President Carlos Lucero presided.
Carlos Lucero led the Pledge of Allegiance.
Carlos Lucero gave the invocation.
Carlos Lucero led the Four-Way Test
Guests: Donna Stevens and Scott Zager (our speakers), Glenn Ouzts, Jerrianne Jones, Ted Presler, Lori Belk and Robin Hazelet.
Announcements:
Carlos: Our meeting on September 26, 2023 will be at the
Kountry Kitchen, 1700 Mountain View Road, Silver City, 1-575-388-4512.
Art: "Remember the "Rock Away Polio" concert September 30,2023, 7 p.m. at Light Hall. Tickets are $15.00 each, available at the door, online at
wp.silvercityrotary.org/buy-tickets or get some from me."
Carlos: Fairgate sign up sheet still has spaces that need to be filled. This has always been a Rotary project (we supply people to take and sell tickets at both gates for the three days.) Tom Bates is sick and unable to work his slots, plus other slots need to be filled.
Program: Carlos introduced our speakers, Donna Stevens, Executive Director of the Upper Gila Watershed Alliance, and Scott
Zager, Botanist and Plant Ecologist.
Donna: UGWA is a non-profit, watershed protection and advocacy, and environmental restoration group. In many ways, our work and Rotary works are similar: We work to benefit people, and are trying to make the world a better place.
We are starting a "Citizen Science Program", asking people who spend time in the Gila, whether hiking, picnicking or just enjoying the scenery, to observe and record their observations. The objective is to help the Gila National Forest Staff, as they are understaffed and don't get out into the forest enough.
The Audubon Society has done this type of observation since 1900, having people count different types of birds.
Signed copies of the book "Diary of Citizen Scientist", by Sharman Apt Russell will be handed out to the first 26 applicants.
Scott: A botanist who does a variety of things, including map-making. There is a free app that is available to download on your cell phone. Take the picture, report a problem, usually chronic, and send the picture. Problems could be 4 wheeling on a hillside, signs that have been shot at, erosion. The report goes to Scott who reviews it and sends it on to the Forest Service. The app has a GPS so problems are pinpointed, and you can see where you are if lost!
If anyone is interested, and didn't save the handouts, go to:
https://gilawatershed.org/citizen-science for further information.
Donna Stevens on left
Scott Zager on the right
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