Annual membership meeting -- all new

   The 2014 annual meeting was held in a new venue, the San Marcos Recreation Center, on the San Marcos River. A new format was adapted to move business forward but solicit input from the membership. Tables for refreshments, provided by the Bluebonnet Lions, were placed to encourage a mingling of the members. Chairs were placed in a semi-circle looking out at the river for the business meeting.

Member mingle and discuss the past year

   Business included naming two new and one returning members of the board of directors.  They included Richard Salmon, grant writer for the city Parks & Recreation Department; Kenneth Dees, retired school administrator and a member of the trail crew and Charlotte Wattigny of the Convention & Visitors Bureau who has served on the board since 2012.
   A re-design of the popular trail maps was up for discussion as members were asked their opinions of the new look. Accomplishments for the past year were presented on a long roll of paper complete with photographs. Special note was made of outstanding volunteers and members of the public who helped further the goals of the Greenbelt Alliance. Melani Howard received the walking stick in honor of her long time support of our natural areas and all her advice and support she gave us since SMGA's start in 1998.  Donna Browning received special trail tools in recognition as the volunteer of the year. Donna started a new regular crew with an emphasis on restoration of native vegetation.

Paul and Gordon comment on the trail map re-design.

  Also new this year were displays from the Habitat Conservation Plan Program for restoring the San Marcos River, the San Marcos High School mountain bike club and the Healthy City Task Force which is the driving force behind the Fitscription Program that encourages people to get outside and walk.

--LJ