Antrim Creek Natural Area
Robert McLeod, Chairman
Gale Murphy		Mary Kay McDuffie		Gary Strange	Carl Veenstra
October 11, 2004
Minutes
Antrim Creek Natural Area
ACNA Commission Members Present:			Robert McLeod, Carl Veenstra, Gale Murphy, Gary Strange and Mary Kay McDuffie
Members Absent:			None
Staff Present:			Pete Garwood
1. Call to Order
	The Meeting was called to order at 6:30 p.m. by Chairman Robert McLeod.
2. Approval of Minutes
	Motion by Gary Strange, supported by Mary Kay McDuffie, to approve the minutes of the September 13, 2004, meeting. Motion carried – unanimous.
3. Au Sable Institute - Threatened Species Survey
	Professors Hal Reed and Dave Mahan, from the Au Sable Institute, showed the Commission a PowerPoint presentation on the Threatened Plant Study at the ACNA. The focus was on two species, primarily the Pitcher's Thistle and the Lake Huron Tansy. A couple of students who were involved in the study are interested in doing further study for their graduate work. Grants will be necessary for the further study to take place. Additionally, the Au Sable Institute will be interested in taking their class out there again next summer to follow up on this years study. Peter Garwood, Coordinator/Planner, will work with Janet Person, Executive Director of the Conservation District, to see if there are any grant dollars available for these projects ($6,000 to $9,000). Mr. Garwood will keep in touch with Professor Mahan on this subject.
4. Pollen Survey Study Request
	The Commission reviewed a communication from an MSU Grad student, Maria Raviele, who requested permission to pollen core sample from ACNA on the weekend of October 29, 2004. The coring would enable Ms. Raviele to make some judgments on how local prehistoric inhabitants used the area and interacted with the natural resources. Motion by Mary Kay McDuffie, supported by Gary Strange, to recommend the Board of Commissioners grant permission to Maria Raviele to conduct a pollen core study at the ACNA in late October, 2004. Motion carried – unanimous.
5. Grant Update
	Mr. Garwood reported on a telephone call he received from Linda Hegstrom from the DEQ regarding the Antrim Creek Natural Area grant. Ms. Hegstrom has been reviewing the MNRTF Grant application and found some inconsistencies. The Coordinator/Planner office has made sure the problems were corrected.
6. Wildlife Habitat Update
	Carl Veenstra reported no action has taken place on the ACNA property but, that he has been experimenting with a planting on his own property, just south of the ACNA. If successful, the results will be useful at the ACNA.
7. Communications
	] Norcross Grant Mr. Garwood noted that we currently have $623.75 as a result of the Norcross Grant which was earmarked for the Native American Place Name Map. The project ended up costing less than expected. Mr. Garwood explained, to stay true to the intent of the grant, the funds must be expended on an interpretive display. ] Parks and Recreation Forum November 5, 2004 the County will be holding the second Parks and Recreation forum. Chairman McLeod asked for a volunteer to give a presentation on a five (5) year plan for the ACNA. The presentation will be given by either Mary Kay McDuffie or Peter Garwood. ] ACNA Commission Meeting Schedule - 2005 First Monday in March and May, July 11, and August 29. ] Signage Motion by Gary Strange, supported by Mary Kay McDuffie, to appropriate a maximum of $200 for a sign to read "No Parking in Turn-Around Loop" to be paid out of the ACNA fund. Motion carried - unanimous. Mr. Garwood will contact Mark Postma, from Signs, Letters and Graphics, and arrange for the sign and will also ask Mr. Postma to instruct on how to remove the Native American Place Name Map.
Meeting was adjourned at 7:50 p.m.