journal - Warren County Conservation Board

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JOURNAL
Warren County Conservation
Geocaching Avian Adventure
Starts April 1st!
Grab your binoculars and GPS unit and get ready to
fly! The Warren County Parks and Trails Geocaching
Avian Adventure offers modern-day treasure hunters
a variety of challenges and bird-brained fun! A
Geocaching Avian Adventure Bird Cache can be found
in each of Warren County’s state, county and city
parks and recreation areas. Your challenge is to locate
the Bird Caches using a hand-held GPS unit.
Spring 2014
Our purpose is to encourage a state of harmony
between people and the land communities upon which
our lives and welfare depend, through programs of
education, recreation, conservation and preservation.
You can have fun finding them all!
Each Bird Cache includes an instruction card, the Bird
Guestbook (logbook) and a collectible Bird Card specific to
the area. Also included in the cache may be small trinkets
left by a previous geocacher. If you find a trinket, it’s yours
to keep. You can choose to leave a trinket in return for the
next Avian Adventure geocacher to find.
After completing your last cache, take all 42 of your bird
cards to the Annett Nature Center, where you will find
the very last challenge. Show a staff person your collection
of cards to receive the coordinates for the final Iowa State
Bird Challenge. All participants who finish the challenge by
December 31, 2014 will be posted on our webpage.
Once you’ve found the Iowa State Bird Challenge cache,
take a picture of yourself with the final card. (Yes, by all
means include your family, friends, dog and anyone else
that helped you complete the Avian Adventure Geocaching
Challenge!) Caption and email your photograph to wccb@
warrenccb.org, and we’ll add your picture to the Avian
Adventure Finishers Gallery.
Our county is rich in natural diversity, providing essential
habitat for a variety of plants and animals, especially birds.
Warren County Conservation and our state a city partners
preserve and manage significant fragments of these essential
natural landscapes, making them great sites for birds, as
well and parks and trail visitors! Your whole family will
have fun getting out to explore these areas!
Visit warrenccb.org/geocaching
for more information!
Need help getting started? Learn the basics at our
Geocaching 101 program on Saturday, April 5th!
1:00p.m. at Pickard Park, Indianola
[email protected]
NEWS
Stroll
Through
Spring
Spring is a great time to get out and stroll through the woods. As the weather warms, everything seems to come
back to life. Keep exploring to see all the spring wonders that will happen in the next three months: gobbling wild
turkeys can be heard, migratory waterfowl and shorebirds will return, eagle eggs will hatch, frogs will start calling,
fish will be spawning and will begin to bite on bait, goslings will hatch, deer will shed their winter coat, pheasant
and quail will start nesting, and the weather will warm up for camping, hiking, biking, and walking outside.
Don’t miss the dazzling display of colorful, woodland wildflowers that will sprinkle the forest floors, usually
peaking in late April. As you walk along you can scan the ground for morel mushrooms, a delicacy that usually
start to appear during the third week in April. There’s a lot to look forward to!
Check Out Our New Pinterest Page!
www.pinterest.com/warrenccb
Pinterest is an online pinboard style photo-sharing website
that allows users to create and manage theme-based image
collections such as events, interests, and hobbies. Follow
our Pinterest page for information and ideas on getting
kids outdoors, wildlife in Iowa, using nature in your
classroom, WCCB parks & trails, outdoor recreation,
outdoor skills, nature crafts, recycling, and more!
ind us on
acebook
www.facebook.com/
WarrenCountyConservation
“Like” our page for updates on our
programs, parks and nature center.
Thank You To:
• Josh Shipman and Zach Haworth, Iowa DNR, for
presenting at Ice Fishing Clinic
• Matt Wetrich, Carroll County Conservation Naturalist, for
presenting Nature Photography
Sign up for an email version of this publication to
help reduce waste!
Subscribe to our monthly e-newsletter to receive more
frequent updates on programs, parks and projects.
Email
[email protected]
NEWS
Read and Hike!
Try StoryWalk © in Our Parks!
Meet Arnie Booher
Dedicated to keeping Warren
County’s Outdoor Legacy alive
Warren County is
full of people with
outdoor passions and
fond memories of time
spent exploring our
local natural areas.
Arnie Booher, of
Indianola, sparked the
idea of capturing these
memories
for
future
generations,
in a book
StoryWalk® is a fun idea to get communities outside and reading. Each
form called Warren County Outdoor Stories.
month, we will put new children’s stories along our trails in different
parks. Stories will all be nature-themed and fun to read! Bring your whole “I mainly want to get more publicity about
family out to hike and read a page of the story every few feet as you hike what a wonderful, wonderful thing we have
here,” says Arnie. “Myself and other people my
along. Below is a schedule of where the books will be placed and when.
age are concerned that we don’t see younger
Please sign our guest book at the end of each StoryWalk® so we know
people getting outdoors enough, we see them
how many people made it out.
in front of TV’s, screens, and phones.” Arnie
Call Logan at (515) 961-6169 ext. 204 if you have questions about
has worked with several other community
finding the start of the StoryWalk® within in a park.
members to start recording citizen’s stories. He
April
envisions school children in Warren County
Annett Nature Center Park: Rabbits & Raindrops by Jim Arnosky
reading about these outdoor adventures,
Grant Park: Forest Bright, Lost in the Woods by Carl R. Sams, II
getting inspired, and getting outside to see
May
it for themselves. “There’s lots of acres, lots
Zo-El Annett Woods: The Busy Tree by Carl R. Sams
of beautiful parks, and I want to spread
Annett Nature Center Park: Forest Bright, Forest Night by Jennifer Ward
awareness,” says Arnie. He has spent time in
June
the U.S. Navy, at the University of Iowa, as a
Annett Nature Center Park: Fishing at Long Pond by William T. George
high school teacher and as an insurance agent.
Blue Flag Marsh: Box Turtle at Long Pond by William T. George
He is married with three children. His favorite
July
outdoor memories in Warren County include
Hickory Hills Park: Sassafras by Audrey Penn
picnicking at Woodland Mounds, ice skating
Otter Creek Park: Bug Safari by Bob Barner
on Lake Ahquabi and countless nights spent
Annett Nature Center Park: Pond Circle by Betsy Franco
camping at Hickory Hills.
Find the stories at:
More to come in following months!
Support the Annett Nature Center and local environmental education!
For more information on joining as a member contact
(515) 961-6169 ext. 206 or visit www.warrenccb.org/support
www.warrenccb.org/warrencountyoutdoorstories
Membership Options:
Lifetime Member
$1,000
Corporate/Business$100
Benefactor$50
Joint/Family$30
Individual$20
EVENTS
Geocaching 101
April
Saturday, April 5th, 1:00 p.m.
Pickard Park, Indianola
Geocaching is a high tech scavenger hunt using a GPS
unit. Learn the basics and search for caches hidden
around the park. We’ll teach everything you need to
know to participate in our county-wide Geocaching
Avian Adventure! Please register by Friday, April 4.
Osprey 5K Fun Run/Walk
Saturday, April 12, 9:00 a.m.
Annett Nature Center
Get outdoors, get exercise,
get fresh air, make a difference
and have fun- all in one day! Registration form and more
information found on the next page.
Geocaching Easter Egg Hunt
Saturday, April 19, 10:00 a.m.
Annett Nature Center
Easter egg hunt goes global!
Having problems finding those Easter eggs? Come out to
the Annett Nature Center and learn how to find them
with a GPS unit! There will be an easy egg hunt and a
more challenging one! All ages are welcome!
Register by Friday, April 18.
Spring Wildflower Hike
Friday, April 25, 5:00 p.m.
Zo-El Annett Woods
Enjoy a spring evening hiking through and identifying the
beautiful display of spring woodland wildflowers.
Please register by Thursday, April 24.
Birds & Blooms
Sunday, April 27, 1:00p.m.
Woodland Mounds
Take to the trail to search for
spring wildflowers and birds.
Binoculars will be provided.
All ages are welcome!
Please register by Friday, April 25.
To register for programs:
Call (515) 961-6169
OR
Visit www.warrenccb.org/events
May
Bowfishing Basics
Saturday, May 10, 10:00 a.m.
Annett Nature Center
Bowfishing combines the skill of
archery and the fun of fishing. Come find out how it’s
done, learn about the species you can bowfish, and try
your hand at shooting in the water! Register by May 9.
FWCC Native Iowa Plant Sale
Saturday, May 17, 9:00 a.m.–12:00 p.m.
Sunday, May 18, 12:00 p/m/–4:00 p.m.
Annett Nature Center
Come and see what’s growing at the ANC and take
some of it home with you. The FWCC’s annual native
plant sale offers native Iowa perennials. You will find a
variety of plants, such as purple coneflower, New England
aster, rattlesnake master and foxglove beardtongue.
Plant Some Shade: Trees will also be available for $30
each. Thanks to the Iowa DNR, MidAmerican Energy, and
the Indianola Tree Committee, a limited number of six to
eight foot trees will be sold, limit two per household.
Call (515) 961-6169 for tree details.
Live Bald Eagle Program
Thursday, May 29, 5:30 p.m.
Annett Nature Center
Want to learn more about the majestic bald eagle? Join
Warren County Conservation and the Indianola Public
Library for a fun and informative evening at the Annett
Nature Center. Enjoy dinner in the new picnic pavilion,
provided at 5:30 p.m. Following dinner, Kay Neumann
from SOAR (Saving Our Avian Resources) will introduce
the crowd to a live bald eagle and educational bird. She
will tell you all about the Bald Eagle’s natural history,
habitat, life cycle and the impact of lead poisoning. This
program is free and all ages are welcome!
Please register by Wednesday, May 28.
EVENTS
Night Eyes Night Hike
Saturday, May 31, 8:00 p.m.
Hickory Hills Park
What watches you in the
night? Learn about nocturnal
animals around a campfire,
then head to the trail in search of night eyes.
Please register by May 30.
June
Campfire Cooking Demo
Sunday, June 1, 1:00 p.m.
Annett Nature Center
Kick off summer and get ready for camping season!
Join us and learn how to cook a variety of foods over a
campfire. There will be recipes for all ages. Try your hand
at cooking, sample what we make. and take the recipes
home with you.
Please register by Friday, May 30.
Kids Fish Day
Saturday, June 7, 8:00 a.m.
Annett Nature Center
It’s Free Fishing Weekend. Bring the kids out and stay
yourself to learn the art of fishing. You will learn the
proper way to tie knots, cast, and fish safely. Awards, door
prizes, and a hot dog luncheon. Bring a plain T-shirt and
we will decorate it with a special design while you fish.
It’s FREE! Come catch the lunkers of Lester Pond. Iowa
residents do not need a fishing license to participate.
Wild Women of the Woods
Friday, June 20 & Saturday, June 21
Annett Nature Center
Would you like to meet other women with similar
interests, attend classes to learn new skills and enhance
older ones, or just kick back in the great outdoors? If so,
this is the event for you. Grab your hiking boots and get
ready for an exciting day in the outdoors! With so many
exciting sessions to choose from, the hardest part will
be deciding which to attend. The registration fee is $40
(due by June 13) and includes all activities, a free nights
camping, campfire snacks, breakfast, a noon meal, and a
Wild Women gift.
Register at warrenccb.org/wildwomen.
Nature Book Club
Join our new book club! We will meet monthly
to discuss an environment/conservation themed
book over treats and coffee. Contact Logan at
(515) 961-6169 ext. 204 if interested!
Star Party Dates
Join us for a night of stargazing! Local astronomers will share
their knowledge and equipment (including a 17.5” reflector)
to help you see what’s in the sky. You will take home a printout
of what you see during the evening. Events will take place at
the Annett Nature Center Shop Entrance and are weather
dependent. Call for updates.
March
1, 7:30 p.m. - Spring Sky Wonders/ Jupiter
15, 7:30 p.m. - Full Moon/Jupiter, King of Planets
April
5, 8:00 p.m. - Leo the Lion/Spring Constellations
12, 8:00 p.m. - The Moon/Mars at Opposition
15, 10:00 p.m. - Full Lunar Eclipse
26, 8:00 p.m. - Mars/Spring Deep Sky Wonders
May
3, 8:30 p.m. - Mars and More
17, 8:30 p.m. - The Moon & Planets
24, 8:30 p.m. - Deep Sky Wonders
June
7, 9:00 p.m. - Saturn, The Ringed Planet
29, 9:00 p.m. - Summer Deep Sky Wonders
More dates are scheduled July-November
www.warrenccb.org/stargazing
Save the Dates:
Stand Up Paddleboarding Clinics at the
Annett Nature Center (ANC):
June 8, 13,17, & 28, July 1, 19, & 25.
Visit warrenccb.org/paddleboarding for times.
Bowfishing Basics at the ANC:
June 14, July 12, & August 16
Visit warrenccb.org/bowfishing for times.
August 7 & 9 — Hunter Edcation
at Izaak Walton League
September 20 — FWCC Priarie Picnic at ANC
October 25 — Halloween Hike at ANC
November 1 & 2 — Mentored Deer Hunt
at Lake Ahquabi
Check warrenccb.org for more summer fun!
WARREN COUNTY
PARKS AND CONSERVATION AREAS
N SC
NORWALK
35
ive
r
115TH AVE
r
Rive
228TH AVE
DAKOTA
DELAWARE ST
HARTFORD
DUBUQUE ST
G24
SU
M
MER SET
ST
316
Red Rock
Wildlife Area
DRAKE ST
5
ELK HORN ST
138TH AVE
G24
Banner
Wildlife Area
RD
245TH AVE
Banner Lakes at
Summerset State Park
138TH AVE
North River
Blue Flag
Marsh
L
EP
QU
BU
DU
iddle
The Annett
Nature Center
sR
DGE RD
SCOTCH RI
Wilson Woods
Great Western Trail
ine
223RD AVE
G14
Mo
Red Rock
Wildlife Area
PL
RID
GE
69
OTCH
CUMMING
DES MOINES
CARLISLE
RD
65
28
Des
5
5
165T
H
WEST DES MOINES
Summerset Trail
M
Lundy Acres
GRIME
S
PL
HARDING ST
D
STEA
HEMP
Red Rock
Wildlife Area
125TH AVE
Zo-El Annett Woods
PL
G36
IDAHO ST
55TH AVE
65
R57
SANDYVILLE
92
69
92
ve
r
MARTENSDALE
S23
R63
ACKWORTH
120TH AVE
168TH AVE
So
92
KEOKUK ST
Woodland Mounds Preserve
Bank Swallow Bend
KIRKWOOD ST
S31
118TH AVE
MCKINLEY ST
158TH AVE
ek
Squaw Cre
ST. MARY’S
NEVADA ST
Annett Nature Center
PERSHING ST
er
Riv
65
143RD AVE
Hooper Wildlife Area 69
uth
G58
MILO
G58
140TH AVE
Lake Ahquabi State Park
11 8 T H A V E
G50
R45
Come visit to check out:
• Interpretive Exhibits
• Variety of live animals
• Butterfly Garden
• Trails through prairie, wetland, and forest
• Wildlife Viewing Blind
• Observation Tower
ut
h
INDIANOLA
Ri
28
POLK ST
S23
*Duties sometimes require
all staff be out of the office,
calling ahead is advised.
Ot
ter
Cr
ee
150TH AVE
k
So
POLK ST
Otter Creek Park
G64
G76
NEW VIRGINIA
90TH AVE
80TH AVE
Rolling Thunder Prairie
35
ST
Grant Nature Land
Berry Woods
SPRING HILL
ERBE
Open 8:00 a.m.–4:30 p.m.
Monday–Friday*
Open 12:00–4:00 p.m.
Sundays, March–October
Medora Prairie
TYLER ST
UNION ST
LACONA
65
Hickory Hills Park
G76
te
hi
W
B
as
re
69
Annett Nature Center & Park
√ √ √ √ √ √
Location in County
Acreage
Community Room
Nature Center
Hunting
Fishing
Restrooms (modern)
Restrooms (pit)
Drinking Water
Shelter w/o electric
Shelter w/electric
Fire Pits
Camping (electric)
Camping (primitive)
Picnicking
Hiking Trails
Biking
ek
re
tC
Warren County
Parks &
Conservation
Areas
(515) 961-6169
15565 118th Avenue
Indianola, IA 50125
Reserve Today!
Looking for a beautiful, affordable
site to hold your wedding, family
gathering or other event?
√ √ √ 160SW
Bank Swallow Bend √ √ 543SW
Blue Flag Marsh√ 138NW
Grant Nature Land
√ √√ √ √
Great Western Trail
√ √ √ √ √ √ 200NW
√
150 NE
Hickory Hills Park
√ √
Lundy Acres
√ √ √
15
NW
Otter Creek Park
√ √
80 SE
√ √ √ √ √
√
√ √ √ √
160 SW
Rolling Thunder Prairie√ 282SW
Summerset Trail
√
√ √ √ √ √ √ √
Wilson Woods
212 NE
12
NW
Woodland Mounds Preserve
√ √ √ √ 325NE
Zo-El Annett Woods
√ √
10
NW
Consider the community room at the
Annett Nature Center, the barn at
Hickory Hills, or the picnic shelters at
Hickory Hills, Grant Park, Otter Creek,
or the Great Western Trailhead. Call
(515) 961-6169 for details.
Osprey 5K
Fun Run/Walk
Saturday, A pril 12, 2014
9:00 am
Annett Natu re Cente r
THE EVENT - The Osprey 5K will take place Saturday, April 12, 2014 at 9:00 am.
(8:00-8:45 Registration/Packet Pick Up at the Annett Nature Center). The course starts and finishes at the Annett
Nature Center, located at 15565 118th Avenue in Indianola. The 3.1 mile route includes Lake Ahquabi State Park.
Immediately following the event, snacks and refreshments will be served and prizes will be awarded.
Proceeds from the race will benefit the Friends of Warren County Conservation.
AWARDS- The top male and female from the 16+ and under 16 age categories will be awarded.
LOCATION- The Annett Nature Center is located five miles south of Indianola. Travel 4 miles south on Hwy 65/69 and
look for the Annett Nature center signs. Turn west on G-58 to Lake Ahquabi and then turn north on 118th Ave.
The ANC is on the east side of the road. A map of the ANC may be downloaded at:
http://www.warrenccb.org/areas/anc/anc.html
REGISTRATION BY MAIL OR IN P ERSON- $25 by April 4, 2014. $30 after April 4th.
Send completed registration form and payment to:
Friends of Warren County Conservation
c/o Osprey 5K
15565 118th Avenue
Indianola, IA 50125
All mailed forms MUST be post-marked by Friday, April 4, 2014.
REGISTRATION ON DAY OF RACE- Visit the Annett Nature Center office to sign up for the Osprey 5K
Fun Run/Walk on Saturday, April 12, 2014 starting at 8:00 am. Cost is $30 if registering after Friday, April 4th.
VOLUNTEERING AND MORE INFO.- For information on volunteer opportunities for the event, please call
515-961-6169 ext. 206.
OSPREY 5K REGISTRATION FORM
Name:_________________________________________
Phone:_________________________________
Address:_______________________________________
City:____________State:_____Zip:__________
Email Address:__________________________________
Age on 4/12/14:_________________________
T-Shirt Size (circle one):
S
M
L
XL
Gender (circle one): Male
Female
Entry Fee: $25 made payable to Friends of Warren County Conservation
Special Gift Donations: You may add any amount to your registration as a special gift to the Annett Nature Center
Osprey Project
Signature (parent or legal guardian if under 18) and Date:_____________________________________________
I hereby, in consideration of myself, my heirs, executors and administrators, waive all rights and claims for damages I may or hereafter have
against individuals associated with the Osprey 5K race, their agencies, and representatives, for any injuries suffered by me in this event. I
certify that I have full knowledge of the risks involved in this event and that I am physically fit to participate in it and have no medical conditions
that prevent my participation. I consent to receive medical treatment deemed advisable in the event of injury, accident, or illness during this
event. I authorize the use of my name and picture to be used in any promotional materials associated with this event.
SPRING 2014
Warren County
Conservation Board
The Warren County Conservation Board
currently manages over 2,200 acres of land for the
benefit of its citizens. Visitors can enjoy a variety of
outdoor activities on areas being conserved for this
generation and generations to come.
BOARD MEMBERS
Ron Miller, President
Joe Gavin, Vice-President
Ace Hendricks, Secretary
Mick Kreidler,Member
Sue Boll, Member
Milo
Martensdale
Ackworth
Indianola
Carlisle
STAFF
Jim PriebeDirector
David Youngblut
Operation Coordinator
Karen Johlas-Szalkowski
Naturalist II
Mark Wilson
Natural Resource Specialist
Logan Roberts
Naturalist I
Doug Gaumer
Conservation Technician
The Warren County Conservation Board does not discriminate against anyone on the basis
of race, color, sex, creed, national origin, age or handicap. If anyone believes he or she has been
subjected to such discrimination, he or she may file a complaint alleging discrimination with
either the Warren County Conservation Board of the Office of Equal Opportunity,
Printed on recycled paper
Warren County Conservation Board
15565 118th Avenue
Indianola, IA 50125–8852
(515) 961–6169
www.warrenccb.org