“If you want to lift yourself up, lift up someone else.” –Booker T. Washington

 

 

ANNOUNCEMENTS

 

Michelle announced two Interact events at Central High School: the Interact Trivia Night on March 30 and the International Fair from 6-8 PM on April 11.

 

The April 18 meeting with be cancelled in favor of the April 17 All Area Rotary Club Noon Meeting at the Round Barn.

 

David Henry announced that his family will host a Rotary Youth Exchange from Thailand in the fall.

 

 

PROGRAM

 

Bob introduced Professor Eric Freyfogel, Swanlund Chair Emeritus at the University of Illlinois College of Law.  Professor Freyfogel specializes in conservation law and private property rights.   He authored the first wildlife law casebook.  His newest book, “Wildlife Law, a Primer”, will come out later this year.  Professor Freyfogel also serves on the boards of the National Wildlife Federation and Prairie Rivers Network.

 

People have moved animals with them across continents.  Red Foxes, Ring Necked Pheasants, House Sparrows, European Starlings and Asian Carp are all immigrants to this area.  However, only about 10% of animals introduced into a new area can survive.   For example, sixty-five species of parrots are found in Florida but few reproduce.  There are rising populations of species that get along with people, such as Canada Geese, White Tailed Deer, and Raccoons.  They thrive because their natural predators are missing.

 

Due to the Federal Migratory Bird Treaty Act, birds are the most protected animals in this country. Some larger birds such as the Coopers Hawk, Bald Eagle, Great Blue Herron, Wild Turkey and Sandhill Crane are rebounding or returning to Illinois.

 

However, human activity has reduced the world’s biomass of wild animals by seven-fold.  Studies have established that there is a significant decline in wildlife populations around the world, caused primarily by loss of habitat or habitat fragmentation.  In May 2017, a study completed by the National Academy of Science concluded that 96% of the biomass of mammals on the planet are either humans or livestock.  Poultry outnumber wild birds by four to one.  Another study showed a 60% decline in average vertebrate populations since 1970.  There is also a massive decline in insect populations around the world.  This is significant because insects are at the base of the food chain.

 

Climate change will also affect animal populations.  In other words, the 6th mass extinction crisis is in progress.  

 

Professor Freyfogel said that wildlife will come back if you provide a habitat.  He thinks the government as well as individuals should take a more active role in restoring animal habitats

 

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  Mar 28th Apr 4th Apr 11th April 18th
Introductions Ethan Chew Paul Conforti Maarten de Witte Meeting 
Reflection David Henry Mary Hodson Darrell Hoemann cancelled
Greeters Ethan Chew Paul Conforti Maarten de Witte due to 
John McDaniel Phyllis Mischo Scott Paceley all-area
Song Leader Bob La Charite Candy Loyd Ben Mast Rotary meeting
Notetaker Conforti Conforti Perry  

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UPCOMING SCHEDULE (with program committee member responsible listed in parentheses)

March 28th – TBD (Charlie)

April 4th –  Kathy Sweedler, University of Illinois Extension, will speak about the Money Mentor program (David)

April 11th – William O Brien, PhD, Dept. of Electrical and Computer Engineering, will speak about his research projects involving ultrasonic bioengineering and biophysics (Mary)

April 18th – Meeting cancelled in favor of April 17 all area Noon Rotary meeting at the Round Barn Center

April 25th – Rachel Graham, Crisis Nursery (Phyllis)

May 2nd – Club Assembly 

May 9th – TBD (Bob)

May 16th – TBD (Charlie)

May 23rd – TBD (David)

May 30th – No AM meeting – Club Social TBA

June 6th – TBD (Ondine)

June 13th – Nichole Millage, Environmental Sustainability Specialist, City of Champaign Recycling, will speak about recycling(Phyllis)

June 20th – TBD (Tom)

June 27th – TBD (Bob)

July 4th – TBD