The Leaflet, September - October 2004

In June I traveled through Ohio on the way to Maine and stopped at Malabar Farm State Park. I recognized the name after meeting someone at a naturalists’ workshop who worked there. He had told me the farm was created in the 40s by a Pulitzer Prize-winning author who wanted to demonstrate good farming practices. I was curious about what such a farm looked like, so we stopped to see it. I bought a few of the books in the gift shop that explained how the farm was created and why.

A thousand acres in mid-Ohio, near Mansfield, had been set aside in this farm. When purchased, the land had been worn-out, eroded, and non-productive. Louis Bromfield had grown up in that area and later lived in several countries in Asia and Europe. With WWII threatening France, he returned to Pleasant Valley and hired several families to help him reclaim the land and experiment with novel ideas about how to farm the land sustainably and return it to fertility. He also wanted to show that true security depended on producing the majority of one’s food from the soil one owned.

Bromfield’s books detail the abuses of the land by settlers and their descendants who “mined” the land and the frontier mentality that encouraged farmers to use up the soil and move on to virgin soils to start over again when productivity declined, leaving the old farms to tenants who further degraded it until it was exhausted. He writes at length about the evils of city living, industry, and buying on credit and how poverty, bad health, even low intelligence, unemployment, and other social problems could be cured by taking care of the land so it was productive and families could support themselves. The greatest wealth of the Midwest lies in its rich soil.

Many of his ideas seem mainstream now, but were revolutionary at the time. He advocated disking the soil rather than turning it with a moldboard plow to retain plant residue on the surface to shade the surface, stop erosion and absorb rainfall. Instead of square fields, he tore out fences and cultivated in strips along the contours of the land to slow the movement of water and prevent gullies. Crops were rotated to build the humus in the soil and add nitrogen with legumes. Livestock were fenced out of woodlands so the understory and leaf litter could regenerate the forest and absorb rainfall. Manure was carefully preserved and spread in the orchard and garden crops. Fencerows were allowed to grow up with berries and shrubs to shelter wildlife.

By Bromfield’s methods, topsoil was built up, springs were renewed, creeks and ponds cleared of silt, droughts were weathered, crops, stock, bees and other life flourished, and several families lived a good life. The man obviously enjoyed his land, his neighbors, his dogs, his livestock, and the birds and other animals that flourished there. His philosophy was one of abundance through working with Nature rather than against her. The land can support people while improving in fertility and supporting the wild things as well. If only everyone practiced such stewardship, think of what our world would be like.

On May 6, members of the board met with some of the founders of our chapter at the Encore Café. These early members, Libby Frey, Barbara Restle, Abe Eyed, Ruth and Eberhard Reichmann, Henry Wahl, Mary Kay Rothert, and Tom Zeller, shared some of their memories, photos, and stories with us. Ruth Reichmann brought two boxes filled with clippings and records which will be archived by the Monroe County Historical Society for future reference.

Here is a summary of some of the early history of the chapter. In the fall of 1970 a group of Indiana University faculty members met to discuss the formation of a local chapter of the National Audubon Society. The first membership meeting was held November 11 in Ballantine Hall. William DeVille was elected President of the Indiana Sassafras Audubon Society and David Frey was Vice President. NAS granted the organization Chapter status on December 1, 1972.

The Constitution of the Chapter states it functions to further communications with the National Audubon Society, focuses on objectives such as educational activities, wildlife studies, field trips, concern and protection for the environment, and coordinates with other similar groups. Articles of Incorporation were drafted and non-profit status obtained in 1975. About that time a Student Committee was formed and became known as SCISAS.

Shorter after the Chapter was formed, NAS President Elvis Stahr, formerly President of Indiana University, wrote to “…convey his regards to all members …and his hopes for the creation of a successful and active local chapter.” A newspaper photo shows David Rogers, Attorney and State Senator, William DeVille, Aerospace Research Center, Chancellor Byrum Carter, Vice Chancellor Henry Remak, and Dr. David Frey, Zoology discussing the new chapter in a lounge in the Indiana Memorial Union.

Some other early members were Don Whitehead, a lawyer named Mosier, Henry’s wife Cecilia (who was “invaluable in administration, finance, and organization” for SAS according to Abe Eyed), Lynton Caldwell and his daughter Elaine, Jim Jontz, Mr. and Mrs. Wm. Cagle, Ronald Hagen, Dr. and Mrs. Charles Hagen, Dr. T. M. Sonneborn, Mrs. Ray Borland, Miss Nancy Hayes, Mr. and Mrs, Alfred Lindesmith, Edward Hirsch, Col. Nathan Nixson, Robert and M. Campbell, Mrs. Michael Machtey, Dr. John W. Moore, F. L. Schulmire, John J. Hidore, Phyllis Anne MacAlpin of South Bend, and Dr. and Mrs. Ernest Norris of Elkhart.

A 1972 membership flyer states, “Indiana Sassafras Audubon Society is a service organization to inform, educate, and lead to action.” Membership was “open to all ages and backgrounds who care for the out-of-doors.” The membership area included Brown, Monroe, Greene, Owen, Lawrence, and Morgan counties. In 1972 there were over 300 memberships. The first outing was a hike in Brown County State Park with the Izaak Walton League. The first program was a talk by William Anderson about the Everglades, followed by a film.

Regional reports from NAS carried news from local chapters and encouraged them to use these sources for the chapter newsletter. News about SAS included battles to protect Lost River and Clifty Creek from dam projects. Mrs. David Frey was the Conservation Chair. Members were urged to support NAS issues.

The 1972 budget projected $998 income, $1443 expenses and a balance of $1138 in the treasury. Expense items included newsletter printing, mailing, travel, donations, display materials, Audubon camp sponsorship, meeting expenses, program costs, and conservation projects. Combined National and Chapter membership cost $12 for individuals, $15 for families, and $6 for students.

The Board established direction and emphasis and selected issues based on the available budget and manpower. Criteria for involvement included the following: Will it educate the public to the value of conservation and ecological balance? Is it of concern to our chapter? How will this affect our members? Do we have the personnel and money to carry on long-term support of this issue or are we over-committed? Can the membership be active in this? Is another group doing it and can we cooperate? Is this an area where something can be accomplished? Is someone willing to be responsible?

At its peak, the Chapter had 850 households on the mailing list and enjoyed a good relationship with the local media. Outings and programs were well publicized and attended. Activities included education programs, a monthly newsletter, lectures and films, meetings and get-togethers, hikes and nature walks, bird counts, and many environmental protection projects. Environmental issues that SAS was involved in during the 1970’s included land use planning around Lake Monroe, protecting the Lost River and Clifty Creek from damming, solid waste issues, recycling, management plans of the Hoosier National Forest, and historic preservation. Much was accomplished through legislation, conservation and field trips, research and action, and cooperation with other organizations, such as The Nature Conservancy and Izaak Walton League.

According to Tom Zeller, SAS took pride in using sound science and researching the best practices in resource management to back its activism. It also had friends in high places, who often steered the group to studies and sources of information to aid its causes. Ruth Reichmann still loyally protects the names of these informants. Claude Ferguson, Supervisor of the Hoosier National Forest, was sympathetic to SAS and worked alongside the Chapter in stopping Off Road Vehicle use of forest trails and establishing a wilderness study area that eventually became the Charles C. Deam Wilderness Area. Some opponents to the wilderness idea were won over when the proposed boundaries were changed to exclude the Nebo Ridge area where there was some private property. These folks, Bill Miller and the Hollis family, then became strong supporters. SAS was so formidable that a developer, when told Libby Frey would oppose a project, withdrew it.

When asked how SAS has changed over the years, our founders said there is less local activism and possibly less need for it as many land use and planning issues have been resolved. They advise us to “Make sure someone follows up on everything.” To get people involved they say, “You have to ask them and tell them why it is important.”

More history and excerpts from newsletters will be printed in later issues of the Leaflet.

Three hour shifts available. Dry tasks include taking in feeders and money and overseeing drying and pickup. Damp tasks include pre-soaking and cleaning the feeders. Waterproof footwear and gloves helpful. We can provide rubber gloves. You will be doing a GOOD SERVICE for the birds, helping a WORTHY CAUSE—SAS—and working with like-minded, FUN PEOPLE!

To volunteer or request more information, please call Cathy Hiatt, 339-7388.

The Bloomington birding community was pleasantly surprised when one of our own, David Daniels, purchased Wild Birds Unlimited (WBU) in late spring. David moved to Bloomington in 2003, following his brother, now a teacher at IU, and his parents, who retired here. Mr. Daniels previously worked as a workman's compensation lawyer for three years in Peoria, IL and nine in Chicago. After some 12 years of this "less than satisfying" career, David took down his shingle and migrated to our fair city.

In the year he has lived here, David joined Sassafras Audubon, built his Indiana state bird list, and purchased Wild Birds on North College in Bloomington. He originally went to WBU to seek part-time employment but wound up as the new owner! Both David and his father thought this a
reasonable business venture, despite their relative inexperience with retail. Mr. Daniels also has made his acquaintance with local birders in the field, our birding hotspots, and his "finds" led to a mention in Dawn Hewitt's Herald-Times weekly birding column.

David's interest in bird watching started around the age of 7-8 when he began studying the birding sections of his father's general field guides. A few years later in a small community in Utah, his 6th grade teacher "took me under her wing." He started a life list and studied museum specimen skins, but lost his way temporarily in high school as birding was "not real cool." His life travels and residences have brought him into the varied habitats of California, Colorado, Connecticut, Texas, Florida and Arizona. He plans to travel to Kazakhstan in Central Asia next spring to boost his world bird list!

David chases birds "all the time" and remembers successful jaunts for Tufted Duck in central Illinois, Common Crane at Jasper-Pulaski and Grey-crowned Yellowthroat in Texas. He hopes his next chase might lead to his current "jinx birds" Gyrfalcon and Painted Bunting.

Mr. Daniels said that his ownership of Wild Birds fits nicely with his birding background. To date, his customers have been quite appreciative of his new ownership and David's receptivity to birding tales and needs. He would like to return Wild Birds to "where it was," a local meeting place for
active listers as well as backyard bird-watchers. Mr. Daniels plans to work actively with SAS and has interest in the environmental issue of grasslands protection.

A hearty Sassafras Audubon welcome to David Daniels!

Each summer my friend Jo Hargesheimer and I travel on a birding adventure. This year we chose Maine to see puffins. I have a sister in Syracuse, which made a nice stopping point for the drive each way. We drove 2200 miles and saw about 120 species along the way during the nine-day trip. It cost us about $600 each, including gas, lodging, tour fees, and food. It was a wonderful trip and I would recommend it to anyone who likes to see birds, other wildlife, northern forests, rocky shores, and beautiful scenery.

Our first destination in Maine was Jonesport, where we had reserved space on the Chief with Captain Norton to see the puffins nesting on Seal Machias Island. We stayed the night at his Tern Cottage in Jonesport and joined ten others for the boat trip. There were lots of Great Black-backed Gulls and Herring Gulls in all of the harbors. As we left the port, we could see harbor seals on the rocks and Black Guillemots taking flight in front of the small boat. Most of our fellow passengers were only casually interested in the birds, but there were a few serious birders in the group and we discussed our plans with them. Most of the folks were from the Midwest, Kentucky and Illinois. Some were from Pennsylvania and New York. We had beautiful clear, cool weather, which we soon learned is not always the case on the Maine coast.

Approaching the island, which is managed by the Canadian Wildlife Service, we could see thousands of terns circling and broods of Common Eiders swimming along the rocky shore. Passengers transferred to a smaller boat to be put ashore, where we waited for instructions from the caretakers. Terns were dive-bombing us as we gathered and some settled onto their nests almost at our feet. Arctic and Common Terns nest in abundance here and keep away the larger predatory gulls. We were instructed to walk carefully and watch for well-camouflaged tern eggs on the narrow mowed pathway. To avoid being struck by the birds, each person carried a stick overhead to divert the birds from attacking the heads. We made a solemn, yet comical, procession as we slowly advanced to the deck where we awaited further orders. From there we were escorted, in groups of three, to gray plywood blinds, where we were left for about an hour to photograph and observe the birds. It is amazing to hear the patter of puffin feet over your head while you see them preening and dozing a few feet away. In addition to Atlantic Puffins, Razorbills and Common Murres were there courting and loafing. All too quickly the time was up and we returned to the Chief for a fast trip back to the Jonesport. We didn’t see a lot of boreal birds that could have been found in that part of the state.

With the afternoon still before us, we continued up the coast to Quoddy Head, the easternmost point in the U. S. We stopped to look at Mergansers and Scoters and heard Nelson’s Sharp-tailed and Savannah Sparrows in the marshes along the roads. It was late afternoon when we took a quick pass through Moosehorn National Wildlife Refuge and turned south, or west as they call it in Maine. The next two nights we stayed at the Sunrise Motel in Trenton, just outside Acadia National Park. We took the Cat Ferry to Nova Scotia in hopes of seeing some pelagic birds along the way. We did see a few: Greater and Sooty Shearwaters, possibly Manx, Wilson’s and Leach’s Storm-petrels, Northern Gannets, and a few gulls and terns. The highlight was a breaching Humpback Whale that brought dozens of people out of the cozy cabin to take a look. The Cat has a casino, movies, and restaurants on board and the only place to be outside is a tiny deck across the back of the boat where the smokers go to light up. The Yarmouth harbor has an island covered with nesting gulls, Great Blue Herons, and Double-crested Cormorants. We saw a few Willets along the shore. After lunch (we do not recommend the Rappie Pie), we walked around a bit and returned to the U. S.

The next day dawned foggy and cool and we did not see the sun again for the rest of the week, so luck had been with us when we planned our boat trips for the first few days. We had tried another wildlife trip out of Bar Harbor, but it was cancelled because of the fog. Turning our sights closer to shore, we explored the lovely and peaceful Petit Manan National Wildlife Refuge, where Bald Eagles chittered in the mist and we heard lots of Black-throated Green Warblers and ethereal singing of Swainson’s Thrushes.

We wanted to see a lot of Acadia National Park, where we camped for a couple of nights, but the fog kept the views to close-ups. Early in the morning, and it does come early on the northern east coast, we heard an awful racket which turned out to be the local nesting Ravens and Peregrine Falcons discussing their differences. The scenery in the park is wonderful and in June the crowds are not bad at all. Bar Harbor is pretty busy and congested even then. We explored all of the park roads and few trails and enjoyed the great seafood found at all of the restaurants. One day we took a short ferry ride to Swan’s Island and saw harbor porpoises in the water and lots of Black Guillemots.

As we drove down the coast, we stopped at the Rachel Carson National Wildlife Refuge to look for Saltmarsh Sharp-tailed Sparrows, but did not find them. At the beach nearby, we did spot a tiny Piping Plover sitting on her nest in the beach grass, surrounded by protective fencing. Only the orange bill and shiny black eye could be seen. Then, it was back through the awful Massachusetts traffic and west to New York. The ride back was relieved by stops at Montezuma and Iroquois National Wildlife Refuge where we enjoyed seeing Osprey, Common Moorhens, Black Terns, and many more wetland birds.

Congratulations are in order for all of those SAS members who responded to our appeal in the last Leaflet for contributions directed towards the acquisition of Goose Pond and Beehunter Marsh in Greene County. At the SAS monthly program on July 28 we were able to present a check for $1775 to Glen Salmon, the director of the IDNR Fish and Wildlife Division. Couple that with the $1000 committed by the board from the SAS savings and we were able to donate almost $3000 towards a very worthy cause. Unfortunately at this time there is nothing new to report as negotiations are still under way between the state and the owner as to the final acquisition cost.

Once again, Shawnee Bluffs (straight north of Cutright) has reared its ugly head to taunt SAS and all others interested in protecting Lake Monroe and the adjoining forests. SAS has been fighting to protect this site (and by extension all of the lake) literally since the founding of our chapter in the late 1960’s. This latest permutation involves a private developer, the Jarvis family from Johnson County, who has purchased the entire Shawnee Bluffs retreat, over 160 acres, from the IU Alumni Association. The current proposal only involves 128 acres of this property, intentionally excluding the peninsula for unknown reasons but probably for later development. The proposal is so far out of compliance with the Monroe County Zoning Ordinance that I cannot possibly cover all of the infractions in this space. At the July 20, 2004, plan commission meeting it was extremely evident that most of the plan commission fervently wanted to approve this very flawed proposal. Were it not for overwhelming public opposition I am certain that the proposal would have been approved. Instead of denying the petition outright as they should have, the commission continued the proposal to the September 21 meeting to allow the developer to supposedly improve the design. Somehow, the Monroe County Plan Commission must be stopped in their ever-escalating emasculation of the Zoning Ordinance.

Many thanks to those who have contributed funds in support of the purchase of the Goose Pond property. Individual donations so far total $1775, and SAS is contributing $1000, for a total of $2775.

• Anonymous
• Fred Churchill
• Steve Cotter and Marcia Veldman
• Kris D'Atri and Jeremy Rapport in memory of Diana Seger
• Maureen Forrest and Jess Gwinn
• Libbey Frey
• Dawn Hewitt
• Robert and Joan Hongen
• Leah Helen May
• Cathy Meyer
• Tom and Paula Sechrist
• Lee Sterrenburg