to the success in the future.

Message from the Refuge Manager

Wherever your calling,

Friends Groups work tirelessly

to promote and strengthen

refuge programs and provide

an invaluable service to

refuge staff.

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Birds 258Mammals

53

Fish 37

Amphibians 11

Reptiles 5Butterflies

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Tamarac Wildlife Species

1175—Facebook followers (69% women & 30% men, 534 local of 40 mile radius)

7404—Visitors to Visitor Center 70,000—EsKmated visitors to the refuge 186— # of volunteers 8,155—# of volunteer hours donated

Conservation Outreach

Connec<ng Children and Nature Environmental educa<on partner pro-gram 646 students, 12 contact hours with each student for 7,752 hours Wild Wednesdays- 233 children aRended Pre-school/headstart programs- 85 children Schools that do their own programs on the refuge - 210 students Boys & girls club youth and other summer programs-115 youth Off-site educaKon programs (libraries, eco-meets) -230 youth

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Dilly Bar campaign for May Day Pictured: Vonnie Jacobson, Lee Kensinger

Events / Campaigns / Fund Raising

The North Country Trail gathering on Friday, Sept. 16th at Tamarac’s Dis-covery Center was a complete success---170 people in all enjoyed Tamarac’s NCT trails.

Carol Nord and Becky Aarestad at Fall FesKval

2016 Tamarac Quilt creator Janet Bridgers and winner Deanna Sinclair.

AIS Team Jim DuBay, Charlie Leitheiser, Cath-ie Ferguson, Ken MaRson, Larry Aarestad, Becky Aarestad

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Anonymous Bell State Bank & Trust Bremer Bank County Commission Detroit Lakes Area Community Fund Detroit Lakes Lions Club DL Rotary Breakfast Club Foltz Buildings Friends of Tamarac Heart Of Lakes Post NO 7702 VFW KLN Family Brands Lakeshirts NaKonal Wildlife Refuge AssociaKon Outlet RecreaKon RMB Environmental Laboratories, Inc Round-Ice Cracking Lakes Assn. SJE-Rhombus FoundaKon South Shore ProducKons, INC Tamarac Resort & Campground LLC Cole Skalix Larry and Becky Aarestad Mary Aasness Penny Aguirre Dick and Renee Alsop Don and Rose Andersen Cyndi and Melissa Anderson Kent and Gretchen Anderson Dennis and Monica Arens Tom AugasKn Bob and Lori Bachmann Georgian Bachmann Bob and Lynda Backman Art and Arlene Bakker Darrell Bauder Ron and Vicki Beaton Chuck and Diane Becker

Pam Benedict Rod and Deanie Bergen Tim Bergien Ruth Bergquist Del Bergseth Jane and Bruce Besse Kelly and ScoR Blackledge John and JusKne Boots Bob and Linda Bork Barb and Peter Boyle Dawn Braaten Lanny and Lois Brantner Sue Braun Les and Nancy Brennan Janet and Don Bridgers William and Mary Briggs Bob and Linda Brockmann Jeffrey Brockmann Mark and Ellen Brockmann Larry and Adrienne Buboltz Ira Burhans Merlin and BeRy Burke Joseph T Burns Jim and Cherie Buus Sherry and Dennis Capistran Carrie Carlson Kent and Connie Carlson Jarrod and Darlene Christen Andrew Cook Stephen Corbin Kathy Coyle Fred DaggeR Chris and Mary Daly Ramona Danielson Stacy and Mathew Davis Myrna Doran Polly Drayton James Dubay

John Dunn Judy and David Egge Robert Ehnert Vern and Jeanine Ehnert James and Jill Eisele Mary Elton Amy Erickson EJ and Sara Ferguson Patricia and Stuart Fisher Lois Flatau Jerry Fox Howard Fredine Mark and Cindy Fritz Tom and Cathy Fritz Mike Garey Mark and Sue Geihl AusKn Genevieve Rikki and John Given Abby Gold Sandra L Gordon Arlene Gran Dan and Kim Grandbois Brad and Janet Green Mark and Mary Green Rosie and Claris Greenland Ro and Kathleen Grignon Tera GueRer Pam & ScoR Guhlke BeRy Gunderson Sandy Gunderson Paul and Barb Haberman Cheryl Hall-Kippen Greg and Barb Hauschild John and Sarah Helgeson Bill and Nancy Henke Krista Hesby Mike and Cheryl Hiemenz Renee Hobbs

Donations (Oct 2015-Sept 2016)

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Rick and Sandra Holbrook Boyd and Leslie Holen David Holewinski John and Susan Hovdeness Elizabeth Huesman Jeff Hunter Bruce and Ginny Imholte John and Yvonne Jacobson Roma Jacoby Connie Jahnke Gail and Family Jahnke Edward Janzen Michele Jenson Ron and Jan Jenson Sharon Jirik Deanna Johnson Judy Johnson Lucy Johnson Pete and Paula Johnson Walter Johnson Jean Joramo Terry Kalil David and Maureen Karsnia James Kawlewski Mike and Sandy Kennedy Lee and Ellen Kensinger Denise KeRner Frank and Peggy Kohoutek Kevin and Joan Kopperud Robert and Loxley Koshnick Denis and Sue Kral Steve and Genie Kufus Walter and Mary Kulberg Ray and Nancy Lacina Dale and Marilyn Larson Del and Luann Larson Gary Larson Kay Larson

Robert J Larson Paul and Shar Legenhausen Dianne Leslie Donna Lewis Ruth LiRrell Thomas Loepfe Howard and Kay Lohman Bob Louiseau Karl and HenrieRa Malchow Lawrence Marliere Carol MarKn Ken and Fran MaRson Curt and BeRy McCabe Dennis and Joanne McCarl Carol McCarthy Penny Meyers Larry and Pam Michaelson Jarard Mickish Steve Midthune David and Janice Millford David and Miriam Moen Gary and Gail Mohlenkamp Chet and PauleRe NeRestad Rod and Carol Nord Sarah Nowlin Beverly Olander Jim & Sue Olsen Jim and Judy Olson Nancy Nornes Olson Robert and Helen Olson Ruth Olson Tim and Kathy Olson Rick Pechmann John and Margot Peterka MarK and Randy Peterson Sherwood Peterson Neil and Amy Powers Tim Powers

Charles and Barbara Renner Margaret Robson Samuel Rufer William and Jane Rundquist Stan and Beverly Satre Dave and Janine Schneider Warren and Roberta Shreve Jim & Deanna Sinclair Walter S. Sizer Lloyd and Cheryl Smith Ruth Solie Candis Sommerfeld Steve Sox Greg Spenningsby Ron and Sandy Spraka Carol Spurbeck Don Steinmetz Jim and Jan Stewart Don Stuehm Francis Svezia Alan and Diane TurcoRe David Ulrick Edward Van Hal Ray and LyneRe Vlasak Mark Voxland Margaret Wagener Denise and Mike Warweg Ed and Julie Warweg Barbara Weatherston Michael and Patricia West Don Whitney Phletus and Sally Williams Katherine and David Wilson James & Lois Wood * Does not include Silent AucKon and Fall FesKval donors

Donations (Oct 2015-Sept 2016)

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Toast to Tamarac

A Toast to Tamarac was held on a beauKful fall evening, September 9, at the Richwood Winery with great wine, food and fun for everyone.

In support of our mission of connecKng chil-dren with nature, guests enjoyed the evening with live music by the David Ferreria Trio . The games prompted some compeKKon to make the puR, sink the toss or guess the number of seeds to win the crates full of micro brew beer. The food, locally sourced, was enjoyed by all. In one tent the silent aucKon was graced by several beauKful pieces of art produced by local arKsts especially for our event. The generosity of our silent aucKon donors and bidders will help us to reach more children and bring them into the great outdoors.

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RECEIPTS 2013 2014 2015 09/30/16 DonaKons $227,513 $138,302 $107,739 $46,788 Events & Programs $10,816 $22,982 $23,562 $22,401 Grants $0 $16,240 $22,730 $0 Membership Dues $5,555 $4,630 $4,080 $2,685 Merchandise Sales (Net) $2,950 $14,125 $11,814 $6,684 Interest & Misc $568 $642 $845 $6,243

TOTAL $247,402 $196,921 $170,770 $84,801

DISBURSEMENTS Program Services Ex-penses $23,697 $33,253 $30,168 $16,417 OperaKons Expenses $6,909 $8,329 $11,725 $8,774 Discovery Center Con-tribuKons $0 $8,000 $11,000 $0

TOTAL $30,606 $49,582 $52,893 $25,191 SURPLUS/(DEFICIT) $216,796 $147,339 $117,877 $59,610

Income Statement 9-30-16

Financial Summary

0%

50%

100%

2013 2014 2015

ExpendituresDiscovery

Education

Fundraising

Gift Shop

Operations

Other

Outreach

Personnel

Programs & Events

ASSETS 2013 2014 2015 09/30/16

Cash $246,621 $90,072 $77,661 $101,552

Savings $3,582 $3,582 $3,582 $0

Accounts Receiveable $0 $594 $594 $594

Inventory $7,500 $2,762 $6,740 $11,179

Discovery Center Building $57,935 $541,150 $0 $0 Long-term Assets (Land/Bldg) $8,242 $8,677 $7,108 $8,677

TOTAL ASSETS $323,880 $646,837 $95,685 $122,002

LIABILITIES & EQUITY

LiabiliKes $0 $175,618 $105,378 $70,002

Restricted Net Assets $0 $0 $0 $0

Unrestricted Net Assets $323,880 $471,219 -$9,693 $52,000 TOTAL LIABILITIES & EQUITY $323,880 $646,837 $95,685 $122,002

Raised $615,000 dollars

given to the Fish & Wildlife

in the form of the new

Discovery Center in 2015

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Photo: Lee Kensinger

Conservation Updates

Forestry enhancements – White and Jack pine Recently refuge staff, contractors and volunteers plant-ed 56,500 pine trees in an effort to restore conifer back to the landscape on 98 acres of refuge land. The Friends of Tamarac served as a criK-cal partner in this restoraKon effort by securing $21,500 in grant funds from the MN Outdoor Heritage Council.

Photo: Kelly Blackledge

Photo: James Kawlewski

Photo: Michele Cain

Trumpeter Swan Next year (2017) will mark the 30th Anni-versary of the re-introducKon of trum-peter swans in the greater Tamarac ar-ea. Over 60 breeding pairs nest within the boundaries of Tama-rac Refuge producing more than 150 cyg-nets yearly. Today over 17,000 trumpeter swans fly freely over the marshes of Minnesota.

Photo: Greg Stetz

Climate Change Monitoring Sites Refuge staff and volunteers, in collaboraKon with US Geological Survey part-ners, monitor both bioKc and abioKc environmental variables at 10 climate change research sites within Tamarac Refuge. AcousKc recording units (ARU’s) record amphibian and bird calls for 5 minutes once per hour from winter thaw to fall freeze-up. These sites are documenKng informaKon on the long-term impacts of climate/global change on terrestrial wetlands and associated uplands, as well as amphibians, birds and more.

Bu`erflies Monarch buRerflies are in trouble. Threats, including climate change, pesKcide use and habitat loss are having a devastaKng impact on their populaKons and the migraKon phe-nomenon. Unless we act now to help the Monarch, this amazing animal could disappear in our lifeKme. Monarchs are now in the process of being considered for protecKon un-der the Endangered Species Act. It has become a naKonal priority species for the US Fish & Wildlife Service. Our hope is that we can implement conservaKon measures that help the buRerfly to the point that we don't have to list it. www.fws.gov/savethemonarch/

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The Friends of Tamarac NaKonal Wildlife Refuge in Minnesota has been selected for the 2016 Molly Krival Friends Group of the Year Award by the NaKonal Wildlife Refuge AssociaKon

The Friends of Tamarac has developed from a group focused in on the lo-cal refuge to an organizaKon with a broader awareness and greater appreci-aKon of the Refuge System’s mission. The group regularly incorporates Refuge System naKonal prioriKes, such as migratory birds and monarch buRerflies, into local events and outreach strategies.

The group’s most impressive undertaking so far was its campaign to build the Tamarac Discovery Center. Friends of Tamarac achieved their ambiKous goal through careful planning, including feasibility studies, recruitment of key board members and strategic fund-raising. Upon compleKon, this $800,000 environmental educaKon center was donated to the refuge. Friends of Tamarac’s work is paving a path for other Friends groups interested in providing visitor faciliKes for their local unit of the NaKonal Wildlife Refuge System.

Chamber President Carrie Johnston presented Friends President Vonnie Jacobson with the Chamber’s 2016 Tourism Award.

“Each year the Chamber recognizes an organizaKon that is a great example for keeping the tourism industry strong in our region,” said Johnston. “This year’s recipient has shown how a big idea to provide a proper learning facility can help kids, schools and adults to connect with nature, science and our local ecology. Thank you to the staff, board of direc-tors, donors and many volunteers who help enhance the experience of learning at our local NaKonal Wildlife Refuge.” - DL ONLINE

Friends of Tamarac National Wildlife Refuge: Detroit Lakes Chamber of Commerce 2016 Tourism Award

Friends of Tamarac National Wildlife Refuge: The 2016 Molly Krival Friends Group of the Year Award

Outstanding Outstanding AchievementsAchievements

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Friends of Tamarac 2016 Accomplishments

≈ Friends of Tamarac were honored by the Na5onal Wildlife and Refuge Associa5on with the Molly Krival Friends group

of the year award for exemplary performance.

≈ The Friends and Tamarac Refuge received the tourism of the year award from the Detroit Lakes Chamber of Com-

merce for ac5ve promo5on of visitor opportuni5es.

≈ A joint grant was applied for related to restoring 150 wetlands on tribal and other lands.

≈ We were presented with a plaque of apprecia5on by the Trempealeau Na5onal Refuge Friends group from Wisconsin

for our help and support in their development of an educa5on facility.

≈ The fall fes5val event “The Duck Stops Here” had about 400 in aQendance. It had events carried out at the cabin site,

Visitors Center and at the Discovery Center.

≈ We hosted 170 hikers from 17 states who were aQending the regional North Country Trail conference which was held

in Fargo. Hikers par5cipated in a variety of hikes ranging in length from a short photo hike to a 13.5 mile hike crossing

the full refuge NCT system.

≈ Videos were developed to promote our efforts of connec5ng children with nature. These have been shared with a

number of service clubs for community outreach and to expand volunteers.

≈ The Aqua5c Invasive Species team of eight inspected 138 boats and 288 fishermen on 9 Saturday mornings in an

effort to educate and prevent the spread of AIS.

≈ A mentoring program was begun with Concordia college students to train educators for visi5ng school groups and the

EE commiQee created a Tamarac Journal for use by visi5ng school groups.

≈ The Na5onal Fish and Wildlife Founda5on grant for $5 ,000 was completed.

≈ We hosted the sixth annual “Toast to Tamarac” fundraising event, and par5cipated in two on-line giving programs-

Give to the Max and The Giving Hearts Day.

≈ Addi5onal funds were raised through a Dilly Bar campaign, We Fest Clean-up and a quilt raffle.

≈ Friends sponsored another successful photo contest with -----a photo display exhibited in the Washington Square Mall

during Na5onal Wildlife Refuge Week and awards were presented.

≈ Quarterly newsleQers were developed, as well as the webpage and Facebook representa5ons were expanded to in-

crease connec5ons with the public.

≈ Friends co-sponsored the 2016 Detroit Lakes Fes5val of Birds.

≈ Friends coordinated photo workshops as a result of a grant.

≈ Friends contributed thousands of volunteer hours at Tamarac,, many were for environmental educa5on, trail work,

maintenance, and helping with a variety of interpre5ve programs.