PHAS Events

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UPCOMING MEMBERS ACTIVITIES  Fall 2024

 

PHAS tries to have members meetings in the last week of the month, but we  sometimes change that due to speaker availability or other issues. 

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OCTOBER or NOVEMBER


Every October we (along with Norbeck Society and Sierra Club) have a field trip on Forestry Basics with Dave Mertz. .  It will be the morning of Friday Oct 18th , 2024, 9 am -12 pm, Meet in Hill City at the Michelson Trail Head in City Park. Car pooling/caravan will be organized there.  For more information

https://phas-wsd.org/event/field-trip-on-forestry-basics-with-dave-mertz-in-black-hills/

 We hope to have a meeting on mining threats to area with Lilias Jarding as speaker in later October or  November

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We seek persons who want to run for the Board of Directors, contact any of the Board members if you wish to serve on the Board.  We have not yet set the date of the annual meeting, at which the slate of candidates is chosen, followed by a mail-in ballot election..


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National Audubon Society released grant opportunities for Chapters in February and did so again in  early August with an October 15th, deadline. Here are links to spring grants: https://nationalaudubon.box.com/s/k2utg4oyr0rfr7wh2pqd81s69nz6tt3t

People with grant ideas contact Nancy, 605-787-6466, nhilshat@rapidnet.com,


At our July Board Meeting, the PHAS Board of Directors endorsed the referendum of Senate Bill 201. We opposed SB 201 during the legislature. This is related to the fight in eastern SD over CO2 pipelines and local control vs. state control over regulations about pipelines as they go through local counties. Some Counties ordinances are more protective. Dakota Rural Action has a web page on the fight over C02 pipelines in SD – https://www.dakotarural.org/our-work/carbon-pipelines/.  They also endorse the referendum have a web page on referred law # 21 – https://www.dakotarural.org/vote-no-on-referred-law-21/  Our alert about this is on the events Calendar for November 5th.

 

PAST EVENTS

Go to our recordings web page, for recordings of our past meetings.


SEPTEMBER

On eve of September 25th – 6:30 pm,  we plan to  have an informal evening Zoom discussion of SDGFP  draft Revised October version of Mt Lion Action Plan.  It is announced on our Facebook Page at – https://www.facebook.com/share/4HUtZLpMFijdvaBz/  and announced on our events/deadline calendar at https://phas-wsd.org/event/phas-meeting-topic-sd-mountain-lions-and-gfp-management-plans-by-zoom/ You can find Zoom codes at these links

We hope to help members and friends understand issues with mountain lion management in SD and empower them to write comments by Sunday 9/29/24  or testify orally on Thursday, Oct 3rd. Josh Rosenau of the Mt Lion Foundation will join us.

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We had board meetings in June, July, August, September and October . Board meetings are open to PHAS members, held in the evening by Zoom, but the Zoom details are sheltered and you must contact Nancy Hilding (phas.wsd@rapidnet.com) or other board member for an invite.

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National Audubon Society’s (NAS) Spring/Summer Climate Watch season is May 15th-June 15th , 2024. Help NAS learn gather data about climate change’s impacts  to some specific birds. For more info on how your birding can help go to:   https://phas-wsd.org/event/climate-watch-spring-summer-season/ 

We had a Zoom meeting on greater sage grouse and BLM revisions of Resource Management Plans in the west on the eve of Monday  June 10th, 6:30 pm. Erik Molvar of Western Watersheds Project will be the speaker. The deadline to comment on BLMs DEIS on greater sage grouse management is June 13th and we wanted to educate you all about the issues before the comment deadline.

Go to our calendar page for details on the meeting – .  https://phas-wsd.org/event/june-10th-phas-meeting-on-the-blms-proposed-amendments-to-their-rmps-for-greater-sage-grouse/

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 On May 21st, 2024 we had a networking meeting SD’s management of mountain lions. SDGFP is considering rewriting the SD’s Mt. Lion Management Plan to have lower lion population objectives and/or change cougar hunting seasons so they can allow hound hunting of lions in the Black Hills, outside of Custer State Park (it is already allowed in CSP). PHAS working/networking meetings are not so much formal presentations, but more a  group discussion by attendees and they are sheltered meetings (you need an invite) – contact Nancy 787-6466 or phas.wsd@rapidnet.com for an invite to this and/or our other future working meetings.

May 17th – we co-sponsored Endangered Species Day Celebration  by Zoom at 6:00 pm. 

Link to ESDC announcement on PHAS Facebook page:

https://www.facebook.com/events/3527418304178046/

Link to ESDC announcement on PHAS web site’s event’s calendar web page

https://phas-wsd.org/event/endangered-species-day-celebration-2024/

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~Migratory Bird Day was May 11th, 2024 and will repeat at Oct 12th, in the fall of 2024.

~We had a field trip on May 4th, 2024 to La Creek National Wildlife Refuge. 

~We had a members meeting towards the end of February > (Monday 2/26/24 at 6:30 pm) by Zoom. This was National Audubon Society staff talking about their projects in SD, ND & NE. For details visit this link:  https://phas-wsd.org/event/phas-february-members-meeting-national-audubon-society-reports-on-their-activities-in-sd-nd-ne/

~We had a member’s meeting towards the end of March > Tuesday, March  26th, 2024 at 6:30 pm by Zoom on American dippers & osprey in the Black Hills, with SDGFP asking for our help & birding skills to help inventory both species.  Watch the  PHAS events calendar for details.

~We co-sponsored a legislative cracker barrel on Saturday February 17th, at 1:30 – 4 pm MT in Piedmont, SD for Districts 29 and 33. This was at the Piedmont Valley American Legion Post 311 and hybrid, so there is a Zoom option. 

Link to PHAS Facebook announcement of Cracker Barrel

https://fb.me/e/eTamfLTfO

Link to PHAS web site announcement of Cracker Barrel

https://phas-wsd.org/event/piedmont-foothills-area-legislative-cracker-barrel-feb-17th-2024/

 

Great Backyard Bird Count happened in February.

During January-February we urge folks to participate in Climate Watch a National Audubon Society  community science project that is discussed on our web page on community science –  https://phas-wsd.org/citizen-science/
 

Christmas Bird Count (CBC) Season was from December 14th, 2023 – January 5th, 2024.  Our summary of this year’s regional CBCs can be found at https://phas-wsd.org/citizen-science/ 

To find details on a Christmas bird count near you on Audubon’s interactive map:

https://audubon.maps.arcgis.com/apps/View/index.html?appid=ac275eeb01434cedb1c5dcd0fd3fc7b4

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PHAS was not planning a regular member’s meeting in December due to all the Christmas Bird Counts & holidays. Our member’s meetings are often in the last week of the month – that is what we strive for, but alternating weeks, sometimes due to speaker’s conflicts with the last week. We anticipate member’s meeting again after new year starts. 

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PHAS may have  conservation discussion meeting(s) by Zoom some time in December or early January.  Such meetings are not formal presentations, but rather discussions by concerned members/friends about current issues/projects. One meeting might discuss  environmental bills in the pending legislature. Contact Nancy 605-7876466 (landline) or phas.wsd@rapidnet.com for details, however date(s) will be published here once planned.

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PHAS will have a board meeting by Zoom  at 6 pm MT, on Friday, December 15th, 2023.  Prairie Hills Audubon Society members are welcome at PHAS board meetings, contact Nancy 605-7876466 (landline) or phas.wsd@rapidnet.com for details. 

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The National Audubon Society will release chapter grant opportunities, likely after February, 2024.  PHAS can apply for these. They can award grants as large as $10,000.  We may have discussion meeting(s) by Zoom on grants. Dates will be published here, once known, if we do have such. Contact Nancy about these also. 

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The November Members Meeting –  was on raccoons with two speakers (Katherine McGill & Nancy Hilding), the last week in November,- Wednesday the 29th, at 6 pm MT  For announcements with Zoom details: visit our Facebook Page https://www.facebook.com/events/1057888325282111?acontext={“event_action_history”:[{“mechanism”:”search_results”,”surface”:”bookmark_search”}],”ref_notif_type”:null}

 or our Web Site Calendar page https://phas-wsd.org/event/likely-date-phass-november-members-meeting-topic-raccoons/

The meeting was recorded – so go to our recordings web page (under Resources) to find the link to the recording https://phas-wsd.org/recorded-meetings/

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PHAS attempted to have  a board meeting by Zoom in on Wednesday November 8th, 2023.  We did not have a quorum, 

Prairie Hills Audubon Society members are welcome at PHAS board meetings, contact Nancy 605-7876466 (landline) or 

phas.wsd@rapidnet.com for details. Dates will be published here, once known.

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__October 30th, Monday, 6 pm MT PHAS monthly meeting, topic – protecting French Creek from water pollution, hybrid meeting (Zoom and face-to-face meeting) at Outdoor Campus West. Go to events page calendar for details  https://phas-wsd.org/events-alerts/

Oct 16th, annual forestry basics field trip. For the past 2 years the NGOs of Prairie Hills Audubon Society, The Norbeck Society and the Black Hills Group of the Sierra Club  will jointly sponsor a “Forestry Basics” field trip in the fall on October 16th.   Dave Mertz a retired forester from the Black Hills National Forest leads a morning field trip in the Custer area to learn about how the National Forest plans and executes timber sales – we visit various sites to see how timber cutting is implemented in various ways.  Go to events page calendar for details  https://phas-wsd.org/events-alerts/Contact Nancy for questions – nhilshat@rapidnet.com or 605-787-6466 

 

PHAS is  had an annual meeting at 6 pm August 31st, Thursday.  Erik Molvar was the  speaker on the greater sage grouse, followed by the business meeting w/ election of board members. This meeting was a hybrid, with Zoom access and face-to-face meeting at the Piedmont American Legion Post 311, Piedmont, SD.  Folks wishing to serve on the Board this next year,  contact any of the current Board members:  Nancy Hilding – President, Jim Petersen – Vice-President, Doris Respects Nothing – Secretary,   Helen McGinnis – Treasurer, Jedediah Beadle – Board members (& field trip chair), Tonia Stands – Board member.  For more details on the Annual meeting visit our calendar page: 

 

The board meeting in August 2023 was held on Tuesday August 15th at 6:00 pm.  PHAS members are welcome at Board meetings that are held on Zoom. Nowadays they tend to be mid-month in evening.  – Contact Nancy for details – nhilshat@rapidnet.com or 605-787-6466 

 

 ~PHAS had a Zoom conservation networking/discussion/strategy meeting Wednesday August 2nd,  4 pm – 6 pm MT. Topics will be: Wyoming and South Dakota lion hunting season 2023 proposals and maybe, time permitting, SD Nest Predator Bounty Program and beaver conservation or other topics.  Contact Nancy for details – nhilshat@rapidnet.com or 605-787-6466 for details on how to attend. We don’t post on-line Zoom links or the meeting records, when campaign strategy is discussed, as we reserve attendance to PHAS members and other folk with support for conservation & environmental/biodiversity protection.

~We had a board meeting on Wednesday July 13th, 2023,Members are welcome at Board meetings. They are held by Zoom, – ask Nancy Hilding for an invite – 605-787-6466

~ We had a conservation action strategy networking meeting Sunday night June 4th by ZoomContact Nancy Hilding to be invited. 605-787-6466.  This is where we discuss our conservation campaigns. Go to the events/deadlines calendar for details.

~ We had Zoom members meeting on Monday June 5th – on Mining threat in Black Hills w/ Lilias Jarding as speaker. Go to the events/deadlines calendar for details.

~ We had a Board meeting for Monday,June 12th,, Members are welcome at Board meetings. They are held by Zoom, – ask Nancy Hilding for an invite – 605-787-6466

~We co-sponsored (with other groups) the annual Endangered Species Day Celebration on the evening of May 19th

~We co-sponsored with the Sierra Club a field trip to La Creek National Wildlife Refuge on Saturday May 13th. Go to the events/deadlines calendar for details.
~We had a PHAS Board meeting on May 11th, at 6 pm by Zoom. Members wanting to come should contact Nancy Hilding – 605-787-6466 (LL) or phas.wsd@rapidnet.com. 

~We had a “working meeting” in late April on Sunday, April 30th at 6 pm, to discuss actions needed to move our various conservation campaigns forward. This was by Zoom. Go to events calendar page for details.
~Our previous meeting was Tuesday, April 4th by Zoom and will be on Black Hills National Forest Issues. Mary Zimmerman and Dave Mertz will talk on their mid-March trip to DC to lobby on Forest Issues. We normally meet in the last week of the month, but due to speaker availability, we moved forward in time by a week. Go to events page for details & contact Nancy for a link to the recording.

~We had a Zoom meeting at 6:30 pm on Tuesday, February 28th. Meghan Carter from the National Audubon Society office in Fargo, ND talked to us about Audubon’s staff’s activities & programs in the Dakotas. Details was posted to the events page and meeting was recorded and link to recording was posted to recordings page.

~PHAS co-sponsored the Piedmont (Foothills Area) Legislative Cracker Barrel on the afternoon of Saturday 2/18/23 at the Piedmont American Legion Post. See events page for details: https://phas-wsd.org/event/piedmont-foothills-area-cracker-barrel/
RECENT PAST 2022
~PHAS sponsored 2 Christmas Bird Counts in Dec./Jan.. See list of Christmas Bird Counts in Nature Study drop down menu.

Saturday, October 29, 9:30 – 1:00      Forestry Basics Field Trip – back by popular demand!

~Field trip with retired BHNF Natural Resource Staff Officer, Dave Mertz 

Prairie Hills Audubon Society again worked jointly with The Norbeck Society  and the Sierra Club to sponsor a field trip to learn about Forestry. Terminology and concepts that guide forest management will be illustrated with real life examples on our forest. Think beyond the confines of your own lifetime!   We met at 9:30 am at the gravel parking lot along Hwy 385 immediately south of the admissions gate to Crazy Horse. We caravanned from there and visit approximately 4 or 5 stops. 

———We didn’t have Zoom member’s meeting(s) planned for the last week October, November and we never due Zoom meetings during holiday weekend.

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PHAS August Members Meeting August 28. 2022 at 1:00 pm ~Tour the Black Hills Raptor Center.Special Prairie Hills Audubon Monthly Meeting – Sunday August 28,2022 1:00 PM  Private tour of Black Hills Raptor Center for our Chapter – See the birds up close and personal!  Address: 15256 East Highway 44 – 4 miles past Rapid City Regional Airport, north side of highway.,The Black Hills Raptor Center (BHRC) is a five-acre nature preserve, currently involved in a multi-million-dollar campus building program in support of their program to rescue, rehabilitate, and release injured raptors. For over a decade they have done thousands of environmental education presentations in the region using their “raptor ambassadors”, birds that have disabilities that preclude them from being released to the wild. Prairie Hills Audubon is proud to support the work of BHRC in protecting these magnificent birds.  Take this opportunity to get a rare inside look at the inter-workings of this excellent organization, and see if you might like to get involved with the collaboration between our two operations!/PHAS July Members Meeting -Thursday, July 28th, 6:30 pm-9 pmlikely W~Zoom  July meeting on BHNF Forest Plan Revision Assessments will be held from 6:30 pm to 9 pm, with Lou Conroy of the BHNF as speaker. The Norbeck Society and the Black Hills Group of the Sierra Club will co-sponsor the Zoom meeting with PHAS (Prairie Hills Audubon Society)..\  For information on BHNF Forest Plan Revision Assessments – https://phas-wsd.org/event/black-hills-national-forest-seeks-comments-on-forest-plan-revision-draft-assessments-by-aug-1-2022/We use the same Zoom codes every month at our monthly  meetings, which are normally held within the last 7 days of the month. lTopic: PHAS monthly meetingsThe recording of this meeting can be found on the Recordings page under Resources menu item.had Z and

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PHAS August Members Meeting August 28. 2022 at 1:00 pm

Tour the Black Hills Raptor Center.

Special Prairie Hills Audubon Monthly Meeting

Sunday August 28,2022 1:00 PM

Private tour of Black Hills Raptor Center for our Chapter

See the birds up close and personal!

Address: 15256 East Highway 44

4 miles past Rapid City Regional Airport, north side of highway.

Call Jim Petersen at (605) 939-4995 for more information.

Chapter members can bring guests!

The Black Hills Raptor Center (BHRC) is a five-acre nature preserve, currently involved in a multi-million-dollar campus building program in support of their program to rescue, rehabilitate, and release injured raptors. For over a decade they have done thousands of environmental education presentations in the region using their “raptor ambassadors”, birds that have disabilities that preclude them from being released to the wild. Prairie Hills Audubon is proud to support the work of BHRC in protecting these magnificent birds.  Take this opportunity to get a rare inside look at the inter-workings of this excellent organization, and see if you might like to get involved with the collaboration between our two operations!

 

PHAS July Members Meeting -Thursday, July 28th, 6:30 pm-9 pm

Zoom  July meeting on BHNF Forest Plan Revision Assessments will be held from 6:30 pm to 9 pm, with Lou Conroy of the BHNF as speaker. The Norbeck Society and the Black Hills Group of the Sierra Club will co-sponsor the Zoom meeting with PHAS (Prairie Hills Audubon Society).

For information on BHNF Forest Plan Revision Assessments – https://phas-wsd.org/event/black-hills-national-forest-seeks-comments-on-forest-plan-revision-draft-assessments-by-aug-1-2022/

We use the same Zoom codes every month at our monthly  meetings, which are normally held within the last 7 days of the month.
 
 
Topic: PHAS monthly meetings
The recording of this meeting can be found on the Recordings page under Resources menu item

The roc

 
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