2019 Summer Prairie Horizons

STORY COUNTY CONSERVATION • NATURE PROGRAMS AND NEWS May - July 2019

IN THIS ISSUE. . .

Programs & Events.................. 2-5 Calendar of Events..................... 6 Conservation Updates.......... 7-10

Partners Membership................ 11 Photo by Arthur Davis

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

MAY

Ames Area Amateur Astronomers Meeting “The Big Bang You Never Heard About”

by Vern Naffier

WildTots

May 18, 7 p.m.

Story County Conservation Center

Sundays, 3:30 - 5 p.m.

McFarland Park May 5 May 12 May 19

June 23 June 30 July 7

McFarland Park provides a perfect outdoor classroom for growing and developing toddlers and preschoolers. Come as a family and join Natalie Welter as we learn and grow together. Activities include child-led hikes, digging in the mud, searching for nature treasures, climbing, books, songs, and an abundance of nature-inspired play. Programs are free! Registration is required the Tuesday prior to each program. These programs are intended for children 18 months to 5 years old plus their adult. Be dressed to be outside no matter the weather, and be prepared to get messy! Older/younger siblings are welcome to attend.

Natalie has more than 30 years of experience as an Early Childhood Educator.

She is passionate about outdoor nature play and shares her excitement with children and families.

2

The Big Bang is popularly but misleadingly presented as having started at an infinitesimal point. That concept depends entirely on an observer’s point of view in space of which there is an infinite number. An accurate account of the Big Bang explains that the sudden expansion of the cosmos 13.87 billion years ago began everywhere, not just at a singular point. Vern Naffier will explain why this is so. He will also point out the inadequacy of a popularly presented analogy of the expansion of space and how that particular analogy is replaced by a far superior model which comes much closer to representing what really is happening as space expands.

Evening Prairie Walks

May 23, June 27, July 25, August 22 7:00 p.m. - 8:30 p.m.

Doolittle Prairie (14249 560th Ave., Story City) Join Dr. Thomas Rosburg on monthly prairie walks at the largest prairie remnant in Story County. See rare and common prairie flora that change each month and learn about the history and ecology of central Iowa prairies. Long pants, sturdy shoes, and bug spray are recommended. These walks are free, and no registration is required.

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

O.W.L.S. Programs JUNE Backpacking Basics

Saturday, June 1, 1 - 7:30 p.m.

Robison Wildlife Acres (29490 632nd Ave., Nevada) Backpacking is a means to challenge yourself to be selfreliant and go where others do not dare. But it can be daunting for first-timers! Join naturalist Heather Hucka for an afternoon of backpacking basics. Learn step-by-step what it takes to thrive in the wilderness. We will cover planning, technique, gear, and sample some backcountry cuisine. Practice with our equipment or bring your own. Two reusable 32 oz. water containers are all you need.

Join other like-minded learners who, just like you, need a dose of confidence to start a new adventure! Fee of $20 with registration is required by 4 p.m. on Friday, May 24.

Introduction to Orienteering

Sunday, June 2, 1 - 5 p.m.

McFarland Park What happens when your GPS or mapping app fails? Just pull out your map and compass! Join the members of STAR 1 (Search Team and Rescue) for an introduction to orienteering. Participants will be coached before embarking in teams of two or three on a longer orienteering course. No experience is necessary, and all materials will be provided. This experience is most appropriate for ages 12 and up (children must be accompanied by an adult). Be prepared to be outside and hiking through the woods.

Fee of $10 with registration is required by 4 p.m. on Friday, May 17.

Let’s GO outside and PLAY! Celebrate National Get Outdoors Day by exploring your parks. Try canoeing, wildlife watching, fort building, fishing, pond and insect nets, building mason bee houses, geocaching, creek walking, and more!

First time trying a skill? No worries; we’ll welcome you with friendly staff and volunteers to get you started, share our favorite spots to explore, and provide all the tools needed (canoes, fishing poles, binoculars, GPS units, nets, etc.). Skunk River Paddlers will lead canoeing. Ames Area Amateur Astronomers will open the observatory. Ready, set, GO! This event is free and no registration is required. No fishing license required; it’s free fishing weekend! Co-sponsored

by ISU and Story County Extension and Outreach and Iowa Young Birders.

O.W.L.S. (Older, Wiser, Livelier Seniors) 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, May 7 Off the Map: Stories of Abandoned & Disappearing Towns Around Iowa Rosa Snyder Co-sponsored by Humanities Iowa Thousands of towns and communities were established during Iowa’s pioneer and railroad era. Many existed for a few years, some slowly faded away over time, and a few never existed except as “paper” towns. Take a tour around Iowa exploring a sampling of these idiosyncratic communities in photographs and stories.

Menu: Baked potato bar and lemon dessert. Register for lunch by May 3.

O.W.L.S. takes a short break over the summer. See you again in September!

JUNE 8, 1 - 5 PM PETERSON & MCFARLAND PARKS 3

POLLIWOGS

For children starting kindergarten fall 2019 • Fur, Feathers, Fliers, & Fins

June 10 - 13 or June 17 - 20, 9 - 11:30 a.m.

• Dirt, Plants, Rocks, & Water

July 16 - 19, 9 - 11:30 a.m.

FROGS

For children completing kindergarten • Habicamp

June 24 - 28, 9 - 11:30 a.m. or 1 - 3:30 p.m.

• Adventure

July 15 - 19, 1 - 3:30 p.m. or July 22 - 26, 9 - 11:30 a.m.

WATERBUGS

For children completing grades 1 or 2 • Nature’s Treasures

June 24 - 28, 9 - 11:30 a.m. or 1 - 3:30 p.m.

• Expedition

July 15 - 19, 1 - 3:30 p.m. or July 22 - 26, 9 - 11:30 a.m.

ECO ARTS CAMP: A Walk on the Wild Side For children completing grades 4 through 6 July 24, 9 a.m. - 3:30 p.m.

WATER ROCKS!

For children completing grades 5 or 6 July 10, 9 a.m. - 3:30 p.m.

POLLINATORS, PLANTS, & PEOPLE

For children completing grades 5 through 7 July 9, 9 a.m - 3:30 p.m.

4

(Fun-loving Outdoor Adventure Team)

FLOAT I: Basic Outdoor Skills For children completing grades 3 or 4 Held 9 a.m. - 3:30 p.m. on: • June 5 - 6 • June 11 - 12 • June 13 - 14 • August 1 - 2

FLOAT II: Outdoor Skills & Overnight For children completing grades 5 or 6 • June 20, 9 a.m. - June 21, 9 a.m.

• July 2, 9 a.m. - July 3, 9 a.m.

FLOAT III: Overnight Canoe Trip For children completing grades 6 or 7 • August 8, 9 a.m. - August 9, 4 p.m.

FLOAT IV: Overnight Caving Trip For children completing grades 7 or 8 • July 10, 9 a.m. - July 12, 3 p.m.

FLOAT V: Backpacking Trip to Rocky Mountain National Park

For those completing grades 9 through 12 * This trip requires an application; deadline is May 22, 4 p.m.

Required training day on June 18, 9 a.m. - 4 p.m.

Trip runs July 31, 6 a.m. - August 6, 7 p.m.

Camp registration opens Saturday, April 13, 8 a.m.

For pricing and more information, visit http://bit.ly/StoryCountyConservationPrograms

5

— CALENDAR OF EVENTS —

Date Time Event Location MAY

Thursday, May 2 Sunday, May 5 Tuesday, May 7 Sunday, May 12 Monday, May 13 Saturday, May 18 Saturday, May 18 Sunday, May 19 Thursday, May 23 Monday, May 27

JUNE

Saturday, June 1 Sunday, June 2 June 5 - 6 Saturday, June 8 Monday, June 10 June 10 - 13 June 11 - 12 June 13 - 14 Saturday, June 15 June 17 - 20 Tuesday, June 18 June 20 - 21 Sunday, June 23 June 24 - 28 Thursday, June 27 Sunday, June 30

JULY

July 2 - 3 Thursday, July 4 Saturday, July 6 Sunday, July 7 Monday, July 8 Tuesday, July 9 Wednesday, July 10 July 10 - 12 Thursday, July 11 July 15 - 19 July 16 - 19 July 22 - 26 Wednesday, July 24 Thursday, July 25 July 31 - August 6

6:30 p.m.

3:30 p.m.

11:00 a.m.

3:30 p.m.

5:30 p.m.

9:00 a.m.

7:00 p.m.

3:30 p.m.

7:00 p.m.

Holiday

Story County Conservation Partners Meeting WildTots O.W.L.S.: Off the Map WildTots Story County Conservation Board Meeting Trail Enhancement and Management Day Ames Area Amateur Astronomers Meeting WildTots Evening Prairie Walk Story County Conservation Offices Closed

1:00 p.m.

1:00 p.m.

9:00 a.m.

1:00 p.m.

5:30 p.m.

9:00 a.m.

9:00 a.m.

9:00 a.m.

9:00 a.m.

9:00 a.m.

9:00 a.m.

9:00 a.m.

3:30 p.m. a.m. & p.m.

7:00 p.m.

3:30 p.m.

Backpacking Basics Robison Wildlife Acres Introduction to Orienteering McFarland Park FLOAT I McFarland Park & Peterson Park Get Outdoors (GO) Day McFarland Park & Peterson Park Story County Conservation Board Meeting McFarland Park Polliwogs: Fur, Feathers, Fliers, & Fins McFarland Park FLOAT I McFarland Park & Peterson Park FLOAT I McFarland Park & Peterson Park Trail Enhancement and Management Day Soper’s Mill North Polliwogs: Fur, Feathers, Fliers, & Fins McFarland Park FLOAT V Training Day McFarland Park FLOAT II McFarland Park WildTots McFarland Park Frogs: Habicamp, Waterbugs: Nature’s Treasures McFarland Park Evening Prairie Walk Doolittle Prairie WildTots McFarland Park

9:00 a.m.

Holiday 7:45 p.m.

3:30 p.m.

5:30 p.m.

9:00 a.m.

9:00 a.m.

9:00 a.m.

6:30 p.m.

1:00 p.m.

9:00 a.m.

9:00 a.m.

9:00 a.m.

7:00 p.m.

6:00 a.m.

FLOAT II McFarland Park Story County Conservation Offices Closed A Midsummer Night’s Run McFarland Park WildTots McFarland Park Story County Conservation Board Meeting McFarland Park Pollinators, Plants, & People McFarland Park Water Rocks! Camp McFarland Park FLOAT IV Trip to Eastern Iowa Story County Conservation Partners Meeting McFarland Park Frogs: Adventure, Waterbugs: Expedition McFarland Park Polliwogs: Dirt, Plants, Rocks, & Water McFarland Park Frogs: Adventure, Waterbugs: Expedition McFarland Park Eco Arts Camp: A Walk on the Wild Side McFarland Park Evening Prairie Walk Doolittle Prairie FLOAT V Rocky Mountain National Park

AUGUST (sneak peek) August 1 - 2 August 8 - 9

6

9:00 a.m.

9:00 a.m.

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

FLOAT I McFarland Park & Peterson Park FLOAT III McFarland Park & throughout Story County

Need to locate one of our parks or areas? You can view individual maps and 911 addresses online.

www.storycountyconservation.org

Trail Enhancement and Management (TEAM) Days Saturday, May 18, 9 a.m. - 12 p.m.

Building Box Steps at McFarland Park (56461 180th St., Ames) Saturday, June 15, 9 a.m. - 12 p.m.

Trail trimming at Soper’s Mill North (56501 170th St., Ames)

Be a part of our TEAM and help make improvements to county trail systems. All volunteers are asked to wear long sleeves, pants, and sturdy, closed-toe shoes.

Bring work gloves and a water bottle.

Registration is required the Thursday before each event to ensure enough tools and refreshments for everyone. Registration is available at storycountyconservation.org under the Get Involved tab.

Wild Women of the Woods is designed to give women the opportunity to explore the outdoors, learn or improve skills, and network with women with similar interests.

2019 WWW Tentative Session Topics: Kayaking, Paddle Boarding, Fishing/Fish Cleaning, Kombucha, Gun Shooting, Fungus Foraging, Jewelry Making, Dutch Oven Cooking, GPS, Letterboxing, Prairie Hike and Seed Collecting, Wild Game Cleaning and Cooking, Smoking Meats, Self Defense, Belly Dancing, Healing Massage, Henna, and much, much more!

Who: Any woman 18 or older - mothers, daughters, sisters, friends, or solo!

Where: McFarland Park 56461 180th Street Ames, IA 50010 Questions: 515-232-2516 Registration opens in May!

7

— THE LATEST —

Timely and brief updates on ongoing projects

Partners Update

Welcome to the four new members that have joined so far this year, and thank you to everyone who has renewed their support. As of March 1, you have donated $14,065; we’re over halfway to our goal! Your Story County Conservation Partners membership will help provide a much-needed updated beach house at Hickory Grove Park.

Don’t forget to utilize your 10% discount code (which came with your thank you letter) when signing up for summer camps and other public programs. Most importantly, don’t forget to get out and enjoy your parks. Better yet, take a friend and introduce them to the parks that you support.

Carroll Prairie Dedication

This newsletter will reach you not long before the dedication of Carroll Prairie on Monday, April 22. Is there a better way to celebrate Earth Day than with a park dedication? Carroll Prairie is a 49-acre property north of Nevada bisected

by West Indian Creek. The site includes remnant prairie, pasture, and oxbow wetlands. Join us for an afternoon of free exploration, make a seed ball (we’ll use them to plant new prairie on site), and build your own bee nest to take home.

Visit our Facebook page or website for event details.

New Database for Volunteer Projects

We are pleased to now use a volunteer management software called CERVIS. This new system will: • • • • • •

Keep better track of your skills, interests, and availability Be integrated with our website to show real-time volunteer opportunities Allow you to submit project ideas Give group leaders (youth groups, university clubs, etc.) the ability to reserve spots at a project for their group Grant you access to your hours records AND let you log your own hours Allow for all waiver forms to be completed electronically -- no more paper!

It will be through this site that we’ll handle all registrations for any volunteer opportunities (including TEAM days).

Emails that come to you through the site (like to confirm your registration for a workday, for example) will be sent from “Story County Conservation” <app_email@cervistech.com>. It might look like spam, but it’s not!

All you need is to set up a profile and answer a few questions. It should take just a few minutes. To check it out, visit storycountyconservation.org and click on the “Get Involved” tab. Questions or concerns? Contact Outreach Coordinator Erica Place at eplace@storycountyiowa.gov or at (515) 598-4761.

Tedesco Environmental Learning Corridor

We were pleased to receive the Stormwater and Urban Watershed Development of the Year Award at the 2019 Iowa Water Conference. Help us celebrate the opening of this unique community space on Friday, June 28! There will be activities, tours, and a walk to kick-off our partnership with neighboring McFarland Clinic in the ParksRX project. Watch our Facebook page and website for event details.

8

B L U E B I R D S

Story County Conservation is looking to revive our bluebird nestbox monitoring program. Volunteers would commit to a weekly visit to their adopted bluebird trail during the nesting season (runs approximately March through September). Data would be recorded and submitted at the end of the season. And, obviously, fun would be had while witnessing first-hand the magic of bluebirds hatching, growing, and fledging.

E A S T E R N

In the early 1900’s, population records showed the Eastern Bluebird was having an increasingly difficult time contending with competition from introduced species like the House Sparrow and European Starling. These cavity nesters were all fighting for the same holes in dead trees or other structures, and the bluebird was losing. In the 1960’s and 70’s, many people spent a great deal of time and energy installing boxes to offer more nesting opportunity, and gradually the populations showed recovery.

The handiwork of many people is evidenced in nearly every Story County Conservation park, and it remains a popular “feel good” volunteer project to this day. But something that tended to fall by the wayside was the upkeep and monitoring once the boxes were installed. Were they producing successful broods? Did they need repairs? Were bluebirds even using them?

M O N A R C H S

Su b mit appl i cati on at s tor y c ount y c onse r v a t ion. org und e r th e “Ge t I n v o lv ed ” t a b

We are seeking citizen scientists to help with the Integrated Monarch Monitoring Program. This National program involves citizens like you in collecting valuable information on adult monarchs, monarch eggs and caterpillars, or monarch habitat. This information can then be compared with other data collected across the county to determine how the monarch population is doing.

Choose to participate approximately May - September by:

- Allowing a community member onto your land to collect data

- Collecting data through one or more of the following:

- Walking a transect and counting adult monarchs (every other week)

- Counting eggs or caterpillars on milkweed (every week)

- Counting milkweed or blooming plants in a plot (each month)

9

Water We You Doing?

“Preserve, protect, restore, and enhance the quality of Story County’s ground water and surface water.”

That is the first goal of the Conservation of Natural Resources and Recreation section (chapter 4) of Story County’s Cornerstone to Capstone (C2C) Plan adopted in 2016. So, water we doing to achieve this goal? This is the last in a four-part series of articles about Story County Conservation’s efforts in water quality.

Jerry Keys, Environmental Education Coordinator Pollution from runoff begins in small amounts, but can accumulate to levels that impair water quality. The opposite can also be true. The accumulated effects of individuals taking small-scale actions can have a large-scale impact. Our yards are part of a larger ecosystem. Everyone lives in a watershed with all property connected to water, even if it is not near a stream or lake. There are many small changes homeowners can implement to reduce runoff water and pollutants leaving their property. Here are ten small things you can do: • Collect rainwater! Instead of letting that resource just flow into the storm drain, harvest it for use later on.

• Redirect downspouts from pavement to another relatively flat spot on your lawn, a landscape bed, or a rain garden.

• Most don’t realize that storm drains dump directly into water bodies without first passing through a treatment plant. Adopt the storm drain in your neighborhood to keep it clear of plant waste and other debris.

• Avoid over-applying lawn products. Consider using low/no phosphorous fertilizer. In many areas, supplemental phosphorous is unnecessary. Test a soil sample to find out!

• Consider reducing or eliminating the use of pesticides. If you do need to address a pest issue, select the least toxic pesticide that will effectively control the problem.

• Consider converting some of your lawn into native prairie or rain gardens. Shrubs or trees may also be a viable choice that provide many benefits, including wildlife habitat! Reducing the size of a lawn may reduce maintenance work and cost, while beautifying your property and protecting water quality.

• Cut your grass taller to develop stronger roots that will better hold soil in place. A taller lawn has better defense against weeds, too. If you do want to control weeds, try pulling or digging if you’re able instead of using chemicals.

• Areas with very high foot traffic often have highly compacted soil, which allows for more water runoff. Aeration (followed by overseeding) and compost application will break up compacted soil and allow turf grass to more easily grow.

• Minimize use of road salt. Excess road salt damages local surface waters as well as groundwater, vegetation, and infrastructure.

• Recycle, reuse, or reduce plant waste. Leave grass clippings on lawns or compost them. Chip woody waste for compost or to use as mulch.

Everyone contributes to nonpoint source pollution. But with a little effort, we can each make a difference.

10

BOARD & STAFF Conservation Board

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

Conservation Staff Conservation Center, Ames

HELP PROTECT CARROLL PRAIRIE! Help us reach our goal of $24,000 Your Story County Conservation Partners membership will help provide a muchneeded updated facility at Hickory Grove Park. You will receive a nature-themed magnet and a 10% discount on all programs, facility rentals, and merchandise.

The Red Fox membership level and above will be recognized in the conservation center for their support.

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

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

Address

McFarland Park Shop, Ames

Or, join online! www.mycountyparks.com/ County/Story.aspx

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

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

Hickory Grove Shop, Colo

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

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 Outdoor Alliance of Story County Big Bluestem Audubon Society Saving Our Avian Resources Many contributors in memory of Jack Riney Leigh Adcock in memory of Curt Kohler

BIRD FEEDERS OR SEED Big Bluestem Auduborn Society Nancy Bevins FISHING EQUIPMENT Keith Bailey MEMORIAL BENCH Shirley Bauge in memory of Vern Bauge

11

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

Composting Project SCC is working on getting a composter! This model, the Jora Compost Tumbler 400, can handle all organic waste generated by a typical household (or in this case, by a typical conservation center!). Composting would be incorporated into day-to-day aspects of the center, events, and even school field trips. We are collaborating with a scout working on her Gold Award.

Composting not only keeps stuff out of the landfill, but it also converts it into a product that is useful for gardening, landscaping, or house plants.

Interested in composting at home? All you really need is 1) nitrogen-rich items, 2) carbon-rich items, and 3) water. Depending on your composting set-up, there might be some things to leave out in order to avoid certain bacteria or disease.

There are a lot of great resources to start your research. Get a good start at seedsavers.org/compost-tips, epa.gov/recycle/composting-home, or bonnieplants.com/gardening/what-is-compost/.

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