Mission
To restore, enhance, protect, and promote the unique characteristics of Rowan Creek and its watershed.
Goals
Our goal is to provide education, outreach, and watershed protection and enhancement in the Rowan Creek watershed.
Location
Rowan and Hinkson Creeks drain a 60-square-mile area of Columbia County, Wisconsin to the Wisconsin River and eventually the Mississippi. The watershed includes portions of the Columbia County townships of Arlington, Dekorra, Lowville, and Leeds, with the village of Poynette lying squarely in the middle.
Four creek miles comprise a Class 1 trout stream, with the remainder designated Class 2. A hiking and cross country ski trail provide public recreation, and a variety of wildlife call the watershed home.
Facts about Rowan Creek
• The Rowan Creek watershed drains portions of five Columbia County townships (Arlington, Dekorra, Lowville, Lodi and Leeds), with the village of Poynette lying squarely in the middle.Rowan Creek originates just upstream of Loveland Road (east of Highway 51).
• Rowan Creek drains a 60 square mile area as it flows through a valley bordered by steep hillsides to Lake Wisconsin, where it joins the Wisconsin River and the Mississippi River System. The upper four miles of the Creek is designated Class 1 and the lower eight miles Class 2.
• While the dominant species is brown trout, stream surveys report many other native fish such as brook trout, northern pike, walleye, largemouth and rock bass, as well as numerous minnow species such as mottled sculpin, brook stickleback, western mudminnow, blacknose dace, creek chub an northern common shiner.
• The valley surrounding Rowan Creek still contains areas of intact native vegetation such as bluff prairies, oak woodlands and savanna, and extensive sedge meadows.
ARTICLES OF INCORPORATION OF FRIENDS OF ROWAN CREEK
The undersigned, being a natural person more than eighteen (18) years of age, hereby executes and acknowledges these Articles of Incorporation for the purpose of forming a corporation under Chapter 181 of the Wisconsin Statutes, WITHOUT STOCK AND NOT FOR PROFIT:
ARTICLE I
NAME
The name of the corporation shall be the FRIENDS OF ROWAN CREEK, INC.
ARTICLE II
PERIOD OF EXISTENCE
The period of existence shall be perpetual.
ARTICLE III
PURPOSES AND POWERS
The corporation is organized exclusively for charitable, educational, and scientific purposes, and, more specifically within these purposes:
(1) To restore, enhance, protect and promote the unique characteristics of Rowan Creek and that portion of its watershed which is located entirely within the Village of Poynette and Townships of Arlington, Dekorra, Leeds, Lodi, and Lowville, Columbia County, South-Central Wisconsin.
(2) To identify, protect, manage and restore natural, agricultural and scenic lands with significant biological, conservation or open space values for the benefit of the public, including the watershed of Rowan Creek and the accompanying wetlands and woodlands in order to maintain the quality of life, economic diversity and natural scenic beauty of the region.
(3) To assist in the protection, management and restoration of such lands, and the quality of life they provide, through education and assistance to public bodies, public officials and members of the general public about conservation tools and strategies, including the acquisition of lands, conservation easements, development rights and other interests in land though purchase and the acceptance of donations of such interests.
(4) To acquire, by gift, purchase or otherwise, real or personal property of any kind whatsoever, including partial real property interests and conservation easements, in order to protect, manage and restore water bodies and open space lands in the region.
(5) To transfer any real property, interest therein, or other assets which it may hold from time to time to any governmental agency or other suitable agency which is duly authorized and able to receive and administer the same for the purposes set out above.
(6) The foregoing statement of corporate purposes shall not be construed as restricting or limiting in any way the general powers of this corporation, or their exercise and enjoyment, as they are expressly or impliedly granted by Chapter 181 of the Wisconsin Statutes, except for those powers not in furtherance of exempt purposes under Section 501(c)(3) of the Internal Revenue Code of 1986 or the corresponding provision of any future United States internal revenue law.
(7) To neither have nor exercise any power, nor engage directly or indirectly in any activity that would invalidate its status: (a) as a corporation which is exempt from federal income taxation as an organization described in Section 501(c)(3) of the Internal Revenue Code of 1986 or the corresponding provision of any future United States internal revenue law, or (b) as a corporation, contributions to which are deductible under Section 170(c)(2) of the Internal Revenue Code of 1986 or the corresponding provision of any future United States internal revenue law.
(8) No part of the net earnings of the corporation shall inure to the benefit of, or be distributable to, its members, directors, officers, or other private persons, except that the corporation shall be authorized and empowered to pay reasonable compensation for services rendered and to make payments and distributions in furtherance of the purposes expressed herein.
(9) No substantial part of the activities of the corporation shall consist of carrying on propaganda or otherwise attempting to influence legislation; nor shall it in any manner or to any extent participate in, or intervene in (including the publishing or distributing of statements), any political campaign on behalf of any candidate for public office; nor shall the corporation engage in any activities that are unlawful under federal, state or local law.
ARTICLE IV
MEMBERS
The corporation shall have members. Provisions respecting members, including the qualifications, requirements, and rights of members, shall be as provided in the By-laws.
ARTICLE V
BOARD OF DIRECTORS
The number of persons who shall serve on the Board of Directors shall be fixed by the By-laws from time to time, but shall not be fewer than three (3). The qualifications and manner of designation or election of the directors shall be provided for in the By-laws. The names and addresses of the initial Directors are:
ARTICLE VI
DISSOLUTION
Upon dissolution of the corporation, the Board of Directors shall, after paying or making provisions for the payment of all liabilities of the corporation, assign all of the assets of the corporation to the State of Wisconsin to be utilized by the Wisconsin Department of Natural Resources, or its successor administrative agency, for purposes of the corporation at Rowan Creek or within the Rowan Creek watershed. Any such assets not disposed of pursuant to the foregoing shall be assigned to such organization or organizations organized and operated exclusively for charitable, educational, or scientific purposes as shall at the time qualify as an exempt organization or organizations under Section 501(c)(3) of the Internal Revenue Code of 1986 (or the corresponding provision of any future United States Internal Revenue Law) engaged in activities substantially similar to those of the corporation as the Board of Directors shall determine. Any such assets not disposed of pursuant to the for
ARTICLE VII
PRINCIPAL OFFICE
The principal office of the corporation is located in Columbia County at 605 McMillan Road, Poynette, Wisconsin, 53955.
ARTICLE VIII
REGISTERED AGENT
The name and address of the Registered Agent is Nancy Braker, 605 McMillan Road, Poynette, Wisconsin, 53955.
ARTICLE IX
AMENDMENT
These Articles may be amended in the manner authorized by law at the time of amendment, but no amendment shall substantially change the original purposes of this corporation.
ARTICLE X
INCORPORATOR
The name and address of the incorporator is
Nancy Braker
605 McMillan Road
Poynette, WI 53955
IN WITNESS WHEREOF, I have hereunto set my hand in duplicate, this __ day of _________________, 2001.
_____________________________________ STATE OF WISCONSIN ss. COLUMBIA COUNTY
Personally came before me this __ day of ____________, 2001, the above-named ___________________, to me known to be the person who executed the foregoing instrument and acknowledged the same. Notary Public, Columbia County, Wisconsin My Commission:_______________________
This document was drafted by: Attorney William P. O'Connor Wheeler, Van Sickle & Anderson, S.C. 25 W. Main Street, Suite 801 Madison, Wisconsin 53703
BY-LAWS
FRIENDS OF ROWAN CREEK, INC.
ARTICLE I
BOARD OF DIRECTORS
Section 1.1 NUMBER AND QUALIFICATIONS.
The property, business and affairs of the Corporation shall be vested in the Board of Directors.
Section 1.2 NUMBER AND QUALIFICATIONS. The Board of Directors shall consist of not less than three adult residents of the State of Wisconsin all of whom are members of the Corporation at the time that they are elected to serve and who shall support the purposes of the Corporation as set forth herein and in the Articles of Incorporation. Directors shall be elected in the manner provided in this Article. To the extent practicable, the Board of Directors shall include persons from all municipalities located within the Rowan Creek watershed and having knowledge and experience in agricultural, natural resources, business, financial, scientific, technical or professional fields relating to the purposes and operations of the Corporation, and including, where practicable, one or more representatives of local units of government in the region.
Section 1.3 TERMS OF OFFICE. The Directors shall be elected for three-year terms beginning upon their election and ending at the third Annual Meeting of Members thereafter or until their successors are elected and qualified or upon their prior death, resignation or removal. However, the terms of Directors shall be staggered such that one-third of the Directors taking office in the first year of the Corporation's existence shall be designated by lot to hold one-year terms and one-third of such Directors shall be designated by lot to hold office for two-year terms.
Section 1.4 ELECTION. The Board of Directors at any meeting of the Board may elect persons to serve on the Board of Directors for a term of three years. However, the term of any Director so elected shall terminate at the first Annual Meeting of Members following such election unless that Director is elected by the members at such meeting as provided in this article. In addition, the Board of Directors may nominate persons to serve as Directors upon election by the members at the Annual Meeting of Members. Additional nominations for Directors may be made at the Annual Meeting of Members by a motion of no fewer than five members of the Corporation, provided that the nominee is present. All nominations, whether by the Board of Directors or by a motion of members, shall be made with the consent of the nominee. Board members shall be elected by a majority vote of all members present at the Annual Meeting of Members. No more than 40 percent of the Board may be comprised of directors.
Section 1.5 VACANCIES. A vacancy in the Board of Directors shall be filled by majority vote of Directors until the expiration of the term of the vacancy. However, the term of any Director so elected shall terminate at the first Annual Meeting of Members following such election unless that Director is elected by the members at such meeting as provided in this article.
Section 1.6 REMOVAL AND RESIGNATION. Any Director may be removed from office by the affirmative vote of two-thirds of the Directors then in office if, in the sole discretion of such Directors, the best interests of the Corporation would be served thereby. A Director may resign at any time by filing his or her resignation with any officer of the Corporation.
Section 1.7 MEETINGS. Meetings of the Board may be called by the President, the Secretary or a majority of Directors, to be held at such times and places as is determined by the Officer or Directors calling such meeting.
Section 1.8 NOTICE AND WAIVER. Notice of each meeting of the Board of Directors shall be given by written notice delivered personally, mailed, or electronically mailed to each Director or by telephone call directly to each Director, in each case not less than seventy-two hours prior thereto. Whenever any notice whatever is required to be given to any Director of the Corporation under the Articles of Incorporation or By-laws or any provision of law, a waiver thereof in writing, signed at any time by the Director entitled to such notice shall be deemed equivalent to the giving of such notice. The attendance of a Director at a meeting shall constitute a waiver of notice of such a meeting, except where a Director attends a meeting and objects at such meeting to the transaction of any business because the meeting is not lawfully called or convened. Neither the business to be transacted at, nor the purpose of, any meeting of the Board of Directors need be specified in the notice.
Section 1.9 QUORUM. One half of the Directors shall constitute a quorum for the transaction of any business at any meeting of the Board of Directors. The vote of a majority of Directors present at a meeting at which a quorum is present shall be the act of the Board, unless the act of a greater proportion is required by law, or by the Articles of Incorporation or the By-laws.
Section 1.10 PRESUMPTION OF ASSENT. A Director present at a meeting of the Board of Directors at which action on any matter is taken shall be presumed to have assented to the action taken unless he or she votes against such action or abstains from voting because of an asserted conflict of interest.
Section 1.11 COMPENSATION. Directors shall serve without pay or other compensation, but may be reimbursed for expenses incurred in the performance of their duties.
Section 1.12 CONDUCT OF MEETINGS. The President, and in his or her absence, the Vice-President, and in his or her absence, any Director chosen by the Directors present, shall call meetings of the Board of Directors to order and shall act as a President of the meeting. The Secretary of the Corporation shall act as Secretary of all meetings of the Board of Directors, but in the absence of the Secretary, the presiding officer may appoint any Assistant Secretary or any Director or other person to act as Secretary of the meeting.
ARTICLE II OFFICERS
Section 2.1 NUMBER AND QUALIFICATION. The principal Officers of the Corporation shall consist of a President, a Vice-President, a Secretary, and a Treasurer, all of whom are Directors.
Section 2.2 ELECTION AND TENURE. Officers shall be elected by the Board of Directors immediately following the Annual Meeting of Members in each calendar year, to serve until the next Annual Meeting of Members in the following calendar year, or until their successors have been duly elected and qualified or until their prior resignation, removal or death.
Section 2.3 REMOVAL. Any Officer or agent of the Corporation may be removed by the Board of Directors whenever in its best judgment the interests of the Corporation will be served thereby.
Section 2.4 VACANCIES. A vacancy in any principal office because of death, resignation, removal, disqualification or otherwise, shall be filled by the Board of Directors for the unexpired portion of the term.
Section 2.5 PRESIDENT. The President shall be the principal executive officer of the Corporation. The President shall preside at all meetings of the Board of Directors, prepare an Annual Report on the Corporation's activities, and shall perform such other duties as are normally incident to the office of President.
Section 2.6 VICE-PRESIDENT. In the absence of the President or in the event of his or her death, refusal or inability to act, the Vice-President shall perform the duties of the President, and when so acting shall have all the powers of and be subject to all the restrictions upon the President. The Vice-President shall perform such other duties as may be from time to time assigned to him or her by the President or by the Board of Directors.
Section 2.7 SECRETARY. The Secretary shall keep the minutes of the meetings of the Board of Directors; see that all notices are duly sent in accordance with the provisions of these By-laws or as required by law; be custodian of the corporate records; serve as clerk of the Corporation; and, in general, perform all duties incident to the office of Secretary and such other duties as may be from time to time assigned to him or her by the President or Board of Directors.
Section 2.8 TREASURER. The Treasurer shall have charge and custody of and be responsible for all funds, securities and other valuables of the Corporation; keep a register of the post office addresses of each contributor and record of each contributors payment; give and receive receipts for monies due and payable to the Corporation; deposit the funds of the Corporation in its name in such banks, trust companies or other depositories as shall be determined by the Board of Directors; give bond for the faithful discharge of his or her duties, if required by the Board of Directors, in such sum and with such surety or sureties as the Board shall determine; prepare or cause to be prepared an Annual Report of the Financial Affairs of the Corporation, and in general, perform all of the duties incident to the office of Treasurer and such other duties as may be from time to time assigned to him or her by the President or by the Board of Directors.
Section 2.9 ASSISTANTS AND ACTING OFFICERS. The Board of Directors shall have the power to appoint any person to act as assistant to any officer, or to perform the duties of such officer whenever it is impracticable for such officer to act personally. Such assistants or acting officers appointed by the Board of Directors shall have the power to perform all duties of the office to which he or she is so appointed to be assistant, or as to which he or she may be appointed to act, except as such power may otherwise be defined or restricted by the Board of Directors.
Section 2.10 ADDITIONAL OFFICERS. Any additional Officers not specified above shall have such authority, duties and responsibilities as shall be specifically authorized and designated by the Board of Directors.
ARTICLE III COMMITTEES OF DIRECTORS
The Board of Directors may appoint or authorize the President to appoint such permanent or temporary committees as it shall deem necessary to conduct the business of the Corporation. The Board may by resolution delegate to a committee of not fewer than three Directors the exercise of any power of the Board when the Board is not in session in the management of the Corporation except the election of officers and filling of the Board vacancies. Persons who are not Directors may serve on such committees as non-voting members.
ARTICLE IV MEMBERS
Section 4.1. MEMBERS. Membership is open to any individual or organization that supports the purposes of the Corporation. Membership is conferred upon payment of membership dues.
Section 4.2. MEMBER DUES. Classes of members and a schedule of member dues shall be established by the Board of Directors.
Section 4.3. ANNUAL MEETING. An Annual Meeting of Members shall be held in the spring of each year for the purpose of election of the Board of Directors, to receive various reports, discuss major projects for the upcoming year and to conduct any other business of the Corporation. Notice of the time and place of the Annual Meeting of Members shall be as established in these By-laws.
Section 4.4. SPECIAL MEETINGS. The Board of Directors may call special meetings of the Members as needed. Notice of the time and place of special meetings of the Members shall be as established in these By-laws.
Section 4.5. NOTICE. Notice of the time and place of each Annual Meeting of Members and every special meeting shall be given not fewer than seven (7) days and not more than thirty (30) days prior to the meeting and shall be either published in the Poynette Press or other appropriate local newspaper.
Section 4.6. VOTING OF MEMBERS. Each Member shall have one vote at all Meetings of Members at which that Member is present. In the event that the Board of Directors establishes a class of membership denominated as "family" or "household" membership, in no event shall such "family" or "household" membership create more than two members having voting rights under this section. Organizations which are members of the Corporation shall be considered one Member and shall have one vote. Voting by proxy will not be permitted.
Section 4.7. APPROVAL. With the exception of the election of the Board of Directors as provided in these Bylaws, all matters to be voted upon by the members, including without limitation dissolution of the corporation, amendment of the bylaws, and other business, shall be subject to approval by the Board of Directors.
Section 4.8. QUORUM. A quorum shall consist of those members present and voting, provided notice of the meeting has been given according to these By-laws. The vote of a majority of the members present at a meeting at which a quorum is present shall be necessary for the adoption of any action voted upon by the members.
Section 4.9. REMOVAL OF MEMBERS. Any Member may be removed by a two-thirds vote of the Board of Directors whenever in its best judgment the interests of the Corporation will be served thereby.
ARTICLE V ADMINISTRATION
Section 5.1 RECEIPT OF PROPERTY. The Corporation may receive and accept such property, whether real, personal or mixed by way of gift, bequest, purchase or devise, from any person, firm, trust or Corporation, to be held, administered and disposed of in accordance with the provisions of the Articles and By-laws, but no gift, bequest or devise of any such property shall be received and accepted if it is conditioned or limited in a manner which is inconsistent with the purposes of the Corporation or maintenance of its tax-exempt status.
Section 5.2 OPERATIONS. All property received and accepted by the Corporation shall be held, administered and invested to advance the purposes of the Corporation. Distributions from income or principal, or both, to advance the purposes of the Corporation, shall be made in such amounts and at such times as shall be determined by the Board of Directors.
Section 5.3 INVESTMENTS. The Corporation, by its Board of Directors, may hold, invest or reinvest any funds or properties received by it, when not otherwise specifically provided by bequest, devise, or deed of gift, according to the judgment of the Board, subject only to the purposes of the Corporation and the maintenance of its tax-exempt status, without restrictions as to the retention of property, diversification of investment, as to the type of investments which are or may hereafter be permitted by law, or any similar restrictions.
Section 5.4 SEPARATE FUNDS. Assets of the Corporation may be segregated, held, invested and disbursed in separate funds as such funds may be established from time to time by the Board of Directors.
Section 5.5 CORPORATE ACTS. All checks, drafts, notes, bonds, bills of exchange, and orders for the payment of money of the Corporation; all deeds, mortgages, and other written contracts and agreements to which the Corporation shall be a party; and all assignments to which the Corporation shall be a party; and all assignments or endorsements of stock certificates, registered bonds, or other securities owned by the Corporation, shall be signed by the President, Treasurer or another person authorized by resolution of the Board of Directors. Any shares of stock owned or controlled by the Corporation may be voted at any shareholders' meeting by the President or any such person as the President shall, by duly executed proxy, designate to represent the Corporation at such shareholders' meeting.
Section 5.6 AGENTS. The Corporation is authorized and empowered to retain and engage such agents, attorneys, accountants, investment counsel, and other firms or persons as may be determined from time to time by the Board of Directors.
Section 5.7 FISCAL YEAR. The fiscal year of the Corporation shall begin on the first day of January and end on the thirty-first day of December of each year.
Section 5.8 CORPORATE SEAL. The Corporation shall have no seal.
ARTICLE VI INDEMNIFICATION
The Corporation shall indemnify a director or officer to the full extent authorized by Chapter 181 of the Wisconsin Statutes.
ARTICLE VII AMENDMENT
The By-laws may be amended by the affirmative vote of a majority of the entire membership of the Board of Directors.
CERTIFICATION
The undersigned hereby certifies that the foregoing is a true and correct copy of the By-laws adopted at the duly convened organization meeting of the Board of Directors on the ___ day of ______________, 2001.
By: _______________________,Secretary _______Date
Friends of Rowan Creek
projects
Cactus at Rowan Creek.
Photo by John Wachholtz
The projects listed below are based on the a DNR River Protection Planning Grant received in 2001. We need volunteers to assist with completion of many projects. Contact us to find out how you can help.
Completion Date Project Status
4/01 Bylaws\Articles Revision Completed
4/30/01 File for 501 (c) 3 status Completed
4/30/01 Organizational Brochure Completed
6/31/03 Press Releases Need help writing ongoing press releases
8/31/03 Native Landscaping Garden 9/00 prepared soil and planted garden along the Rowan Creek trail. Need help pulling weeds.
spring 2002 planted prairie garden at Poynette High School
6/04 Planted Rain Garden at Poynette Medical Center
6/31/05 3 Outdoor Activities 2/01 Interpretive Nature Walk along the Rowan Creek trail
Earth Day creek clean up April, 01, 02, 03, 04
9/01 Fish Sampling Demo
6/31/05 Participation in DNR update of Master Plan Pending activity
8/31/02 Development of 5-year strategic plan Completed
Strategic Plan (.pdf)
8/31/02 Development of a cooperative agreement with the DNR Completed
8/31/03 Training for Board Members On-Going
8/31/01 Solicitation of Watershed Study Support Endorsed by Poynette, Dekorra, Leeds, Lowville, Lodi and Arlington. Funds provided by Poynette and Dekorra, $7,500 received from DNR River Protection Grant. Watershed Study completed 12/03.
8/31/03 Public Lectures 1/27/01 Stormwater Management Lecture
5/02 Frog and toad lecture.
5/03 Local author Dick Hall on book about local area "The Buckridge Chronicles"
6/31/05 Newsletter
Spring and Fall issues Need article submissions. For more information, contact Nancy Braker.
12/31/01 Portable Display Production Completed
Spring of 2001 Tree Planting Completed
6/31/05 Watershed Bike/Car Route Contact Ira Kastenberg to assist.
6/31/05 Exotic Species Control Ongoing. Garlic mustard and wild parsnip.
6/31/05 Identification of Exotic Species locations Ongoing. Contact Nancy Braker to assist.
6/31/05 Final Report Writing and Submission
Officers:
Paul Charland, president
vacant, secretary
Jim Ruwaldt, vice president
Ira Kastenberg, treasurer
Directors:
vacant
Newsletter:
If you would like to submit an article in the Friends of Rowan Creek newsletter, contact Nancy Braker .
Email Newsgroup:
To be on the email discussion and information group, contact Steve Braker.
Website:
If you are having trouble with the Website or just general information about the Friends of Rowan Creek Website, contact Chris Cook.
Want a brochure?
Email your request to info@rowancreek.org.
Not sure who to contact?:
If you're not sure who to contact and have a general question. Send it to info@rowancreek.org.
Poynette Storm Water Utility Information Session:
Tuesday, February 13, 2007
Location: Poynette Village Hall
Date & Time:
Tuesday, February 13, 2007
7:00 p.m.
Refreshments!
Have questions about your storm water utility? Ever wonder where the storm water goes?
Why should we care about storm water?
What can you do about storm water issues? What improvements can we expect in the future to the storm water system? Bring your questions – we’ll have answers!
Sponsored by Friends of Rowan Creek and Village of Poynette
The Poynette Village Hall is wheelchair accessible. Contact Daniel Guild (635-7524) with questions.
________________________________________
Links to websites with native landscaping information, including rain garden information.
http://www.mninter.net/~stack/rain/
Environmental Protection Agency - Great Lakes Program
http://www.epa.gov/glnpo/greenacres/
The Wild Ones
http://www.for-wild.org/
www.consciouschoice.com/environs/raingardens1405.html
www.ecoisp.com/resources16.asp
http://www.thegreenguide.org/
Friends of Rowan Creek
links
Local
Columbia County Land Conservation Department. Printable maps of Columbia County.
Madison Audubon Society
The Prairie Enthusiasts
The Wild Ones
State
Wisconsin Department of Natural Resources
Gathering Waters
The River Alliance of Wisconsin
Urban Open Space Foundation
Wisconsin Department of Natural Resources
Wisconsin Stewardship Network
National
Backyard Conservation. Find information about bring conservation from the countryside to your backyard.
North American Bluebird Society
Nature Resources
Great Lakes Environmental Directory
The International Crane Foundation
Land Trust Alliance
National Audubon Society
The Nature Conservancy
National Wildflower Research Center
The Trust for Public Land
The Wildlands Project
National Wildlife Federation
Plant Link
Prairie Nursery
International
The World Conservation Union
The World Land Trust
