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Who Are We?
Who Are We?
The Friends of Clifty Falls State Park supports Clifty Falls State Park. We began meeting and getting organized and elected our first officers in 2021. We became an official non-profit "501(c)(3)" in September 2021.
We are operate for the benefit of Clifty Falls State Park and its patrons by:
helping conserve and enhance the natural resources and facilities of the Park;
helping educate the public about the Park and Park-related issues, and encourage park visitation;
assisting at natural and cultural interpretive activities such as hikes, crafts projects or by answering visitor questions - helping to connect visitors with park resources;
helping the Park staff reach goals through personal assistance and fund-raising;
and, importantly, benefiting the lives of our members through this unique service.
See the "Activities and Events" page for meeting information the "Be A Friend" page for how to join.
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Current Board Members
2024-2026 (elected April 2024)
Cathy Cleveland (2nd year of last term) - Secretary
Joe Arruda (2nd year of last term) - Vice-chairperson
Suzanne Arruda (2nd year of last term) - At-large member
Ken Prince (2nd year of 1st term) - At-large member
James Bruner (2nd year of 1st term) - At-large member
2023-2025 (elected March 2023)
Pat Cleveland (1st year of 1st term) - At-large member
Jean Peddie (first year of 2nd term) - Treasurer
note: the by-laws specify that (1) the term of a Board member is two years and that two terms may be served and (2) the Board elects its officers
Meetings
We meet the 2nd Thursday of the month at the Nature Center from 6-7 p.m. Special business meetings may be called for by the Board Chairperson as needed. E-mail with questions.
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What Do We Do?
What Do We Do?
We assist the Park Naturalist at the Nature Center by greeting visitors, by answering questions about the Park, by helping prepare or conduct programs, and by serving as “cabooses” on some hikes. We join others from Madison and outlying communities that show up for trash pickups or snatching up invasive weeds - as pictured above. Some of us participate as "Friends" and some are also official "volunteers".
We work with the Park staff to identify significant projects for which we can make a difference. Making a difference means showing up to help, applying for grants to improve the park, and raising funds to help support the Nature Center and other of our park-related activities.
In the period 2023-2024, we have received over $20,000 in grant monies that were used to help control invasive species, build a Chimney Swift nest box, and purchase a portable audio system for the naturalists to use on hikes.
We've also spent over $2,000 of our own funding to buy supplies for the Nature Center and, more recently, a new large chainsaw and loppers for the Park staff. We also bought a smaller chain saw and equipment for our own invasive control work.
View the images below and then go to our Activities and Events page for more information.
Support of Invasive Species Removal by Madison Consolidated High School Students
Support of Invasive Species Removal by Madison Consolidated High School Students
This was a big invasive species control project with the help of MCHS students and staff! Friends members helped the large number of students in cutting, pulling, and tugging. They worked the area between the Nature Center and the Inn annex. It looks so much better after at least 6 truckloads of plant debris (and 5 tires) were removed by the great Park staff. Thanks to the MCHS staff and students for their great work.
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