“I feel strongly about showing up and being prepared and not taking the opportunity for granted and being conscientious about my fellow co-workers.” ― Paul Schneider 

 

“I never thought of losing, but now that it’ s happened, the only thing is to do it right. That’s my obligation to all the people who believe in me. We all have to take defeats in life.” ― Muhammad Ali 

 

ANNOUNCEMENTS
(notes provided by the erudite Mary Hodson)

President Rod asked everyone to make a special effort to attend the July 28th meeting for the District Governor’s visit.

There will not be a breakfast meeting on August 25th.   Our Visioning Meeting will be held that at 5:00 that evening at the Hawthorne Suites

The Social Committee is planning a “Slow Ride” around Champaign – Urbana.   Sign up via email.

PROGRAM

Allan introduced John Marlin.   John received a PhD in Entomology from the University of Illinois.  He was a key player in the battle to save Allerton Park from the Oakley dam in the 1970’s.   He was the founding director of the Coalition on American Rivers which is now Prairie Rivers Network.

Governor James Thompson appointed him to the Illinois Pollution Control Board in 1983 where he served over nine years, including several as chairman.   He then spent 19 years at the Illinois Sustainable Technology Center.

Now retired, Dr. Marlin spends much time as a volunteer coordinating the establishment of native planting projects on the campus to support bees, butterflies and other insects and birds that depend on them.

His wife Diane is currently serving as President of the Urbana Rotary Club.

John described a modern environment that is an ecological desert for birds and insects.  He explained that native birds and insects evolved over time feeding on the plants within their territory.   Landscapers sell plants and trees like Autumn Olive and Bradford Pear that are “insect resistant”.  That means that they are non-native species that local insects cannot eat.   Since birds feed on insects, a reduction of insect populations reduces the bird population as well.    Because non-native plants have no natural enemies, they become invasive.   Such plants take over swamps, woodlands and prairies.   

Farmers have eliminated fence rows and hedgerows and they mow the ditches, thus eliminating habitat for native species.   In urban areas, herbicides that kill everything but grass eliminate plants that our insects depend on.  Dead trees and leaves, natural insect habitats, are removed.   

If you like birds then it is recommended that you plant native trees and plants.   Yards and gardens should include native plants that bloom at various times.  Insects come out when the plants they eat are in bloom and then hibernate the rest of the year.    After plants are done blooming, leave dead stems for insects to live in during the winter months.  

Native plants can be purchased at the Grand Prairie Friends annual plant sale, held every Mother’s Day weekend, at Lincoln Square Mall.   Even a small area in your yard can provide a natural habitat for local species.  

John showed photos of the prairie East of the University President’s house.   He leads a group of students and volunteers who have cleared this and other campus areas of invasive species.  From the restored prairie next to the President’s home alone they removed 57 pickup truck loads of non-native and invasive species.   He recommended parking your car and taking one of five paths through the area.

John also recommended the book “Bringing Nature Home” by Douglas Tallmany for a good overview of graduate ecology.   
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  July 28th Aug 4th Aug 11th Aug 18th
Introductions Harold Adams Julie Allen Laura Auteberry Oktay Baran
Invocation Bob La Charite Barb Lintner BJ Lytle Ben Mast
Greeters Harold Adams Julie Allen Laura Auteberry Oktay Baran
Robin Ferguson Darrell Hoemann Mary Hodson Phillip Holthaus
Song Leader Ata Durukan Diana Dummitt Robin Ferguson Darrell Hoemann
Notetaker Lintner Conforti Chamberlain Perry
Decker Weeding Johnson Lintner Perry Simpson
Next Weekend        
Decker Garden Johnson Johnson Perry Perry
Watering        

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UPCOMING SCHEDULE

July 28th – District Governor Kevin Yonce 

August 4th – Dr. Steve Sonka, Professor Emeritus, UIUC, will provide a presentation on food waste and prevention of postharvest loss

August 11th – Deb Feinen, Mayor of Champaign

August 18th – TBD

August 25th – Regular meeting canceled; 5:00PM Club Visioning Session at Hawthorne Suites

September 1st – TBD

September 8th – TBD

September 15th – TBD