Text Box: Chapter members worked on the Charlie Callison Nature Trail at Binder Lake in mid-November, making numerous improvements to reduce erosion and to make the trail more attractive to users. Carl Wakefield and Randy Sarver built some “steps” at the beginning of the trail where it leaves the pavilion. The steps will help hikers and fishermen have Text Box: good footing on the slope where the trail starts. Other volunteers removed railroad ties that have been in the trail and worked to grade the area so water runs off in more locations where it will be absorbed by leaves and vegetation. Some old sections of badly eroded trail near the Callison Trail were closed off. In addition, certain washed out areas were repaired with rocks, Text Box: Callison Nature Trail Improved by RBAS Volunteers

Someone asked me how much money was raised through the Silent Auction, and Carl Wakefield reports that the total was $264. This is a lot!

      We can certainly help with the tree swallow project or put this towards a purple martin house at McKay Lake. Thanks to all who were generous in donating items to the Silent Auction, and those who generously contributed!

- Celeste Koon,  RBAS president
Text Box: Silent Auction Totals Reported Text Box: and weeds and cedar branches were lopped. Now the trail is in great shape, and chapter members are invited to go birding or hiking this winter and spring. The trail will be getting new signs too. Chapter members voted this fall to cooperate with the group that maintains the other multi-use trails at Binder Lake, and one benefit will be installation of consistent signs in the next few months. Roger Randolph organized the work day, and those participating were Mark Sullivan, Cecilia Campbell, Anne Peery, Mike Veit, Celeste Koon, Pat Mantle, Hattie Swinger, Randy Sarver, Carl Wakefield, Ted and Barb Koenig, and Lori and Cary Maloney. Text Box: Photo 7 - A Text Box: ~ Above, Carl Wakefield, (far right) and Randy Sarver create “steps” at Callison trailhead as other volunteers clear brush. ` Right, Hattie Swinger (left) and Pat Mantle use loppers to trim cedar branches. Text Box: Photo 7 - B Text Box: Wings of Spring Birding Festival Planned First Annual Wings of Spring Confluence Birding Festival will be held April 28 and 29, 2006. A partnership of organizations within the Confluence Greenway plans the Festival to spotlight birding opportunities where the Missouri and Mississippi rivers meet. For more information on the Festival contact the Alton Convention and Visitors Bureau at 1-800-258-6645 or visit the website at www.wingsofspring.org