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LOOKING FOR PICTURES OF YOUR SIGNED BANNERS!

IACCB is looking for a few GRRRREAT BANNERS! (Actually six or seven!) As we prepare for activities at the capitol – we need to round up those banners that have been dutifully signed by at least 75+ people. If you have one that meets this criteria, and is relatively neat in appearance – please send along a picture of it (Yes, a cell pic will be fine for this exercise) so that we can assemble a good collection for displaying at the capitol. I will plan to round these up at district meetings this spring, at ISAC, etc. The remainder of you that have banners should consider the various options you have to send the message to your legislator(s). Make a public presentation at a legislative forum; or, bring it down to the Capitol on one our three days that we are exhibiting and make arrangements to meet/present with/to your legislator at that time, etc. Still plenty of time for MORE signatures!

mycountyparks.com

SAVE THE DATE:  

The IACCB Calendar is 

also available online via the 

IACCB link on MCP.com  

* Feb. 3‐4 – ICEC Wksp. at 

Springbrook CEC 

* Feb.15 – District 3 Mtg. – 

Crawford CCB 

* Feb. 16– District 4 Mtg. – 

Pottawattamie CCB 

* Feb 16 – District 5 Mtg. – 

Washington CCB 

* Feb. 21 – Chickasaw Co. 

– S130/190 Fire Course 

* Feb. 22 – CCPOA Wksp. 

– Pocahontas CCB 

* Feb. 23 – District 1 Mtg. 

–  Polk CCB 

* Mar. 2 – CCPOA Wksp. 

– Marion CCB 

* Mar. 8‐10 – Spring IAN – 

Plymouth Co. 

* Mar. 8 – County Day at 

the Capitol 

* Mar. 9‐10 – Spring ISAC 

– Des Moines  

The IACCB Newsletter is 

produced on a periodic basis, 

and provided in digital format 

as a membership benefit to 

IACCB Members and

IACCB@MyCountyParks.com       (515) 963‐9582

Volume 58, Issue No. 11 February 3, 2017

2017 IACCB Annual 

Fall Conference 

September 21‐23 

Sioux Center, IA 

Hosted by the Lyon & 

Sioux CCBs 

The Iowa County Magazine is Here! The February 2017 “County Conservation Edition” of The Iowa County monthly magazine should have arrived to all county departments, department heads and all state elected officials earlier this week! We are very excited to have this periodical ABOUT US (12 pages!) in everyone’s hands at this timely point with the 2017 Iowa Legislative Session! If you don’t have access to the hard copy – the online version is available vial the link below AND via the IACCB link at the bottom of any page on MyCountyParks.com. This edition contains great background information about the Natural Resources and Outdoor Recreation Fund (IWILL), as well as the history of Iowa’s County Conservation System – please share this with your Board Members, staff and EVERYONE!

LINK TO ONLINE EDITION: http://www.iowacounties.org/wp-content/uploads/2017/02/The-Iowa-County-Magazine-February-20171.pdf

@IACCB_HAZE1955

 

 

  

    POSTCARD NAMES & ZIP CODES STILL NEEDED!

We are sitting still with only 392 names from your postcards that have been filled out. While we are aware that some of the postcards were inadvertently handed out, and perhaps mailed in – there has still got to be several hundreds more out there that have been filled out? If at all possible – PLEASE GET THESE SENT IN BY FEBRUARY 10th next week! Preferred format is simply first and last names, and the zip code that the constituents have provided entered in to an Excel worksheet – this way we can efficiently dump them directly in to our support database. Many thanks for your assistance in getting these in to us. Even if you don’t have the postcards, and can read the names on your banners – those too will suffice as supportive constituents from a particular legislative district!

2017 IWILL BUTTONS DEBUT AT WINTERFEST!

IACCB rolled out the inventory of 7 attractively designed 3” buttons at Winterfest. Several hundred of you took advantage of latching on to one of these 2017 editions, and many more of you will have the opportunity at upcoming District Meetings and other gatherings of CCB folks! These are meant to be “working” buttons – to be worn and not sit on your desk or in drawers! To engage people in a discussion about what the Trust is and why it is important to the future of Iowa! Don’t hesitate to get yours soon and fly the flag!

59 CCBs HAVE SUBMITTED UN-MET FINANCIALS!

That leaves another 40 that it would be great to hear from! 93 CCBs have provided a current listing of their UN-MET NEEDS – only Allamakee, Audubon, Benton, Cass, and Calhoun counties are missing – those would still be great to receive too! We really just need estimated costs for your listings. To-date, the 59 CCB financial data we have received totals some $678,522,828.00! If CCBs could receive the potential of $23M annually that has been identified – it would take 29.5 years to catch-up with just the current backlog! These are collectively HUGE and important numbers to have on hand to be able to share with all that will listen! If you need some examples of what other CCBs have submitted, just visit the list in the Portal, or send along an email to: IACCB@mycountyparks.com

CCBs having submitted Un‐Met 

Needs financial information 

ADDITIONAL IWILL LEGISLATIVE INFORMATION

CURRENT LEGISLATIVE FORUMS LISTINGS ………

DETAILS HERE: http://www.infonetiowa.org/calendar/events/ As we have provided here for you before ….Visit this website to get a listing of all scheduled Legislative Forums from across the state – click on the cities to open a new window with details about that particular forum. (This link provided by our IACCB/INHF Lobbyist Team) Reports coming in about forums from the past weekends indicate that they are well-attended as there are several controversial issues being tackled by legislators for 2017. Water quality and funding of the Natural Resources and Outdoor Recreation Fund have taken a bit of a back seat during the first four weeks of the legislative session – but we look to have the discussions re-surface as both education and collective bargaining make their way through the Senate and House.

    FIRE TRAINING / REFRESHER OPPORTUNITIES LISTING of more training opportunities is available on the DNR website at: http://www.iowadnr.gov/Conservation/Forestry/Fire-Prevention/Fire-Programs  

POTTAWATTAMIE COUNTY AREA FEB. 22 - The National Park Service is offering an annual refresher at the Regional Office in Omaha. I haven’t seen an official start time, but I would plan on 0800. If you are interested, let Chad Graeve know and we can RSVP for you. chad.graeve@pottcounty-ia.gov MAR. 11 – We are currently hosting an online S-130/S-190 and will have our Field Training Session on Saturday, March 11 from 0800-1630. We will have an optional pack test following the field training session. Interested participants should email Chad Graeve to register. MAR. 18 - We are offering an annual refresher on Wednesday March 8th at Hitchcock Nature Center. We will run from 0800 – 1630. Following the refresher will be an optional pack test. Please bring your lunch and dress for the weather as we will be in the field in the afternoon. If you are participating in the pack test, please bring your pack. Please RSVP to me so we can plan accordingly. chad.graeve@pottcounty-ia.gov CHICKASAW COUNTY AREA FEB. 21 - S130/190 Fire Refresher at the Twin Ponds Nature Center on February 21, 2017? Those wanting more information and wishing to register can do so on the Iowa DNR website (above)

Iowa Invasive Species Conference MARCH 28-29, 2017 – Honey Creek Resort at Rathbun Lake The goal of IISC is to improve invasive species research, management, and policy across aquatic and terrestrial habitats in the state of Iowa. Two full days of vendors, workshops, sessions, plenaries, and social events. Topics that will be included: • Invasive species identification and management sessions (forestry, aquatic, wetland, grassland, roadside) • How to improve local efforts (initiation, prioritization, planning, engagement, and success stories) • Best Management Practices (grazing, fire, herbicides, restoration) Sign up to receive updated conference information, registration alerts, and special offers at www.iowainvasives.org

SHELBY COUNTY AREA FEB.15 - If anybody is interested we will be holding a fire refresher

class at Nishna Bend on Feb 15. The cost is $25. If you are interested, please let me know.

Christina Roelofs croelofs@shco.org

Gift to Iowa’s Future Nominations Nomination Deadline is February 15th The Iowa DNR is now accepting names of individuals to be recognized at the annual Gift to Iowa’s Future recognition event. The event is typically held prior to the first Monday in April which has been deemed as Gift to Iowa's Future Recognition Day by Iowa law. Do you know any landowners who have donated land, land value or a conservation easement to your organization in order to place permanent conservation protections on their natural land in 2016? If so, please consider sending land donor information to the Iowa Department of Natural Resources (DNR) so the landowner can be included in a special recognition by the Governor's Office and the Iowa Legislature. The event this year is set for Wednesday, March 29, 2017. Nominated landowners will be invited to attend a reception at the Capitol on March 27th. Landowners will have the opportunity to meet the Lt. Governor, Director of the Iowa DNR and will receive a certificate of appreciation from the Lt. Governor. Legislators are also invited to attend the event to meet their constituents and often take the time to thank landowners for their generosity and commitment to the land. DNR CONTACT: Alicia Kuiken alicia.kuiken@dnr.iowa.gov (515) 725-8263

“State Bids” Contract Listings Iowa Department of Administrative Services From time to time we get a request like “Where can I find the state bids on XYX product or service”. These contracts are procured and maintained by the Iowa D.A.S. on their website at: https://das.iowa.gov/procurement Also - please remember to check out similar opportunities via IACCB Preferred Vendors: http://mycountyparks.weebly.com/preferred-vendor.html

 

   

Frank Frederick, Director – Bremer CCB Frank has worked nearly 36 years as a director in 3 different Iowa counties. The last 27 years were in Bremer County. He will be hanging up the “Gone Fishing” retirement sign in May, and you can stop in to wish him bon voyage on April 28th in the Bremer County Courthouse at an Open House from 2:30 – 4:30 PM. Frank offered up these comments about his service…..“These accomplishments cannot all be credited to me. One is only as good as those he is surrounded by. That includes those I supervise and those that supervise me. I have always had good employees that accomplished a great deal of work and educate many people, making my job easier. I have also been supported by many dedicated Conservation Board members County Supervisors in my management and decisions. I feel that their trust as well as the public’s trust in my accomplishments has shown that our program has been successful.” He notes some of the highlights of his career have been working with landowners in purchasing the many parcels of property that now make up the Wapsi River Greenbelt, and providing numerous acres of public hunting, fishing and hiking lands for area users. CONGRATS to Frank on his accomplishments, and best wishes as you move into your new exciting phase of life as a retiree!

RETIREMENTS! Tom Buckley, Director – Lee CCB Due to it being his last Winterfest event, and in consideration of his decades of leadership for IACCBE and IACCB – Tom was recognized by IACCB at the fall conference in Fort Dodge last fall, and at Winterfest last week with plaques and certificates. He will be retiring later this spring. THANKS for stepping up to serve the broader good for Iowa’s County Conservation System time and time again! We know that it is a long haul to anywhere from Lee County – mucho appreciado!

Vern Fish, Director – bhccb Vern is now on the IPERS payroll! We were able to thank and recognize Vern publicly with a presentation at Winterfest, and the Open House hosted by BHCCB on Jan 27th was a grand event! Vern promised us that he is not falling off “the grid”, and to not be surprised where he will be showing up!

Joel Behne – Office Manager, Des Moines CCB “Over 16,400 days = 45 years of Service!” – so quoted from Joel’s retirement reception announcement – which happens to be TODAY – Friday, February 3rd starting at 5:00 PM at the Drake Restaurant in downtown Burlington. Though his tenure with the DMCCB was only for the past 13 years – Joel has credits as follows: 12 years with the Des Moines Co. Sherrif’s Office; 15 years as a Burlington Police Officer; with J&S Electronics for 3 years; and two years in Vietnam. Perhaps Joel’s favorite duty was answering those incessant phone calls

to the Des Moines County Conservation Board from the confused public with questions about the City of Des Moines – which only got more complicated with the arrival of MyCountyParks.com! Thanks, Joel for your public service on many fronts – our collective best wishes as you enjoy a much-deserved slower pace!

IACCB CERTIFICATES AVAILABLE FOR RECOGNITIONS / AWARDS Just a quick reminder that IACCB can provide attractive, custom-tailored certificates printed in color on parchment paper for your staff or conservation board members as they reach milestones in their careers or service. Please allow a couple of weeks’ notice in order to be sure that they might be available for your specific date, event, etc. There is NO CHARGE for these certificates. Send along requests to: IACCB@mycountyparks.com

 

(PLANNING IDEA FOR AN UPCOMING DISTRICT MEETING?) For any of you that may be tasked with planning a future District Meeting that will be hosted by your CCB – IACCB has been contacted by C.J. Cowan (contact information below) – “The talk would cover USDA APHIS Wildlife Services in Iowa…what all we do and how that pertains to conservation boards, in addition to services we can help with should an employee get a call related to wildlife nuisance. My contact information is below. The best way to reach me though is my cell at (515) 681-8764 - C.J. Cowan, Wildlife Specialist, 3101 Army Post Rd. Bld 33, Des Moines, IA 50321, Office: 515-256-5558 - Christopher.J.Cowan@aphis.usda.gov MORE INFORMATION: https://www.aphis.usda.gov/aphis/banner/aboutaphis

We have uploaded to the Portal those PowerPoint programs that were presented by IACCB at Winterfest 2017. They are located in the “WINTERFEST / POWERPOINTS 2017” files. There were numerous other PowerPoints that were provided by presenters across the three-day workshop – if any of you have access to them or other digital materials, feel free to upload them also. As a reminder – be sure to clearly name your files prior to uploading as they cannot be changed once uploaded. The “Collegiate Seminar 2017” presentation may prove to be helpful to those of you that have career presentations to make at colleges or high schools as it contains current salary and employment information about county, state and some federal employment opportunities..

 http://www.mycountyparks.com/Jobs/Default.aspx  

1. HAMILTON Co. – Park Ranger 2. IOWA Co. – Park Ranger 3. DICKINSON Co. Environmental Ed. Coord./Naturalist 4. ELLSWORTH College – Faculty 5. TEMPORARY POSITIONS – 88+ opportunities

listed on website  

Full Time Employment 

Seasonal/Part‐Time 

PowerPoints from WINTERFEST 

Joe Mayhew, Union CCB welcomes 

participants to WINTERFEST 2017. Joe 

served as IACCBE President for 2016. 

Were  it not  for  the bit of a snowstorm during Winterfest – near record numbers of attendees would have been on hand! Over 110  collegiates were  registered,  along  with  nearly  300  CCB  employees!  Add  in  the presenters and you got yourselves a MAJOR event brewing. CONGRATS to  the  IACCBE Winterfest  Planning  Committee  for  another  EXCELLENT event to add to the historical roster of great things about Iowa’s County Conservation System!