Bonelli's eagles visit

Sunday 27 November 2011

Minutes

Asociation De Las Rutas Y Caminos De La Sal

Minutes of the Meeting held on Thursday 10th November 2011

1) The meeting was opened by Maureen and a new member, Sheila Rolt, was welcomed.
2) Minutes of the previous meeting were read and approved.
3) Insurance - This is due for renewal at the end of January. A five Euro charge is mandatory if volunteers wish to be involved in working days.
4) Water Treatment Plant in Torrevieja - It was agreed that we arrange a visit for 2nd or 16th February 2012. Isabel will arrange this visit.
5) Day of Associations on 4th December - This will be held opposite the "Wall of Water", Torrevieja. Maureen requested the name of volunteers who are willing to support this.
6) Treasurer's Report - 99.05 Euros in the Bank and 10 Euros cash.
7) Centro de Interpretacion de la Industria Salinera - Peter will organise a visit for 17th November.
8) Bird Tours in Costa Blanca - Maureen will investigate this.
9) Water Level in the Park - Doug has had an informative meeting with Conchita. Conchita presented documentary evidence of the control of saline and explained that any problems to the wild life in the area are caused by lack of natural rainfall.
10) Next Meeting will be on Thursday 1st December at 4 p.m.

Saturday 12 November 2011

Minutes

Asociation de las Rutas y Caminos de la Sal

Minutes of the Meeting held on Thursday 13th October

Matters Arising: The water level in La Mata Laguna is reputed to be higher at times. However, Peter and Doug have observed that the level has been very low this year and is, possibly, at a record low at the moment. It was generally felt to be beyond the remit of this group to advise those in authority on how to manage salt extraction operations. On the other hand, any individual can approach the Park staff and other organisations to express their concern.

Work in the Park: Anabel e mailed volunteers about a Working Day on October 10th. Only a small group of volunteers were required as the weeding was done amongst delicate indigenous plants. Four volunteers participated and the remainder of the invasive plants in this area will, hopefully, be removed on Monday 17th October.

Treasurer's Report: Balance is 90.38 Euros and there is 10 Euros in cash. The monthly bank charge of 3.30 Euros is obviously a problem and we need to investigate the possibility of using another bank.

Calendars: Jenny reported that these will be available again this year and she has ordered 30. Last year the funds raised by the sale were donated to EMAUS, a children's charity. The money was greatly appreciated.

Minutes

Asociacion de las Rutas y Caminos de la Sal

Minutes of the Meeting held on Thursday 8th September 2011

Matters Arising: Doug sent a letter expressing his concerns about the water level in the lake but, as yet, has received no reply.

News from the Park: Maureen and Jenny had a meeting with Anabel in the summer break. There is still no news concerning possible redundancies and obviously this is a very difficult time for staff. Our Invasive Project is on hold until they have further news. The Valencian Government are going to introduce two forms which will enable the public to voice their concerns about the park. This form will be sent to the Environmental Section of the Valencian Government. This will be an opportunity for us to note our concerns or suggestions.

Future President: Maureen will be resigning from this post in January because of other commitments. She wishes everyone to consider taking on this role and emphasised that the next President will not need to be fluent in Spanish because there are others who will help when liaising with park staff or dealing with admin.

Update from Maureen after her discussion with park staff immediately following the meeting: Maureen spoke to Conchita and it is possible for us to visit the office and obtain information about the water levels. There will be a report next week about the extent of the recent fire damage. It is thought that at lease 2 - 2.5 hectares are ruined and that the same arsonist is targeting Guardamar and El Moncayo.

Sunday 26 June 2011

Minutes

Association de las Rutas y Caminos de la Sal

Minutes of the Meeting held on Thursday 16th June 2011

1. Welcome and introduction of new members: Maureen welcomed Crystal and Gregory.
2. Minutes were approved.
3. Matters Arising: Monthly meetings and investigation of alternative venues - Maureen has made enquiries but no suitable venue has been found. We will look into the possibility of using the Park Information Centre on Thursday afternoons.
4. Emaus: Jenny visited the orphanage and delivered our donation. She gave us a brief outline of her visit and explained that this is a very worthwhile charity. We are not a fund raising group but it was suggested that, on some of our events, we could ask for a donation for this charity.
5. Letter - re. water level of the lake: Doug explained that insufficient water is being channelled into the lagoon and this is affecting wildlife. He has composed a detailed letter and has suggested that the letter should represent the thoughts and concerns of the group. It has been observed that there has been an increase in the flow of water to the lagoon recently and this will be noted in the letter. The letter will be translated and then passed to the staff of the Park for their approval before being sent to the Salt Company.
5. Treasurer's Report: Geoff stated that there is 111.70 Euros in the account and 10 Euros in petty cash. The bank charges are now 3.33 Euros per month. Geoff has received a receipt from Emaus for 110 Euros.

Date of Next Meeting: Thursday 14th July at 10 a.m. at the Park Information Centre

Thursday 12 May 2011

Minutes

Minutes of the Meeting held on Monday 9th May 2011 at the Natural Park Visitor Centre

Maureen Moss opened the meeting at 10.05 a.m.

1) Minutes of previous meeting were approved.

2) Matters Arising:
a) Maureen advised that the volunteers are not permitted to work unsupervised.
b) EMAUS - The money will be passed on to the orphanage as soon as possible.

3) Geoff and Sheena reported that cyclists were going off track to bypass a flooded part of the route where we planted shrubs provided by Valencia. This needs to be brought to the attention of the park authorities so that they can improve the track and, hopefully, deter walkers and cyclists from using the planting area as a track.

4) Treasurer's Report - We have a balance of 115.03 Euros in the bank plus 10 Euros in cash. It was suggested that we attempt to open an account with Caja Murcia to avoid paying bank charges and Richard will make further enquiries.

5) The new meeting day, Monday, is not convenient for at least four volunteers. It was suggested that we enquire where other associations meet to ascertain if we can use other premises and meet on our former day of Thursday. It was also suggested that we organise a social event with the Centre staff in order to improve communication.

Date of next meeting - Monday 13th June 2011.

Wednesday 30 March 2011

stop press

  • At last we have insurance cover for our work in the park! Thank you to Anabel for organising it.
  • We raised over 100 euros through the sale of calendars and these funds will be delivered to the orphanage  in Elche as soon as possible. Jenny kindly volonteered to go.
  • Our colleague Jose Manuel is now a Daddy and a very happy, proud Daddy he is! Our congratulations, JM!,
  • Finally on a sad note there has been yet another fire at the park - the police, according to the local papers, suspect a serial arsonist.
Please note the new format - I have taken out all but the last two months' minutes. We all have copies of them anyway. I think the front page looks better now - do you agree?

Our monthly meetings are now held in the audio-visual room behind the Casa Forestal on the second Monday of each month. La Mata's new square is looking great - minus the building we used to use for our meetings. More room for cafes and pedestrians as the old gives way to the future!