Winter 2014 Prairie Horizons

November 2014 - January 2015

Prairie Horizons In this issue...

Public Programs/Events Pages 2-3

Fall Prairie Seed Harvest By: Amy Yoakum, Natural Resource Specialist Joe Kookier, Vegetation Management Biologist

2014 in Review Page 4 Conservation Updates Pages 5-8 New SCC Staff Pages 6-7 Map of SCC Areas Page 9 Calendar of Events Page 10

Follow the Dakins Lake Project online!

More information about the project can be found here: http://bit.ly/dakinslake

www.facebook. com/storycounty conservation

Prairie. We have lost a lot of prairie in Iowa, but in Story County we do our best to restore many acres each year. Prairie restoration requires a large investment of both time and money. Staff time is spent with site preparation, planting, and mowing during the first several years to reduce weed competition and help seedlings become established. Many people are unaware of the tremendous amount of staff time that goes into prairie seed collection.

SCC staff do their best to plant only native, local ecotype prairie seed.

What is local ecotype seed? The word ecotype describes a genetically specialized population or species that is adapted to specific environmental conditions. According to the Iowa Prairie Network, using the word local in conjunction with ecotype helps describe or identify plants

that originated in a local area under certain environmental and landscape conditions. For example, the grass big bluestem (Andropogon gerardii) is native in North America from the Rocky Mountains all the way east to the Atlantic Ocean and north into the Canadian provinces. Can you imagine all of the different growing conditions found in 2/3 of the continent? Big bluestem in Iowa and in northern Canada may be genetically similar but have adaptations for very different climates. Prairie seeds found locally, adapted to growing in our climate, will thrive here.

Beginning in June, staff begin hand harvesting prairie seed. To truly recreate the prairie environment, you need plants that flower throughout the growing season.

ConƟnued on page 8

Programs & Events Winter Programs and Events • Fees/registration are not required unless noted.

• To register for a program, call 515-232-2516 or email conservation@storycounty.com.

• Refunds will not be issued after the registration deadline. If there isn’t a registration deadline, refunds will be issued up to one week prior to the program or event.

• Programs and events may be cancelled if there are extreme weather conditions or if the minimum number of registered participants is not met.

Older Wiser Livelier Seniors (O.W.L.S.): Bird Nests - A Tour of Avian Architecture and Hidden Treasures Wednesday, November 5, 11:00 a.m.

Story County Conservation Center, McFarland Park Bruce Ehresman, Wildlife Diversity Bird Biologist Learning how to carefully spot and identify nests is a challenge welcomed by a growing number of experienced and beginning birders alike. We will discuss nest sites, nest types, and nest materials of birds in Iowa and show how this information can help a keen observer determine the type of bird that made a given nest. In addition to photos, you’ll see various examples of nests first-hand. Fee: $7 for optional lunch with registration required by October 31. Menu: Carved turkey, mashed potatoes and gravy, corn, dinner roll, and pumpkin pie.

Saturday, November 15, 7:30 p.m.: Binoculars in Astronomy Saturday, December 20, 7:30 p.m.: Christmas party for members Saturday, January 18, 7:30 p.m.: TBD McFarland Park & Adams Observatory For a complete description of monthly meetings, visit www.amesastronomers.com.

O.W.L.S.: A Photographic Safari to Botswana Tuesday, December 2, 11:00 a.m.

Story County Conservation Center, McFarland Park Ty Smedes, photographer If you would like to view some very intimate images of Africa, including birds and mammals with young and catching prey, please join us. You will learn about African wildlife and hear some incredible first-hand stories. Many images were captured from boats plying the Chobe River and along the winding channels of Botswana’s famed Okavango Delta.

Fee: $7 for optional lunch with registration required

by November 26. Menu: Honey baked ham, au gratin potatoes, green beans, dinner roll, and apple pie.

One of a Kind Leopold Bench Tuesday, December 2, 6:30 p.m.

Tuesday, December 16, 6:30 p.m.

Story County Conservation Center, McFarland Park

Great Blue Heron on nest

WildTots: Birding Bonanza!

Saturday, November 15, 10:00 a.m.- 11:30 a.m.

Story County Conservation Center, McFarland Park Join Naturalist Jess Lancial to explore birds through a series of activities, crafts, and a snack. This program is for children ages 2-4 plus their adult. Fee: $5 (per child) with registration required by 4:30 p.m. on Thursday, November 13.

Page 2

Ames Area Amateur Astronomers

Looking for a special gift for that outdoorsy person, gardener, or yourself? Learn the tools, basics, and tips of pyrography (wood burning) on December 2 and head home with a portion of your bench and a wood burning tool to create your unique design over the next two weeks. Return on December 16 to complete the assembly of your one of a kind Leopold bench! We ask that participants under the age of 12 be accompanied by an adult. Fee: $45 with registration for both sessions required by 3:30 p.m. on Tuesday, November 18. Fee covers bench materials.

Story County Conservation • 515-232-2516

Programs & Events Welcoming Winter Wreaths

Snow Day

Thursday, December 4, 7:00 p.m. - 8:30 p.m.

Story County Conservation Center, McFarland Park

Saturday, January 17, 2:30 p.m. - 4:00 p.m.

Story County Conservation Center, McFarland Park

Kick off the holiday season by creating an evergreen wreath for your front door with Naturalist Emily Herring. Participants will also learn about the history of wreaths, common types of evergreen found in Iowa, and how to properly harvest evergreen from trees. We ask that kids under the age of 12 have an adult present to help them complete the wreath.

Fee: $15 (limit one wreath per person) with registration required by 3:30 p.m. on Monday, November 24.

Explore the winter world during an afternoon of snow play with Naturalist Rebekah Beall. Bring your family to discover how animals survive the snow, build a snow critter, and see what other kinds of winter fun you can have in the park. If there is no snow, we’ll make our own! We will warm up with a fire and hot cocoa. Dress warmly to be outside. Registration required by 4:30 p.m. on Tuesday, January 13.

Environmental Literature Club Geocache Elf Hunt Saturday, December 6, 1:00 p.m. - 3:00 p.m.

Story County Conservation Center, 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 hidden in the park. Space is limited, so be sure to register early! Fee: $4 (per participant ages 3-14) with registration by 4:30 p.m. on Monday, December 1.

O.W.L.S.: Geode Hunting in Keokuk, Iowa Tuesday, January 6, 11:00 a.m.

Story County Conservation Center, McFarland Park Jess Lancial, SCC Naturalist Iowa geodes have long been objects of curiosity.

Their sparkling interiors contain some of the most beautiful crystals to be found anywhere in the Midwest. Although geodes can be found in many localities around the world, one of the most famous collecting regions is encompassed within a 35-mile radius of Keokuk, Iowa. For the past two years, Naturalist Jess Lancial has taken participants on a weekend hunting excursion to this area. Join us to hear about this fantastic trip. Fee: $7 for optional lunch with registration required by Friday, January 2.

Menu: Chicken and biscuits, garden salad, fresh fruit, and a cookie.

Tuesday, January 27, 7:00 p.m. - 8:30 p.m.

Tuesday, February 24, 7:00 p.m. - 8:30 p.m.

Tuesday, March 24, 7:00 p.m. - 8:30 p.m.

Arcadia Cafe (2712 Lincoln Way, Ames) Join Naturalist Rebekah Beall and enjoy nature from your armchair this winter with a good book and a hot drink. Each month we will discuss a different book focused on the human relationship with the environment, beginning with Red-Tails in Love

by Marie Winn, followed by The Sixth Extinction

by Elizabeth Kolbert, and ending with Between Grass and Sky by Linda Hasselstrom. Fee: $10 with registration for all three sessions required by 4:00 p.m. on Monday, December 8. Fee covers refreshments (fresh-made coffee cake and coffee). Participants can purchase the books at cost from Story County Conservation (available after December 22) or purchase books on their own.

To register for a program, call our office at 515-232-2516 or email us at conservation@storycounty.com.

www.storycountyconservation.org

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Conservation Updates

2014: A Year in Review By: Michael Cox, Director How would you like to have cleaner water in our streams and lakes? Healthier natural systems? Less flooding? And more profitable agriculture? I recently attended a farm field day and heard Ray Arculetta, NRCS soil scientist, explain that all of these are possible by simply viewing and treating soil as a living breathing habitat. If taken care of, this living habitat will shed less soil, hold more water, and store more nutrients. In Story County, we have eight impaired water bodies and more which could or should be listed as impaired. These are impaired due to either excess nutrients, sediment, or bacteria. You may wonder what you as a professor, administrator, farmer, construction worker, retiree, retail worker, or concerned citizen can do to help clean our water.

Perhaps the most important thing we can do is shift our mindset about our soil. Our soil is no different than other habitats. We should steward our soils.

SCC’s newest wetland, the Roland Wildlife Area

SCC has recently begun or continued many projects to improve our water quality, the health of our natural systems, and our associated outdoor recreation. We partnered with Story County Pheasants Forever and the Iowa DNR to purchase and construct a wetland near Roland (Roland Wildlife Area). The wetland construction began last year with the help of the NRCS and Ducks Unlimited. Our cold winter and wet summer have delayed completion, however, the site this year boasted significant wildlife activity including waterfowl reproduction.

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As part of our Dakins Lake expansion, we constructed a series of three wetlands to filter out sediments and nutrients from the water before it enters the new lake. We also embarked on a large project this year to improve the water quality at Hickory Grove Lake. The Watershed Management Plan, which was completed in 2013, called for many projects to reduce sedimentation and bacteria. SCC received funding this year to begin the process of cleaning the watershed and lake. The Iowa DNR, Iowa Watershed Improvement Review Board, and the Story County Soil and Water Conservation District provided funding to stabilize stream banks, exclude cattle from a stream, and assist with replacement of several unpermitted septic systems. This is the beginning of what will be a multi-year project.

Watershed work does not begin or end with onthe-ground improvements. Encouraging people to use, appreciate, and understand our outdoors is inextricably tied to improving our water quality.

Like the new docks (highlighted in this newsletter), we have made many improvements in our parks.

Some of these include paving the Touch-A-Life Trail, stair replacement at Hickory Grove Park, bridge installation on the Skunk River Greenbelt, various trail improvement projects, and the exciting new expansion of Dakins Lake Park. The park will include a new lake, campground, picnic shelter, playground, trails, and much more. We anticipate the park opening in the spring of 2015! Our expanding education program is allowing us to provide more opportunities for people to engage in the outdoors as well.

Looking forward, this year we are beginning to develop a comprehensive Story County Natural Resource Plan. This plan will include a county-wide trails plan, recreation plan, and natural resources plan. Please stay tuned for more on these and other projects being undertaken by SCC. And, remember to conserve the habitat...

Story County Conservation • 515-232-2516

Conservation Updates

New Docks at West Peterson Park By: Ryan Weimold, Park Ranger The ISU Design Build class and Story County Conservation (SCC) partnered again to add unique amenities to West Peterson Park.

Last year’s efforts resulted in a distinctive picnic pavilion on the northeast corner of the lake, complete with rammed-earth benches, grill, fire ring, and a magnificent view.

This year we decided to work on a dock. After getting together and New dock located on south side of the picnic pavilion at West Peterson Park. discussing ideas, we decided it With funding from both partners in this project, the was a great way to help meet SCC’s needs with the exceptional skill set of the ISU Design Build class. This class size, and SCC’s staff capabilities, two docks were planned to accommodate park users’ needs. class is part of the Masters of Architecture program West Peterson Park is a very popular place for various at Iowa State and is led by Assistant Professor Rob recreational activities, including fishing, boating, Whitehead. The service learning class consists of 11 and paddling. SCC wanted to offer a place to get students and gives students an opportunity to apply fisherman out on the water, as well as a spot to tie the skills learned in their architectural education towards the service of others. “Students are told that up for boaters and paddlers. The Design Build Class came up with concepts for two wide-ranging docks their challenge is to design and construct a useful with fishing stations where the user can stand or and beautiful project with only a modest budget within a brief time frame. The goal of the project is to sit, place their fishing tackle in a compartment, and places to hold their poles. exceed conventional expectations by using creative problem solving methods and professional aesthetic The large L-shaped dock (by the boat ramp on the judgment” said Whitehead. Concepts were then put north side of the lake) has a place to tie down a boat together by the class with SCC’s vision in mind. or canoe while you back your trailer or vehicle down the ramp to the water. This dock also has an L-shaped bench that allows room for several users to sit and look out onto the water. The straight, smaller dock is south of the picnic pavilion. This dock offers four separate seats for users to sit and store fishing tackle.

New dock located by boat ramp on north side of the lake at West Peterson Park.

www.storycountyconservation.org

ConƟnued on page 6

Page 5

Conservation Updates

New Docks at West Peterson Park (continued from page 5) There is also a railing along one side for users to lean on while fishing or looking out onto the water. At the end of the dock, there is a small seat where you can sit and dangle your feet over the water.

The most difficult part of this project was to develop functional docks that could handle the large fluctuation of water levels in the lake. When heavy rains occur, the lake fills quickly, and the river can flood and pour into the lake. We needed docks that can tie to shore without the footings being pulled out. We feel we accomplished this by having large hinging gangways that allow for vertical movement, and by tying down the docks with cable and anchors to slow lateral movement in the water. The majority

of the dock building was done offsite by the Design Build Class and moved in place by a group effort of students and SCC staff. SCC staff then had to make some adjustments for the docks to be fine-tuned and complete the installation process. Overall, the project went well!

After some finishing touches, we are looking forward to seeing the docks used by park visitors. SCC staff will also sink brush and pallet structures around the two docks to improve fish habitat and provide the best opportunities for fisherman. Grab your fishing pole or your fishing vessel of choice and head down to West Peterson Park to check out these two new amenities.

SCC Welcomes Several New Staff

In addition to welcoming several new staff members to SCC over the past year, we’ve also added two new positions to the Conservation department. Stop in and meet the new members of our team!

The new position of Conservation Technician II was filled by Daniel Simcox. This position was added to help manage the new Dakins Lake area.

Danny is a native of Altoona, Iowa, and holds a B.S. in Animal Ecology from Iowa State University. After graduation, Danny worked for the Iowa DNR’s wildlife bureau before becoming a Farm Bill Wildlife Biologist with Pheasants Forever. Away from work, Danny can be found fishing in our local ponds, rivers, and lakes or taking advantage of Iowa’s deer and pheasant hunting opportunities. He particularly enjoys outdoor recreation with his kids and family.

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SCC also added a fourth, fulltime naturalist. With a growing need for environmental education and outdoor recreation programming in the county, Environmental Education Coordinator Jerry Keys hopes that a fourth naturalist will help strengthen current programming and offer more opportunities for county citizens.

Rebekah Beall joined the staff in August after previously working for Polk County Conservation, the Boone YMCA Camp, and as a summer naturalist for SCC in 2011. She moved to Iowa in 2008 to complete a MFA in Creative Writing and Environment at Iowa State University and liked the Ames area so much she stayed! Before coming to Iowa, she taught high school in North Carolina, educated elementary students about wetlands in New Hampshire, and worked as an interpretive intern at Badlands National Park. She looks forward to sharing her love of spiders and all the other mini-beasts as a naturalist at SCC.

Story County Conservation • 515-232-2516

Conservation Updates

SCC Welcomes Several New Staff (continued from page 6) Lucas Feilmeier took on the role of resident ranger at Hickory Grove Park in March 2014. Luke’s responsibilities include overseeing the operations and management of all SCC parks and natural areas in the eastern portion of the county. Luke graduated from Iowa State University in 2009 and served as a summer intern at SCC, worked for the ISU/Des Moines River Water Quality Network, and held positions with the Iowa DNR in both the fisheries and wildlife bureaus. He has served as a member of the Iowa Air National Guard since 2010. In his free time, Luke enjoys hunting, fishing, trapping and watching or playing sports.

Jarett Cook was brought on as a conservation technician in November 2013.

Jarett grew up on a farm near Barnes City, Iowa, where he discovered his love of hunting, fishing, and the great outdoors. After

three summers with Mahaska County Conservation and I.R.V.M, he moved to Ames, and in 2010 finished his B.S. in Forestry and Animal Ecology from Iowa State University. Prior to joining our team, Jarett served as an AmeriCorps natural resource aide with the Iowa DNR State Forest Nursery. As a conservation tech, Jarett works alongside other SCC field staff stationed at McFarland Park helping to maintain facilities and equipment while also enhancing the natural resources of Story County.

Erica Eaves recently joined the team as the outreach coordinator. Erica received a B.S. in Animal Ecology from Iowa State University in 2011.

Previous seasonal employment at SCC and the Boone YMCA Camp as well as AmeriCorps positions with the Iowa DNR’s parks, forestry, and wildlife bureaus have helped foster her great appreciation for all things outdoors. Outside of work, Erica enjoys hiking, birding, and expanding her knowledge of Iowa’s flora and fauna. Erica can’t wait to share her passion for natural resources with the volunteers of Story County!

New Categories Added for 2015 Partners Photo Contest!

Due to the many beautiful photo entries, SCC and Partners have expanded the contest for the upcoming year. The 2015 Partners Photo Contest will feature categories including: A. Flora and Fungi, B. Fauna, C. Landscape, and D. Connecting People and Recreation. The categories should allow for a clearer distinction for participants to enter photos and provide a better basis for judging. Photos may be submitted beginning March 2015. Check our website for updates on submission dates and a full list of rules.

Story County Conservation • 515-232-2516

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Conservation Updates

SCC Gets New Signs By: Luke Kohut-Jackson, SCC Volunteer The original idea for my Eagle Scout Project was suggested by Mr. Keys. He said that Story County Conservation was in need of signs to advertise events and direct visitors to events. After receiving approval from Boy Scout Troop 163, I began to plan the work for the project.

the hardware, prime the signs and then finally paint the signs.

I appreciate all of the help I had from others in completing the project, and I was glad to be of service to Story County Conservation. I hope the signs are useful!

One of the first steps was to go to Lowes with Mr. Keys to purchase 6 4’x8’ sheets of plywood. I brought the plywood home and first made a prototype. After making a few modifications, I started cutting the wood. I figured out that I could make three total signs per sheet of plywood for a grand total of 18 signs.

After I had cut them all out, I then cut handles, legs and sanded them. After that I had two group work days in which scouts from my troop helped to install

Fall Prairie Seed Harvest (continued from page 1) Getting seed from these early plants can be a challenge! When prairie phlox (Phlox pilosa) seed is ripe and mature, it is expelled from the pod. Being at the right place at the right time is a trick. Phlox seed sells for around $130/ounce. Last summer, we harvested over $1,400 worth of phlox seed!

Beside harvesting seed by hand, we combine our prairie plantings and use the collected seed in restoration projects. The vintage pull-behind Allis Chalmers combine (circa 1960) is the equipment of choice for a mixed stand of prairie. In 2013 we combined 500 pounds of seed worth an estimated $7,500. Our combine-run seed mixes are diverse but still lack species that bloom early and lose their seed before our combines hit the fields in late September.

So – what’s the big deal with all of this seed collecting? Diverse seed mix purchased from a commercial dealer costs $1,000/acre. That can really add up if you are restoring a large area. SCC planted over 56 acres of prairie last year. You can do the math! If we had to rely on buying seed, there would not be much prairie planted in Story County.

SCC’s Allis Chalmers combine

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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

NOVEMBER 2014 Wednesday, Nov. 5 Thursday, Nov. 6 Monday, Nov. 10 Tuesday, Nov. 11 Saturday, Nov. 15 Saturday, Nov. 15 Thursday, Nov. 20 Thursday, Nov. 27 Friday, Nov. 28

11:00 a.m.

7:00 p.m.

5:30 p.m.

Holiday 10:00 a.m.

7:30 p.m.

7:30 p.m.

Holiday Holiday

O.W.L.S.: Bird Nests- A Tour of Avian Architecture Story County Conservation Partners Meeting Story County Conservation Board meeting Story County Conservation Offices Closed WildTots: Birding Bonanza!

Ames Area Amateur Astronomers: Binoculars in Astronomy Story County Trails Advisory Committee Meeting Story County Conservation Offices Closed Story County Conservation Offices Closed

McF McF McF

DECEMBER 2014 Monday, Dec. 1 Tuesday, Dec. 2 Tuesday, Dec. 2 Thursday, Dec. 4 Saturday, Dec. 6 Tuesday, Dec. 16 Saturday, Dec. 20 Thursday, Dec. 25 Friday, Dec. 26

5:30 p.m.

11:00 a.m.

6:30 p.m.

7:00 p.m.

1:00 p.m.

6:30 p.m.

7:30 p.m.

Holiday Holiday

Story County Conservation Board meeting O.W.L.S.: A Photographic Safari to Botswana One of a Kind Leopold Bench, Session 1 Welcoming Winter Wreaths Geocache Elf Hunt One of a Kind Leopold Bench, Session 2 Ames Area Amateur Astronomers: Christmas Party Story County Conservation Offices Closed Story County Conservation Offices Closed

McF McF McF McF McF McF McF

JANUARY 2015 Thursday, Jan. 1 Tuesday, Jan. 6 Monday, Jan. 12 Saturday, Jan. 17 Saturday, Jan. 18 Tuesday, Jan. 27 Thursday, Jan. 29

Holiday 11:00 a.m.

7:00 p.m.

2:30 p.m.

7:30 p.m.

7:00 p.m.

7:30 p.m.

Story County Conservation Offices Closed O.W.L.S.: Geode Hunting in Keokuk, Iowa Story County Conservation Board meeting Snow Day Ames Area Amateur Astronomers:TBD Environmental Literature Club, Session 1 Story County Trails Advisory Committee Meeting

McF McF McF

McF McF McF McF Arcadia Cafe McF

DP = Doolittle Prairie HGP = Hickory Grove Park McF = McFarland Park KM= Jim Ketelsen Greenwing Marsh WP= West Peterson Park CFP= Christiansen Forest Preserve RVP= River Valley Park, Ames MMP= Moore Memorial Park

Sign up for the E-Version of the newsletter!

Help SCC save resources by requesting our e-version of Prairie Horizons! To change delivery method, email conservationoutreach@storycounty.com with a current email address.

Volunteer with SCC! Contact Outreach Coordinator Erica Eaves by email at eeaves@storycounty.com or by phone at 515-598-4761

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Stay Connected with SCC!

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, free or discounted admission to select conservation and Partners events and programs, and the Prairie Horizons newsletter! The Goldfinch membership level and above receive a token of appreciation (to be used for programs, merchandise, or SCC services) based on level of membership. The Red Fox membership level and above will be recognized for their support in the conservation center at McFarland Park.

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

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

Name__________________________________________________________________________________ Address________________________________________City _________________State____ Zip________ Phone _____________________ E-mail______________________________________________________ Enclosed is my check for $ ______________. My membership level is ____________________________.

Make checks payable and send to: Story County Conservation Partners, 56461 180th Street, Ames, IA 50010-9451; Phone (515) 232-2516; Fax (515) 232-6989

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

Thank you to the following for their generosity:

Cash donation in memory of Gary Swartz from John and Lynette Pohlman

Garmin GPS receiver from Greg Vitale

Story County Conservation Board Joyce Hornstein, Huxley - Chair Ted Tedesco, Ames - Vice Chair Craig Meyers, Nevada - Secretary Dr. James Pease, Ames Allen Weber, Ames Wayne Clinton, Ames - Ex OďŹƒcio 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 dierence with financial, volunteer, and program support.

Volume 18 Number 4 www.storycountyconservation.org

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

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

Seasonal Spotlight: Snowflakes Winter is upon us, and many head outside to build snowmen, start a snowball fight, or take cover in a snow fort. All this chilly fun wouldn’t be possible without the tiny building blocks of snow-- snowflakes.

When water vapor freezes onto a dust or pollen particle high in Earth’s atmosphere, a tiny ice crystal forms. As it begins to fall towards the ground, more water vapor freezes onto the surface. The water molecules naturally arrange themselves into a six-sided structure. This is why snowflakes always have six arms or sides.

You’ve probably heard no two snowflakes are alike. This is because several factors contribute to how the snowflake grows as it falls towards the ground.

Even a slight change in temperature or humidity could cause the arms to fork or change directions. But, whatever those snowflakes look like, they are fun! So come out to McFarland Park this snow season and enjoy the winter wonderland.