See Dan McVicar's new site

Have you seen Dan McVicar’s new site? It’s called The Late Night Mash. It’s still in the development stage, but looks like it will be a winner.



Also check out the Promo Video by clicking on the “The LNM Show” link on the right.

Growth of an Organization

How does a person act in a leadership role to help guide a non-profit organization into raising a large amount of money for a capital expansion of a building and equipment, funds for increased staff, and contributions for an endowment fund? There are established methods, formulae, techniques, etc., for raising money for non-profits. I am learning about these methods and preparing to implement them for my organization.

I have found myself in an enviable position. I began volunteering at Jackson Bottom Wetlands Preserve in December 2005. Beginning with a 3-hour shift per week at the front desk as a greeter. I quickly learned about the organization, its history, its staff, its current programs, and most significantly, about its potential. Now my dedicated volunteer time has grown to around 20 hours a week

In the 1970s some local people began to realize the value and potential of the wetlands known as Jackson Bottom. By around 1990 there was a formal organization in place. Later a Capital Campaign was begun with the result being the opening of the organization’s Education Building to the public three years ago. The education and other programs of Jackson Bottom Wetlands Preserve have expanded to meet demand. The K through 6th grade programs are now pretty much at capacity as are the summer programs for the same age group. The staff of the organization is now working at their capacity.

The organization is bulging at its seams. It needs to expand. More staff is needed, and more floor space is needed. The vision is to add four or five new staff members (increasing the current staffing level by 50%). And a building expansion of 10,000 square feet or more is needed.

The organization’s mission or theme is Connecting Water, Wildlife, and People. We do that through:

Education, at all age levels
Water Quality Management
Research
Habitat Restoration
Passive Recreation.

We (notice that not so subtle change from “the organization” to “we”) need to expand staff and building space to do more Connecting.

I am in the wonderful position to be able to push, pull, lead, cajole, the organization toward this expansion. And I am going to write about that process in this blog.

You Rock!

You Rock!
Originally uploaded by born1945.

My grandson, Kyle, likes to play with the painted rocks at the Jackson Bottom Wetlands Preserve, Education Building. There are activities for all ages at the Center.

The education staff offers all kinds of classes for grade school children. Last school year there were over 6,000 children that came to the Center and Wetlands for classes. These classes were lead by 3 staff members and lots of volunteers.

Come see us sometime. The Center building is open 7 days a week from 10 AM to 4 PM. The wetlands trails are open from dawn to dusk.

Riparian Forest and Trail

Riparian Forest and Trail
Originally uploaded by born1945.

A riparian forest is a forested area adjacent to a river or stream, and the meaning has been extended to include forested areas next to any body of water. This picture shows a riparian area next to the Tualatin River that borders the Jackson Bottom Wetlands Preserve on the southern edge.

The tall grass in the foreground is reed canary grass that is a non-native invasive species that grows strongly in the open areas of wetlands. It can take over large areas of wetlands and is very hard to control and eradicate. But it does not like shade, so it does not grow well in riparian forest areas.

Tree Swallow

Tree Swallow
Originally uploaded by born1945.

The swallows come in the spring to Jackson Bottom Wetlands Preserve. Volunteers have placed many bird boxes (birdhouses) like this one around the wetlands for the Tree Swallows.

Setting Sun with Blackbirds

Setting Sun with Blackbirds
Originally uploaded by born1945.

This is taken on the East side of the Jackson Bottom Wetlands Preserve on about the end of January 2006. It has been flooded since about 10 days before the new year.

The tree is playing host to some Starlings and Redwing Blackbirds

My Passion, Jackson Bottom Wetlands Preserve

I have a hobby. But it's more than a hobby. It’s a passion. The object of my passion is a wetlands, specifically Jackson Bottom Wetlands Preserve, located in Hillsboro, Oregon, USA. Jackson Bottom Wetlands Preserve (JBWP) is a 725-acre wildlife preserve located within the city limits of Hillsboro, Oregon. JPWP is a non-profit organization with a staff of eight dedicated persons and a cast of many, many volunteers. I am one of those volunteers.

JBWP took a huge leap about three years ago when they opened their 12,000 Sq. Ft. Education Center building. And the organization is now poised for its next leap forward. And I am part of that. And this blog will be about my involvement with the JBWP organization and its future growth.

JBWP has a web site here.

I have a place on Flickr where there are posted several pictures I have taken at the preserve. Check them out http://www.flickr.com/photos/12567713@N00/sets/1501302/">here.

Thanks for visiting my blog.

Wetlands Tom