2010 Summary of Activities
This year, our 106 volunteers contributed 3,155 hours of volunteer time
in support of the park, making this our 8th consecutive year with more
than 3,000 hours of volunteer work. In addition, we provided important
financial support for the park and its programs.
Our 2010 work involved several different activities:
Trails were relocated and improved with a particular emphasis on the Preserve Loop Trail to make it safer and more accessible after rains.
Adopt-a-trail and adopt-a-highway programs
provided regular monitoring and maintenance of trails and roads. During
the Christina River Cleanup an old industrial dump was partially
cleared and 100 tires were removed from a site in Judge Morris.
The Nature Center was staffed
on Sundays and some Saturdays, April through November, to assist
visitors to the park. We were there 46 days and hosted 447 visitors.
Exhibits at the Nature Center were improved cooperatively with the staff, using funding and volunteer labor provided by the Friends.
Nestboxes for bluebirds fledged 152 Eastern Bluebirds, 126 Tree Swallows, 27 House Wrens, and 10 Carolina Chickadees. Our American Kestrel nest boxes have produced no new kestrels yet, perhaps reflecting their steep population decline in the eastern U.S.
Scholarship funding enabled disadvantaged children
to participate in educational programs given by the Nature Center
staff. Education-related expenditures totaled 33% of our total expenses.
Nest cameras at the nature center showed live videos of songbirds raising their young.
Comments on the draft trail plan were submitted to the Division, reflecting the views of the members on trail needs.
Native plant gardens were maintained at the Park Office.
Public recreation and nature programs were done jointly with the park staff.
Historical research has recently focused on Tweed’s Mill and its millrace leading from the dam at the “pumping station.”
Water ice was sold at summer concerts as a service to concert-goers.
We also worked to sustain our organization and its ability to
support the park, including:
Raising funds by selling wood crafts and note cards at the park office.
Keeping our memberships high (454 members as of 12/31/2010).
Maintaining a strong financial position, as summarized in the financial statement below.
Communicating regularly with our members and the general public through our website, www.WhiteClayFriends.org, newsletters, and membership meetings.
We thank all our members and especially our leaders and other
volunteers for making these activities possible.
2010 Statement of Financial Activity and 2011 Budget
| 2010 | 2011 | |
| Unrestricted Support & Revenue | ||
| Membership Dues | $3,265.00 | $3,200.00 |
| Contributions | 4,899.97 | 3,000.00 |
| Water Ice Sales | 2,487.00 | 2,000.00 |
| Other Merchandise Sales | 756.50 | 600.00 |
| Interest & Miscellaneous | 20.08 | 35,00 |
|
Total
|
$11,428.55 | $8,835.00 |
| Expenses | ||
| Projects | ||
| Benches | $ 0.00 | $ 150.00 |
| Education Support | 2,711.19 | 2,500.00 |
| Birder's Guide | 0.00 | 400.00 |
| Water Ice Supplies | 2,493.98 | 2,000.00 |
| Native Plantings | 0.00 | 100.00 |
| Trail Work & Other | 361.44 | 600.00 |
| Park Support | 1,112.81 | 2,000.00 |
| Filing fee & Insurance | 346.91 | 375.00 |
| Communications & Publicity | 192.00 | 1,100.00 |
| Membership Meetings | 125.00 | 250.00 |
| Office Expense & Postage | 754.18 | 1,055.00 |
| Miscellaneous | 63.74 | 175.00 |
| Total | $8,161.25 | $10,705.00 |
| Support/Revenue less Expenses | $3,267.30 | ($1,870.00) |
| Net Assets | ||
| Beginning of Period | $17,957.10 | $21,224.40 |
| End of Period | $21,224.40 | $19,354.40 |
Audit Report - During January 2011 we, the audit committee appointed by the President, reviewed the financial records of the Friends of White Clay Creek State Park. We determined that the above statement fairly represents the financial activities and net assets of the organization for the year ended December 31, 2010. All financial records are open for review by members at any time upon request. Ella de Courcelle (Chair), Fraser Russell, Carolyn Stoner.