Denise Bilsback, John Bottcher, Bud Gearhart, Ron Happ, Hal Harris, Craig Hurlbut, Chris Peterson, Norma Platt, Anna Taylor, Ben Wisniewski, Sarah White

1. Approve/Change Agenda: Approved
2. Approve Minutes from November 2023 Meeting – Approved
3. Membership Status- Denise Bilsback: Detailed report distributed via email to Board
   • 260 – 12 new members in December
   • $3k in donations in December
4. Review of Treasurer Report- Chris/Lynn Peterson
   • December statement uploaded to Dropbox
5. Social Media – Anna Taylor
   • 1000 FB followers
   • New social media coordinator to start this month
6. Website Inquiry Summary – Norma Platt
   • Irondequoit Green member seeking input about ReTree. ACTION ITEM: Rich McNeary to add summary of interaction to Website.
7. Communications Update – John Boettcher
   • Update distributed about new benches.
   • Trail usage report distributed to members via email with FB link. ACTION ITEM: Rich McNeary to add summary of trail usage report to Website.
   • Additional discussion needed for how best to communicate with members in wake of email server changes.
8. Habitat Committee Update – Norma Platt
   • No update
9. Conflict of Interest Form – All: Anna to put copies in the mailbox. ACTION ITEM: All Board members and members at large must sign it and leave a copy in the mailbox.

1. Welcome 2024! Define our Goals/Priorities to Support our Mission
   • Update Website – Anna/Sarah:
   • New template/theme implemented with site-level security.
   • Test site is active (but very minimal right now) for viewing changes and easy updating
   • Work underway for updated template for each trail
     • ACTION ITEM: Send content updates and photos, ideally with people in them.
     • ACTION ITEM: Rich McNeary to remove old Website if possible.
   • Social Media New coordinator – Anna: ACTION ITEM: Anna to set up meeting with Ursula and Norma.
   • Trail Use Counting – All:
     • Goals for counting: Illustrate value of trails, prioritize maintenance, facilitate grants.
     • No counting to be done this winter unless the weather improves.
     • John to review trail data with Town.
     • Plan for next trails to measure: Chiyoda, Vosburg, Finn Park, Webster Community Forest. Also plan to measure all trails a second time.
     • Revisit purchasing additional trackers in February.
   • Recruitment – Anna:
     • Open positions: Vice President, Trail Steward Partners, Trails Chair.
     • Looking to increase participation at workdays.
     • More discussion planned for February, with some preliminary ideas of Adopt a Trail, email blasts to members with interests.
2. Re-Tree Project: Norma/Sarah:

• • Plan for 2024 coming.
  • Invasive clearing to be done in Whiting Road by Jim Engler. To be paid for by Rochester Birding Association grant.
  • Invasive clearing needed at Herman Road, to be discussed in February.
  • Workday plans: Potting day in spring, planting in the fall.

1. Promote/Events/Fundraising:

• • Review Proposed Event List – All: To be reviewed next month.
  • Passport Program Refresh – Denise: Maps are with Parks and Rec.
  • Knights of Columbus Charity Dinner Application – Anna: Application submitted.
  • New FWT Hat – Bud: $13 for hats with just logo/$19 with both logo and website. Motion approved by voice vote to 48 purchase green cloth with just logo. ACTION ITEM: Anna to place order.

3. Open Space: Status- Hal: No update
4. Open Discussion None

FWT 2024 Proposed EVENT LIST – For discussion

• Solar Eclipse hike/watch event- April 8, 2024- for discussion
• 4 Mile Creek, Hike the New Trail – Dennis
• Trees Along the Trail Challenge – Dennis/Anna
• Hojack Hike – John B
• Spring Scavenger Hunt – Emily/WHEN/Missy R
• Hike & Paint – Anna 01/13/24
• Hot Cocoa Hike- Denise
• Annual Meeting – Anna