2015 Fall Prairie Horizons

August - October 2015

Prairie Horizons In this issue...

Public Programs and Events Pages 2-4 Wild Women of the Woods Page 5 Conservation Updates Pages 6-8 Map of SCC Areas Page 9 Calendar of Events Page 10

Partners Fall Festival

Sunday, October 4, 3-6 p.m.

McFarland Park, 56461 180th St., Ames Featuring musician, artist, and writer Chad Elliot “…Chad Elliott stands out as a timeless and genuine musical poet with supple-strong roots like the bluestem and buffalo grass of Iowa prairie.”

- Todd Partridge

Older, Wiser, Livelier Seniors Page 12 Dakins Lake is OPEN!

http://bit.ly/dakinslake

www.facebook.com/ storycountyconservation

Find your inner wildness and unleash your creativity through poetry and art! Enjoy live music, an art display, crafts and activities, and a free-will donation barbecue. Open to everyone, rain or shine!

This event is sponsored by Story County Conservation Partners.

Programs & Events

Register and pay for programs and events online!

Go to www.storycountyconservation.org for full instructions *Registration for all programs and events is online unless other registration information is provided in the program description. Call (515) 232-2516 if you have questions!

Mountain Biking Clinic

Evening Exploration

If you’re looking to learn new skills, increase your confidence on the bike, or simply enjoy the sport, join Story County Conservation and Iowa State University’s Outdoor Recreation Program for this two-hour mountain biking clinic! Learn the basics; then test your skills with a guide on McFarland Park’s trails. This clinic is for ages 18 and up. Participants must bring their own off-road bike and helmet.

Fee of $10 per person with registration required by 4:00 p.m. on Monday, August 3.

Discover the mysteries of the dark at the park! Follow us on a journey to understand just what it takes to be a creature of the night. Test your senses and try your hand at talking with the owls. Capture this unique opportunity to see McFarland Park through lightless eyes. This hike is not intended to scare but to excite your imagination. Free -- but registration required by 4:00 p.m. on Wednesday, August 19.

Sunday, August 9, 2:00 p.m. - 4:00 p.m.

McFarland Park (shelter near lake)

Friday, August 21, 8:30 p.m. - 10:00 p.m.

McFarland Park

Family Geode Hunting Excursion

Saturday, August 22 - Sunday, August 23 Keokuk, Iowa

Adult/Child Canoe Trip

Saturday, August 15, 9:00 a.m. - 4:00 p.m.

McFarland Park Join us for a canoe trip down a central Iowa river!

We’ll meet at McFarland Park for a brief orientation before traveling to our launching site. Enjoy a day on the water, relax on sandbars, hunt for washed-up treasures, or take a dip to cool off! Reconnect and unwind on this guided paddle. This trip is dependent on weather and river levels. Previous canoe experience is not necessary. Fee of $40 per canoe (two adults and one child, one adult and two children, or two adults with two small children) with registration required by 4:00 p.m. on Wednesday, August 12.

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This excursion is for families with children (ages 3-17).

Meet Naturalist Jess Lancial in Keokuk, Iowa and visit two privately-owned geode hunting sites. Your children will learn how to identify, find, and crack open geodes and will come home with their own sparkly treasures and fun memories. Transportation and hotel costs are not included. Fee of $50 per person with registration required by 4:00 p.m. on Friday, August 14.

Play with Clay

Saturday, August 29, 2:00 p.m. - 3:30 p.m.

McFarland Park Hunt for banks of natural clay during a creek walk.

Plan on getting wet and muddy as we use our imaginations to play with clay and whatever else we may discover! Participants are encouraged to wear close-toed shoes that will not be pulled off in mud.

Children must be accompanied by an adult.

Free -- but registration required by 4:00 p.m. on Friday, August 28.

Story County Conservation • 515-232-2516

Programs & Events Chili Cook-off

Wild Women of the Woods

Think you make a mean chili? Enter this campground chili cook-off! The competition is open to all registered campers. Entries should be brought to the camp host’s site by 4:00 p.m.

Watch our Facebook page for more details!

Wild Women of the Woods gives women the opportunity to explore the outdoors, learn new skills, and network with like-minded women.

Festivities will begin with a live owl program, owling hike, and free camping on Friday night. Participants can choose from many different sessions on Saturday including Archery, Basket Weaving, Landscaping for Nature, Meditation, Paddle Boarding, Rock Jewelry, Watercolor Painting, and much more! Participants must be 18 years or older. Registration for this program is not online; see flyer on page 5 for more information. Fee: $45 if registered before August 28; $50 if registered by September 11. Fee with registration required by 4:00 p.m. on Friday, September 11.

Saturday, September 19, 4:00 p.m.

Hickory Grove Park, Breezy Bay Campground

Adult Geode Hunting Excursion

Saturday, September 19 - Sunday, September 20 Keokuk, Iowa (meeting at McFarland Park) Spend Saturday, September 19 and Sunday, September 20 in Keokuk, Iowa with Naturalist Jess Lancial.

Keokuk is well-known for its abundance and variety of geodes. During this trip, participants will learn how to identify geodes, visit two privately-owned digging sites, and take home geodes of their own. Cost will cover transportation, hotel, three meals (does not include dinner on Sunday), snacks, access to a geode cracker, and pamphlet.

This trip is for adults 18 years and older. Participants should expect some physical exertion such as lifting, digging, and hiking on uneven terrain and wet areas.

Fee of $140 with registration required by 4:00 p.m. on Tuesday, September 8.

TEAM Days

Sunday, September 20, 1:30 p.m.

Sunday, October 11, 1:30 p.m.

McFarland Park Be a part of our TEAM (Trail Enhancement and Management) and help make improvements to county trail systems. All volunteers are asked to wear long-sleeved shirts, pants, and gloves and bring a water bottle. Sturdy, close-toed shoes are strongly recommended. Registration required by 4:00 p.m. the Thursday before each event.

Friday, September 25 - Saturday, September 26 Hickory Grove Park

Prairie Seed Harvests

Tuesday, September 29, 4:00 p.m. - 6:00 p.m.

Thursday, October 8, 4:00 p.m. - 6:00 p.m.

Doolittle Prairie (14249 560th Ave., Story City) Help conservation staff collect prairie seed at Story County’s hidden gem, Doolittle Prairie. We’ll show you what to collect and provide information about the plants around you as you work. Long pants, sturdy shoes, and bug spray are recommended.

Registration is required by 4:00 p.m. on Wednesday the week before each event.

www.storycountyconservation.org

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Programs & Events Partners Fall Festival

Youth Mentor Hunt

Find your inner wildness and unleash your creativity! Musician, artist, and writer Chad Elliot will be performing music from his children’s album “Wilderman’s Treetop Tales” at 3 p.m., and illustrations will be on display in the conservation center’s multipurpose room. From 4- 6 p.m., Chad will be performing a blend of Americana, roots and country music that will appeal to all ages. Activities at the festival will allow children to explore their creative side through poetry and art. There will be a free-will donation barbecue to feed your body while music and art feed your soul! The festival is open to everyone and is held rain or shine. Bring your lawn chairs, blankets, and friends and family to enjoy an imaginative afternoon at McFarland Park.

No registration required.

Youth will begin the day at Chichaqua Bottoms with safety instructions and trap shooting, then continue on for a bird hunt. This hunt is for youth ages 11-15 who are hunter education certified. All youth must be accompanied by a parent or guardian. Guns, ammunition, and lunch will be provided. Register for this event at www.storycountypheasantsforever.com.

For more information, contact Patrick O’Connor at 515.229.5076.

Sunday, October 4, 3:00 p.m. - 6:00 p.m.

McFarland Park

Super Spiders

Thursday, October 15, 6:30 p.m. - 7:30 p.m.

McFarland Park Spiders have super powers! Gear up for Halloween and celebrate these amazing creatures with Naturalist (and spider geek) Rebekah Beall. Bring your family to the conservation center and discover spiders’ abilities to walk on water, change color, and spin silk. Weather permitting, participants will have an opportunity to go on a short web and spider hunt outdoors. Free -- but registration required by 4:00 p.m. on Wednesday, October 14.

Saturday, October 17, 9:00 a.m.

Chichaqua Bottoms Greenbelt

Halloween Hides and Creepy Caches Friday, October 23, 7:30 p.m. - 9:00 p.m.

McFarland Park

This is a geocache hunt like no other! Combining the fun of geocaching with the spirit of the season, the pursuit has turned nocturnal! Join us and explore the origins of Halloween while learning how to use a GPS. Experience McFarland after dark and enjoy finding hidden jack-o-lanterns throughout the park. Space is limited, so be sure to register your group early! We recommend that groups not exceed 10 people.

Fee of $10 per group with registration required by 4:00 p.m. on Monday, October 19.

Trick-or-Treat Night

Saturday, October 24, 6:00 p.m. - 8:00 p.m.

Hickory Grove Park, Breezy Bay Campground Take trick-or-treating out into nature!

Watch our Facebook page for more details!

WildTots: Fun in Fall

Saturday, October 17, 10:00 a.m. - 11:30 a.m.

McFarland Park Join Naturalist Jess Lancial and explore fall fun through a series of activities, crafts, and a snack. This program is for children (ages 2-4) plus their adult. Be prepared to play indoors and out!

Fee of $5 per child with registration required by 4:00 p.m. on Wednesday, October 14.

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Story County Conservation • 515-232-2516

www.storycountyconservation.org

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Conservation Updates

Autumn Wonders

By: Rebekah Beall, Naturalist Autumn’s crisp nights, sunny days, and changing colors make a perfect time to get outside. Here are three seasonal nature spotting challenges to inspire you to explore your parks.

If you want to wish on a falling star, watch for the Perseid meteor shower in early August. Every year the Earth passes through trails of debris from the comet Swift-Tuttle. When the bits and pieces hit Earth’s atmosphere, they streak through the night sky in arcs of light and color. The Perseids occasionally produce a “fireball” when larger comet chunks break up in the atmosphere. The Perseids can spark up the sky at the rate of 50 to 100 meteors an hour. To watch the show, grab a lawn chair or a sleeping bag and stretch out with your toes pointing northeast. Your night vision will take some time to adjust so be patient. The Perseid meteor shower peaks around August 12. Although the best time to watch is just before dawn, shooting stars can be seen as early as 10 p.m.

If you already celebrate migration by watching hawks, tagging monarchs, or welcoming pelicans, consider adding dragonflies to your list of mass movers. Although some green darners brave Iowa’s ice as aquatic larvae, in early August a special population crawls onto plants at water’s edge and emerges as winged adults.

With luck, you may see a buzzing cloud of these large green and blue dragonflies traveling to ice-free waters in the southern United States. The trip is oneway; the dragonflies that return in spring grew up in the South. Watch for migrating dragonflies in August and September, especially following cold fronts. You can report your sightings to a citizen science project at www.migratorydragonflypartnership.org!

Photo by Whitney Cranshaw, Bugwood.org

Kids (and naturalists!) love peeling gooey, brown walnut husks away to reveal walnut husk fly maggots wriggling within. Like squirrels, chipmunks, humans, and many other animals, the walnut husk fly uses autumn’s bounty of nuts for food. But it doesn’t bother cracking through the extraordinarily hard shell to get to the nutmeat. Instead, it lays its eggs in the round husk that develops around the shell. When undamaged, this bright green husk is an aromatic, citrusy scent of fall. Soft, brown husks are a sign of the yellowish larvae snacking on their own house.

Don’t be afraid to get your hands dirty uncovering this unusual sign of the changing season!

If you spot any of these autumn wonders, we want to know about it! Post your discoveries to our Facebook page. Happy hunting!

Common Green Darners clinging to vegetation can be tricky to spot despite their bright colors. Photo by Jacob Newton.

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Watch for more articles about phenology (the study of the timing of natural events) from Naturalist Rebekah Beall in future Prairie Horizons!

Story County Conservation • 515-232-2516

Conservation Updates

2015 Partners Photo Contest The 2015 Partners Photo Contest was a success!

With over 40 entries, the judges had a difficult task of choosing the best photos in four different categories: Landscape, Fauna, Flora and Fungi, and Connecting People and Recreation.

Prizes were awarded in each category for Adult (over 18 years of age) and Youth (18 years old and under) entries.

SCC uses these photos for flyers, social media, brochures, and other promotional items.

Thank you to all participants and congratulations to the winners! It’s wonderful to see the beauty of Story County and to share it with all citizens.

Be sure to take photos year-round in preparation for the 2016 contest!

Connecting People and Recreation First Place: Arthur Davis, Summer Tranquility

Landscape First Place: Arthur Davis, Winter’s Last Stand

Flora and Fungi First Place: Teresa Testroet, Coneflower

Fauna First Place: Tana Tesdall, Pelicans

To see all entries, view SCC’s Facebook page at www.facebook.com/storycountyconservation.

For more information or a complete list of rules, visit http://bit.ly/sccphotocontest, call 515-232-2516, or email conservationoutreach@storycountyiowa.gov. www.storycountyconservation.org

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Conservation Updates

2015 Conservation Summer Staff

Each summer, SCC gives hands-on experience to those interested in the conservation field. During the months of May through August, summer employees work with IRVM, field, and naturalist staff. Pictured above (left to right) are the 2015 summer staff: Casy Angell, Ryan Mullins, Patrick Ives, Joel Schwarzkopf, Danielle Blaylock, Steven Donohue, Calla Olson, Zach Jamison, Megan Dohrman, Blake Jesse, Summer Thorsten, Kasey Troxel, Cody Moore, and Matthew Shanklin.

(Not pictured: Will Hilsabeck, Josie Wierson, Baylee Milam, and Ben Toot)

Campground Attendants Our campgrounds just wouldn’t be complete without the campground attendants! You can find these folks throughout the summer taking care of the facilities, selling firewood, providing information, and answering questions to make your camping experience more enjoyable.

Ashley Jones is the campground attendant at Dakins Lake and Patti Jensen is the campground attendant at Breezy Bay. They both have plans for events in the campgrounds this season, so stay tuned to our Facebook page for dates and more information. If you’re out camping, be sure to introduce yourselves to Ashley and Patti!

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Story County Conservation • 515-232-2516

Story County Conservation Map

Having trouble locating one of our parks or areas?

Remember that you can view individual maps and 911 addresses online.

All information is listed under the “Parks & Trails� subpage. www.storycountyconservation.org www.storycountyconservation.org

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Calendar of Events Date

Time

Event

Location

AUGUST Sunday, August 9 2:00 p.m.

Mountain Biking Clinic McFarland Park Monday, August 10 5:30 p.m.

Story County Conservation Board Meeting McFarland Park Saturday, August 15 9:00 a.m.

Adult/Child Canoe Trip McFarland Park Saturday, August 15 7:00 p.m.

Ames Area Amateur Astronomers Meeting McFarland Park Friday, August 21 5:00 p.m.

Paddle Boarding Basics West Peterson Park Friday, August 21 8:30 p.m.

Evening Exploration McFarland Park August 22 - 23 Family Geode Hunting Excursion Keokuk, Iowa Thursday, August 27 7:00 p.m.

Evening Prairie Walk Doolittle Prairie Thursday, August 27 7:30 p.m.

Story County Trails Advisory Committee Meeting McFarland Park Saturday, August 29 2:00 p.m.

Play with Clay McFarland Park SEPTEMBER Tuesday, September 1 11:00 a.m.

O.W.L.S.: Heartland Senior Services McFarland Park Thursday, September 3 7:00 p.m.

Story County Conservation Partners Meeting McFarland Park Monday, September 14 5:30 p.m.

Story County Conservation Board Meeting McFarland Park Saturday, September 19 4:00 p.m.

Chili Cook-off Hickory Grove Park Saturday, September 19 7:00 p.m.

Ames Area Amateur Astronomers Meeting McFarland Park September 19-20 Adult Geode Hunting Excursion Keokuk, Iowa Sunday, September 20 1:30 p.m. TEAM Day McFarland Park Thursday, September 24 7:30 p.m.

Story County Trails Advisory Committee Meeting McFarland Park September 25 - 26 Wild Women of the Woods Hickory Grove Park Tuesday, September 29 4:00 p.m.

Prairie Seed Harvest Doolittle Prairie OCTOBER Sunday, October 4 3:00 p.m.

Partners Fall Festival McFarland Park Tuesday, October 6 11:00 a.m.

O.W.L.S.: Voyage to the Bottom of the World McFarland Park Thursday, October 8 4:00 p.m.

Prairie Seed Harvest Doolittle Prairie Sunday, October 11 1:30 p.m. TEAM Day McFarland Park Monday, October 12 5:30 p.m.

Story County Conservation Board Meeting McFarland Park Thursday, October 15 6:30 p.m.

Super Spiders McFarland Park Saturday, October 17 10:00 a.m.

WildTots: Fun in Fall McFarland Park Saturday, October 17 9:00 a.m.

Youth Mentor Hunt Chichaqua Bottoms Greenbelt Friday, October 23 7:30 p.m.

Halloween Hides and Creepy Caches McFarland Park Saturday, October 24 6:00 p.m.

Trick-or-Treat Night Hickory Grove Park Thursday, October 29 7:30 p.m.

Story County Trails Advisory Committee Meeting McFarland Park

Sign up for the electronic version of Prairie Horizons!

Help SCC save resources by requesting our e-version of the newsletter. To change delivery method, email conservationoutreach@storycountyiowa.gov with a current email address.

Stay connected with SCC 10

Story County Conservation • 515-232-2516

Conservation Updates Give A Gift That Will Last All Year!

With the gift of a Story County Conservation Partners membership, a family or individual can enjoy a year of involvement! Recipients will receive a nature-themed magnet, a 10% discount on all programs and building rentals, and the Prairie Horizons newsletter! The Red Fox membership level and above will be recognized for their support in the conservation center at McFarland Park.

Red-tailed Hawk - $1,000 or more Great Blue Heron - $275 to $999 Red Fox - $125 to $274

Goldfinch - $70 to $124 Otter (Family) - $35 to $69 Great Horned Owl (Individual) - $30

Name__________________________________________________________________________________ Address________________________________________City _________________State____ Zip________ Phone _____________________ E-mail______________________________________________________ Enclosed is my check for $ ______________ My membership level is ____________________________ Make checks payable to: Story County Conservation Partners 56461 180th Street, Ames, IA 50010-9451; Phone (515) 232-2516

Thank You!

Thank you to all those who support Story County Conservation with donations of time, funding, and materials.

Thank you to the following for their generosity: 7 lbs of bird seed from Teresa Testroet

Memorial donations In memory of Adele Stefani, Bill Jones, Jerry Clark, Beverly Ann Beauchamp, and Bill Horine Canoe for Environmental Education Program Arthur Smith Fishing worms for Partners Spring Festival JAX Outdoor Gear Minnows for Dakins Lake Opening Celebration Lured In Bait and Tackle Fishing bobbers and lures R.J. Gardner Cash donations Ames Izaak Walton League, Nick Stull, Barb Gohman, and Patricia Lamberson

Story County Conservation Board

Ted Tedesco, Ames - Chair Craig Meyers, Nevada - Vice Chair Allen Weber, Ames - Secretary Dr. James Pease, Ames Dr. Nancy Franz, Ames Wayne Clinton, Ames - Ex Officio Member

Story County Conservation Director Michael Cox

The Story County Conservation Board meets monthly at the Story County Conservation Center at McFarland Park (56461 180th St.), northeast of Ames.

This booklet is brought to you with support from Story County Conservation Partners. Partners was originally formed in 1996 to help produce the newsletter. Since then, Partners has expanded its support of Story County Conservation to include funding and support of various conservation projects, spring and fall festivals, and the Partners Photo Contest. Partners members are people who continue to make a difference with financial, volunteer, and program support.

Volume 19 Number 3 www.storycountyconservation.org

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Nonprofit Org. U.S. POSTAGE PAID Ames, Iowa Permit 301

STORY COUNTY CONSERVATION 56461 180th STREET AMES, IA 50010-9451

O.W.L.S.

Older, Wiser, Livelier Seniors O.W.L.S. programs are held the first Tuesday of each month at 11 a.m. at the Story County Conservation Center.

These programs are designed for “boomers” or older – but anyone can attend. An optional luncheon follows the program for just $7.50. Registration for lunch is required by 4 p.m. the Friday before the program.

Online registrations are not yet available for O.W.L.S.- register by calling, emailing, or stopping in!

Heartland Senior Services

Jan M. Williams, Director of Development and Marketing Tuesday, September 1 Are you a caregiver needing some assistance? Could you use a home-delivered meal? Do you enjoy playing cards, dancing, or thought about taking a computer class? Have you considered being a friendly visitor? If you answered YES, Heartland Senior Services of Story County needs you! We provide valuable programs and services to older adults, their families, and caregivers throughout Story County. Join us as we provide the ‘101’ on all things Heartland Senior Services and learn about our activities, adult day center, outreach, and nutrition programs!

Register for lunch by 4 p.m. on Friday, August 28.

Menu: Baked potato bar and peach crisp 12

Voyage to the Bottom of the World Ty Smedes, Photographer Tuesday, October 6

Dazzling blue icebergs (in shapes that defy the imagination) host a myriad of penguins and the leopard seals that hunt them - framed by a backdrop of endless glaciers and stunning mountainscapes.

Join Ty for this educational and visually stunning presentation about this incredibly beautiful continent and its wildlife.

Register for lunch by 4 p.m. on Friday, October 2.

Menu: Pulled pork BBQ sandwiches, potato salad, baked beans, and cookie