Earth Month events sponsored by OMNI Center for Peace, Justice and Ecology

When - Wednesday, April 11th, 7:00
Where - Global Campus (on the Fayetteville square, 2 E. Center St.)
What - Ozark Historic Trees Presentation / $5 suggested donation
The kickoff for the  Omni Center's month long 'Speak for the Trees' event, a presentation by two esteemed NWA naturalists.
1st, a PowerPoint by Burnetta Hinterthuer, Prof. of Biology/ NACC - will give a presentation on old growth and champion trees in Northwest Arkansas
2nd, a presentation by Hobbs State Park Interpreter, Steve Chyrchel on the importance of the Ozark Chinquapin, their demise, and ongoing efforts to bring this precious indigenous treasure back from the brink.
This is also the first day for viewing the 'Speak for the Trees' art exhibit in the same location. 
'Tree Shines' by local artists will be auctioned at the Tree Concert/Art Exhibit on April 21st. 
When - Sunday, April 15th, 1:00 - 5:00
Where - World Peace Wetland Prairie, 1121 South Duncan Ave. (just north of 12th Street)
What - Omni Center and Friends of the World Peace Wetland Prairie's heartwarming annual Earth Day event for families and friends. 
Come appreciate this Fayetteville jewel and enjoy great acoustic music, children's activities, nature walks with local experts, and maybe get your hands in the dirt and pull some weeds!  A perfect opportunity to celebrate our Earth's birthday.  
WorldPeaceWetlandPrairie.com
When - Saturday, April 21st, 7:00
Where - Global Campus auditorium (on the Fayetteville square, 2 E. Center St.)
What - Omni and Omni UA present 'Speak for the Trees'- Concert for the Trees/ Tree Shrine Art Exhibit
50 local artists have created 'Tree Shrines' and the shrines will be sold by silent auction at the event.  Social hour at 7:00 to view and bid on the art work.
At 8:00, Still on the Hill will host a 'Concert for the Trees' featuring all new 'tree songs' by the ever prolific Donna Stjerna along with special guest poets and musicians.  A real 'gala event' on the eve of Earth Day!
The concert has a suggested donation of $10 ($5 for students/kids under 12 free) and all proceeds will go to fund efforts to rescue the Ozark Chinquapin Chestnut in Arkansas.

When - Saturday, April 22nd, 1:00 - 3:00
What - Wilson Park (Close to Woolsey and Prospect)
What - Picture Day in the Park
Omni Center hosts an outdoor family event to celebrate our Earth!
Free Portraits will be taken by photographer, Kirk Lanier in front of the famous 'picture tree' of Wilson Park.
Kids can have their picture taken with 'Mother Nature' (Donna Stjerna) and enjoy 'Tea with the Trees' and other kids activities. 
This old Bois d 'Arc tree is a real Fayetteville treasure and the perfect place to celebrate Earth Day with the whole family.
Call 582 2291 for more information

China honeysuckle bushes and privit main targets of weed-wrench and mattox attacks by Lauren Hawkins on Feb. 19, 2012

Early blooming near WPWP entryway

Ozark chinquapin trees focus of OMNI Earth Day events April 5 into May 2012

Ozark Chinquapin Foundation site

Lauren Hawkins uses weedwrench and mattox to remove roots of non-native amur honeysuckle bushes and privit bushes on February 12, 2012, at World Peace Wetland Prairie

Removing nonnative plants makes holes in which to plant natives. Please click on individual images to ENLARGE view.

Lauren D Hawkins removing nonnative plants from front of World Peace Wetland Prairie

Earth Day planning meeting of OMNI Center for Peace, Justice and Ecology

Please click on individual images to ENLARGE view of Jan. 22, 2012 Earth Day planning meeting.

 Donna and Kelly's report from earth-day month planning meeting Feb. 8, 2012.

Thanks to all who came to our first meeting of the minds for OMNI's 
Earth Day.  It was a wonderful eve with great food and ideas!  Here is a 
summary.  If I missed something please cc to everyone and remind us!
 
Made a decision to raise money and AWARENESS to help bring back the 
Ozark Chinquapin Chestnut tree. YEAH
 
Discussed details about 4 events that OMNI & OMNI UA will sponsor for 
Earth Days:
 
Public Talk on April 11th the Opening of the TREE SHRINE exhibit at the 
Global Campus off the square.
Michelle will ask Kim Jones at Global Campus to reserve the room for the 
talk.   6:30 pm?
Burnetta Hintertheur will do a power point presentation on OLD GROWTH TREES
Steve Chyrchel will do a talk about the Ozark Chinquapin Chestnut Trees 
and efforts to bring them back. BURNETTA..please CONFIRM with Steve
         a.) Burnetta will help get word out to Park Service Group, 
Master Gardeners, and her students for extra credit
         b.) Quinn will contact Sierra Club
         c.) Donna will contact Robin Buff to tell her biology students
 
WORLD PEACE WETLAND PRAIRIE EVENT- Sunday April 15th  1-5 pm
         a.) Amy Wilson- Donates water and water bottles
         b.) Lauren- popcorn and snacks
         c.) Kelly & Donna - Music directors
         d.) Nature Walks with Burnetta and Joe Neal (2 pm)  Lauren will 
contact Joe Neal
         e.) Moss milkshakes and Stepping Stones for crafts.  Need 
doo-dahs for stones, tiles, marbles, etc. Work on Fairy Garden.
         f.) Donna- Will make large poster for ONF about event & bring 
dry erase board to event for schedule
 
OMNI UA's SPEAK FOR THE TREES EVENT- Saturday April 21st   Global Campus
Social Hour- 7:00-8:00  Concert 8:00-9:00ish   Silent Auction wrap up 
till 9:30
          a.) Michele- OMNI UA will try to get finger food donations 
from local businesses.  Coffee and Apple Juice?
                 Jody will check with Harps     Quinn will check with 
IGA     Ann Mesrobian will check OMNI inventory for napkins/cups/etc
          b.)  TICKET TAKERS for Concert- OMNI UA group.   $10 for 
Adults    Students and children under 12- $5.00
          c.)   Donna is making 50 paper shrine box templates for 
Artists,  Kelly and Donna will hang exhibit
          d.)  Budhi Kling and crewe will organize the silent auction 
event, take care of money exchanges.
          e.)  Michele will find out WHO to make the checks out to for 
the silent auction
          f.)  Donna will make bid sheets for the auction
          g.) Donna will make one poster for all 4 events.  Need folks 
to help put posters around town!!!!!!
          h.) Kelly will take care of promotion, KUAF, articles, PSA's
          i.)  Burnette and Steve will be the food host & hostess!!!  
Set up and tear down. Pick up coffee, etc.
              (Maybe Nan Yarnell can help with this? She is great!)
 
   PICTURE DAY IN THE PARK-  Earth Day  Sunday April 22nd   1-3 (or 4) pm
          1.)  Donna- contact Lisa Netherland about using the park on 
Earth Day for this event. Secure permit?  Electricity?
          2.)  Kirk Lanier-  Agreed to be the photographer and post pic 
on DROPBOX- need permission slips or a sign posted.
          3.)  Joanna Pollock-  Wants to create a TEA WITH TREE event.
          4.)  Quinn-Black Walnut Give Away Project (in wax paper bags 
with notice not to plant near garden!)
          5.) Other possible activities if anyone wants to take on 
include:  making wind chimes, teaching how to make junk mail paper
          6.) Quinn will talk to UU kids group about making picture 
frames with leaves to sell at event!
 
Jody will talk to the Botanical Gardens about their Earth Day plans. 
Maybe we can work together somehow?
Kelly- Send paragraph description to Mikel Lolly for the Passports
 
THE NEXT MEETING WILL BE ON WED. MARCH 28th 6:30 at the Ozark Ball 
Museum.  POTLUCK again?  That was awesome!
 
TREEFULLY YOURS
Donna and Kelly
 

Dan Millican removes litter from shoreline of a stretch of the Town Branch of the West Fork of the White River

More video online at You Tube Aubunique channel.
More photos at Flickr. Permanent link to Town Branch watershed set of photos on Flickr including more than 100 showing Dan Millican's cleanup near the end of the set.

Town Branch after Dan Millican cleaned out litter Feb. 6, 2012. Please scroll down below video clips to view photo of the same area made the evening before Dan's cleanup.

Before Dan Millican removed debris photographed Feb. 5/ 2/12