seasonsseasons - marshall county, iowa · 2016-08-26 · volume 31, issue 3 fall 2016 marshall...
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“If a child is to keep alive his inborn sense of wonder - he
needs the companionship of at least one adult who can
share it, rediscovering the joy, excitement, and mystery of
the world we live in.” (Rachel Carson, A Sense of Wonder).
It has been my pleasure to connect children and
adults to nature for the past 33 years, 30 of those
years right here in Marshall County. God has blessed
me with a wonder-
ful job, co-
workers, volun-
teers, students,
teachers, families,
and other coopera-
tive agencies as
Naturalist for
MCCB. Through God-
given talents, hands-on
activities and creative
approaches, my goal was
to enlighten and educate
children and adults about the exciting world of nature and
help them become responsible stewards of the environment.
Even though I am retiring September 30, I will continue to
share my passion through everyday activities.
Where have the past 30 years gone?
They have slipped by among the
thousands of school field trips,
classroom programs, Uncle Ike ses-
sions/daycamps, Junior Ikes and
Junior Conservationists ses-
sions/overnight camps, Nature
Friends preschool sessions, Conser-
vation Poster Contests, Nature
Notes teacher newsletters, teacher
workshops, and Junior Naturalist patch program.
In addition, the years were filled with a myriad of adult
programming such Brown Bag Bunch adventures, Prairie
Heritage Days, Halloween Hikes, Photo Contests, Earth
Day displays/events, Master Conservationist classes, Win-
terfests and cross country skiing, monarch tagging, fly fish-
ing/fly tying, stargazing, Iowa River floats, Dutch oven
cooking, wild edibles, Iowater testing, hikes among prai-
ries/forests/wetlands for wildflowers/insects/birds/chorus
frogs, traveling exhibits, live animal programs with
bats/eagles/owls/snake/turtles/hawks/bird banding,
and more.
It was fun to reminisce
about earlier programs
such as maple syruping
and Woodcock watching
at Grammer Grove, owl
prowls and moonlight
skiing at Timmons
Grove, Armchair Adven-
ture movie nights at the
Fisher Community Cen-
ter, Reading The Landscape series at the Grimes Farm (pre-
conservation center times), Trumpeter Swan and bison re-
leases at Green Castle, Environmental Adventures at the
Landfill, Marshall County Geology bus tour, bus trips to
DeSoto Bend National Wildlife Refuge, International Wolf
Center and Rockford Fossil Park, safe gun handling for
women workshops, snowshoe making workshops, willow
basketry/furniture making, bicycling on the Heart of Iowa
Trail, tubing down Minerva Creek and full moon hikes.
What fun! Not only was I blessed to
share the joy of nature with those around
me, I was able to share it with a second
generation of participants during the past
few years. I look forward to sharing the
natural world with my grandchildren as
well.
Thank you Marshall County for an enrich-
ing and satisfying career! God bless and
hope to see you on the trails!
Sharing a Sense of Wonder By Diane Hall, Naturalist
Volume 31, Issue 3 Fall 2016
Marshall County Conservation Quarterly Newsletter
SeasonsSeasonsSeasonsSeasons
Please join us for Diane’s retirement party on Wednes-
day, September 28 from 3-6 p.m. at GrimesFarm and
Conservation Center.
Page 2 SEASONS
Milkweed Seeds Needed The MCCB is asking for your volun-
teer service to collect milkweed
seeds of all species for use at the
Iowa River Wildlife Management
Area, Marietta Sand Prairie and
Klauenberg Prairie Preserve next
spring. If you have milkweed grow-
ing in your existing flower beds or
prairies we would like the seeds.
You can also collect the seeds from
any public area such as the Marietta
Sand Prairie.
Collect them just as the pods begin
to open and place the seeds in a pa-
per sack. Bring them to the Grimes Farm and Conservation
Center or call our office and we will come pick them up.
This is part of a continuing project to provide plant diversity
across Marshall County promoting the pollinator initiative
through the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service along the
I35 corridor.
Interpretive Prairie Sign
Baby Bison Time
A baby bison was born in July at Green Castle Recreation
Area. The bison exhibit has
been at Green Castle Recrea-
tion Area since November of
1989.
Next time you are at Green
Castle, stop by the bison ex-
hibit located in the southeast
corner of the park and take a
peek at the newest member
of the bison herd.
A new prairie interpretive sign has been added to Grimes
Farm. The sign is an overview of different aspects of a prairie
and is located to the east of the Grimes Farm shelter.
The sign was paid for from proceeds from the Grimes Farm
Run and designed with
the help of MCCB
staff, Carrie Barr, and
Missy Sharer Pieters.
Plans are underway to
place an interpretive
sign explaining geo-
logical land features of
Marshall County on
the observation tower
at Grimes Farm.
Over the past summer the MCCB has been supplementing fish
populations at Green Castle Lake and Sand Lake through an
aggressive stocking effort
in an attempt to increase
fishing opportunities and
quality in Marshall County.
Green Castle went through
a major renovation two
years ago and restocking
began immediately with
bluegills, largemouth bass
and catfish. Since then, red-
eared sunfish made possible
from a gift from the Tri-
County Bass Club, and
black crappie were reintro-
duced into the lake. Last
fall walleye were released
from the east silt/fish rear-
ing pond at the park. This
spring walleye fry were put
in the rearing pond to grow until they are big enough to re-
lease in October. This summer, both at Green Castle and Sand
Lake, 200 Northern pike were released in an effort to control
pan fish from over populating the waters.
Plans continue for additional releases this fall and next spring.
Small-mouth bass will be released into Sand Lake, as well as,
the usual stocking of trout. Aside from trout, fish stocked by
the MCCB are paid for through donations. If you have inter-
est in contributing to this program, please contact with MCCB
offices for additional information.
Get Your Bait Ready, Fish Stockings
Be on the lookout for migrating
monarch butterflies. If you see a
number of monarchs nectaring
on flowers or roosting on trees,
give our office a call at 641-752-
5490. We would like to tag and
release as many as possible as
they migrate to Mexico.
Seeing Monarchs
Page 5
What is a StoryWalk®?
Combining physical activ-
ity with literacy may seem
like an odd mix, but it’s
an innovative way to get
people of all ages out
walking while reading
children’s picture books.
Pages of a book are trans-
formed into signs that are
then laid out on a trail
inviting families, children,
caregivers, teachers and others to follow the path of pages.
The StoryWalk® was conceived as a way to inspire parents,
teachers, and other adults to take young children outdoors to
enjoy reading stories together, StoryWalk® helps build chil-
dren’s interest in reading while encouraging healthy outdoor
activity for both children and their grown-ups.
StoryWalk® was created by Anne Ferguson in Montpelier, Ver-
mont, when she worked for the Vermont Department of Health.
Anne was thinking about ways to prevent or lessen the impact
of chronic disease on adults and children by increasing physical
activity. She wanted to find something that was fun for families
to do together in natural settings.
The StoryWalk® was added as a supplement to the Nature
Playscape at Grimes Farm. The StoryWalk® begins on the
boardwalk just north of the living tunnel in the Nature Play-
scape. The path follows the boardwalk and ends on the north-
west side of the Nature Center.
Book Schedule: September - Monarch Butterfly of Aster Way by Elizabeth Ring,
Illustrations by Katie Lee
October - Little Owl’s Night by Divya Srinivasan
November - Fawn at Woodland Way by Kathleen Weinder
Zoehfeld, Illustrations by Joel Snyder
December - Not A Buzz to Be Found, Insects in Winter by
Linda Glaser, Illustrations by Jaime Zollars
Construction of the StoryWalk® was done by Eagle Scout Mat-
thew Dickey of Marshalltown with donations from the Mar-
shalltown Morning Optimists and Noon Optimists clubs.
A generous grant from Martha Ellen Tye S.T.E.P. was used to
purchase the books.
StoryWalk® Added to Grimes Farm
Teachers Take Note!
Descriptions of Environmental Education activities
are now available on the
Marshall County Conservation Website.
Go to: www.co.marshall.ia.us/departments/conservation
On the left side navigational bar, click on
Teacher’s Resources
to find grade appropriate activities to reinforce
your classroom studies.
As the summer winds down, our summer interns say a fond fare-
well and head back to
school. This year
MCCB had two summer
interns, Katie Cope and
Tanner Thompson, that
helped with the daily
maintenance of the
parks such as mowing
and cutting down tree
limbs. Katie and Tanner
also worked on several projects at the parks: the Nature Play-
scape at Grimes Farm, the new prairie sign at Grimes Farm, the
StoryWalk® at Grimes Farm and the remodeling of several gar-
den beds around the Nature Center.
MCCB would like to thank Katie and Tanner for all their hard-
work this summer and best wishes in your fall semester
at college.
GrimesFarm and Conservation Cen-ter will be closed:
• Monday, September 5 for Labor Day
• Friday, November 11 in observance of
Veteran’s Day
• Thursday, November 24 and Friday, November 25 for
Thanksgiving
Thank You Summer Interns!
SEASONS Marshall County Conservation Board 2349 - 233rd Street Marshalltown, IA 50158
Return Service Requested
NON-PROFIT
U.S.POSTAGE
PAID
Marshalltown, IA
Permit No. 159
Printed on Recycled Paper
MARSHALL COUNTY CONSERVATION BOARD
2349 233rd Street, Marshalltown, IA 50158
(641) 752-5490
mccb@co.marshall.ia.us
www.co.marshall.ia.us/departments/conservation
Conservation Center Hours Monday - Friday 8:30 a.m. - 4:00 p.m.
Saturdays 9:00 a.m. - Noon
Board Members Jeffrey Mathis
Julie Stahl
Pam Paone
Ray Helland
Tom Mack
Staff
Mike Stegmann Director
Diane Hall Naturalist
Jeremiah Manken Maint. Sup./Park Ranger
Tyler Renze Maintenance Technician
Tami Krough Administrative Assistant
Katie Cope Summer Field Intern
Tanner Thompson Summer Field Intern
Editor, Diane Hall
Thank You! Newsletter Collation: Kay Russell, Ivadeen
Proffitt, Paul & Darlene Maytag, Dena Graff,
Dianna Freiboth, Bob Dunham, Dorothy Chris-
tensen, Charlotte McGinty, Kenny & Patricia
Long
Reception Desk: Margaret Kroener, Rob &
Joyce Christensen, Janet Johnson, Sheila
Geraghty, Jack & Linda Mackin, Melissa Nel-
son, Clay Leonard, Kristie Cameron, Doni Sheldon, Dennis & Phyllis Smeins,
Janine Erman, Mary& Lawrence Stewart
Programming: Carrie Barr, Karen & Max Bach, Dale Weston, Will Schmitt,
Mary O’Dell, Holly VanHeel, Ray Helland, Peggy Schoer
Flowerbed Maintenance: Gary Fulton, Larry Duffy, Junior Conservationists at
Lenihan Intermediate School, Vanessa Engel
Uncle Ike Day Camp: Sally Wilson, Janey Swartz, Marvis Drew, Mona Kil-
born, Rachel, Silva, & Willow Schmidt; Skylar & Alyzah Boggs, Maggie, Mar-
cus Barker, Olivia Smith, Denny Eige & Phil Grabenbauer.
Linn Creek Art Festival: Marvis Drew, Julie Stahl, Julie Mannon, Janet Steg-
mann
Eagle Scout Projects: Matthew Dickey, Shane Jacobson, and Reese Jacobson
Donations: Dena Graff, Pinnacle Bank
If we inadvertently missed someone, our thanks to you also.
QR code for
MCCB website.
Help us keep costs down and save resources. If you
would like to receive the newsletter electronically
rather than having it mailed, please send an email to
mccb@co.marshall.ia.us. Also the electronic version
is in color!
Page 3
September 7 & 21 10:00 a.m.- 11:00 a.m.
October 5 & 19
November 2 & 16
GrimesFarm & Conservation Center
2359 233rd St.
Preschoolers and their adult(s) are invited to listen to fun nature
stories, take a walk and explore nature's wonders. Join us on the
first and third Wednesdays each month.
Nature Story HourNature Story HourNature Story HourNature Story Hour
Saturday, September 10
1-2:30 p.m. Marshalltown Public Library
2:45-4:00 p.m. Grimes Farm
Bring your family and friends to this FREE
program highlighting the plight of the amaz-
ing monarch butterfly.
1:00 - Presentation on the monarch migration
1:30 - Family crafts and activities
2:15 - Milkweed seed packets given to each family
2:30 - Leave for Grimes Farm
2:45 - 4:00 - Monarch tagging at Grimes Farm
Each family will receive a packet of milkweed and nectar plant
seeds (as long as supplies last) to plant in your garden, at the
butterfly garden at Judge Park, or in a new butterfly garden to
be located at the Fisher Community Center. First 50 people
will receive a FREE gift!
T-shirts commemorating this event will be available for pur-
chase, for more information call Anne at 641-754-5715 at the
Parks and Recreation Office or email:
aselness@ci.marshalltown.ia.us.
Monarchs and Milkweed Monarchs and Milkweed Monarchs and Milkweed Monarchs and Milkweed
for the Marshalltown Areafor the Marshalltown Areafor the Marshalltown Areafor the Marshalltown Area
Prairie Heritage DayPrairie Heritage DayPrairie Heritage DayPrairie Heritage Day
Star GazingStar GazingStar GazingStar Gazing
Dean Memorial Observatory
Green Castle Recreation Area
1 mi. S of Ferguson
Friday, September 23 7:00 p.m. “Summer Deep Sky” - A tour of the Summer sky including
the prominent Summer constellations, Milky Way, planets and
beautiful Star Clusters and Nebulae.
Friday, October 21 6:15 p.m.
“Orionid Meteor Shower”- Come and see one the farthest ob-
jects visible to the human eye at over 2.5 million light years
distant.
The Amateur Astronomers of Central Iowa invite the public for
a telescopic view of the night sky. For more information con-
tact Jim Bonser at (641)751-8744 or visit their website
www.amateurastronomersofcentraliowa.org.
Saturday, September 24 2:00 - 5:00 p.m.
Grimes Farm
2359 233rd Street
Celebrate Oktemberfest and participate in pioneer
crafts and skills: candle dipping, rope making, cider
pressing, crosscut sawing and more. Observe the
7th Cavalry, woodcarving, flint knapping, barn
building, broom making, and spinning. Frybread will be availa-
ble at pioneer prices at 1¢. Come join the fun!
Wanted Apples: At Prairie Heritage Day, volunteers demon-
strate how apple cider is pressed and give
out free samples of the sweet refreshment.
Many bushels of apples are needed to pro-
vide for the large crowd expected at the popular Prairie
Heritage Day Celebration on Saturday, September 24 at
the Grimes Farm.
If you have apples to spare or know someone who does,
please contact us at (641)752-5490. We can arrange for
volunteers to pick the apples.
Tuesday, September 13 5:30 p.m.
Grimes Farm
2359 233rd St
Join us to celebrate the grand
opening of the Nature Playscape at
Grimes Farm. From the Eagle’s
nest to the archeological dig site
there is fun for everyone!
Nature Playscape Open HouseNature Playscape Open HouseNature Playscape Open HouseNature Playscape Open House
Page 4 SEASONS
Sand Lake Trout ReleaseSand Lake Trout ReleaseSand Lake Trout ReleaseSand Lake Trout Release Friday, October 7 11:00 a.m.
Sand Lake Recreation Area
2901 E. Main St. Rd.
The Iowa DNR will be releasing 2000 rainbow trout. This is a
great way to introduce new an-
glers to the joys of fishing. This
event is FREE, but anglers must
be properly licensed, and bring
their own fishing equipment. For
more information call our office at
(641)752-5490.
Nature’s Treasures Craft SaleNature’s Treasures Craft SaleNature’s Treasures Craft SaleNature’s Treasures Craft Sale
Diane Hall Retirement PartyDiane Hall Retirement PartyDiane Hall Retirement PartyDiane Hall Retirement Party
Picture the striking contrast of sunlight beaming through tower-
ing clouds of a thunderstorm, the shocked expression of a tod-
dler catching their first fish, or wood duck ducklings emerging
from a nest box. Each of these scenes
last but a few brief moments. We have
all been in the right place at the right
time only to say “wish I had my cam-
era.” Well for those of you who did have
camera in hand and captured that mo-
ment here is your chance to show it off.
The MCCB is holding its 16th annual
natural resource/conservation photo contest. The entry dead-
line is noon on January 31, 2016. A contest rule sheet may be
picked up at the nature center or is available at our website. The
People and Natural Resources category has been retired and
replaced with Trail Cam, all other categories still remain.
2016201620162016----2017 Photo Contest2017 Photo Contest2017 Photo Contest2017 Photo Contest
Saturday, November 5 9:00 a.m. - 1:00 p.m.
GrimesFarm and Conservation Center
2359 233rd St.
Discover unique, locally-made, nature-related
crafts that will make excellent gifts for friends
and family. Wildlife prints, ceramics, frames,
birdhouses, nature books, etc. Food available.
Reclaim your holidays!
Wednesday, September 28 3:00 - 6:00 p.m.
GrimesFarm and Conservation Center
2359 233rd St
Please join Diane and wish her a happy re-
tirement after 30 years as the county’s Natu-
ralist. Diane joined MCCB in October of
1986. Come out, enjoy a cupcake, and wish
Diane well on her new journey.
FIELDSTONE NEEDED
Fieldstone is needed for our Nature Playscape, if you have any you would like to donate, please call (641)752-5490. Also, volunteers are needed to collect the fieldstone, if interested please call (641)752-5490.
Wednesday, October 19 10:00 a.m. - Noon
Timmons Grove South
1801 Marsh Ave.
Enjoy a hike in the fall forest.
Experience different kinds of
trees that color the park. Bring a
sack lunch and enjoy a picnic
after the program at the shelter
at Timmons Grove. Hike will
start at the shelter.
Fall Color WalkFall Color WalkFall Color WalkFall Color Walk
Like us on Facebook Follow us on Pinterest
and Twitter
Help Wanted Volunteering can be a fun activity for you and your family.
We are seeking volunteers to help with Prairie
Heritage Day on Saturday afternoon Septem-
ber 24 at the Grimes Farm. Would you like to
help with a pioneer activity?
Call (641)752-5490 ASAP.
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