Apply to be a Board Member

Do you have a passion to serve, promote, and 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: January 24, 2026 – Member Meeting 9:30 am-11:30 am
                        February 3, 2026
                        April 7, 2026
                        May 5, 2026
                        June 2, 2026
                        September 1, 2026
                        October 6, 2026
                        December 1, 2026

Typically, meetings occur 6 to 7 times a year. In 2025, meetings were held on Tuesday evenings, from 6:00 pm to 7:30 pm at the Pioneers Park Nature Center main building in the auditorium. We expect a similar timeframe for the 2026 meetings.

The expectation is that board members commit to attending all meetings to the best of their ability. Being absent from one or two meetings is acceptable, but missing multiple meeting dates will make it difficult to meaningfully participate.

Committee Assignments: 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. Committee meetings will be held alongside the scheduled board meetings to provide scheduled time, and many committees will also meet between full board meetings.

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

Duties: The primary duty of the Friends group is to help raise funding to supplement the programs and projects of the nature center. Each board member is expected to support fundraising in a capacity that is comfortable for them, as well as provide individual funding by renewing a membership each year.

Other expectations of the board include:

• Become educated about the needs of the Nature Center
• Attend scheduled meetings
• Be informed of the Nature Center’s master plan
• Promote and advocate for the Nature Center, cultivate potential supporters and donors.
• Enjoy nature! Visit the Nature Center seasonally.

 2026 Focus Projects:

We are thrilled to have a clear ask this year, to provide funding that will support the design and installation of a new nature playground area, which will update and improve upon the current nature play area!

Nature Center Liaisons:

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 $4,000 annually to support 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.

Applications are currently open for 2026!

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