2014 has been a remarkable year at Wildcat Bluff. Not since the earliest years of the organization have we experienced such enthusiastic, dedicated volunteer efforts. Over 100 volunteers have put in over 2300 hours and their accomplishments are dramatic. I’ll list just a few to show the scope of work accomplished: Both buildings have been cleaned from top to bottom, including clearing out 20 years’ accumulation of craft supplies, outdated files and broken equipment. Both buildings now are fully functional with wonderful displays, and the Gilvin Science Center has a mural on the floor which we use for education. It is well worth a visit just to see these. The signs and the outside of the visitor’s center have been repainted. Libb’s trail has never looked better, and one corner of it is now home to a labyrinth whose paths are already worn from use. The Libb’s pond and streambed are running again. A whole series of programs has been developed for use at Wildcat Bluff or in classrooms elsewhere. We have also rebuilt our two most used longer trails to make them more accessible and slow erosion. We held four week-long camps this summer, and have hosted school groups, family gatherings, birthday parties and business meetings. Our weekly Wednesday night social gatherings, out of which developed a photography club, were hugely popular this summer. Amarillo Steampunk created for us Mr Bobkin’s Intrepid Adventure, a scavenger hunt, which yielded a lot of publicity for us and seeded ideas for fundraising events. On a less visible level, the administrative updates have been huge. Three years of books have been reconciled. We’ve gone from approximately 25 members total, in 2013 to over 170 memberships today. Executive Director Vivien Young participates in monthly round table programs with other EDs and other trainings hosted by the Amarillo Area Foundation. Our board of directors has grown from three active board members to 14, all of whom have contributed volunteer time outside the board. A grant from the Amarillo Area Foundation is providing the board with training and strategic planning so that we can further develop and maintain the energy, enthusiasm and enjoyment this year has brought so many. That is where you come in, because we do have to grow our budget to support at least one more paid staff person as well as maintain the upgrades we’ve been able to develop this year. Your contribution will help do that. We’ve suggested some levels, but welcome whatever contribution brings you joy and a sense of meaningful participation in maintaining the gift of Wildcat Bluff Nature Center for citizens of Amarillo and the north Texas panhandle.
Posted on: Fri, 19 Dec 2014 19:15:06 +0000
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