IMPORTANT NOTICE FOR ALL MEMBERS

The Arlington County Manager's proposed budget for Fiscal Year 2010,
beginning July 1, 2009, include a proposal to close the Gulf Branch Nature
center and demolish the existing Nature Center building. The proposed
budget states that the park and parking lot will remain available to
visitors, with most indoor programs being relocated to the Potomac Overlook
Nature Center. The County has already moved to the position of the only
full-time employee of the Nature Center.

At this point it is unknown what effect closure of the Nature Center would
have on the Guild forge. At a minimum, the Guild would lose its forum for
Board meetings and special events. Electric service to the forge is from a
panel in the Nature Center building, so loss of electricity to the forge is
possible. Beyond this, the Guild has enjoyed a long and cooperative
relationship with the Nature Center staff, and closure of the Center cannot
be a good thing for the Guild in the short or long term.

The County Board will hold a public hearing on the proposed budget on March
24, 2009, at 7:00 P.M. The County Board is scheduled to adopt a 2010 budget
on April 28.

More Info can be found below. please join the groups and send your letters as appropriate. More as it comes in .
Come to the meeting on the first Fri in March.


Friends of Gulf Branch Nature Center on yahoo

http://www.facebook.com/group.php?gid=64156458473&ref=nf

http://plantwhacker.blogspot.com/

http://thegreenmiles.blogspot.com/2009/02/look-at-proposed-cuts-to-arling tons.html

get in touch with Bill Wojcik or any board member if you can help