FRIENDS OF VOLO BOG

History of Friends of Volo Bog

 

Friends of Volo Bog received Articles of Incorporation on January 19, 1983.  Our first Newsletter was issued in November of that year.  Mentioned in the issue was a grant awarded to Volo Bog State Natural Area and the Nature Center by the U.S. Department of Education’s Institute of Museum Services.  In order to receive the funds, the Friends had to match the total with donations, fund-raising and volunteer work.  Their fund raiser at the time was a Shop ‘N Share at the Jewel food stores.

 

It also reports that we had a record number of people (389) at our October 30th Swamp Spook Walk (a precursor to our Annual Ghost Stories Plus), and 25 volunteers helping to make it a success.  We were a very active group from the get-go!

 

Volume 1 issue 2 (March 1984) lists the Board of Directors as:

Dixon Brandt – Chairman

Kathie Cerveny – Vice-Chairman

John Franks – Treasurer

Elaine Tredinnick – Secretary

Esther Larson – Gift Shop coordinator

Harry Larson – Member of Board

 

The Gift shop was scheduled to open on June 2nd, 1984. It was interesting to read that there was a basic bird watching course conducted by a delegate to the Audubon Council of Illinois, as well as many bird walks.  They had volunteer days and even back then they where looking for Bluebird monitors.

 

The Friends of Volo Bog Newsletter became the Bog Log in August of '85, and in that issue Richard Wend, who was our treasurer, first become a member of the Board. Click on Richard Wend Remembered.

 

Check out issues in the Bog Log written by Stacy Iwanicki by clicking on Volo Bog's Intriguing History. 

 

Article from Outdoor Illinois  

(This is a large pdf file, and may take a minute or so to download, but well worth the wait.)