“What’s News?”
at the AELC

  I have survived my first board meeting as an official employee of the Agassiz Environmental Learning Center. A volunteer board of members elected by current members runs the AELC. They meet about every other month to discuss issues, ideas, and to stay in touch with each other. At 6:30 the board, our education director, and I sat at a table ready to discuss issues. At first, it was pretty much your basic meeting. Call to order, review last meeting minutes, and look at the schedule for the current meeting. We were on a role and I thought this meeting should go pretty quickly if we keep doing so well. Oh boy.
  Once we hit new business, we really hit the brakes. Let’s just say the pace of our meeting slowed considerably. However, there were some great ideas made that I think should be brought to the attention of the public. That’s you and that’s what I chose to write about, although wood ticks came in at a close second.
  The most exciting for our members and the public is that the board approved building a picnic shelter so that people coming out to picnic will be protected from any inclement weather they may be unfortunate to encounter. In other words, if it rains you can still come out to the AELC and stay dry.
  They mentioned designing it, so as our meeting came to a great pause, so that the area outside could be measured; ideas started pouring through my head about a design contest throughout the community. When the measuring board members reentered the building they mentioned a concrete slab, open sides and the roof. So, I had to stop and adjust my thinking. We didn’t need design plans; we need equipment, money, and builders. So it’s a good thing I vetoed the idea in my head before I said anything and really looked foolish. Remember, this was my first official meeting. I was nervous.
  Another exciting occurrence is out on the trails. One of the board members will be coming out to the AELC with a group of workers and working on the Valley. We have a large amount of creeping juniper that is taking over the rest of the plants. They will be bringing it under control so that the rest of our natural grasses can grow. Just in case you’re interested, a grass mix will also be planted so that the grasses will be the same as they were 7,528 years ago. Cool, huh.
  Last thing I would like to mention of everything discussed, and my own most exciting news, the technical genius on our board mentioned a few perks of using DSL and computers in the classroom. So with the boards’ approval I will be getting DSL instead of dial-up in the office. Yeah! Now I can do more than one thing at a time like use the computer and the phone. Also, we will be able to hook up users in the main room so they can look up found Geocache boxes right from our site.
  Our meeting came to a close at 9:00 and even though I was hungry and tired, I am excited about all the great things happening here. Come out and experience nature and watch for some great happenings. If you would like to donate money for our picnic shelter or a computer you are not using any more or to become a member call Jacque at the AELC, 218-945-3129 or e-mail at aelc@gvtel.com. We appreciate all the support!

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