Chase Lake annual briefing scheduled

The Chase Lake Foundation’s annual pelican briefing will be held at 2 p.m. Sunday at the Medina City Hall. Presenting the update on what is happening with the pelican colony will be Paulette Scherr, who serves as the biologist for the Arrowwood National Wildlife Refuge complex which includes Chase Lake.

Scherr is one of the USFWS personnel who have closely monitored the pelican colony in recent years and has also coordinated USFWS work with the ongoing research at the UIS Geological Survey’s Northern Prairie Research Center.

In addition to the Pelican Briefing, Scherr will discuss the shorebird and breeding bird surveys that she has help conduct in recent years. A well-known birder, Scherr will also report on the conditions on the refuges within the Arrowwood NWR complex.

The Chase Lake Foundation’s annual meeting will be held following her presentation. Foundation President Karl Limvere said members will be considering an updated set of bylaws at the annual meeting. The bylaws are being revised to reflect the foundation’s role as a “Friends” organization to the USFWS refuge system, its operation of the Chase Lake Visitors and Information Center located in the Medina City Hall, and its promotion of eco-tourism.

The current bylaws were written when the primary focus of the foundation was the construction of a wetlands interpretive center, he said. The board of directors is recommending the bylaws change to facilitate the foundation’s current activities. Copies of the proposed bylaws will be available at the visitors center or upon request to kivimaa@daktel.com.

The foundation will also be electing four directors to serve three-year terms on the board.

Tags: nd news, chase lake, arrowwood, news, medina