Winter 2011

GetConnected!

Volume 3, No. 2

MetroparksVolunteerNewsletter
Giving back

eptember was a busy month for volunteer work days. This year, for United Ways Day of Caring ProMedica Flower Hospital,Toledo Edison/First Energy Corp., Libbey, Inc., Eaton Corp. and Ernst & Young came out for a day of service. On September 10, First Solar employees and their families cleaned up near the Indianola Shelter, to commemorate the 10th anniversary of the attacks on September 11. They came out again for the national Clean Your Streams event on September 17, organized locally by Partners for Clean Streams. First Solar employees and their families started their day at Side Cut, some branching out to nearby Maumee River watershed areas, the other remain to volunteer for Metroparks. At Side Cut these volunteers were transported to Blue Grass Island by canoe where they gathered piles of trash washed onto the island, as well as clean-up along the banks of the river.They found a lot of interesting litter in the river including a wheelbarrow and a water heater.

New OCVN class in training

The newest class of Ohio Certified Volunteer Naturalists (OCVN) began this August at Metroparks Hall at Wildwood Preserve Metropark.This group of volunteers completed 42 hours of training with Metroparks and Ohio State University Extension, at various locations, including the Girdham Road Sand Dunes at Oak Openings Preserve Metropark and the Roche de Bout Area at Farnsworth Metropark.You may see new faces around the Metroparks as the new OCVN candidates pitch in as volunteers to fulfill the 40 hour service commitment required for their certification. Welcome OCVN class of 2011!

During Holidays at the Manor House, volunteers decorate the 32-room mansion in the spirit of the season.

Most wonderful time of the year

Theres a chill in the air, and the trees in our parks are shedding their leaves.That means Holidays in the Manor House is fast approachingand we need your help. Volunteers will be hard at work in the Manor House this holiday, doing everything from hosting tours to entertaining guests with their musical talents. If you are interested in helping out at Holidays in the Manor House, please call Lauren, on or after October 26 at (419)407-9840. Holidays in the Manor House will be open December 4-11, from 9 a.m to 8 p.m.

A Note from Trish

This has always been my favorite time of year. I love the chill in the air, the bursts of colors, and the crunch of leaves beneath my boot especially on a trail at Metroparks. These truly are our beautiful Metroparks. One of my favorite photos from my childhood is of me, my mother and brother on a trail at Farnsworth Metropark, taken during the fall season. We are looking intently, high into the trees. I dont recall what I was looking at, but I do recall spending day after glorious day of my childhood at a park. My parents were the first to teach me about the outdoors, and that outdoors centered on Metroparks. From canoeing and fishing at Farnsworth, picnics at Pearson, to cross country skiing at Wildwood, they introduced me to this beautiful setting. I have continued that tradition with my own children. For this and future generations. This is part of the mission of Metroparks--a part of the mission our volunteers support. So as I walk on these trails this fall, I thank you. Thank you for supporting these parks from my parents, myself and my children. Enjoy your beautiful Metroparks!

Thank you for being a Friend

Our Friends Groups do some great things for the parks, including presenting educational programs, cultivating deer-resistant gardens and fundraising to support Metroparks. Volunteer Services would like to recognize these groups, and thank them for inspiring this and future generations: Friends of Lathrop House Friends of Pearson Friends of Side Cut Manor House Volunteers Oak Openings Horse Corps Volunteers in Parks

Keep an eye out for upcoming Friends Groups programs in the program guide, including Friends of Side Cuts Paperwhites Workshop on November 28, and the Holiday Caf and Craft Show from December 4 to 11, hosted by the Volunteers in Parks.

On the Cover
First Solar volunteers hold a sign for marking trash piles collected at Side Cut Metropark at Clean Your Streams on September 17.

By choosing to work with Metroparks for their required Eagle Scout service projects, area Boy Scouts and troops have cultivated a strong relationship with Metroparks. These individuals are great examples of what Boy Scouts of America strives for. Read the stories below to see what some of the scouts and their troops have been up to in your Metroparks!

Service project at Wildwood

Inspired by the Clean Your Streams (CYS) event and Partners for Clean Streams, Luke Odenthal decided that he would take on the Ottawa River for his Eagle Scout project. Luke and his troops efforts in previous years with Clean Your Streams focused on the section of the river in Camp Miakonda. When time came to choose a location, Luke didnt stray far from home, and chose the stretch of the Ottawa River which runs through Wildwood Preserve Metropark.

An Eagle Scout tradition

Scouting is in Jim Dollmans blood. Jim has been involved in the Boy Scouts of America for several decades, as an Eagle Scout and a troop leader during his sons involvement with the organization. Jim is assistant scoutmaster of Troop 104, and has helped many scouts who have worked on their Eagle scout service projects with Metroparks.

With his troop and our park district, Jim has earned a reputation as a bridge guy, helping many scouts design His work day coincided with and construct such structures. the CYS event on September Recently, he helped a scout 17 this year, and Luke said he design and build a 200 ft. was grateful to have help from walkway in Oak Openings, and Partners for Clean Streams in the has been hard at work repairing form of gloves and trash bags. Volunteers found this plastic tubing an Eagle Scout bridge that was Its surprising how much stuff during Lukes Ottawa River clean up hit by a tree felled during a at Wildwood on September 17. thunderstorm this summer. you can manage to pull up out of the river when it looks really clean. This same bridge was rebuilt while still in construction as it was damaged by the tornado Luke wanted to thank the staff at Wildwood that struck Oak Openings last year. Not long for being so helpful with his project, especially after, Jim went to work, using his engineering Park Services Supervisor Nate Ramsey and the skills to repair the bridges damaged foundation. rangers who assisted him.

Penta in the parks

Since 2004, a group of Penta Career Center students have been pitching in at Metroparks, and we cant get enough of them.This fruitful partnership was forged by ranger Julie Streb and Penta teacher Mandy Ratliff, who both agreed that Oak Openings Preserve Metropark would be a wonderful place for the students to gain some real-world experience. The students from Penta volunteer in the spring and fall, and complete various group projects one day a week.Their service has ranged from painting restrooms to assisting with the restoration of a savanna at Oak Openings.

Student volunteers and their teacher from Penta Career Center smiling for the camera at a work day in Spring 2010.

MetroparksVolunteerNewsletter
TM

5100 West Central Avenue Toledo, OH 43615-2106

Or Current Resident

were honored with this special award. Others recognized were: Fred Bernheisel for Outstanding Supervisor; Elizabeth Guthrie for the Customer Service Award; Gary Regel and Julie Weidner for the Spirit Award; Kathy Berry for Outstanding Leader; and Volunteer Services own Trish Hausknecht for Excellence in Continuous Improvement. We hope that you have enjoyed working with these individuals, or will get a chance to in the future!
From left to right: Katie Mantel, Kim High, Jennifer Berk, Cathy Marinelli and Tammy Saunders. Volunteer Programs Manager Trish Hausknecht............................................(419)407-9703 patricia.hausknecht@metroparkstoledo.com Volunteer Coordinators Alice Jacobs.....................................................(419)407-9846 alice.jacobs@metroparkstoledo.com Lori Miller.......................................................(419)407-9713 lori.miller@metroparkstoledo.com Volunteer Services Assistant Lauren Bee......................................................(419)407-9840 lauren.bee@metroparkstoledo.com

Gold Leaf Awards

Every year Metroparks recognizes its employees for their amazing work with the Gold Leaf Awards.This year, members of Summer Camp 2011 staff were recognized with the Directors Award for their outstanding efforts with this years campers. Jennifer Berk, Kim High, Bob Jacksy, Bridgette King. Katie Mantel, Angela Metcalf, Karen Mitchell and Tammy Saunders

MetroparksVolunteerCalendar
To register for these programs call (419)407-9700 or go to MetroparksToledo.com.

NOVEMBER DECEMBER

5 Saturday Autumn Makeover Days | Wildwood Preserve, 9 a.m. Surround yourself in the colors of fall while lending a hand to the care and preservation of Metroparks. Work gloves, a reusable drink container and sturdy shoes or boots are recommended. Groups and individuals welcome. Ages 12 and older. Go to MetroparkToledo.com and click on the Program Guide to register! 5 Saturday Land Stewardship Work Day | Secor, 9 a.m. Have some fun creating a better environment for wildlife and help Metroparks achieve some very important goals through the removal of invasive plant species. Immerse yourself in the process of land restoration and enrich your understanding of nature. Works gloves, a reusable drink container and sturdy shoes of boots are recommended. Groups and individuals welcome. Ages 12 and older. Go to MetroparksToledo.com and click on the Program Guide to register! 6 Sunday Autumn Makeover Days | Swan Creek Preserve, 1 p.m. (See Nov. 5) 12 Saturday Autumn Makeover Days | Side Cut , 9 a.m. (See Nov. 5) 13 Sunday Autumn Makeover Days | Pearson, 9 a.m. (See Nov. 5) 13 Sunday Autumn Makeover Days | Secor, 1 p.m. (See Nov. 5) 18 Friday Volunteer Naturalist Training | Farnsworth, 1 p.m. Recommended for Walk Leaders and Volunteer Trail Patrol, these monthly sessions provide field training for those who want to learn more about nature interpretation, the seasonal cycles of plants and animals and Northwest Ohios natural history. 19 Saturday Volunteer Naturalist Training | Farnsworth, 1 p.m. (See Nov. 18) 20 Sunday Autumn Makeover Days | Farnsworth, 1 p.m. (See Nov. 13)

4-11 Sunday to Saturday Holiday Cafe and Craft Show | Wildwood Preserve, 10 a.m. Finish your holiday visit to the Manor House with a short walk to the Holiday Cafe and Craft Show in Metroparks Hall. You will find us by the singing snowmen. Warm-up with some hot chocolate, coffee, hot dogs, cookies and fresh popcorn. Special handmade gifs are for sale from local craftsmen. Cafe is sponsored and presented by Volunteers in Parks. Proceeds benefit Metroparks. 16 Friday Volunteer Naturalist Training | Secor, 1 p.m. (See Nov. 18) 17 Saturday Volunteer Naturalist Training | Secor, 1 p.m. (See Nov. 18)

Happy Holidays from all of us at Volunteer Services!

JANUARY 2012 ]

11 Wednesday Welcome to Volunteering! Hot Topic: Volunteer Trail Patrol | Wildwood Preserve: Ward Pavilion, 7 p.m. If youre interested in learning about Volunteer Trail Patrol, or one of the many volunteer programs and positions within Metroparks, come join us for this volunteer information session. Volunteer Services will be hosting various Welcome to Volunteering! sessions throughout the year, each one focusing on a specific program or group of programs. Be on the lookout for more dates in the next issue of the Volunteer Newsletter! 14 Saturday Welcome to Volunteering! Hot Topic: Volunteer Trail Patrol | Wildwood Preserve: Ward Pavilion, 3 p.m. (See Jan. 11) 15 Sunday Welcome to Volunteering! Hot Topic: Volunteer Trail Patrol | Wildwood Preserve: Ward Pavilion, 2 p.m. (See Jan. 11) 18 Wednesday Volunteer Trail Patrol Applications Due | For any interested volunteers Please have your volunteer application turned in to Volunteer Services by this date if you are interested in joining Volunteer Trail Patrol. Interviews will begin in February for applicants. For more details, contact Lori at (419)407-9713.

We look forward to seeing new faces and welcoming new people into our volunteer family. Why not consider bringing a friend to one of our Autumn Makeover Days? Just sign up on MetroparksToledo.com or call (419)407-9700 for more details.

Want to volunteer with your business or community organization? Join more than 100 local groups that volunteer at Metroparks. Call Alice at (419)407-9846 to set up your own work day.
For more information regarding volunteering with Metroparks, contact Trish Hausknecht at patricia.hausknecht@metroparkstoledo.com.

If you are looking for more opportunities to give back, consider becoming a member of our parks. Volunteers with at least 15 hours of service can purchase a membership at half price. There are a variety of membership levels that offer great perks and discountsand our Metrobarks membership even includes bonuses for your favorite canine companions! To find out more, visit our website and check out the page Become a Member, or call Patty Morgenstern at (419) 407-9723. If you have joined the millions of users on Facebook, then check out Metroparks of the Toledo Areas Place Page at http://www. facebook.com/MyMetroparksPage. Our Facebook page is a great way to keep in touch with whats happening at Metroparks and view photos of volunteers in action.

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