SOLAR RENOVATION DONOR RECOGNITION MOSIAC COMPLETED

Upon entering the Nature Center building, feel the warmth of the wood burning stove and gaze at the new surroundings. The artistic rendition of the essence of Peace Valley Nature Center-- logo, contributed by an anonymous donor, surrounds the area in colorful splendor. Whimsical turtles, worms, amphibians and dragonflies abound. Great Blue Herons complete the water scene, while songbirds and an Owl perch on high. The rays of the sun project the importance of solar energy and display the major contributors to the Solar Renovation Project. Many of the small animal tiles were created by children that attended our tile workshop at Friends and Family Fun Day in September.

The mosaic was created by Katia McGuirk of Katia McGuirk Tiles of Doylestown. This work of art brings to life the unity and diversity of Peace Valley Nature Center.


2007 ANNUAL MEMBER-- MEETING

Cindy Long, president of the board of directors, welcomed members to the annual meeting Saturday February 3, 2007. Treasurer Rick Colello presented the Treasurer's Report and informed the membership of the excellent financial status of the Friends of Peace Valley Nature Center. Pat Witek, Chairman of the Nominations Committee introduced 2007 slate Mike Line, Bob Rutt, Pat Witek, Susan Charkes, and Robin Folkerts. The three year appointments were unanimously approved.

Highlights of 2006 were presented by Gail Hill, Asst. Naturalist/Education Director which featured the massive staffing changes for the year completion of the Solar Renovation and the beautiful recognition mosaic, addition of the bird web-cam, a new bridge over the Hardiaken Creek and the addition of all Quakertown Community School District 3rd graders for a pond and stream comparison class.

Director/Naturalist Craig Olsen presented the "State of the Preserve". He thanked the board, members for his ease of transition as Director. He lauded the extraordinary efforts of Louise Lehman and Gail Hill for furthering the educational mission of the Friends.

Volunteer recognition for 5 years was presented to Chuck Crunkleton, Leah Hill, Chris Knight, Rosemarie Montgomery, Russ Risko and Jane Vacca. Birder of the Year was Don McClintock, long time supporter of the nature center and former board member. Eagle Scouts Ryan Gallo, Michael Murphy and Stephen Sooy were also thanked for their service projects. Vice President Mike Line recognized and presented Molly Walter with her addition to the Board Service Plaque for six years of serving on the board.

George Mehler, Supervisor Science K-12 and Technology presented an overview on the importance of science in education and the benefit of hands-on educational opportunities for students of all ages. His presentation included hands-on science instruction as utilized by students.


WELCOME NEW MEMBERS

Donald and Nancy Andreas
Howard L. Banks
David McGrath and Margaret Bledsoe
Jerry Bredow
John and Carol Brunner
Phyllis Clements
Dee Cox
Bob Dyer
Drew Ermelin
Robin and Michael Folkerts
Bill Fry
Kate Gulian
Rhonda Guzewicz
Gail M. Johnson
Holly Knapp
Christopher E. May
Lauren and Don Morel
Matthew Hutcheson and Marlene Pray
Ray Rogers
The Patrick Romano Family
Richard Schwarz
Donald and Susan Swartley
Mary Teti
Eugene Thompson


MEMBERSHIP, MEMORIALS AND DONATIONS

Thank You! Steig Family Foundation for your generous donation in support of our environmental education programs

IN MEMORY OF:

Elizabeth B. Mills
Stephen J. Berkson
William R. Comes
Steve and Nora Gintout
Ronald and Marshall Schritzer Sandy and Jon Wilson
Chester Harris
Kristi Hauser
Winifred Smith
Mr and Mrs Raymond Bell
Mrs. Claire McNeill

OTHER DONATIONS:

Colorimeter
Joe McGinley
Taxidermy Wood Duck, Education Materials
Lois Winner
Our Beautiful Christmas Tree
David Stout, Inc.


WEB SITES TO NOTE!

Connect to new ideas, learn new things!

SKUNKS AND RELATED WILDLIFE:

Internet Center for Wildlife Damage Management
Skunks and related Wildlife
Washington Department of Fish and Wildlife

A FEW MIGRATORY BIRD SITES:

Smithsonian-- National Zoological Park, Friends of the National Zoo
U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service / Division of Migratory Bird Management
U.S. Environmental Protection Agency
National Audubon Society

RECYCLING:

New Electronics Recycling and Reuse Guide Helps Pennsylvania Residents Reduce E-Waste


THE NATURALISTS CORNER

STRIPED SKUNK

Behind the gray skies, uncertain footing and the "I'm tired of winter" attitude, nature is beginning to shirk the shrouds of winter. The pointed spathe of the skunk cabbage produces it own heat and emerges through the frozen ground to get an early start on the blooming season, the active twittering of squirrels as they busily ready their nests for a new family, an evening absence of Great Horned Owls hooting as they begin to nest, and the emergence of skunks from their winter dens, are all harbingers of spring in our area.

Male skunks usually emerge first in an amorous mood searching for more than food. Baby Skunks (kits) are born in the spring. They are born blind, wrinkled and toothless, with just the faintest bit of hair. The black and white patterning is visible on their skin. They can spray their scent as young as 3 days old; within 3 weeks their eyes are open. By two months they are fully weaned and follow mom on hunting trips. They will be fully independent by fall and ready to set out on their own.

The skunk, a widely distributed member of Carnivora, is in the mustelid family, which includes weasel, mink, fisher and otter. The word Skunk is of Algonquian origin, seganku. About the size of a domestic cat, the Striped Skunk has a pointed snout and small rounded ears. The claws on the front feet are twice the length as the hind feet. They claws are effective tools for foraging insects and digging for other tasty morsels. The extra thick padding on their feet enables them to scratch and force out bees and wasps. In order to prepare caterpillars and toads to be eaten, they are first rolled on the ground or between their thick skinned paws. This action removes the caterpillars' hairs or spines; on the toads it is believed it rubs away the secretion of the parotid glands. As the growing season lengthens, ripe berries and fruits are added to their diet. When available the occasional egg, meadow vole or snake is a tasty addition to their diet. Eggs are broken by rolling them between their hind legs until they break upon a hard object. Olfactory cues are the most important sense for Skunks to find their food, followed by auditory and visual cues.

This nocturnal omnivore plays an important role in the ecosystem. About 70% of their diet consists of insects, making them important insect control. Although, many golfers and those with manicured lawns may not agree. An evening of dining on grubs leaves the lawn with two inch conical holes. Skunk-- get along attitude and desire for the best real estate location often comes in conflict with their human neighbors. It is not uncommon for skunks to feed along a domestic cat, or to enter a home through a pet door and find a quiet place to rest in a closet or other suitable place.

The Striped Skunk-- underground cold weather burrows were most often built by groundhogs or other animals, although they are capable of digging their own. Skunks are among the ultimate opportunists and make the best of what an area provides. They prefer warm, dry, dark defensible areas. This would include under a deck or porch, beside a garage or other building, under a woodpile, house basements and crawl spaces. To keep warm they bring grasses into the den and plug the entrances with grasses and other plants to keep out the cold. In warm weather their dens are located above ground.

Skunks are equipped with an effective deterrent to predators, the familiar color pattern and behavior serves as a warning. As a precursor to spraying, a skunk will turn to face the intruder, arch and elevate the tail, erect the tail hairs, chatter its teeth and stomp the ground with the front feet and shuffle backwards. If this does not work they will turn, face the intruder, twist their hindquarters around and with amazing accuracy, very quickly dispense the glands. A slight turning motion ensures a wider territory of spray. The odor and musk can cause temporary blindness and nausea. Humans' traps and automobiles are the greatest threat to skunks. Skunks are overly confident of these defenses and pay heavily for this unconcern crossing highways, this is especially evident in late winter and early spring.


TEACHER NATURALIST TRAINING

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Love the outdoors

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