2017 Fall Prairie Horizons

STORY COUNTY CONSERVATION • NATURE PROGRAMS AND NEWS August - October 2017 Ronald “Dick” Jordan Family Wildlife Area Photo by Nathan Houck

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IN THIS ISSUE. . .

Public Programs & Events...... 2-4 Calendar of Events.................... 5 Conservation Updates........... 6-8 Map of SCC Areas.................... 10

Partners Membership............... 11

— PROGRAMS & EVENTS — Providing people opportunities and inspiration to develop an appreciation and understanding of nature and humans as a part of it

AUGUST River Romp

Saturday, Aug. 19, 3:00 - 4:30 p.m.

Peterson Park Water Trail Access #234 (17952 Templeton Rd., Ames) Discover your river by searching sandbars for fossils, artifacts, and other treasures, and scoop the river for benthic macro invertebrates (cool water bugs). Wear clothes and shoes that can get wet and muddy (no flip-flops please). Nets and other “romping” tools will be provided.

Appropriate for ages 8 and up (all children must be accompanied by an adult). This program is free, but registration is required by 4:00 p.m. on Thursday, August 17. The romp will be canceled if river levels are too high or if there is inclement weather.

Evening Prairie Walk Thursday, August 24, 7:00 p.m.

Doolittle Prairie (14249 560th Ave., Story City) Join Iowa Prairie Network’s Lloyd Crim at monthly prairie walks at the largest prairie remnant in Story County. See rare prairie flora that changes each month and learn the history of central Iowa prairies from a prairie enthusiast. Long pants, sturdy shoes, and bug spray are recommended. No registration is needed.

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SEPTEMBER Boundary Waters Adventure

September 7, 6:30 a.m. September 11, 6:30 p.m.

BWCA Grand Marais, Minnesota Journey with SCC to the Boundary Waters Canoe Area Wilderness in northeast Minnesota on this five-day, guided excursion. As one of America’s premier canoe destinations and rated one of National Geographic’s “Top 50 Places You Must See,” you need to take this unique opportunity to experience true wildness first-hand!

Spend two nights camping under the stars, immersing yourself in

more than one million acres of wilderness. Explore secluded lakes, relax with silent vistas, and find yourself among the striking pines, moose, and eagles. Register early; space is limited to six participants!

A pre-trip meeting will be held on Friday, August 18, 7:00 p.m. - 8:00 p.m. Must be 21 or older to attend, register with a tentmate, be able to lift a minimum of 45 lbs., and have prior canoeing experience.

Most equipment provided. Fee of $550 per person with registration is required by 4 p.m. on Monday, August 14.

STORY COUNTY CONSERVATION 515.232.2516 56461 180th Street • Ames, Iowa 50010 Monday - Friday • 8:30 a.m. - 4:30 p.m. conservation@storycountyiowa.gov • www.storycountyconservation.org

Monarch Migration Madness

Sunday, Sept. 10, 1:30-2:30 p.m.

McFarland Park Fall is the time of one of the world’s greatest animal migrations! We will witness an animal that weighs less than a small paperclip on its journey south to Mexico. Come learn about amazing Monarch butterflies and why they are making this journey!

This program is family-friendly, free, and no registration is needed.

Fall Fungus Foraging

Sunday, Sept.10, 3-4:30 p.m.

McFarland Park Fall is the best time of year to find wild edible mushrooms and other interesting fungi. We’ll hike on and off the trails at McFarland Park searching for the fungus among us.

This event is open to all levels of mushroom enthusiasts; no experience is necessary! This event is free, but registration is required by 4 p.m. on Thursday, September 7.

Photo by Brynn Eitzen

Wild Women of the Woods

Friday, September 22 -Sunday, September 24 Hickory Grove Park Wild Women of the Woods gives women the opportunity to explore the outdoors, learn new skills, and network with like-minded women.

Participants can opt to camp out and will choose from many different sessions. Online registration is not available for this event; view class descriptions and schedule and download the registration form at storycountyconservation.org. Class sizes are limited, so register early!

Participants must be at least 18 years old. Participants can register for half workshop (Friday - Saturday, $55) or full workshop (Friday - Sunday, $70). Registration form with payment is required by 4:00 p.m. on Friday, September 11.

Halloween Hides and Creepy Caches

Friday, October 13, 7:30-9:30 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 for our third year of Halloween Hides and Creepy Caches and explore the origins of Halloween while using a GPS to enjoy the outdoors.

Experience McFarland after dark and find hidden jack-o-lanterns throughout the park. Space is limited, so be sure to register your group early! Fee of $10 per group with registration is required by 4 p.m. on Monday, October 9.

OCTOBER

Partners Fall Festival Sunday, October 1, 3-6 p.m.

McFarland Park

Kick off the month of October at the Partners Fall Festival. Enjoy the changing seasons while listening to traditional and modern blues music from Redz Bluez. The Mucky Duck Pub will offer food vending from its Mobile Mallard and is sponsoring the band!

Nocturnal Raptors

Tuesday, Oct. 17, 6:30-7:30 p.m.

McFarland Park Who’s “hoo” at McFarland Park!

Join us as we investigate the world of Iowa’s nocturnal raptors. Explore the unique adaptations of these impressive predators of the night.

Learn how to talk to the owls and enjoy stories of encounters with these remarkable birds. With a live animal, this program is sure to be a hoot! This program is free but registration is required by 4:00 p.m. on Friday, October 13.

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— GET INVOLVED —

O.W.L.S. Programs Our brief summer break is over!

O.W.L.S. programs are held each month at 11 a.m. at the Story County Conservation Center. These are designed for “boomers” or older - but anyone can attend.

An optional luncheon follows the program for just $7.50.

Register for lunch at storycountyconservation.org or call 515-232-2516.

Tuesday, September 5 Discovering Outdoor Delights: Tramp New Zealand’s Tracks Nancy Franz and Judy Levings Can nature study, four star hotels, Kiwi cuisine, and tramping diverse ecosystems go together? They sure do on New Zealand’s South Island -- you can explore subalpine, rain forest, beach, forest, and other ecosystems in close proximity.

Menu: taco bar and sundae bar.

Register for lunch by September 1.

As a certified Service Enterprise, we engage volunteers throughout all levels of our organization

TEAM Days 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, closed-toe shoes are strongly recommended. Registration is required to ensure enough tools and refreshments for everyone.

Saturday, September 16 9 a.m.-12 p.m.

Meet at Pleasant Grove Church (56971 170th St., Ames) This day will focus on trash removal along the greenbelt in a joint effort with ISU’s Skunk River Navy. Register

by Thursday, September 14.

Saturday, October 21 1-3 p.m.

Tuesday, October 3 Honey Bees in Iowa Carly Raye Vannoy, 2017 Iowa Honey Queen Learn about honeybees, honey, beekeeping, and beyond. Come find out why we want to save the bees and how we can make that happen!

Menu: pulled pork sandwiches, potato salad, baked beans, apple crisp. Register for lunch by September 29.

McFarland Park We’ll do some needed maintenance on the trails! Register by Thursday, October 19.

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Prairie Seed Harvest 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.

Doolittle Prairie 14249 560th Ave., Story City Sun., September 24, 2-4 p.m.

Thurs., September 28, 4-6 p.m.

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

Registration is required two days prior to each event to ensure enough refreshments for everyone. Long pants, sturdy shoes, and bug spray are recommended.

— CALENDAR OF EVENTS — Date Time Event Location AUGUST

Thursday, August 3 Monday, August 7 Saturday, August 12 Saturday, August 19 Monday, August 21 Thursday, August 24 Thursday, August 31

8:30 a.m.

5:30 p.m.

Dusk 3:00 p.m.

12:00 p.m.

7:00 p.m.

7:00 p.m.

Managing Palmer Amaranth in Conservation Plantings Boone Story County Conservation Board Meeting McFarland Park Astronomers Observing Night: Perseid Meteor Shower Observatory River Romp Peterson Park Water Trail Access #234 Solar Eclipse - go outside!

Evening Prairie Walk Doolittle Prairie Story County Trails Advisory Committee Meeting McFarland Park

Monday, September 4 Holiday Tuesday, September 5 11:00 a.m.

Thursday, September 7 6:30 p.m.

September 7-11 Sunday, September 10 1:30 p.m.

Sunday, September 10 3:00 p.m.

Saturday, September 16 9:00 a.m.

Monday, September 18 5:30 p.m.

September 22-24 Sunday, September 24 2:00 p.m.

Thursday, September 28 4:00 p.m.

Thursday, September 28 7:00 p.m.

Story County Conservation Offices Closed O.W.L.S.: New Zealand McFarland Park Story County Conservation Partners Meeting McFarland Park Boundary Waters Adventure Grand Marais, Minnesota Monarch Migration Madness McFarland Park Fall Fungus Foraging McFarland Park TEAM Day Pleasant Grove Church Story County Conservation Board Meeting McFarland Park Wild Women of the Woods Hickory Grove Park Prairie Seed Harvest Doolittle Prairie Prairie Seed Harvest Doolittle Prairie Story County Trails Advisory Committee Meeting McFarland Park

SEPTEMBER

OCTOBER

Sunday, October 1 Tuesday, October 3 Tuesday, October 3 Monday, October 9 Friday, October 13 Tuesday, October 17 Saturday, October 21 Saturday, October 21 Thursday, October 26

3:00 p.m.

11:00 a.m.

4:00 p.m.

5:30 p.m.

7:30 p.m.

6:30 p.m.

1:00 p.m.

7:00 p.m.

7:00 p.m.

Partners Fall Festival O.W.L.S.: Honey Bees in Iowa Prairie Seed Harvest Story County Conservation Board Meeting Halloween Hides and Creepy Caches Nocturnal Raptors TEAM Day Astronomers Meeting: The Peppercorn Model

Story County Trails Advisory Committee Meeting

McFarland Park McFarland Park Doolittle Prairie McFarland Park McFarland Park McFarland Park McFarland Park McFarland Park McFarland Park

Two SCC employees will speak at an upcoming workshop titled “Managing Palmer Amaranth in Conservation Plantings” on Thursday, August 3 at the Field Extension Education Laboratory in Boone. This workshop is open to anyone who wants to learn more about managing Palmer amaranth in conservation plantings, particularly NRCS personnel, landowners, crop consultants, and agronomists.

For more information and to register, visit http://crops.extension.iastate.edu/fieldlab.

Every year the Iowa Geocachers Organization selects the best proposal by a group of geocachers to host the annual Hike-N-Seek. This year, the event will be held in Story County!

The 2017 event runs September 22-24 and will be a fun geocaching experience with an emphasis on putting the “Hike” in Hike-N-Seek.

Story County Conservation is cosponsoring the event. For more information or to register, visit www.hikenseek2017.org.

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— SCC NEWS — Stay up-to-date on our projects and other happenings

Discovery Nature Playscape at McFarland Park

Jerry Keys, Environmental Education Coordinator

Part of Story County Conservation’s (SCC) mission is to provide leisure opportunities and educate citizens to be wise caretakers of our natural resources. The Story County Community Foundation’s logo simply states, “Grow the Future.” We married both goals to build a nature playscape at McFarland Park for our younger citizens.

With a $25,000 grant from the foundation, SCC staff and volunteers designed and built a nature playscape for youth to explore nature using all their senses. Though primarily designed for youth 10 years old and younger, anyone can enjoy the playscape! There are benches and a child-size picnic table in the gathering area. The building area has trunks filled with wooden blocks and rocks and specially-designed building tables (pictured right). Two balance beams, tree stumps, and a large rock

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offer climbing challenges. A circular area complete with tools and buckets provides a place to dig in black Iowa dirt (or mud if the weather provides it). There are three musical instruments to experience rhythm and sound and five planters full of herbs to feel, smell, and taste.

Special thank yous go to Delora Jespersen Hade for helping with the design and layout and to Dave Hade for assistance with layout, element assembly, and providing blocks of wood for the building area. Also deserving of thanks are volunteers Brooks Lofstedt and Ed Engle and all the SCC field staff for helping build the playscape.

I would also like to thank all the parents who have already brought their kids to McFarland Park to explore nature at the playscape and encourage others to join them.

Together, we can expose youth to the wonders of nature in the hopes that they become wise caretakers of our natural resources.

Finally, thank you Story County Community Foundation for helping us “Grow the Future.”

Partners Survey Results Dr. Nancy Franz, SCCB Chair

The Partners membership program provides funding and volunteer support for SCC. The group sponsors spring and fall festivals, a photo contest, and finances conservation projects. Each year, there are 160180 members ranging from the Great Horned Owl level at $30 to the RedTailed Hawk level at $1,000 per year.

To better understand and support members, SCC recently conducted an online survey of 147 Partners members. Fifty-six members (38%) returned the survey. The survey revealed that people become Partners members because they want to support SCC (98%) and they want to help conserve natural resources (71%). The most important incentive for encouraging Partners membership is providing funding towards SCC’s work (94%). What members like most about Partners is raising awareness of SCC and nature (82%), funding SCC projects (68%), people working together for the greater good of SCC (55%), and being with people with a conservation interest (46%).

“If you value conservation and outdoor places and activities in Story County, then joining Partners makes sense. Good people are members, functions are enjoyable, and the membership fee is relatively low.”

One member said, “If you value conservation and outdoor places and activities in Story County, then joining Partners makes sense. Good people are members, functions are enjoyable, and the membership fee is relatively low.”

Pat Shehan Joins Our Team

Partners’ current large project is to raise $20,000 through new and renewed memberships to support the purchase of the Ronald “Dick” Jordan Family Wildlife Area property south of Ames on the Skunk River. The property will be owned and managed

by SCC. Visit http://bit.ly/SCCPartnersMembership to join Partners and help support this project.

Thank you to the Partners members who participated in an online focus group to help design the member survey and to those members who answered the online survey. The results will help guide future Partners efforts.

Ronald “Dick” Jordan Family Wildlife Area Photo by Nathan Houck

In May I was hired as the special

projects ranger for Story County Conservation. I am originally from Eagle Grove and attended Iowa Central Community College, then Iowa State University where I received my bachelor’s degree in Animal Ecology. I was a park ranger with Webster County Conservation for the last 18 years and became very familiar with the county conservation system, preparing me well for this new role with Story County. Joining me on this new adventure is my wife Tabitha and our two children, JP (John Patrick) and Julia. Besides spending time with the family, my hobbies include anything involving the outdoors -- but I especially enjoy waterfowl hunting. We are all excited about this move and I look forward to the future here with Story County Conservation!

SCC welcomes you, Pat!

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— SCC NEWS cont. — Watch For The Solar Eclipse On Monday, August 21, 2017, all of North America will be treated to an eclipse of the sun. Anyone within the path of totality can see one of nature’s most awe-inspiring sights -- a total solar eclipse.

This path, where the moon will completely cover the sun and its corona, will stretch from Salem, Oregon to Charleston, South Carolina. Observers outside of this path (those of us in Iowa) will still see a partial solar eclipse.

Dakins Lake Improvements

Russ Dewall, Technician II In the past three years, Dakins Lake has seen numerous park improvement projects. Following the lake and campground expansions, Story County Conservation staff and volunteers planted over 250 native trees and shrubs throughout the park. This amount of work would not have been possible in such a short amount of time if it were not for the involvement of volunteer groups.

NASA created the website eclipse2017.nasa.gov to provide a guide to this amazing event. You will find activities, events, broadcasts, and resources from NASA and their partners across the nation.

The eclipse will be at its peak in Iowa at midday. You MUST protect your eyes when viewing eclipses, either with special viewing glasses or by creating a box pinhole projector to watch the eclipse without looking directly at it.

Interested in this or other astronomy topics? Consider attending an upcoming Ames Area Amateur Astronomers meeting! Find out more at www.amesastronomers.org.

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Forever grant and REAP funds. Of the 250 new trees plus a few bur oaks and shagbark hickories transplanted from other parks, we have had a 95% survival rate! These trees will provide park users with shade and aesthetics and complete a very diverse and natural plant community.

We also added a vault toilet to the primitive campground on the east side of the park. If you haven’t visited Dakins lately, you should! This 103acre park in northeast Story County is a wonderful retreat.

Around 300 volunteers have helped with a series of plantings since 2015, including individuals from Colo-NESCO Elementary, Iowa State University’s Forestry Class, The Outdoor Alliance of Story County, and staff from Kohl’s. The trees and shrubs were purchased through a Living Roadway Trust Fund/Trees

New Shower House at Hickory Grove Doubles as Storm Shelter Ryan Wiemold, Parks Superintendent You will notice a different view as you pull into Breezy Bay Campground at Hickory Grove Park. A new shower building that doubles as a storm shelter sits right in the middle of the 43-site campground. Demolition of the original shower building, constructed in 1968, started in early January, and crews worked through the spring to complete this new, larger building.

This project was also a great opportunity for Story County Conservation to provide a storm shelter for campers and park users in case of severe weather. The new building is a tornado safe shelter featuring layers of concrete block with reinforced concrete ceilings. The building will be able to shelter 190 people in the event of a storm.

The $822,000 shower building/ storm shelter is one of many projects going on at Hickory Grove Park and shows the county’s commitment to recognizing the park user’s needs while updating infrastructure.

Besides serving as a storm shelter, the shower house will feature informational kiosks, a vending area, men’s and women’s restrooms, three private shower/ changing rooms, and two family restroom/shower rooms.

Hickory Grove is Story County Conservation’s largest park, seeing 71,123 visitors each year and having an annual economic impact of $6.46 million, according to the Iowa Lakes Valuation Project through the Iowa DNR. We encourage you to swing by and check out the new building and enjoy all that Hickory Grove Park has to offer!

Other Happenings at Hickory Grove - Hickory Grove Lake Renovation • Phase 1: Rock silt dike/check dam construction, shoreline armoring Planned Fall 2017 • Phase 2: Lake de-watering Planned Spring 2018 • Phase 3: Shoreline armoring and sediment removal Planned Fall 2018 into Spring 2019 - Cattle exclusion from creek Completed - Upgrade private septic systems in watershed Completed - Beach water monitoring program Ongoing - Goose control Ongoing - Native vegetation restoration/invasive species removal Ongoing - Sewer system replacement to allow for new buildings and expansion Planned - Dock repair and replacement Ongoing - Road and boat ramp repairs/overlay Planned - Trail expansion Ongoing - Entrance signs, informational pull off area and kiosks Planned 2017/2018 - Ash tree replacement in campground/ wood carvings Ongoing - Park building repairs and step 9 replacement Ongoing

— SCC AREA MAP — There are over 3,000 acres for you to explore right here in Story County

Having trouble locating one of our parks or areas? You can view individual maps and 911 addresses online.

www.storycountyconservation.org

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BOARD & STAFF Conservation Board

Dr. Nancy Franz, Chair Dr. James Pease, Vice Chair Craig Meyers, Secretary Christine Laumer, Member Ted Tedesco, Member Rick Sanders, Ex Officio Member

Conservation Staff Conservation Center, Ames

Michael Cox, Director Ryan Wiemold, Parks Superintendent Pat Shehan, Special Projects Ranger Jolene Van Waus, Financial Data Manager Melissa Johannes, Administrative Assistant II Jerry Keys, Environmental Education Coordinator Heather Hucka, Naturalist Jess Lancial, Naturalist Rebekah Beall, Naturalist Beth Waage, Naturalist Erica Place, Outreach Coordinator

GIVE A GIFT THAT LASTS 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, facility rentals, and merchandise, 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

McFarland Park Shop, Ames

Danny Simcox, Park Ranger Russ DeWall, Conservation Technician II Joe Hill, Conservation Technician Ben Marcus, Conservation Technician

Hickory Grove Shop, Colo

Amy Yoakum, Natural Resource Specialist Luke Feilmeier, Park Ranger Beau Hoppe, Conservation Technician Dustin Horne, Conservation Technician

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

IRVM Office & Shop, Nevada

Joe Kooiker, Vegetation Management Biologist Tyler Kelley, Vegetation Management Specialist

The Story County Conservation Board typically meets the the second Monday of each month at the Story County Conservation Center at McFarland Park (56461 180th St.), northeast of Ames. Meetings are open to the public.

THANK YOU TO THE FOLLOWING FOR THEIR GENEROSITY

CASH DONATIONS TOWARDS BOOT BRUSH CLEANING STATIONS (EAGLE SCOUT PROJECT) Jane Konfrst & Big Bluestem Audubon Society

BIRD FEEDERS Donna Flanagan MEMORIAL BENCH Family & friends of Jim McCasland

OWL BOX Diane Howerton

CASH DONATION ITC Midwest LLC

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STORY COUNTY CONSERVATION 56461 180th Street Ames, Iowa 50010-9451

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

2017 Summer Staff Each year, SCC hires additional help during the recreation season. Most of our summer staff are either still in college or have recently graduated and are eager to get experience in the field!

We hire individuals to assist with beautifying the roadsides, battling invasive species and working on habitat restoration projects, educating citizens about the environment, and keeping your parks looking their best.

They are future leaders in the natural resource field, so be sure to say hi if you see them out and about!

Back row: Jamey Kuehn, Matt Shanklin, Jacob Harmon, Seth Dicks, Wiley Schatz, Zach Jamison, Megan Dohrman (Megan has since taken a full-time position with Hardin County -- congratulations, Megan!)

Front row: Tracy Christiansen, Cierra Johannes, Drew Phillips, Hannah Kroeger, Ashley Bozman, Melody Gerver Not pictured: Katelyn Moore, Dakota Popp, Alec Sutton