Jeff Whitbey introduced the following guests:

President-elect Wayne read a note of appreciation from District Governor Jane McManus and her husband Mike, thanking the club for their warm welcome recently.  

 

 

Ron Lichtle introduced today's speakers Wyatt Lucas, Boy Scout from Bloomfield Hills, and Christina Funk, from the Stage Nature Center in Troy.  Wyatt discussed his work on raising money for an owl habitat at the Stage Nature Center.  The habitat is the size of a two-car garage.  Wyatt was able to raise $15,000 toward the project through bottle drives, designed his own t-shirt, and created a number of fundraising sites.  His t-shirts were sold world-wide.  The overall costs for the habitat were over $30,000, and others joined to meet the goal.    Christina then introduced us to one of the future residents of the habitat, Sam (short for Samantha), a 7 year old Barred Owl, originally from Alabama.  Sam has imprinted with people, so she hoots toward people and not other owls.  Christina walked around with Sam on her wrist so that we could see her more up close.  Barred owls like to live in wetlands and have a larger habitat area that other owls.  Barred owls are common in Michigan.  Many Rotarians got pictures of Sam while she was with Christina.  There are opportunities to support the Stage Nature Center, and more information was provided at the meeting.  It was a most enjoyable program for all in attendance.  Thank you, Wyatt and Christina, for a great presentation!