The Master Naturalist program is deeply indebted to you for providing your knowledge and support in training our members and providing volunteer opportunities. We appreciate all the time and energy you have given. I am writing to invite you to our celebration and first ever bio-blitz on May 3. The Master Naturalists are completing their second year, and graduating our third class of naturalist trainees. Combining our zeal for knowledge and the outdoors, this year we are starting off the morning with something new, a bio-blitz, and hope you can join us. For the bio-blitz we will split into teams to head into the wild areas of Gillam Park to find as many different birds, butterflies, mammals, insects, aquatic creatures, rocks and anything else that looks interesting. The goal is a fun way to get outside, but along the way we will be creating a snapshot of Gillam Park¢s wildlife.

Audubon Arkansas is cosponsoring the bio-blitz and celebration. They have recently leased Gillam Park from the city of Little Rock. The park provides 2,000 acres of rich, diverse wild areas from rare glades and uplands to an oxbow lake and Fourche Creek wetlands. Audubon Arkansas is building a nature center and converting the park into a resource for local schools (for more information on the Little Rock Nature Center visit www.ar.audubon.org). If you have not been to the park, this is a chance to get a good look at this jewel in central Arkansas.

Afterwards we will provide a lunch for you. During the lunch we will be recognizing our recent graduates, and recognizing the volunteers that have, together, provided over 2,000 hours of volunteer work in the community this past year. Here is the chance to see the dividends from the time and energy you have invested into our program. It will also be our chance to say thanks, to you!

The bio-blitz starts at 8:00 AM, and the lunch will be from noon to 1:30 PM, on Saturday, May 3. Gillam Park is located in southeast Little Rock, south of the airport. Please let me know if you can attend. More details will follow.

Thank you,

George Lauster

President, Central Arkansas Master Naturalists

501-554-2149