ALPENA — The Alpena Wildlife Sanctuary Board discussed activity and maintenance plans for Island Park when they met in November at Alpena City Hall.

Chairperson Lisa Kruse described cooperative plans with Besser Museum, including the museum offering Wildlife Sanctuary pamphlets to the public.

Amber Hubbard discussed options for getting rid of the brush piles on the island. Also, Delta Waterfowl has asked about doing another volunteer project.

Vernie Nethercut gave early historical material on Island Park and the Wildlife Sanctuary to be digitized by the city. The information covers the time of her early involvement with the City of Alpena’s acquisition of Island Park in the 1980s and subsequent development through the late 1990s.

Terry Gougeon will be installing two boot scrubbing stations, one on either side of the bridge to the island, in the spring.

Boris Gerber reported a very successful Magic in Our Midst event held Nov. 9 at Island Park. One-hundred participants enjoyed a guided 30-minute walk among eight “talking animals” … a magical walk on an environmental adventure. Gerber thanked those who helped with the event. They were Sanctuary Board members Lucille Bray, Amber Hubbard, Lisa Kruse and Catherine Stedman, and River Center Board members Bill Haase and Judy Kalmanek.

Chairperson Kruse announced that there will be two vacancies on the board and the public will be encouraged to apply to serve a three-year term on the Wildlife Sanctuary Board. There will be postings later. The vacancies are because terms are expiring for long-serving Elizabeth Littler and Vernie Nethercut, and neither are applying for another term. However, they will be available as resource people.