Nerstrand Big Woods State Park Friends Meetng Minutes
December 01, 2025
A. The Friends of Nerstrand Big Woods State Park met on December 1, 2025 at 9:30 am at the home of Norma Monroe in Northfield for a holiday brunch. Board members present: Dave Detert, Elaine Feikema, Norma Monroe, Steve Carras, Katy Gillispie, Diana Hering as media liaison and visitor Laurie Haugen-Eitzman. Absent was Lee Engquist. Park staff: Park Supervisor Alexa Smith, Natural Resource Specialist Jacob Dearborn and Naturalist Andy Wendt. Alexa introduced full-Yme assistant Jacob who graduated in 2021 with a resource degree, hails from New Hampshire and has worked in MN for 3 years in Soil and Water Resources and Pheasants Forever before coming to DNR Parks. The meeYng was called to order by President Dave Detert.
B. Approval of 12/01/25 agenda and 08/22/25 minutes: Dave emailed the previous mtg.
minutes and meetng agenda for review. MoYon by Steve, seconded by Elaine. Passed.
C. Treasurer’s Report:
Parks & Trails
Oct 31, ’25: $ 7,090.57
July 30, ‘25: $ 7,689.57
Nerstrand Bank
Oct 31, ’25: $ 0,930.24
July 30, ‘25: $ 1,928.49
Land Acquisitor Fund
Oct 31, ’25: $ 4,386.00
July 30, ‘25: $ 4,386.00
Totals reflect balance on October 31, 2025. Outgoing expenses include gravel, watershed model with case, and miscellaneous. MoYon to accept by Dave, seconded by Katy. Passed.
D. Park Supervisor and Naturalist’s Reports:
2026 calendar of events and Friends projects
Alexa: Replace boardwalk secYons, seed collecYon, adopt a trail, fundraising for bulleYn boards or picnic shelter replacement were discussed. Focus on college students as volunteers for mulY-year commitment. SuggesYons from Central Office staffer, Arielle Courtney who is generaYng approved areas/projects for volunteers.
Andy: Focused on special event program support: maple syruping, candlelight event, team-lead for garlic mustard control and generaYng pictures with photo release of programs. He suggested moving some volunteer days to a weekend to agract younger parYcipants. 1,500 volunteer hours were logged in 2025.
Discussion: Dave is checking with colleges for volunteers. Staff were asked if painYng park buildings generated any leverage toward addiYonal funding and learned that the excellent results could lead to future funding for materials from the regional account. Laurie offered to be a liaison with Nerstrand School for spring clean-up or seed collecYon. SuggesYon of an astronomy opYon with Mike Lynch or Carlton College during the Fall luminary walk. Musical events will be explored.
2026 Calendar:
Jan. 24 Candlelight event
March Maple Syruping
April 18, 19, 25,26, Wildflower Ambassadors
May 2,3,9,10 Wildflower Ambassadors
June 20
Raptor Center (to be confirmed)
July 18
Art in the Park
August 22
Monarch Talk
August 29
Monarch Walk
Sept. 26
Big Woods Run
Oct. 3
Fall luminary walk and Friend’s Annual MeeYng
E. Old Business
Benches – EsYmate from St. Croix RecreaYon Fun Playgrounds, INC, SYllwater, MN for $2,874.33 for two redwood benches. Payment out of P&T Council account. Norma to submit tax exempt paperwork. LocaYons have been approved. MoYon to pay (less tax): Steve, seconded by Katy, Passed.
F. New Business
a. A detailed discussion on membership and fundraising was held. Members are asked to idenYfy and personally ask individuals to join. Dave will dral a fundraising leger to review by the board and go out in January.
b. Books sYll needed for the lending library.
c. Candlelight Event: Hot Chocolate – Dave
Apple Juice (1 gal) – Katy, Elaine, Steve, Diana
Cookies (2 doz.) – Diana, Steve, Elaine & Dave – (2 doz. Stripes), Norma.
Marshmallows – Elaine.
d. Dave to check with Alexa on status of the shop rehab project.
e. Board asked to check on the website launch in January. Thank-you Steve!
Next mtg. February 6, 2026, 9:30 @ park office. (LocaYon to be confirmed with Alexa.) Thank you to Norma for hosYng and the jam.
MoYon to adjourn Dave, Seconded by Elaine. Passed.
SubmiOed by Elaine Feikema, Secretary