GHEI+Director's+Reports

To: Antioch College Administration, Glen Helen Association Board Date: March 18, 2018 From: Nick Boutis

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Activities of note: January-February

__ Administration __
Budget and finance: Some notes on the numbers below: This does not include our Dayton Foundation draw, which will help the revenue line by $120K. Our budgeted expense includes an “overhead” charge of $126,771. We’ll depend on solid revenue from Ecocamp, parking, and spring events to finish the year on decent footing. I’ll update our end-of year projection after March 31. Hiring freeze: Because of institution-wide financial concerns, Antioch is maintaining a hiring freeze. Caught up in this are multiple Ecology Institute positions, including the business manager and assistant director at the Outdoor Education Center, an assistant land manager, and property management staff position. I’ve requested authorization to proceed, recognizing that these are necessary for the work of the Glen, including delivering our budgeted revenues. No word on when we’ll be able to proceed. Volunteer coordination: Volunteerism for the period was as follows:
 * || YTD Actuals || YTD Budgeted || Annual Budgeted ||
 * Revenue || $428,845 || $486,166 || $908,937 ||
 * Expenses || $552,104 || $650,321 || $1,026,900 ||
 * Net Income/Loss || <$178,263> || <$167,175> || <$117,963> ||
 * Category || January || February || Total ||
 * Volunteer orientation || ** 24 ** || ** - ** || ** 24 ** ||
 * Raptor Center || ** 20 ** || ** 19.5 ** || ** 39.5 ** ||
 * Land stewardship || ** 18 ** || ** 18 ** || ** 36 ** ||
 * Weekly volunteers || 17 || 17 || 34 ||
 * Trail Maintenance || 1 || 1 || 2 ||
 * Nature Shop || ** 165 ** || ** 165 ** || ** 330 ** ||
 * Regular hours || 153 || 153 || 306 ||
 * Managers, inventory, meetings || 12 || 12 || 24 ||
 * Farm || ** 1 ** || ** 1 ** || ** 2 ** ||
 * ** Totals: ** || ** 228 ** || ** 203.5 ** || ** 431.5 ** ||

__ Programs __
Raptor Center: Operations: While there are fewer rehab birds in winter, there are also lower staff numbers and colder weather, so everything takes three times longer than other times of year. In January permits for the education, rehabilitation, and eagle possession activities were renewed. This year we were finally able to switch the permits from Betty Ross to Rebecca Jaramillo. While this doesn’t change our day-to-day work, it is a nice validation of Rebecca’s professional standing. Food supplies are currently high after a successful rodent run to Michigan in February as well as a large amount of fish and venison donated from the Division of Wildlife. We also received a few donations of rabbit from a local falconer. Snowy Owls: This has been another irruption year for these arctic owls, with multiple birds spotted in Ohio. In January, Nicole and Rebecca were called out to the Dayton International Airport to relocate a Snowy Owl that was perching near a runway, and was a risk to planes and itself. After a few hours of driving around the runways, they managed to move her to an out of the way area. She looked healthy and has likely migrated back north by now. Rehabilitation notes: Rehab in January and February is always hit or miss. This year was pretty light. The cold weather has caused us to hold on to some birds longer than normal, as we don’t want to release a bird during/right before a snowstorm. We had 13 arrivals, with the following outcomes: 1 released; 3 died; 4 euthanized, 5 birds pending in rehabilitation. Education: Programs were as expected for January and February, with minimal school programs, and weather too cold for onsite groups. Miami Valley School did a fundraiser for us, bringing in supplies and gift cards. These supply drives make it so that our budget can be used for bird care, and not get eaten up by purchasing paper towels or cleaning supplies. Program participation, not including Outdoor Education Center groups: 8 programs, 330 people, $400 (plus Miami Valley donations) 2017 summary: For our permitting, we are required to tally our programs on an annual basis. Here is that data in brief: Programs: 310 on-site, 3,890 participants; 77 off-site, 3,794 participants Admissions: Thirteen species of raptors were admitted, 213 birds total Outdoor Education Center Outdoor School program: Incorporating practices on the increase with other residential environmental learning centers, Michael has been exploring ways to deepen partnerships with attending schools, such as helping teachers develop nature-connected and science curriculum and pedagogy, or even serving as adjunct faculty at schools to develop these kinds of programs on site. As an example, he is working with the administration of Graham Elementary towards helping them develop curriculum that they’ll be able to use in a land lab near their school. Our hope is that this effort will deepen and strengthen the partnerships, pedagogy and commitments between schools and the Glen. Stay tuned. School recruitment: Michael is lining up schools for the 2018-19 school year, with 20 of 33 weeks committed. A big disappointment is the loss of Piqua schools who had been coming for two weeks and bringing over 100 students. Their evaluations of the experience have been excellent, but they have been vocal about the facilities for a while, and they made the choice to go elsewhere. He will be working to fill the rest of the schedule during March and April. Ecocamp: Registration is under way, with 194 slots taken to date. Hiring for the 2018 Ecocamp staff continues as well. Naturalist interns: Michael notes that the interns continue to excel, although winter is not without its challenges. February brought the traditional seasonal discontent and anxiety, as winter clings and the naturalists contemplate next steps after the Glen and compete with each other for the 2nd year internships. Naturalist recruitment: Michael updated application process for interns, including creating an on-line application. He has interviews lined up for March and April. 2nd Year Lead Naturalists internships: All 10 naturalist interns expressed interest in in applying for the 2nd year administrative internship, and 7 of 10 ultimately applied and were interviewed by Rebecca and Michael. Michael notes that all applicants were well qualified, and that the internships were ultimately offered to Emma Strick, Teaching and Learning; Teresa Slonaker, Program Coordinator; Emily Kridel, Public Programming and Extension. Training excursion: The Outdoor Education Center started off the calendar year with a seven-day trip in the Southeast, visiting peer institutions, along with friends, family and colleagues along the way. Major stops included the Tremont Institute in Great Smoky Mountain Park, Camp Kanuga outside of Asheville, NC, Ft. Caswell marine research and education center, and a visit to Michael’s farm in Blue Ridge Virginia, including a caving expedition led by his daughter, Reilly. Michael notes that the group had a great time, learned a lot, made great connections and bonded a lot as a team as well. Outdoor School: Schools this period include: Operating Revenue/Expenses: Public education: Extension and Outreach Activities: Extension naturalist Nathan Fox organized a robust set of programs, this period reaching 114 people and generating $83. Public programs: Attendance totals listed below reflect individual ticket sales and sign-ups on Eventbrite. Actual totals may be higher. Annual meeting: The GHA annual meeting is set for May 16. Naturalist, writer, and photographer Jim McCormack will be the speaker. Suzanne Oldham will be recognized posthumously as a member of the Glen Helen Legacy Society.
 * || ** Received ** || ** Released ** || ** Transferred ** || ** Pending ** || ** Euthanized ** || ** Died ** || ** DOA ** ||
 * Bald Eagles ||  6   ||   3   ||   0   ||   0   ||   2   ||   1   ||   0   ||
 * Red-tailed Hawk ||  43   ||   11   ||   0   ||   2   ||   17   ||   12   ||   1   ||
 * Cooper’s Hawks ||  34   ||   7   ||   0   ||   1   ||   3   ||   23   ||   0   ||
 * Red-shouldered ||  17   ||   6   ||   0   ||   0   ||   1   ||   10   ||   0   ||
 * Kestrels ||  11   ||   8   ||   0   ||   0   ||   0   ||   3   ||   0   ||
 * Peregrine ||  3   ||   2   ||   0   ||   1   ||   0   ||   0   ||   0   ||
 * Turkey Vultures ||  12   ||   1   ||   1   ||   1   ||   8   ||   2   ||   0   ||
 * Great Horned Owls ||  45   ||   15   ||   0   ||   0   ||   10   ||   19   ||   1   ||
 * Screech Owls ||  30   ||   17   ||   0   ||   1   ||   5   ||   5   ||   2   ||
 * Barred Owls ||  6   ||   1   ||   0   ||   0   ||   4   ||   1   ||   0   ||
 * Broad Winged ||  3   ||   2   ||   0   ||   0   ||   0   ||   1   ||   0   ||
 * Black Vulture ||  2   ||   0   ||   0   ||   0   ||   0   ||   1   ||   1   ||
 * Snowy Owl ||  1   ||   0   ||   0   ||   0   ||   0   ||   1   ||   0   ||
 * ** Totals ** || ** 213 **  ||  ** 73 **  ||  ** 1 **  ||  ** 6 **  ||  ** 50 **  ||  ** 79 **  ||  ** 5 **  ||
 * ** School, County ** ||  ** Students **  ||  ** Scholarship **  ||  ** Tuition **  ||  ** Teacher meals **  ||  ** Scholarship Awarded **  ||
 * Northmoor, Englewood, Montgomery ||  74   ||   0   ||   $8,225   ||   $225   ||   $0   ||
 * Talawanda, Oxford, Butler ||  60   ||   0   ||   $8,700   ||   $190   ||   $0   ||
 * Talawanda, Oxford, Butler ||  64   ||   0   ||   $9,280   ||   $200   ||   $0   ||
 * Talawanda, Oxford, Butler ||  64   ||   0   ||   $9,284   ||   $205   ||   $0   ||
 * Ruskin, Dayton, Montgomery ||  42   ||   42   ||   $6,098   ||   $150   ||   $4,200   ||
 * ** Totals ** || ** 304 (1,243 YTD) ** || ** 42 (188 YTD) ** ||   $41,587   ||   $970   ||   $4,200   ||
 * || YTD Actuals || YTD Budgeted || Annual Budgeted ||
 * Outdoor school || $166,600 || $153,450 || $226,430 ||
 * Extension programs || $854 || $1, 250 || $2,500 ||
 * Camp store || $10,767 || $15,905 || $20,000 ||
 * Food Expense || <$22,383> || <$24,375> || <$40,000> ||
 * Event ||  Date  ||  Location  ||  Attend  ||  Revenue  ||  Expense  ||  Net  ||
 * Life Under Ice || 1-7 || Trailside || 16 || $20 || $0 || $20 ||
 * Groundhog Day, Again || 2-3 || Trailside || 45 || $53 || $0 || $53 ||
 * The Science of Snow || 2-17 || Trailside || 5 || $5 || $0 || $5 ||
 * Exploration Merit Badge Facilitation || 2-17 || GC Career Center || 9 || (Pending) || $0 || (Pend) ||
 * Exploration Merit Badge Facilitation || 3-3 || GC Career Center || 9 || (Pending) || $0 || (Pend) ||
 * Wee Wander Wednesdays || Mult. || Trailside || 30 || $5 || $0 || $5 ||
 * **Totals:** || 114 || $83 || $0 || $83 ||
 * Event ||  Date  ||  Location  ||  Attend  ||  Revenue  ||  Expense  ||  Net  ||
 * Hot Chocolate Tasting and Full Moon Hike || 1-2 || Trailside || 23 || $115 || $0 || $115 ||
 * Winter Birds || 1-28 || Trailside || 16 || $0 || $0 || $0 ||
 * Total Lunar Eclipse and Full Moon Hike || 1-31 || Trailside || 31 || $155 || $0 || $155 ||
 * Understanding the Language of Birds || 2-3 || Trailside || 13 || $55 || $0 || $55 ||
 * A Memberable Evening || 2-3 || Birch Manor || 76 || $3,972 || $1,092 || $2880 ||
 * Sweetheart Hike || 2-11 || Trailside || 2 || $10 || $ - || $10 ||
 * Great Backyard Bird Count || 2-18 || Trailside || 1 || $10 || $- || $10 ||
 * Winter Birds || 2-25 || Grinnell Mill || 3 || $0 || $- || $0 ||
 * **Totals:** || 165 || $4,317 || $1,092 || $3,225 ||

__ Land/Science __ Trail work: Over the two-month period, Ben and volunteers cleared 15 obstructions, and placed 1 trail closure. They closed the poorly graded Traveler’s Spring Trail, which was originally constructed to serve as a logging road. To accomplish this, they placed signage at the top and bottom, dropped 5 large maples, and dug 5 large drainage ditches. Elsewhere, they cleaned out water bars from the T-Bone trail to the Travertine Mound, repaired a footbridge on the Lower Talus Trail, repaired 3 deck boards and stringer on a section of the walnut boardwalk broken by a falling ash tree, repaired the cedar rail along Z-Trail east of the Cascades, placed a new Osage rail by the Blue Hole, re-set a rustic footbridge along the Paw Paw trail (since gone missing in subsequent floods), hardended an eroded section of the Upper Talus Trail by placing a 12’ cedar spread a half ton of gravel on the Talus Trail between the YS Creek bridge and the T (requiring a zip line to move gravel to the site). Trail planning: Ben researched trail network densities of nearby preserves, showing that we have a higher trail density than our comparison group. Land stewardship: Ben designed a vegetation study assessing woody plant composition and deer damage to plants. Case Woods: We’re preparing to spray pre-emergent stilt grass, and acquired 3-point hitch sprayer for that purpose. Sutton Farm: We removed 125 feet of old woven wire fence from the Old Woods. Invasive species: Ben and crew cleared 5.3 acres of honeysuckle and a colony of very large Asian bittersweet along Birch Creek. Ranger: Misdeeds slow considerably in colder weather. Susan logged the following violations: off-trail (15), dogs off leash/water (5), after hours (5), wading (3), alcohol/ marijuana (3), hammocks (2), mountain bikes (2), littering (1), graffiti (1) *see below Yellow Springs Police Department/Antioch Public Safety contacts: January 10: Jonathan Woods cited for criminal trespassing at the Vernet Building by Yellow Springs Police. January 25: Dam bridge tagged with black marker. Area cleaned. February 20: Christopher Kelly escorted from the preserve for public intoxication on Castle Rock. Due to multiple offenses of the same nature, Mr. Kelly will be served with a no trespass notice.

__ Farm __
Operations: Winter is a time of seeds, ordering and planting indoors, awaiting spring. The first of our indoor starts were planted in February including onion, parsley, corn salad and kale. Every two weeks, successions of indoor plantings will happen until June. The earliest starts will be transplanted into the hoop house in late March. Later plants are destined for the outdoor garden beds as temperatures rise. Other winter projects include the start of a second ‘chickshaw’ chicken coop and pruning and care of our perennial fruit trees. Student staff: Four part-time students staffed the farm during the winter. They folks cared for chickens and collected compost, even when temperatures hovered in the teens. Looking forward, we were relieved to learn that student staff positions are not included in the hiring freeze, so we will be able to expand back to our regular spring staff for the growing season. Spring positions include two Farm to Table coop positions (already filled!), plus and an additional part-time student. OEFFA: 3 staff/faculty and 3 student farm staff attended the Ohio Ecological Food & Farming Association (OEFFA) Conference, February 16-17 in Dayton. They hosted an Antioch College table in the exhibition hall, highlighting Antioch’s leadership in food and farming and interacting with at least 150 people directly. Students also attended workshops. 2017 in review: Kat tallied an overview of farm activity over the past year:
 * Courses utilizing Farm: 11
 * Volunteer hours: 462
 * Campus large event support: 5
 * Produce: 5,100 pounds, value $23, 600
 * Other products: flowers, dried tea, lamb, chicken & duck eggs

__ Facilities __
Taking stock: In the past couple months there has been a lot of snow and ice mitigation need including spreading grit, shoveling, and plowing. Shahkar also made some plow repairs. Projects this period included: Vernet Building: Shahkar patched another hole in the roof, installed new display lights in the shop, resealed the lid to septic tank, and unclogged the French drain at the top of the stairs. Trailside: Shahkar repaired hand drier and unclogged the French drain in front of the doorway Outdoor Education Center: Shahkar replaced a broken stair on the office trailer. Around the complex, we completed the following work: Lodge: We simplified the plumbing to eliminate one water heater, replaced a faucet in the kitchen sink, replaced broken and loose tiles in the kitchen, and installed slide locks on the main double doors. Mercer: AC Service finished repairing pipes damaged due to freeze. Shahkar painted the kitchen cabinets, and resealed around upstairs shower and finished repairs to damaged walls Hickory: Shahkar replaced a broken bunk bed. Maintenance shop: Ben removed and disposed of junk from maintenance shop, some 20+ years old. Raptor Center: Shahkar adjusted the sliding door on the rehab cage and installed an outside outlet for the vulture cages. In February, Rebecca met with volunteer and engineer Jerry Papania to look at designs for new rehabilitation cages at the Raptor Center. She will be taking the plans to the National Wildlife Rehabilitators Conference in March to get feedback from other rehabbers. We have identified several funders to pursue, once we have clear estimates on construction costs. Birch Manor: We had a new bathtub installed with new surround and plumbing in the 3rd floor apt, to ready it for renting. We also replaced broken bathroom tile, installed a new bathroom sink, and patched and painted a room wall. Elsewhere, Shahkar replaced a bad breaker in the electric panel. Coming up, we will be installing a gravel pad for the event tent, because mulch proved to be an inadequate surface. Gate House: We repaired the water heater. Mill Run Cabin: Betty Ross moved from the Mill Run Cabin around the start of the year. After initially thinking that we would need to demolish the cabin, Michael Blackwell stepped forward with interest in moving in. Camp Greene House: Replaced bathroom ceiling fan Riding Centre: After a hiatus, I resumed discussion with the Riding Centre Association regarding updates to their lease agreement. The document remains little changed from the one agreed to in principle a couple years ago. Looking forward: In the coming months Shahkar intends to make a plan to make future pipe freezes less likely. It is also time to fill potholes, and get ready for mowing season. We are also contemplating summertime repairs to the dormitories at the Outdoor Education Center, to make them more inviting to schools and potential renters.

__ Marketing __ Facility rentals: Revenue for the Ecology Institute units remains at $1,320. A new tenant will move in to the third floor of Birch Manor March 1. All Glen Helen Association units are occupied with revenue of $3,200/month. In terms of short-term rentals, we have: Site rental coordination: Some time ago, we learned of the system that the Cincinnati Nature Center follows for short term rentals. They work with a caterer, Elegant Fare, who handles all logistics, setup, breakdown, and clean up. By outsourcing this work to specialists, CNC is able to host more frequent events than us, and without comparable staffing obligations. Tom reached out to Elegant Fare to invite them to tour our facilities and prepare a proposal for our review. They provided a draft non-exclusive agreement, modeled closely after what they’ve done with CNC. We are presently reviewing it, and see this as a step forward compared to our current system, and one that would free Ann up to work on other revenue-generating activities. Print media: Yellow Springs News(February 1): [|Pollution continues in Glen waters], (February 8): [|Blog- Scenes from a Birch Manor Fundraiser] Social media: Top post this period encouraged users to “Print off a copy of the Glen Helen Trail Map” 4,900 times. Current user data is as follows:
 * ** Birch Manor ** ||
 * Event  ||   Date   ||   Gross Revenue   ||   Staffing Cost   ||   Security Cost   ||   Net Revenue   ||
 * YS Pilates workhop (donation) || Jan 7 || $27 || $0 || $0 || $27 ||
 * Cello Springs concert (donation) || Jan 10 || $128.45 || $0 || $0 || $128.45 ||
 * ** Subtotals: ** || ** $155.45 ** || $0 || $0 || ** $155.45 ** ||
 * ** Vernet Ecological Center ** ||
 * Event  ||   Date   ||   Revenue   ||   Staffing   ||   Security   ||   Net   ||
 * Zearfoss Memorial || Feb 17 || $400 || $80 || $0 || $320 ||
 * DeLacey Birthday || Feb 18 || $1065 || $80 || $0 || $985 ||
 * Antioch student retreat || Comp || $0 || $0 || $0 || $0 ||
 * ** Subtotals: ** || ** $1465 ** || ** $160 ** || ** $0 ** || ** $1305 ** ||
 * ** Camp Greene ** ||
 * Event  ||   Date   ||   Revenue   ||   Staffing   ||   Security   ||   Net   ||
 * Dark ||
 * ** Subtotals: ** || ** $0 ** || ** $0 ** || ** $0 ** || ** $0 ** ||
 * ** Outdoor Education Center ** ||
 * Event  ||   Date(s)   ||   Revenue   ||   Staffing   ||   Security   ||   Net   ||
 * Stratton Family || Jan 6 || $281.03 || $30.00 || $0 || $251.03 ||
 * ** Subtotals: ** || ** $281.03 ** || ** $30 ** || ** $0 ** || ** $281.03 ** ||
 * ** Grand total: ** || || ** $1,901.48 ** || ** $190 ** || ** $0 ** || ** $1,711.48 ** ||
 * Social/electronic media outlets ||
 * Outlet || Users || Location/notes ||
 * Facebook || 15,710 “likes” || www.facebook.com/glenhelen ||
 * Vertical Response || 3,466 contacts || 11% avg. open rate, 2% avg. click a link within the newsletter. ||

__ Development __
Membership: As of February 28, 2018, we have 936 paid members, 17 complimentary members, and 92 non-member supporters, successfully cracking the 1,000 milestone! Expirations over the past periods: Annual fund: We are between appeals, but saw lagging gifts from our year-end mailing. Memberable Evening: The GHA membership committee hosted its second annual wine & jazz evening on February 3, this time at Birch Manor. It was a successful, fun event, with net revenue of $2,880 after expenses of $1091. We had 57 attendees, 23 of whom were new members. We were invited to submit a proposal to the Physician’s Charitable Foundation, a foundation we have not worked with previously. If funded, the $7,620 request will allow the Outdoor Education Center to develop programming that makes connections between environment and health, and would include a salad bar for the dining hall.
 * Expiration date || Number expired || Change from last report ||
 * 2014, all dates || 66 || 0 ||
 * 2015, all dates || 87 || -1 ||
 * 2-28-16 || 45 || -1 ||
 * 6-30-16 || 30 || -2 ||
 * 10-31-16 || 37 || 0 ||
 * 2-28-17 || 55 || -4 ||
 * 6-30-17 || 19 || -1 ||
 * 10-31-17 || 70 || -17 ||
 * 2-28-18 || 140 || - ||
 * Month || Gifts || Value ||
 * January || 24 || $2,647 ||
 * February || 55 || $5,845 ||
 * Total  || 79 || $8,492 ||