Environmental Expo Event

Staff has begun sending out invites to potential exhibitors for the 2012 event.  Staff has also offered the Cheerful Chuggers 4-H group, who participated in last year's event, to run the concessions for the event.  They seemed interested in that opportunity and were going to discuss it as a group.  Staff continues to search for 'new' exhibitors that will help keep the event fresh and interesting for attendees and is always interested in any suggestions and/or contacts for possible exhibitors. 

As was discussed last month, a bird walk or walks may be added to the event this year.  There has been some coversation with a national birding expert that may be willing to lead a walk or walks the morning of the event and then follow that up with a presentation at the Municipal Center later in the morning.  While this has not been fully confirmed, Staff hopes to provide a more detailed update at the meeting.

As the Board knows, there will be a tree sale component to the event again, but it will be quite different then years past.  There will not be trees available for purchase the day of the event.  All sales will be through a pre-order program.  The following species will likely be available for purchase through this program (all are bareroot and sizes may need to be adjusted depending on availability): Paper Birch (6' height), Blue Beech (6' height), Skyline Honeylocust (6' height), Malus Adams (pink, 6' height), Malus Red Jewel (white, 6' height), American Linden (5' height), Showy Mountain Ash (1.25" caliper) and American Plulm (5' height).  It does sound like use of the ramp should not be disrupted by various construction projects (ramp expansion, rail station and apartment complex).

While topics and ideas for the Board's booth were discussed at the last meeting, the Board may wish to consider outlining more specifically the contents of its' booth and/or appoint individuals to work on the booth.

Based on discussion.