Over 130 UDPREP members and guests spent the afternoon touring the estate, learning more about UDPREP's work, and sampling Tallgrass Beef raised on Bill and Donna's very own ranch in Kansas.

The event began with an informal reception on the terrace overlooking the English walled garden next to the house.

The Formal Program
The formal program took place in the beautiful main room of the house, which was built in 1927. UDPREP's Vice President Lydia Scott opened the meeting with words of welcome and remarks on UDPREP's long-time partnership with the Illinois Department of Natural Resources' C2000 Program. Thanks to UDPREP's participation in the program, our region has received 26 grants from C2000 totaling over $1,0006,000 since 1996. And thanks to the hard work of local grant recipients, these C2000 funds have leveraged an additional $1.4 million in matching money from local sources!

Honoring Volunteers
UDPREP's coordinator, Alison Cook, shared highlights of UDPREP's accomplishments over the past year and presented tokens of appreciation to five volunteers whose hard work and dedication were key to our success. Receiving gifts of potted Helenium plants with bright yellow flowers were (in alphabetical order):

• Jeff Mengler, US Fish and Wildlife Service
  
• Sheila Schultz, Des Plaines Watershed Team
  
• Sarah Surroz, Liberty Prairie Conservancy
  
• Patty Werner, Lake Co. Stormwater Management Commission
  
• Nancy Williamson, IDNR C2000 Program

Lydia introduced UDPREP's President, Jim Anderson, who is stepping down this year. She gave him a framed picutre in honor of his service. The image was donated by Nancy Schumm-Burgess.

Electing Officers
Jim Anderson called for a vote and dues-paying members cast their ballots for Executive Committee officers. Members unanimously elected:

• President (interim):
  Patty Werner, Lake Co. Stormwater Management Commission
• Vice President:
  Lydia Scott, Village of Lincolnshire
  
• Treasurer:
  Jennifer Filipiak, Lake County Forest Preserve District
  
• Secretary:
  Nancy Schumm-Burgess, Integrated Lakes Management
  

Bill and Donna made some brief remarks and showed a video about the history of Mettawa Manor. Jim adjourned the formal program.

Let the Tours Begin!
After refreshing their drinks, guests split into four groups and began touring the different landscapes on the estate. Bill led guests across the prairie, while Donna lead tours of the North and West gardens. Jim Anderson, who has worked with Bill and Donna to restore their woodlands, lead an informative walk through the woods to the tree house. Bill and Donna's gardener Kathleen showed guests the formal garden and potager/orchard.

As the sun faded into the horizon, UDPREP ended another successful event. The guests headed home with delicious "take away" garden cookies, handfuls of UDPREP materials, and many wonderful memories!

Thank you!
We would like to thank the following individuals and organizations who made the 2006 Annual Meeting and Fundraiser possible: