— THE LATEST —

Staff Realignment

We’ve had some changes in the structure of our field staff positions! Duties have been shifted around to better serve you and your parks. The focus of the Park Ranger position will now be solely on law enforcement rather than also juggling project and staff supervision. The newly-created Operations Supervisor positions, one based at each shop, will be better able to coordinate large and/or long-term park improvements, as well as oversee day-to-day operations. Also added was a second Conservation Technician II position.

In the parks...

Dakins Lake

• Primitive campground renovation complete -- renamed “Dakins Lake East.” Larger, angled “L-shape” sites better accommodate modern campers; new electrical pedestals; shared water hydrants between sites; campground road widened and extended to create a one-way loop; addition of two tent sites with designated parking spots; all sites will be reservable

• New playground equipment to be installed on “Dakins Lake Main” side in mid-July (climbing structures and slides!)

Doolittle Prairie

• Removing undesirable trees and shrubs

East & West Peterson Park

• Work has begun on beach renovation

Congratulate the above staff on their new roles! We’ll be refilling technician positions and adding two new park rangers to the conservation team soon, so watch for their introduction.

Bird Friendly County

We have reapplied for our annual designation as a Bird Friendly County. Since our original application in 2020, we’ve done a lot for our feathered friends! 200 acres of public land have been protected and many, many more have undergone habitat restoration work. Care has been taken to reduce threats to birds through efforts like revising management plans, promoting pesticide reduction, and educating about window collision prevention. We’ve tried new outreach strategies through our environmental education programs, community events, and social media. What would you like us to advocate for in the year ahead? Call or email the Conservation Center with your thoughts.

Partners update

So far, Partners members have raised $26,135 of the year’s goal of $30,000 to help purchase the Osheim property. So far, 184 of you have contributed to the protection of this new county area. We are so close to the finish line, and we can get there with your help!

• Regrading of parking lot and several new paths along lakeshore

• Planned tree/shrub plantings

Heart of Iowa Nature Trail

• Seeking grants and other funding to continue paving efforts eastward

• Undesirable tree removal in Lee Prairie

Hickory Grove Park

• Timber stand improvement

• Ash tree removal in high-traffic areas

• Planned tree/shrub plantings

McFarland Park

• Continued timber stand improvement efforts

Oshiem Prairie and Slough Preserve

• Interseeding of prairie reconstruction

Praeri Rail Trail

• Ash tree removal

Sleepy Hollow

• Planned tree/shrub plantings

• Planned prairie planting