Wachiska Program and General Meeting — Thursday, February 12, 7:00 PM, Unitarian Church, 6300 A Street,
and also via YouTube link: https://youtube.com/live/mMH5RAY1xXw?feature=share
The Best of Intentions
A Visit with Author Larkin Powell
Larkin Powell grew up on a small farm in southern Iowa. His work on the nature staff at the Iowa 4H Camp in college led him away from a pre-vet program and toward graduate school in wildlife ecology and management. He attended Graceland College, Iowa State University, and University of Georgia. His wife, Kelly, and son, Tristan, moved to Lincoln in 2001. Kelly has an MS in animal ecology and is an adjunct professor in the School of Natural Resources. Larkin is Director for the School of Natural Resources at the University of Nebraska-Lincoln. The program has 85 faculty with expertise in climate, water, soils, and biodiversity in working landscapes.
As professor of conservation biology and animal ecology in the School, Larkin taught undergraduate and graduate courses on wildlife management and research, and his research program focused on landscape dynamics, animal demography and movements, and decisions made by private landowners in the Great Plains and throughout the world. He’s a Fellow of the Wildlife Society, and author of eight books including The Best of Intentions: A Story of Landscape Change in the Heart of the Great Plains, released in 2026.
In The Best of Intentions, Larkin Powell blends historical photographs, personal narratives, and decades of ecological research to reveal how Nebraska’s working landscapes have been transformed through time — and what that means for our future. His book explores the delicate balance between agricultural productivity, rural community vitality, and the conservation of grasslands, wetlands, and wildlife. Powell focuses on three themes: ethics and how we use our land, 'conductors'—socioeconomic forces that orchestrate change on the landscape, and environmental designs which shape landscapes that work for all.
Join Wachiska Thursday, February 12, 7:00 PM, at the Unitarian Church, 6300 A Street or stream live:
https://youtube.com/live/mMH5RAY1xXw?feature=share
Membership action is tentatively scheduled for the February 12th general meeting.
The Board recently completed its biannual review of the Constitution and Bylaws and now turns to membership for your input.
You may access both the 2022 version and the 2025 version on Wachiska’s homepage – www.wachiskaaudubon.org. If you’d prefer a hard copy, call (402-486-4846) or email the office: office@wachiskaaudubon.org.
If you have any questions or comments about the edits, please email me at pella_t@yahoo.com.
An explanation of the revisions follows:
Constitution
*The purpose of the chapter and its relationship to the National Audubon Society was clarified.
*The chapter vision was added and reads – Wachiska Audubon Society’s vision is to share the experience and love for nature and help protect its diversity.
*In the event the chapter is dissolved, dispersion of assets was clarified.
Bylaws
*The election of officers and directors will still take place at the November general meeting. An annual meeting will be held in March to allow for a full and accurate report out of the previous year’s fiscal year activities and financials (Jan – Dec).
*Wachiska is now under contract with a CPA firm so duties of the treasurer and responsibilities for the annual budget were clarified. The Finance Committee’s authority was clarified to include oversight of the investment accounts.
*The authority of the Prairie Conservation Management Committee was clarified.
*The purpose of the Membership Committee was updated.
*The Nominating Committee will be replaced by a Nominating and Governance Committee to assist the board in identifying best practices, improve the nominating process, and participate in oversight of executive director performance.