PLANT SALE PICK-UP!!

June 6th is the native plant sale pick-up for TCAS plant patrons. The pick-up area is located at Homewood Izaak Walton on Ridge Road at the S curve 1/4th mile west of Halsted. Just follow the entrance road past the Little League Ballparks and into the gravel parking lot of Izaak Walton - look to your right and you will see us!!

GRANTS and SCHOLARSHIPS!

The TCAS ECOLOGY SCHOLARSHIP is awarded to a high school student or a teacher for elementary or secondary education who is interested in attending an environmental workshop or enrolling in a college credit course in environmental studies. They must be in the TCAS area and the scholarship will not exceed $500.
Submit two references, print the application and mail to 201 krotiak Road, Park Forest, Il. 60466, Attn: Joan

Twice a year the TCAS GRANTS Committee provides financial support for local projects that promote environmental education and the protection and enhancement of wildlife and the environment. Grants are not to exceed $500 per program and are available to schools and local organizations. Download the 2009 application here and good luck to all.

TCA GRANT AWARDS - SPRING 2009
Thorn Creek Audubon Society Board of Directors authorizes $1110 in Grants for the first half of 2009. The following are the Grant recipients:
(1) Will County Forest Preserve District $210 for binocular purchases;
(2) Multidisciplinary Education for the Environment $250 towards the purchase of an LCD Projector for their microscope;
(3) Kimberly Ramirez $100 for the purchase of a motion-activated camera to use in a nesting bird survey;
(4) Thorn Creek Nature Center $300 towards the development of a butterfly garden;
(5) Homewood Tree Committee $250 towards tree purchases for a rain garden.

Congratulations to all the applicants/recipients!

AUDUBON ADVENTURES APPEAL - FOR THE 2009/2010 SCHOOL YEAR

Soon we will be enrolling teachers for Audubon Adventures 2009/2010.

Therefore our spring appeal is underway, with many thanks to those of you who have contributed in the past, and a warm welcome to new contributors. We ask for your help in support of Audubon Adventures so that we may continue to encourage and empower these teachers to introduce children in grades 3 to 6 to the wonders of nature and to an ethic of stewardship for the environment.

Judging by a preview from National Audubon, next year we are likely to find ourselves with much to learn from our Audubon Adventures-educated children. The overall theme for the year will be “Earth’s Natural Resources”, with sub-topics focusing on the water cycle, energy flow, climate seasons, and the carbon cycle. In each segment, there will be emphasis on community action and on helping birds. Please continue to join with us in getting these stimulating materials, which seem to get better, brighter and more interactive each year, into the hands of the dedicated teachers who request them.

To contribute, please send a check made out to Thorn Creek Audubon Adventures Fund, to Sue Putnam, 3704 213th St., Matteson, IL, 60443

Although the cost of each classroom kit will continue at $45.65, contributions are welcome in any amount. The kit includes 32 copies of each issue of the student newspaper and a resource manual for the teacher, plus extras such as the “Guide to a Healthy Schoolyard” and “Nature Journaling for Everyone”. You may designate your gift for a particular class, youth group or community. Commemorative, holiday and birthday contributions will be acknowledged with a special certificate. Samples of Audubon Adventures “newspapers” are available upon request.