Apply to be a Board Member

. 

Do you have a passion to serve, promote, support the development, programming and operation of the Nature Center?

FRIENDS OF Pioneers Park Nature Center BOARD MEMBER DESCRIPTION

Term: Three years, expiring at the January/February Annual Meeting. Can be reelected for a second term, but shall serve no more than two consecutive terms.

Meetings: Meetings for 2025 are scheduled on the following dates:

• Saturday January 11, 10:00 AM-12:00 PM – Annual Meeting & Brief Board Meeting
• February 11, 6:00-7:30 PM
• March 11, 6:00-7:30 PM
• May 13, 6:00-7:30 PM
• August 19, 6:00-7:30 PM
• October 14, 6:00-7:30 PM
• November 18, 6:00-7:30 PM

Additionally, board members also serve on a committee. Committees will meet to perform work between board meetings at a cadence and on a schedule determined within each committee.

As a board member you can expect to spend 5-10 hours a month on average participating in events, meetings or planning activities.

Duties: Board members are required to:

• Become educated about the needs of the Nature Center
• Attend scheduled meetings
• Use your particular talent/expertise/interest to help on this Board
• Be informed of the Nature Center’s master plan
• Contribute annually by becoming a paid member of the Friends of Pioneers Park Nature Center
• Promote and advocate for the the Nature Center cultivate potential supporters and donors.
• Enjoy nature! Visit the Nature Center seasonally.

Jamie Kelley is the Nature Center Coordinator and  Dan Payzant is the Recreation Coordinator.

Both are board liaisons and attend all meetings.

Past and recent projects of the Board include:

• Contributing funds toward replacing and upgrading the Prairie Building deck.
• Purchasing 6 bison yearlings to bolster the nature center herd.
• Replacing Nature Center benches.
• Contributing funds toward purchasing 228 acres.
• Contributing funds each year for staff to attend conferences.
• Fund strategic planning at the nature center.
• Raising $10,000 for Lincoln schools to participate in Nature Center field trips.
• Fun activities for Friends Members such as family hayrack rides, helping with the special Wild Adventures and Wild Fall Festival events, beer tasting and committee meetings at a coffee shop.

Goals this year include funding a strategic planning initiative for the nature center so that they can chart goals for the coming years. We are also excited to host invited speakers for education events at the nature center this year.

We fund our activities through memberships, paid events, corporate sponsorships and hosting fundraising events. All board members are expected to participate in fundraising activity regardless of which committee they elect to serve on.

Applications are currently open for 2025!

If you are interested in becoming a board member, please reach out to current Board President Andy Peterson at: peterson.at@gmail.com.