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Tamarac Interpretive Association
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Friends of Tamarac

2011 Accomplishments

 

  • 2011 marked another busy year as Friends continued their efforts to promote respect for our environment through educational programs for youth and the community while in partnership with the Tamarac Wildlife Refuge.
  • Sponsored the Fall Festival "Become a Nature Detective" which included a wealth of family activities with attendance of over 600.
  • Hosted the first “Toast to Tamarac” fundraising event which included wine tasting, appetizers, a silent auction and games of chance. Over 230 attended.
  • Hosted a special “Evening in Tamarac” dinner at the refuge in an effort to build some stronger friendships and educate attendees on plans for the future.
  • Once again quarterly newsletters were developed and the mailing list was expanded in an effort to make more connections in the communities touched by Tamarac.
  • Sponsored bus transportation for several area kindergarten, third grade and middle school field experiences on the refuge. Friends provided over $5000 for these bus trips to Tamarac.
  • Continued environmental education programs by receiving the second phase of the Connecting Children and Nature grant for an additional $5,000. Twenty-four video cameras and five GPS units were purchased for the Environmental Education program as part of this grant. IMAC and a mini computer were also purchased.
  • WIFI was installed for easier internet access by Friends, volunteers, and summer workers.
  • The photo contest had a record number of entries-161. Additional display boards were built. A photo display and award ceremony was located at the Washington Square Mall during National Wildlife Refuge Week.
  • Board member, Denis Mudderman, received the national award for volunteer of the year from the National Wildlife Refuge Association for 7,000 hours of volunteer service at Tamarac and an additional 3000 hours at Brazorea Refuge in Texas for a combined total of 10,000 volunteer hours.
  • Co-sponsored the 2011 Detroit Lakes Festival of Birds.
  • Reached out to the community through a display booth at the Picnic in the Park in Detroit Lakes.
  • Continued to help refuge with interpretive programs such as the photo safari, night hike, butterfly workshop, and history tour.
  • Friends contributed much of the 7,374 volunteer hours at Tamarac. One thousand seventy four of these were for environmental education.
  • Hosted a Christmas Open House.
  • Participated in the annual spring clean-up day.
  • Hosted the annual volunteer picnic.
  • Hosted a Christmas Open House.
  • Participated in the annual spring clean-up day.
  • Hosted the annual volunteer picnic.

 

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Tamarac Interpretive Association
2006/2007 Accomplishments

  • Participated in a Mentoring Workshop with refuge staff to better define respective roles and responsibilities, and to set joint priorities.
  • Sponsored the 2007 Fall Open House
  • Purchased grill for Refuge staff for use at volunteer and refuge staff events
  • Improved Gift shop with new store display fixtures and lighting
  • Assumed coordination and production of the TIA newsletter
  • Received a $4,998 technology capacity building grant from the National Wildlife Foundation.
  • Provided a staffed booth at the Detroit Lakes Builders Show
  • Provided a staff both at the Washington St. Mall, Detroit Lakes, for Earth Day
  • Co-sponsored the 2007 Detroit Lakes Festival of Birds.
  • Purchased a desktop computer, laptop, and laser printer for TIA
  • Moved our website to a full featured web hosting service.
  • Set up a TIA office at the refuge visitor center
  • Designed TIA letterhead, envelopes, greeting cards, and fax cover sheets
  • Designed and printed promotional bookmarks featuring photos taken at Tamarac
  • Completed a PowerPoint presentation on TIA
  • Created two new board committees: advocacy and one for the giftshop and bookstore.
  • As part of our new advocacy effort, mailed an action alert to our members requesting writing letters to their congressman and senators.
  • Submitted written testimony to the House and Senate Appropriations Interior Subcommittee as part of friends’ group testimony in support of refuge funding in the FY08 federal budget.
  • Attended Minneapolis Gift Mart for purchase of new items now in gift shop
  • Visited with Rita Fuller, Regional Chief of the National Wildlife Refuge System, about issues of our friends group, during her site visit to Tamarac
  • Set up a donated computer in the visitor center with a birding quiz, and purchased a new flat screen computer monitor.
  • Set up a donated computer in the museum with a rotating PowerPoint presentations of past photo contest winners and wildflower quiz.
  • Assisted with Volunteer Orientation
  • Assisted with Clean up day on the Refuge
  • Assisted refuge staff with school groups
  • Sponsored the 2006 Tamarac Photo contest.
  • Created wildlife themed wreath for the Festival of Wreaths Fundraiser
  • Sold birdie treats, birds feeders, and wildlife books at Holiday Sale in the Detroit Lakes Washington Square Mall
  • Facilitated design and construction of the Blackbird Lake Observation Deck
  • Assisted with installation of several interpretive signs & viewing scopes at popular wildlife watching sites.
  • Provided funding to Natural Innovations for a county-wide Environmental Education strategy.
  • Provided financial assistance for lodging for a refuge intern.
  • Organized a TIA fundraising raffle

  • Tamarac Interpretive Association
    2005/2006 Accomplishments
  • Sponsored a bus for a fall visit for residents of a local senior care center
  • Sponsored the Fall Open House in October
  • Contribution to International Wolf Foundation: wolf posters & ed. materials
  • Hosted a membership booth at the mall for National Wildlife Week
  • Matching funds provided to refuge for native forbes for prairie restoration
  • Initiated Contract for Bookkeeping
  • Created wildlife themed wreaths for the Festival of Wreaths fund-raiser
  • Launched a website  www.tamaracfriends.org
  • Became a Member of the Lake Country Scenic Byway
  • Sponsored the Festival of Birds event
  • Set up the Bookstore at the Festival of Birds earning over $1000 in sales.
  • Added new videos to the movie collection for refuge weekly nature films
  • Purchased equipment and tools for youth programs
  • Hosted membership & birdie baked goods Booth at the mall during Holiday
  • Attendance to the Minneapolis Gift Mart – new products now in gift shop
  • Distributed quarterly Newsletters
  • Initiated an Oral History Project of the historic land uses of the refuge
  • Sponsored Natural Innovations, Inc. for Community Environmental Ed. Project
  • Attended Regional Friends Conference
  • Assisted Refuge Staff with School Group Field Days
  • Sponsored Refuge Volunteer Orientation Day

  • Tamarac Interpretive Association
    2004/2005 Accomplishments
  • Sponsored a bus for a fall visit for residents of a local senior care center
  • Sponsored a Fall Open House in October
  • Purchased a new spotting scope for the Visitor Center overlook
  • Donated funds for a portable LCD projector for refuge off-site programs
  • Completed a new sales wall in the bookstore
  • Matching funds provided to refuge to purchase a broadcast seeder for prairie restoration
  • Reorganized and updated all Inventory Records
  • Transferred all treasury transactions to Quickbooks
  • Sponsored the Festival of Birds event
  • Created and entered wildlife themed wreaths for the Festival of Wreaths fund-raiser
  • Made a site visit and established a new agreement for book/gift shop at Agassiz NWR
  • Received $3,800 grant from National Fish and Wildlife Foundation for Capacity Building
  • Developed a Strategic Plan
  • Developed a new membership dues structure
  • Became an affiliate member to National Wildlife Refuge Association
  • Designated a website for TA (www.tamaracfriends.org)
  • Became a Member of the Lake Country Scenic Byway
  • Added new videos to the movie collection so the refuge could host weekly nature films
  • Purchased Insect Swoop nets and several other tools for youth programs
  • Hosted a membership booth at the mall for National Wildlife Week
  • Hosted a membership booth at the mall for Earth Day
  • Attendance to the Minneapolis Gift Mart – new products now in gift shop
  • Set up the Bookstore at the Festival of Birds earning over $2,000 in sales
  • Designated a new look for the Newsletter, recruited a volunteer editor, expanded issues
  • Donated funds to refuge for restoration: Mud Lake, Evans Lake, Visitor Center
  • Made contribution to International Wolf Foundation: received posters and educational materials
  • Initiated an Oral History Project that will focus on the historic land uses of the refuge
  • Adopted an official logo
Tamarac Interpretive Association, 35704 Co. Hwy. 26, Rochert MN 56578-9638