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f�� rt�� r��i• f�� t�r� ��e� �� f��m N�� 2004 at the nature center was a year of growth and change, revenues increased by ZO% and 11,521 participants were served. We boosted HANCs exposure in the community with the First Annual Wild Rice Festival, improved operations efficiency, and added new components to the exhibit area. We experienced two large-scale grounds projects, one for erosion control and one to replace a retaining wall. V� acquired a small exhibit of nature- based art, loaned and maintained by the Ramsey Center for Arts. Lastly, HANCs Advisory Committee was reconstituted, assisting in our review and decision-making process. _ Programs and Events _ The most significant accomplishment of 2004 was the inception of the Wild Rice Festival in — September. This festival was created to provide natural and cultural history education — about wild rice, improve the nature center's visibility in the community, and to establish an additional revenue source. It was a highly successful event, attracting over 500 people and raising, through the generous support of FORHANC, $1870. The process of organizing the festival also added members of the Native American community to our circle of friends, providing opportunities for further cultural education at HANC, such as winter storytelling and traditional maple syrup programs. HANC offered many new programming opportunities in 2004, including group overnights, outdoor recreation, and a summer camp partnership with the University of Minnesota. Overnights offer a promising new revenue source and are in high demand, especially with scout groups. The three scheduled in 2004 resulted in program fees totaling $1360. We look forward to increasing these numbers as the market becomes more aware of HANC's availability. Outdoor recreation offered with summer camps may have encouraged the increased participation in our 2004 camps, participation numbers double from 2003. Operations One of the nature center's primary goals for 2004 was to increase operations efficiency. At the end of 2003, recordkeeping and program scheduling were still done manually rather than by computer, requiring a huge investment of time. Vital reorganization was ne�ded for filing systems, curriculum, volunteer coordination, and the library. Steps taken to address these problems included: computerization and consolidation of program scheduling, creation of a computerized volunteer database, and use of a$6000 Weierhauser Foundation grant to hire curriculum writers. As a result of these efforts, HANC has now entered the 21� Century with smoother, more efficient operations and a much- needed curriculum overhaul. The library has also been improved with books categorized in a common sense system with user-friendly labeling. Administration of the nature center was significantly more manageable in 2004. Volunteers Our dedicated volunteer core of 122 community members donated 4021 hours in 2004 - an increase of 44°/a from 2003. These volunteers contributed to every aspect of nature center functioning, from animal care to exhibit design and much more. As a means to increasing operations efficiency, one of the objectives for 2004 was to diversify our volunteer base and thus increase project delegation. We obtained several outstanding new volunteers who contributed to public relations efforts, organized HANC's library, coordinated the Holiday Craft Fair, and adopted our beekeeping program. 43