Winter 2016 Prairie Horizons

November 2016 - January 2017

Prairie Horizons In this issue...

Public Programs and Events Pages 2-3 Conservation Updates Pages 4-8

The Star Crew of the Summer

Map of SCC Areas Page 9

Story County Conservation recently hosted an Americorps National Civilian Community Corps (NCCC) crew. This is a volunteer corps that travels the country completing service projects wherever they can make a positive impact to a community. Crew members came from all over the country, including Washington, Arizona, Mississippi, and New Jersey. Story County was the third stop for the group of seven young women who’d already spent time in Ohio and Texas fighting invasive species and de-constructing flood-damaged homes.

Calendar of Events Page 10 Partners Membership Page 11

By: Danny Simcox, Park Ranger

While in Story County, NCCC completed a wide array of field work that is, very simply, difficult for field staff to accomplish in a short window of time. The energetic group really wowed staff with their ‘can-do’ attitudes and willingness to work in adverse conditions. The crew spent several days pulling fence at Jennett Heritage Area and the future Ronald “Dick” Jordan Family Wildlife Area to ease habitat transitions and make the properties more user-friendly. Over 1,100 yards of fence were removed at Jordan Story County Conservation alone! NCCC also spent time removing invasives throughout the county.

Many days were spent at Hickory Grove Park removing honeysuckle and 56461 180th Street other brush that chokes out ground-dwelling herbaceous vegetation, as Ames, Iowa 50010 ground vegetation will help clean up water before it gets to the lake. Time was also spent at the E18 prairie and Doolittle Prairie removing brush and Monday - Friday, 8:30 a.m. - 4:30 p.m. controlling wild parsnip.

515-232-2516 conservation@storycountyiowa.gov Last but not least, NCCC was able to hand harvest over $1,300 worth of www.storycountyconservation.org local-ecotype prairie seed, and in short order! We were so impressed by the adaptability and comradery exhibited by the crew. This is a testament to each individual’s focus on bettering communities together as a team. We are extremely grateful for their service and the benefits they’ve provided our community. They will be greatly missed.

Older, Wiser, Livelier Seniors Page 12

Programs & Events Registration for all programs and events is online at www.storycountyconservation.org unless other registration information is provided in the program description.

Call (515) 232-2516 if you have questions.

Nature Stories and Songs Series: Animals, Plants, and Earth “Music gives soul to the universe, wings to the mind, flight to the imagination, and life to everything.” - Plato Come and enjoy great nature songs and stories with a child. Explore the world with Naturalist Heather Hucka as she shares some of her favorite books and music about animals, plants, and the Earth. Programs in this series are free, and no registration is required.

Series topics and locations are as follows: Animals

Thursday, December 8, 3:45 p.m. - 4:45 p.m.

Nevada Public Library

Thursday, December 15, 10:30 a.m. - 11:30 a.m.

Bertha Bartlett Public Library - Gilbert Branch

Friday, December 16, 10:30 a.m. - 11:30 a.m.

Bertha Bartlett Public Library - Story City Branch

Plants

Thursday, January 12, 10:30 a.m. - 11:30 a.m.

Bertha Bartlett Public Library - Gilbert Branch

Thursday, January 12, 3:45 p.m. - 4:45 p.m.

Nevada Public Library

Friday, January 13, 10:30 a.m. - 11:30 a.m.

Bertha Bartlett Public Library - Story City Branch

Earth

Thursday, February 2, 10:30 a.m. - 11:30 a.m.

Bertha Bartlett Public Library - Gilbert Branch

Thursday, February 2, 3:45 p.m. - 4:45 p.m.

Nevada Public Library

Friday, February 3, 10:30 a.m. - 11:30 a.m.

Bertha Bartlett Public Library - Story City Branch

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Geocache Elf Hunt

Sunday, December 11, 1:00 - 3:00 p.m.

McFarland Park Santa’s helpers have been playing in the park! Join Naturalist Jess Lancial to learn how to use a GPS, then go search the woods to find some elves and their presents they have hidden in the park. The hunt is limited to 20 groups, or 50 total collectors. We recommend that groups not exceed eight people as groups will share one GPS unit. Be sure to register early to reserve your spot! Fee of $5 per collector (any child 3-14 years old) with registration required by 4:00 p.m. on Monday, December 5.

Snowshoe Owl Prowl

Friday, January 13, 5:00 p.m. - 6:30 p.m.

Christiansen Forest Preserve (55973 310th St., Huxley)

Join Naturalist Jess Lancial for a snowshoe owl prowl!

Explore beautiful Christiansen Forest Preserve, a hidden gem near Huxley with an abundance of owls.

Bring your binoculars and a flashlight as we try our luck at calling and spotting owls while exploring the trails on snowshoes. Program will be canceled if snow conditions are insufficient. This program is suitable for ages 12 and up. Participants should dress for the weather. Fee of $5 with registration is required by 4:00 p.m. on Wednesday, January 11.

Penguin Snowshoe Parade

Friday, January 20, 5:00 p.m. - 6:30 p.m.

McFarland Park January 20th of each year is Penguin Awareness Day! Walk like a penguin as we explore McFarland Park and celebrate these quirky flightless birds.

No experience is necessary to waddle and sway as snowshoes help us conquer the snow. Learn about penguins from around the world and what makes them so extraordinary. This program is designed for ages 8 and up. Please remember to dress for the weather (black and white optional) as we will be out in snow for the duration of the program. Program will be canceled if snow conditions are insufficient.

Fee of $5 with registration is required by 4:00 p.m. on Wednesday, January 18.

Story County Conservation • 515-232-2516

Programs & Events Mini-Aquaponics

Cocoa Picasso

Jumpstart your garden! Experience a twist on agriculture’s connection to nature by building a mini-aquaponics system to grow lettuce at home.

The project recirculates water from plants to fish and back to plants, both cleaning the water and capturing nutrients. Workshop leaders include Allen Pattillo, ISU Extension Fisheries and Aquaculture Specialist, Amanda Chung, ISU NREM Student Services Specialist, and Jay Staker, ISU Extension 4-H.

Join us to have a unique learning experience! We will learn about birds in winter and then paint a snowy winter scene while sipping hot chocolate. Molly Nagel from Upper Story Studio will provide the stepby-step painting instruction. We will be using acrylic paints. This family-friendly program is for ages 8 and up; all children must be accompanied by an adult. Fee of $15 is required by 4:00 p.m. on Thursday, February 2.

Saturday, January 28, 2:00 p.m. - 4:00 p.m.

Conservation Center, McFarland Park

Saturday, February 4, 10:00 a.m. - 11:30 a.m.

Conservation Center, McFarland Park

Introduction to Snowshoeing

Saturday, February 4, 1:00 p.m. - 2:30 p.m.

Conservation Center, McFarland Park Learn some basic snowshoeing skills and then test them out on a fun hike! The hike will involve activities to help participants practice. Participants should dress for the weather. This program is designed for ages 8 and up. Program will be canceled if snow conditions are insufficient. Fee of $5 with registration is required by 4:00 p.m. on Thursday, February 2.

Registration fee includes all supplies to make one system (except goldfish, fish food, and water conditioner). Completed project will be approximately 24” L x 17” W x 20” H. Adult fee: $56.

Youth (under 18) fee: $15. Reduced youth fees are sponsored by ISU Extension 4-H. Children under 16 must be accompanied by an adult. Family groups who wish to complete a system together should call (515) 232-2516. Fee with registration is required by 4:00 p.m. on Monday, January 9.

www.storycountyconservation.org

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Programs & Events

A New Greenspace and a New Wildlife Area By: Mike Cox, Director

SCC’s goals are many, and our programs are multifaceted. Our common theme, however, is to engage people in the outdoors and thereby improve environmental health, human wellness, and community economics. A project we have just embarked on is a prime example of this theme. Story County Conservation now owns a 30-acre greenspace within the Iowa State University Research Park Expansion in south Ames. The Research Park Expansion will create 4,500 new jobs and emphasize Story County as leaders in technology and water quality. This partnership will serve Story County and Iowa in ways never before served by bringing county, city, university, and state agencies together to showcase how commercial development and natural resource conservation can be symbiotic. It will focus on progressive approaches to resource protection, water quality improvements, environmental education, and recreation. You can expect the following outcomes from our involvement in this project: Natural Resource Restoration: Restoration and reconstruction of streams, woodland, and prairie areas to properly functioning ecosystems.

Water Quality Improvements: Stream restoration and stormwater management to improve the water quality of the streams and minimize the quantity of water leaving the park.

Recreational Trails: Construction of a network of trails linking Research Park businesses to Ames and to the greater Central Iowa Trails Network, including the High Trestle Trail and the Heart of Iowa Nature Trail.

Sustainable Technologies: Emerging and sustainable technologies and methods will be demonstrated throughout the project.

Land and Water Quality Awareness: Interpretation will be woven throughout the site, and active programming will be offered to businesses and the community. Innovative technologies will be used in the interpretive plan.

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Design is underway, and construction is planned for three phases beginning in 2017. Watch our website for more details.

Another exciting offering is developing a new wildlife area. SCC is in the final stages of acquiring the funds for the addition of the Ronald “Dick” Jordan Family Wildlife Area. The property is located south of Ames along the South Skunk River and just north of the 265th Street Access. The 175-acre wildlife area will have large prairies, oak savannas, oxbows, and riparian woodlands. The Skunk River ran through the middle of the property until it was channelized in the early 20th century. The river now runs along the west side of the property. The old river meanders are still present on the land and will be restored as oxbows.

This wildlife area will offer hunting opportunities, bird watching, hiking, and unbroken habitat for exploring.

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

Acquisition of this area is being made possible by the Jordan Family, the Iowa Natural Heritage Foundation, Story County Pheasants Forever, the Outdoor Alliance of Story County, and many private donors. Grants have been received from the North American Wetlands Conservation Act and the Iowa Department of Natural Resources Habitat Stamp Grant program. Stay tuned for more information on the development of this. If you are interested in donating toward the purchase of this property, please contact me.

Story County Conservation • 515-232-2516

Conservation Updates

Conservation Staffing Update

By: Ryan Wiemold, Parks Superintendent You may recognize some familiar faces in new places at Story County Conservation. Conservation staff continues to change as organizational needs evolve. The most recent change came with the newly created position of parks superintendent. The parks superintendent’s main function is to manage and direct day-to-day operations of the county parks, law enforcement, recreational facilities, trails, greenways, and wildlife areas. This position will supervise permanent, seasonal, and volunteer field staff and brings the total number of field staff to nine full-time and 11 seasonal positions.

I’ve been a park ranger with SCC since 2010, and my new job as parks superintendent became effective on June 27. One of my goals in this position will be to help the organization better serve the county and its constituents. I look forward to this new role.

Moving into the park ranger vacancy at McFarland Park is Danny Simcox. Danny has been a conservation technician II with SCC since 2014.

Danny’s experience with our organization will allow for a quick transition. Some of Danny’s passions that make him a great fit for the job include vast experience in natural resource management and development of habitat aimed to improve both game and non-game wildlife species.

Field operations are in high gear with large projects including the greenspace in the Iowa State University Research Park, the Ronald “Dick” Jordan Family Wildlife Area, the Hickory Grove Watershed Project, and Praeri Rail Trail Expansion. Numerous other park improvements and natural resource projects are on tap for the near future, so wish the field staff well in their new roles and come visit our work at your nearest Story County Conservation property!

Eagle Scout Projects Abound!

By: Erica Place, Outreach Coordinator

SCC serves as the beneficiary of Eagle Scout Projects fairly regularly, but this past year has been an especially incredible year of collaboration. Zak Strohm wrapped up a massive renovation of the bird feeding area at the conservation center earlier this year. After a lengthy search for someone to take on the much-needed project, SCC budgeted and planned to carry out the renovation in-house, but then Zak showed up with a willing and ambitious attitude! Most of the materials were either donated or reclaimed from other landscaping projects.

Zak designed the entire area, from the water collection mechanism for the small pond, to the raingarden below the bird feeders. You may have seen photos of the finished product on our Facebook page. Wild Birds Unlimited of Ames donated 43% of the cost of the bird feeders, and the garden is registered with Plant.Grow.Fly. More recently, Sam Taylor constructed a chimney swift tower (shown in image to the right) at Dakins Lake. These artificial nesting structures for a small, native bird called a chimney swift will, hopefully, help slow the birds’ steep population decline. To learn more about these structures and the challenges chimney swifts are facing, visit www.chimneyswifts.org. Sam completed this project by asking for monetary and material donations from Munn Lumber, TMJ Construction Services, Custom Steel, Manatts, Ace Hardware, and Story Construction. What a success. We hope the chimney swifts agree!

There are a still a couple of prospective Eagle Scouts working on projects with SCC. Stay tuned for updates on future projects from our youth! www.storycountyconservation.org

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Conservation Updates

What Are the Hickory Grove Staff Up To? By: Luke Feilmeier, Park Ranger Hickory Grove is Story County’s largest park and, arguably, the most popular. The 445-acre park includes a 98-acre lake and offers camping, swimming, boat rentals, fishing, trails, lodge rentals, and other outdoor recreation opportunities. Here are a few park improvement projects you may have noticed, and some on the horizon.

Implementation of the Emerald Ash Borer mitigation plan is ongoing. Hazard ash trees were identified for removal. The trunks of two ash trees in the campground were turned into wildlife sculptures by a chainsaw artist, with more carvings planned.

High school students planted 20 replacement trees throughout the campground as part of the Nevada Day of Service.

Upgrades at the beach area include replacement of the steps, life jacket shed, picnic pad frames, and beach ropes.

Trail expansion has connected the Honeysuckle removal at campground to Nevada Day of Service Plover Bay with plans to completely circle the lake. Honeysuckle removal remains a priority in order to restore native vegetation growth that will slow erosion of shorelines, aiding in the reduction of nitrogen and phosphorus entering our waters.

Future park expansion continues to be a hot topic for many users. There are plans for cabins and expansion of campsites and restrooms, but our existing sewer system is the limiting factor as usage is at maximum capacity. Options to increase capacity are currently being explored. Construction of a new shower house at Breezy Bay campground is targeted for completion in time for the 2017 camping season. The shower house will double as a storm shelter as an extra safety measure for park users.

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Design of future shower house/storm shelter

The planning phase for in-park improvements in the Hickory Grove Watershed management plan has begun. This project is a partnership among the Story County Conservation Board, Story County Board of Supervisors, Story County Soil and Water Conservation District, Iowa Department of Natural Resources, Iowa Department of Agriculture and Land Stewardship, Iowa State University, and the Natural Resource Conservation Service. The main goal of this project is to remove the lake from the impaired waters list, providing safe recreation for park users. Other goals include an improved fishery and increased accessibility. Data is currently being collected through water sampling, fisheries sampling, and creel survey efforts to aid in making informed decisions. The project will include draw down of the lake, water control structure replacement, shoreline armoring, shallow excavation, jetty construction, and fishery renovation. Work is being completed in the watershed to help ensure that the restoration will be enjoyed for generations to come.

The staff based at Hickory Grove are responsible for day-to-day operations at this park, as well as the parks and natural areas in the southeast portion of the county. Tasks include natural resource management (prescribed fire, prairie reconstruction, timber stand improvement), trail maintenance (spraying, dragging, rolling), and mowing. We strive to provide a great experience for users at all our areas, and we are excited for what the future holds!

Story County Conservation • 515-232-2516

Conservation Updates

Partners: Past, Present, and Looking Ahead By: Jerry Keys, Environmental Education Coordinator Story County Conservation Partners began in the summer of 1996 with a meeting of an advisory board made up of key volunteers and supporters.

The major impetus of this meeting was the loss of funding for the Prairie Horizons newsletter. Partners was to be a “friends” membership group that would provide funding for programs and services that the Conservation budget could not.

not as great as it once was. However, there are many large projects in our long-range plan that may not be possible without Partners support and grants. Ideally, Partners money can be used as match money when applying for these grants. Based on that discussion, it was decided to put $20,000 towards the Ronald “Dick” Jordan Family Wildlife Area acquisition and restoration.

Over the past 20 years, Partners has received over $199,000 in memberships; this has funded the quarterly publication of the Prairie Horizons newsletter, annual spring and fall festivals, and projects such as fishing jetties at Hickory Grove Park, benches on the Touch-A-Life Trail at McFarland Park, a telescope for the observatory in McFarland Park, and several environmental education programs.

SCC works with scouts and 4-Hers of all ages each year as they complete service requirements. The pollinator hotel at McFarland Park and chimney swift tower at Dakins Lake are two recent examples.

Both of those worthwhile projects were not in the Conservation budget, and the scouts had to raise all the funds. It was decided that an account could be created to provide funding assistance for unbudgeted service projects. The Partners Advisory Committee agreed to create the “Partners Youth Service Project Account.” Up to $3,000 will be set aside each year in this account to help fund youth projects that are not part of the annual Conservation budget.

The Partners brochure states, “When you become a Partner, you are joining a group that is willing to get involved to help complete goals which could not be accomplished without additional financial and volunteer support. Your tax dollars have built a terrific program and will continue to maintain it. But, in order to grow and complete new, larger projects, extra dollars are needed.”

At the July 12th Partners Advisory Committee meeting, Director Mike Cox and the committee discussed the role of Partners and the needs of SCC. Times have changed, and Conservation’s need for financial assistance with day-to-day operational expenses such as the newsletter and public events is

During the upcoming 2018 fiscal year budget planning, staff will work with the Partners Advisory Committee to identify those projects that will benefit most from Partners support. We will reach out to all Partners members through the newsletter so you are aware of where your dollars are going. This new approach will help Conservation achieve more. Thank you for being a Partner and supporting SCC!

Iowa Bird of Mouth is an online crowd-sourced poetry project honoring Iowa birds, supported by the Iowa Arts Council, a division of the Iowa Department of Cultural Affairs, and the National Endowment for the Arts. Your submission can be written in any style: from rhyming, to metered verse, to free-flowing prose, to an actual memory — or even just a one-word thought! Your words will then be added to the crowd-sourced poem for that month. You can also add your name or group’s name to the contributor’s list. Submit up to 300 words to the poem every 24 hours. The bird of the month for November is the American Crow. Check it out at www.iowabirdofmouth.com.

www.storycountyconservation.org

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Conservation Updates

Grasshopper Sparrow Photo by Tyler Harms

If You Build It...

By: Amy Yoakum, Natural Resource Specialist and Tyler Harms, Harms Biological Services That famous line from the movie Field of Dreams, “If you build it they will come” doesn’t always happen with natural resource restoration projects.

And if it does, it usually takes a while. That’s not what happened when we obtained and made enhancements to the Roland Wildlife Area.

The Roland Wildlife Area (RWA) is an 80-acre complex of wetlands and wet prairie. The property was obtained in 2013 with financial help from the Story County Chapter of Pheasants Forever and a grant from the North American Wetlands Conservation Act. The previous owner enrolled the property in the Wetland Reserve Program before the title was transferred to Story County. Tile work, wetland cell creation, and prairie plantings have turned the area into an oasis for grassland birds that are starving for habitat.

As the natural resource specialist, I don’t often have the luxury of contracting a breeding bird survey or other inventory work when a project is at ground zero. It’s usually after the fact that this type of monitoring is done. But, with the expertise of Tyler Harms, we have conducted breeding bird surveys at RWA the last two summers.

The surveys have identified 15 breeding Species of Greatest Conservation Need (SGCN) and one state threatened species nesting at the site. The 8

SGCN nesting include: Upland Sandpiper (Bartramia longicauda), Eastern Kingbird (Tyrannus tyrannus), Sedge Wren (Cistothorus platensis), Common Yellowthroat (Geothlypis trichas), Grasshopper Sparrow (Ammodramus savannarum), Dickcissel (Spiza americana), Bobolink (Dolichonyx oryzivorus), Eastern Meadowlark (Sturnella magna), and Western Meadowlark (Sturnella neglecta). Six other breeding SGCN observed utilizing the site but not nesting include Northern Pintail (Anas acuta), Wilson’s Phalarope (Phalaropus tricolor), Black Tern (Chlidonias niger), American Kestrel (Falco sparverius), Chimney Swift (Chaetura pelagica), and Horned Lark (Eremophila alpestris). Henslow’s sparrow (Ammodramus henslowii), a state threatened species, was found in the 2016 survey.

In addition to breeding species, five migratory SGCN were found using the property including American Golden-Plover (Pluvialis dominica), Lesser Yellowlegs (Tringa flavipes), Semipalmated Sandpiper (Calidris pusilla), Pectoral Sandpiper (Calidris melanotos), and Smith’s Longspur (Calcarius pictus).

It is estimated that Iowa has lost nearly 99% of its native prairies and wetlands. Clearly, grassland nesting bird species thrive when this very important habitat is provided for them. Our sincere thanks to Tyler for his dedicated and very important work!

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. www.storycountyconservation.org www.storycountyconservation.org

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Calendar of Events Date Time Event Location NOVEMBER Tuesday, November 1 Thursday, November 3 Friday, November 11 Monday, November 14 Thursday, November 17 Friday, November 18 Saturday, November 19 Thursday, November 24 Friday, November 25

11:00 a.m.

7:00 p.m.

Holiday 5:30 p.m.

7:30 p.m.

Dusk 7:00 p.m.

Holiday Holiday

O.W.L.S.: Iowa’s Wild Beauty McFarland Park Story County Conservation Partners Meeting McFarland Park Story County Conservation Offices Closed Story County Conservation Board Meeting McFarland Park Story County Trails Advisory Committee Meeting McFarland Park Ames Area Amateur Astronomers Observing Night Observatory Ames Area Amateur Astronomers: Carbon Stars McFarland Park Story County Conservation Offices Closed Story County Conservation Offices Closed

DECEMBER Tuesday, December 6 Thursday, December 8 Sunday, December 11 Monday, December 12 Thursday, December 15 Friday, December 16 Friday, December 23 Monday, December 26 Friday, December 30

11:00 a.m.

3:45 p.m.

1:00 p.m.

5:30 p.m.

10:30 a.m.

10:30 a.m.

Holiday Holiday Dusk

O.W.L.S.: Weather Radar & Monitoring Bird Migration McFarland Park Nature Stories and Songs Series: Animals Nevada Public Library Geocache Elf Hunt McFarland Park Story County Conservation Board Meeting McFarland Park Nature Stories and Songs Series: Animals BBPL - Gilbert Nature Stories and Songs Series: Animals BBPL - Story City Story County Conservation Offices Closed Story County Conservation Offices Closed Ames Area Amateur Astronomers Observing Night Observatory

JANUARY Monday, January 2 Tuesday, January 3 Thursday, January 5 Monday, January 9 Thursday, January 12 Thursday, January 12 Friday, January 13 Friday, January 13 Friday, January 20 Thursday, January 26 Saturday, January 28

Holiday 11:00 a.m.

7:00 p.m.

5:30 p.m.

10:30 a.m.

3:45 p.m.

10:30 a.m.

5:00 p.m.

5:00 p.m.

7:30 p.m.

2:00 p.m.

Story County Conservation Offices Closed O.W.L.S.: Exploring the Appalachian Trail McFarland Park Story County Conservation Partners Meeting Ames Public Library Story County Conservation Board Meeting McFarland Park Nature Stories and Songs Series: Plants BBPL - Gilbert Nature Stories and Songs Series: Plants Nevada Public Library Nature Stories and Songs Series: Plants BBPL - Story City Snowshoe Owl Prowl Christiansen Forest Preserve Penguin Snowshoe Parade McFarland Park Story County Trails Advisory Committee Meeting McFarland Park Mini-Aquaponics McFarland Park

FEBRUARY - Sneak Peek Thursday, February 2 Thursday, February 2 Friday, February 3 Saturday, February 4 Saturday, February 4 Tuesday, February 7

10:30 a.m.

3:45 p.m.

10:30 a.m.

10:00 a.m.

1:00 p.m.

11:00 a.m.

Nature Stories and Songs Series: Earth BBPL - Gilbert Nature Stories and Songs Series: Earth Nevada Public Library Nature Stories and Songs Series: Earth BBPL - Story City Cocoa Picasso McFarland Park Introduction to Snowshoeing McFarland Park O.W.L.S.: Plant. Grow. Fly. McFarland Park

BBPL = Bertha Bartlett Public Library (Gilbert or Story City branch)

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

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, 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

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: Story County Conservation Board

Bird seed Mike Gaston Pioneer dress pattern Terese Peters Live trap Fred Lorenz

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

Insect nets Jerry Dunn

Story County Conservation Director

Cash donations Nancy Franz, Cindy Hildebrand, Roger Maddux, Boy Scout Troop 196, Wilma Struss

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

Michael Cox

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 20 Number 4 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 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 www.storycountyconservation.org or call 515-232-2516 Iowa’s Wild Beauty Ty Smedes Tuesday, November 1 Urbandale writer and nature photographer Ty Smedes has created one of the most beautiful and diverse collections of Iowa nature images ever to appear in a single book. This visual treasure takes the reader on a photoraphic journey to every corner of the state.

Register for lunch by 4pm, Friday, October 28. Menu: carved turkey, mashed potatoes and gravy, corn, dinner roll, and pumpkin pie.

Using Weather Radar to Monitor Bird Migration Karl Jungbluth Tuesday, December 6 Karl, a retired meteorologist with the National Weather Service, will cover the basics of weather radar interpretation for bird watchers. In addition, he’ll share some weather insights to help you predict when the birds will be migrating over Iowa. Register for lunch by 4pm, Friday, December 2. Menu: Honey baked ham, Au Gratin potatoes, green beans, dinner roll, and apple pie.

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Exploring the Appalachian Trail for the Chronologically Gifted Hiker Nancy Franz, Chris Gleason, Judy Levings Tuesday, January 3, 2017 Learn how three retirees recently hiked the Appalachian Trail in Maryland on their own terms and discovered outstanding natural, historical, and cultural history along the way.

Register for lunch by 4pm, Friday, December 30. Menu: Lasagna, garden salad, breadsticks, and brownies.

Plant. Grow. Fly. Beth Waage, Naturalist Tuesday, February 7 Pollinators are in decline due to a variety of reasons including global climate change, loss of habitat and feeding resources, and some modern agricultural practices. Learn how you can help!

Register for lunch by 4pm, Friday, February 3. Menu: Meatloaf, mashed potatoes and gravy, mixed veggies, dinner roll, and cookies.