woodbury wanderings...camping kick-off weekend 2015 woodbury county conservation board’s camping...

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Conservation Newsletter Woodbury WANDERINGS Spring - Summer 2015 Volume 27, Issue 2 Gary Shaner, Friend of Conservation and Sheryl Banks, Conservation Educator The Woodbury County Conservation Board and Doro- thy Pecaut Nature Center recently recognized two very special individuals for their outstanding service. Sheryl Banks of Sioux City was recognized for the “Conservation Educator” award. Banks has been a Kindergarten teacher for 40 years. Throughout that time she has mentored thousands of youngsters and exposed them to the wonders of nature. Banks retired from the South Sioux City School District in 2014 after 39 years of employment. She currently volunteers and teaches a preschool and afterschool program in Akron. Receiving the “Friend of Conservation” award was Gary Shaner of Sioux City. Shaner is an active volunteer at the Dorothy Pecaut Nature Center and assists with gardening and helps with fishing education by maintaining the center’s 75 fishing rods and reels. He also donates his time to local conservation organizations including the River City Anglers Fishing Club. This is the 26th year the conservation board has recognized outstanding conservation efforts. Volunteers provide such a vital service to our nature center and county parks. Last year, more than 2,650 hours were logged by volunteers. The Woodbury County Conservation Board also recognized more than 167 volunteers for the hours of service they provided the Dorothy Pecaut Nature Center and Woodbury County Parks in 2014. This includes 20 Junior Volunteers, ages 12-17. Specific volunteers recognized were Audie Baughman, Julie Baughman, Briana Baughman, Myra Baumgartner, Cindy Bennett, Rita Birke, Dianne Blankenship, Connie Bledsoe, Suzan Boden, Carol Boellstorff, Jeannie Bockholt, Joy Bogenrief, Ben Bogenrief, Blake Bogenrief, Adi Bogenrief, Rick Borg, Missy Brandon, Sean Brandon, Reid Brandon, Shay Brandon, Barb Camarillo, Jacob Chan, David Chapman, Sierra Chapman, Zac Chwirka, Doug Collins, Summer Cord, Kandi Custer, Mark Custer, Ray Deabler, Dennis Derochie, Thad Derochie, Tracie Derochie, Don Dixon, Abby Duin, Warren Dunkle, Tom Eakin, Brandi Ferris, Joe Finey, Tyler Flammang, Nick Fondoulakis, Jeannie Franklin, Annie Fullas, Roger Gaswint, John Gray, Julie Grijalva, Brian Hazlett, Nate Henning, Paige Henning, Jane Hey, Shirley Hogan, Tammy Hogan, Phyllis Holzrichter, Bernie Hoversten, Julianna Hurlburt, Matthew Hurlburt, Muriel Hyndman, Ben Jackson, Loyanne Jensen, Chuck Johnson, Jami Johnston, Katy Jones, Nathan Kelly, Diana Kincaid, Duane Knaack, Julie Klein, Kathy Koskovich, Randy Kramer, Tiana Kruid, Herb Kuehne, Rosie Kuehne, Braeden Kunkel, Tim Kurt, Leonard Kurtz, Continued on Page 11...

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Page 1: Woodbury WANDERINGS...Camping Kick-off Weekend 2015 Woodbury County Conservation Board’s Camping Kick-off Weekend will be held May 1-3, 2015. Parks and facilities open for the season

Conservation Newsletter

WoodburyWANDERINGS

Spring - Summer 2015 Volume 27, Issue 2

Gary Shaner, Friend of Conservation and Sheryl Banks, Conservation Educator

The Woodbury County Conservation Board and Doro-thy Pecaut Nature Center recently recognized two very special individuals for their outstanding service.

Sheryl Banks of Sioux City was recognized for the “Conservation Educator” award. Banks has been a Kindergarten teacher for 40 years. Throughout that time she has mentored thousands of youngsters and exposed them to the wonders of nature. Banks retired from the South Sioux City School District in 2014 after 39 years of employment. She currently volunteers and teaches a preschool and afterschool program in Akron.

Receiving the “Friend of Conservation” award was Gary Shaner of Sioux City. Shaner is an active volunteer at the Dorothy Pecaut Nature Center and assists with gardening and helps with fishing education by maintaining the center’s 75 fishing rods and reels. He also donates his time to local conservation organizations including the River City Anglers Fishing Club.

This is the 26th year the conservation board has recognized outstanding conservation efforts. Volunteers provide such a vital service to our nature center and county parks. Last year, more than 2,650 hours were logged by volunteers.

The Woodbury County Conservation Board also recognized more than 167 volunteers for the hours of service they provided the Dorothy Pecaut Nature Center and Woodbury County Parks in 2014. This includes 20 Junior Volunteers, ages 12-17. Specific volunteers recognized were Audie Baughman, Julie Baughman, Briana Baughman, Myra Baumgartner, Cindy Bennett,

Rita Birke, Dianne Blankenship, Connie Bledsoe, Suzan Boden, Carol Boellstorff, Jeannie Bockholt, Joy Bogenrief, Ben Bogenrief, Blake Bogenrief, Adi Bogenrief, Rick Borg, Missy Brandon, Sean Brandon, Reid Brandon, Shay Brandon, Barb Camarillo, Jacob Chan, David Chapman, Sierra Chapman, Zac Chwirka, Doug Collins, Summer Cord, Kandi Custer, Mark Custer, Ray Deabler, Dennis Derochie, Thad Derochie, Tracie Derochie, Don Dixon, Abby Duin, Warren Dunkle, Tom Eakin, Brandi Ferris, Joe Finey, Tyler Flammang, Nick Fondoulakis, Jeannie Franklin, Annie Fullas, Roger Gaswint, John Gray, Julie Grijalva, Brian Hazlett, Nate Henning, Paige Henning, Jane Hey, Shirley Hogan, Tammy Hogan, Phyllis Holzrichter, Bernie Hoversten, Julianna Hurlburt, Matthew Hurlburt, Muriel Hyndman, Ben Jackson, Loyanne Jensen, Chuck Johnson, Jami Johnston, Katy Jones, Nathan Kelly, Diana Kincaid, Duane Knaack, Julie Klein, Kathy Koskovich, Randy Kramer, Tiana Kruid, Herb Kuehne, Rosie Kuehne, Braeden Kunkel, Tim Kurt, Leonard Kurtz,

Continued on Page 11...

Page 2: Woodbury WANDERINGS...Camping Kick-off Weekend 2015 Woodbury County Conservation Board’s Camping Kick-off Weekend will be held May 1-3, 2015. Parks and facilities open for the season

Nature Center Hours

Tuesday through Saturday 9:00am-4:30pmSunday 1:00-4:30pmMonday Closed

New Hours Effective May 15thNature Center closes at 4:30 p.m.

Also closed New Years Day, Thanksgiving Day, Christmas Eve and Christmas Day

Reminder: Our parking lot is closed and the gate is locked when the building is not open. If you are planning to hike after building hours, please remove your vehicle

from the main parking lot and park in the lower lot.

Visit our website at www.woodburyparks.com

WOODBURY COUNTY CONSERVATION BOARD

Board Members:Don Dixon - CorrectionvilleCindy Bennett - Sioux CitySuzan Boden - Sioux City

Mark Taylor, D.O. - Sioux CityChristine Zellmer-Zant - Bronson

Board Address:Dorothy Pecaut Nature Center

4500 Sioux River RoadSioux City, IA 51109-1657

712-258-0838 (phone) 712-258-1261 (fax)web page: http://www.woodburyparks.com

Rick Schneider - DirectorMark Peterson - Deputy Director

Barb Schultz - SecretaryDawn Snyder - Education Programs Director

Theresa Kruid - NaturalistJim Henning - Resource Naturalist

Pam Pfautsch - ReceptionistMarilyn Milbrodt - Receptionist

Betty West - Receptionist/Volunteer Coordinator

Brown's Lake-Bigelow Park - Phone 712-946-7114Josh VanVoorst - Assistant Resource Manager

Snyder Bend Park - Phone 712-946-5622Brian Stehr - Resource Manager

Dylan Bales - Resource Technician

Little Sioux Park - Phone 712-372-4984Bernard Ketelsen - Resource Manager

Bob Fundermann - Assistant Resource Manager

Southwood Conservation Area - Phone 712-889-2215Donald Haahr - Resource ManagerErik Lindsay - Resource Technician

Woodbury County Conservation Foundation Board Members:

Dianne Blankenship Dawn Snyder Rod Tondreau Brian Hazlett Anne Shaner Randall Kramer

Norbert Ruhland Bruce Hopkins Herman SchultzChristine Zellmer-Zant

Woodbury Wanderings is distributed free of charge on a quarterly basis. If you are not currently receiving the newsletter and would like to, or if you know of someone who would like to receive a copy, please send a postcard with the name, address and e-mail on it to: Dawn Snyder, Editor, 4500 Sioux River Road, Sioux City, IA 51109-1657; phone: 712-258-0838 or e-mail at <[email protected]>.Under Title VI of the 1964 Civil Rights Act and Section 504 of the Rehabilita-tion Act of 1973, The U.S. Department of the Interior prohibits discrimination on the basis of creed, sex, national origin,religion, disability, or age. If you believe that you have been discriminated against in any program, activity, or facility as described above, or if you desire further information, please write to either: Woodbury County Conservation Board or Office for Equal Opportunity, U.S. Department of the Interior, Washington, D.C. 20240.

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Find us on Facebookhttp://www.facebook.com/DorothyPecautNatureCenter

Woodbury County Pheasants Forever

For more information contact Scott Rustwick at 712-277-2263 or

[email protected]

Woodbury County Chapter of

Pheasants Forever

Page 3: Woodbury WANDERINGS...Camping Kick-off Weekend 2015 Woodbury County Conservation Board’s Camping Kick-off Weekend will be held May 1-3, 2015. Parks and facilities open for the season

VanVoorst to Complete Law Enforcement Training

Josh VanVoorst, Assistant Resource Manager at Brown’s Lake-Bigelow Park, will complete his law enforcement training at Hawkeye Community College in Waterloo on May 8. Josh will join the other five officers in the department in time for the summer season. Brown’s Lake-Bigelow Park is a very busy park needing a law enforcement presence. Josh will experience his first full year as an officer working with Resource Manager Brian Stehr. Congratulations to Josh!

Shooting Range to Open SoonWork continues on improvements to the Stub Gray Shooting Range at Little Sioux Park. Staff is working diligently to get the range ready for reopening by June. New changes affecting operations at the range will include daily and annual fees. This new fee structure approved by the Conservation Board will be $10 daily, or $50 annually per individual or family. Daily fees will be payable on site at a new log-in/log-out kiosk with a registration envelope system similar to camping self-registration. Annual permits will be available through the Conservation Board office by completing required forms and submitting the proper fees. Forms and enve-lopes still need to be designed prior to opening. Daily and annual permits will need to be displayed on a clip by the shooting station during use.

Other improvements will include new signage, chain link fence to funnel users past the log-in/log-out kiosk, yard distance markers on the handgun range, new target holders on both ranges, noise abatement features on the rifle range, and temporary tables (wooden electrical spools) near each shooting station for placing shooting equipment.

Although the reopened range will not be staffed full time, the Board will be working with certified Range Safety Officers as volunteers on a regular basis to help watch the range and assist users. New range hours will be 9 AM to 7 PM May 1 – September 30 and 9 AM to 4:30 PM October 1 – April 30. The range will close dur-ing the months of January and February. Gates will be locked each evening and reopened by 9 AM each day.

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Loess Hills Audubon SocietyLoess Hills Audubon meetings:

The First Thursday of each month

7:30 p.m. at Dorothy Pecaut Nature Center

Meetings are held September - May

For more information contact: Bob Livermore, President, at

[email protected] Hills Audubon Outings, contact:

Jerry Von Ehwegen at [email protected]

Visit the website: http://lhas.tripod.com/

Siouxland Fly Fishing ClubThere’s more to fishing than fish

Meetings: held the last Saturday of each month9:00 a.m. to 11:30 a.m.

Dorothy Pecaut Nature CenterVisitors Welcome!

For more information call 402-987-3945http://www.siouxlandflyfishing.com/

Camping Kick-off Weekend 2015Woodbury County Conservation Board’s Camping Kick-off Weekend will be held May 1-3, 2015. Parks and facilities open for the season on May 1 each year, and this year it coincides perfectly with the kick-off weekend event. Units camping one of those three days at any one of the Woodbury County Conservation Board campgrounds will receive a coupon for one night free camping to be used later during the 2015 season. Campers will also receive a small gift from park staff. Remember, camping coupon booklets will also be avail-able this year – seven nights camping for the price of six. Discount firewood coupon booklets are also avail-able.

Page 4: Woodbury WANDERINGS...Camping Kick-off Weekend 2015 Woodbury County Conservation Board’s Camping Kick-off Weekend will be held May 1-3, 2015. Parks and facilities open for the season

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Giving Olaf a Helping HandHi my name is Morgan Mahon. I am a 5th grader at Leeds Elementary School. I am really interested in owls and have been studying them for about two years. I studied barred owls last year and took an exhibit on them to the Woodbury County Fair as my Animal Science Project.

When I heard about the animal adoption program that the Dorothy Pecaut Nature Center offered I wanted to adopt Olaf the Barred Owl. He was hit by a car and cannot fly or live in the wild by himself.

I went around to friends, family members, teachers, neighbors and even business people that my family knew and raised just under $600 to sponsor Olaf for a year. The money helps purchase food, bedding, protective gloves, perches and other supplies needed for care. I have gotten a few gifts from people including an embroidered owl design from a com-pany in South Africa, business sponsorship from St. Louis, and a small owl figurine from Japan.

I want to raise money for next year and next I would like to help build owl boxes for the other area nature parks. Come visit Olaf at the Dorothy Pecaut Nature Center this summer.

Thanks to Morgan and the generous individu-als and businesses that donated funds for her project. It is very much appreciated! - Morgan is pictured here next to Olaf.

Animal Adoption ListBattle Creek Ida Grove First Graders - Snake & Turtle

Dean & Paula VanRoekel - Olaf, Barred OwlJoy Larson - Olaf, Barred Owl

Morgan Mahon - Olaf, Barred OwlGene & Ginger Martin - Scarlet, Red-tailed Hawk

In Memory of Shirley Hexamer from Alissa Johnson - Skye, American Kestrel

Chloe McClure - Box TurtlesJuliann Delperdang - Bird Seed for Outdoor feeders

Thanks to all who help sponsor our educational animals!

Eagle Scout Project A new kiosk was created for Snyder Bend Park as an Eagle Scout project. The kiosk project was coordinated by Eagle Scout candidate Devon Zimmerman of Troop 272. The kiosk was placed near the boat ramp at Snyder Bend Park. The scouts helping with the project were Sam Murphy, Blake Jo-hannsen, Paul Grot, and Matthew Hermelbracht. Thanks to these young men for their assistance!The completed kiosk at Snyder Bend. Pictured from left to right: Blake Johannsen, Devon Zimmerman, Sam Murphy and Paul Grot.

The Dorothy Pecaut Nature Center and Woodbury County Conservation Board is able to provide spe-cial programs again this summer, due to the gener-osity of several agencies.

An Outdoor Program Intern will be hired as a sea-sonal employee to conduct a variety of youth, fam-ily and public programs this summer. This intern-ship formerly was funded by a grant from the Iowa DNR. Unfortunately, those funds are no longer available. This past position reached nearly 3,000 people each summer in a short 10 week period, and we wanted to continue to offer outdoor programs such as archery, fishing, pond study, animal tracks and much more to youth, adults and families be-yond our Summer Day Camps.

Thank you to Scheels, River City Anglers Fishing Club, Siouxland Fly Fishing Club, Loess Hills Long Beards Chapter of the National Wild Tur-key Federation (NWTF) and Pheasants Forever Woodbury County Chapter for providing the much needed funds to support this summer intern-ship. We appreciate your partnerships and thank you for investing in our natural resources by providing education programs to people in this region.

Summer Program Benefits from Local Agencies

Page 5: Woodbury WANDERINGS...Camping Kick-off Weekend 2015 Woodbury County Conservation Board’s Camping Kick-off Weekend will be held May 1-3, 2015. Parks and facilities open for the season

Resource Enhancement Projects Continue

The Woodbury County Conservation Board Staff, with assistance from the Loess Hills Conservation Corps Iowa crew, will continue their focus on inva-sive species removal on Riverside Bluffs in Sioux City. The Woodbury County Conservation Founda-tion is again funding the Conservation Corps crew for one week in mid-July. Invasive species removal efforts will be concentrated on 24.5 acres of the north 76 acre tract of Riverside Bluffs.

Riverside Bluffs totals 135 acres of native prairie and timber. The removal of invasive species such as red cedar, smooth sumac, gray dogwood, buck-thorn and honeysuckle will enhance and restore the native prairie found on the slopes and ridge tops in this area. The invasive species stumps are chemi-cally treated after removal to prevent sprouting. The Board’s staff will be using their tree shearer to as-sist in the removal of cedar trees found on portions of Riverside Bluffs.

In mid-August the Loess Hills Conservation Corps Iowa, hired by the Conservation Board, will again be here for a week working with Board staff on Riv-erside Bluffs improving the areas boundary fences. If time allows additional invasive species will be removed.

The Loess Hills Conservation Corps crew is a newly formed Conservation Corps Iowa crew to address Loess Hills resource enhancement needs. This crew has been hired by several agencies such as county conservation boards, IDNR, US Fish and Wildlife Service, Iowa Natural Heritage Foundation and private conservation groups to work on projects in the Loess Hills. The Loess Hills is found in seven counties along the western Iowa border starting in Plymouth County and continues south into parts of Missouri. This unique area is found only in western Iowa, parts of Missouri and in China.

During the week of October 12th, the Conservation Corps Iowa out of Ames, will assist Board staff in a timber stand improvement project in Unit 2 of

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Summer Camps 2015COME EXPLORE WITH US!

We are looking forward to a great summer of exploring nature with the children of Siouxland. We’ll be hiking, playing games, making crafts, exploring outdoors and so much more. Registration is open and we still have camps available. For more information and to check

on available camps, call 712-258-0838, email Theresa Kruid at [email protected] or check the website:

www.woodburyparks.com.

the Oak Ridge Conservation Area. Since 2009, the Conservation Board has worked in this unit remov-ing invasive species to encourage native prairie found on the ridges and to enhance the native white and red oak, black walnut, basswood, and Kentucky Coffee tree populations. Approximately 12 acres of timber are treated each year. 2016 will mark the end of the timber stand improvement project in Unit 2.

Riverside Bluffs is open to the public and restrict-ed to foot traffic. We encourage you to take a hike and explore this unique Loess Hills treasure found within Sioux City.

To view a map of Riverside Bluffs go to: http://www.woodburyparks.com/maps/Riverside-Bluff-sWebsiteMap2011.pdf

By Mark Peterson, Deputy Director

Save the Date!12th Annual Nature Calls Fundraiser

Saturday, September 12, 2015Sioux City Convention CenterTickets go on sale in August.

Beer Tasting, Nature Artists, Silent & Live Auction & More!

www.woodburyparks.com/naturecalls.html

Page 6: Woodbury WANDERINGS...Camping Kick-off Weekend 2015 Woodbury County Conservation Board’s Camping Kick-off Weekend will be held May 1-3, 2015. Parks and facilities open for the season

Calendar of EventsAll events are free and held at the Dorothy Pecaut

Nature Center (DPNC) unless otherwise noted. To Register for Events Call 712-258-0838

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May: Iowa Wildflower Month: Numerous wildflower-related events, hikes and programs can be found at http://www.iowa-nativeplants.org.

May 1-3: Camping Kickoff Weekend at Woodbury County Parks. All registered campers during this time will receive a coupon for one night of free camping to be used at a later date this summer.

Sunday, May 3: Wildflower Hike, 2:00 p.m., Fowler Forest Preserve. Celebrate Wildflower Week in Iowa by joining us for this walk through this local woodland to view the diversity of spring wildflowers. Wear sturdy walking shoes. Fowler Forest is located one half mile west of Smithland on Highway 141.

Thursday, May 14: Live Animal Lunchtime, 4:30 p.m., DPNC. Want to watch a snake eat? Come out today and learn more about our live animals and watch them eat their food. Free!

Friday, May 29: G.R.A.S.S. 2014 Great Race Against Shrubs and Shade, 9:00 a.m. – Noon, Turin Prairie. This is part of the Loess Hills Prairie Seminar - Pre-Seminar Activity - Volunteers Needed! We will be cutting cedars. Be sure to bring sunscreen, bug spray, and water as well as lop-pers and hand saws if you have them. Also, wear sturdy shoes and gloves. Contact: Doug Chafa at 712-420-2437 or [email protected]

May 29-31: Loess Hills Prairie Seminar. Loess Hills Wildlife Management Area, Northeast of Onawa, Iowa. For more infor-mation contact Penni Kistner at Northwest AEA at 712-222-6083 or 800-352-9040 extension 6083 or [email protected]. Registration information available at http://www.nwaea.k12.ia.us/en/programs_and_services/loess_hills_prairie_seminar/

Thursday, June 4: Live Animal Lunchtime, 4:30 p.m., DPNC. Want to watch a snake eat? Come out today and learn more about our live animals and watch them eat their food. Free!

Friday, June 5: Evening Campfire, DPNC. 7:00 p.m. Join the Summer Naturalists for a fun evening around the campfire—complete with S’Mores. Free!

Tuesday, June 9: Nature Tales, 10:00 a.m., DPNC. Pre-schoolers, join us with an adult for this special story time about worms. We’ll hike too, weather permitting. Pre-register by calling 712-258-0838 or email [email protected].

Saturday, June 13: Pheasants Forever Youth Fishing Derby, 10:00 a.m. – 1:00 p.m., Little Sioux Park, 2 miles SW of Cor-rectionville, Iowa. Free for kids of all ages. Lunch and prizes to follow fishing derby. All persons 16 years of age or older must have a valid Iowa Fishing License. You are welcome to bring your own bait and fishing tackle and poles but some will be provided. For more information contact [email protected]. Sponsored by Woodbury County Pheasants Forever Chapter.

Saturday, June 13: Iowa Mammals, 7:00 p.m., Brown’s Lake, 2 miles west of Salix, Iowa. Join a Summer Naturalist at the open shelter to learn about the mammals of Iowa. Free!

Thursday, June 18: Meet the Animals, 2-4 p.m., DPNC. Get up close with snakes, birds of prey, turtles, salamanders and more! Free.

Friday, June 19: Birds, 7:00 p.m., Snyder Bend Park, 3 miles SW of Salix, Iowa. We will learn about feathers and bird i.d. and take a short walk to look for birds along the lakeshore. Meet at the small open shelter by the boat ramp. Free!

Saturday, June 20: Pond Life, 7:00 p.m., Little Sioux Park, 2 miles SW of Correctionville, Iowa. Join a Summer Natural-ist to search for aquatic life in the pond. Plan to get wet and muddy. Meet by the fishing dock/fish cleaning station along the lakeshore. Free!

Thursday, June 25: Blues Zones Dedication and Public Hike, 6:00 p.m., DPNC. Help us celebrate the Dorothy Pecaut Nature Center becoming a designated Blue Zones Worksite! There will be a brief ceremony followed by a walk on the trails to promote healthy lifestyles.

Friday, June 26: Nature Hike, 7:00 p.m., Southwood Con-servation Area, 1 mile S of Smithland, Iowa. Join a Summer Naturalist at the parking lot near the ponds for a nature hike. Wear sturdy walking shoes. Free!

Saturday, June 27: Reptiles, 7:00 p.m., Brown’s Lake, 2 miles west of Salix, Iowa. Join a Summer Naturalist at the open shelter to learn about our scaled animals such as turtles and snakes. Free!

Saturday, July 4: Play in the Park, 9:00 a.m. – 1:00 p.m. Join us for a day of fun at Little Sioux Park, near Correction-ville. There will be various activities set up throughout the park including: fishing, archery and live animal programs. This event is open to the public and free of charge.

More events listed on page 7

Page 7: Woodbury WANDERINGS...Camping Kick-off Weekend 2015 Woodbury County Conservation Board’s Camping Kick-off Weekend will be held May 1-3, 2015. Parks and facilities open for the season

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Calendar of Events Continued To Register for Events Call 712-258-0838

Thursday, July 9: Animal Lunchtime, 4:30 p.m., DPNC. Want to watch a snake eat? Come out today and learn more about our live animals and watch them eat their food. Free!

Friday, July 10: Nocturnal Animals, 7:00 p.m., Snyder Bend Park, 3 miles SW of Salix, Iowa. Join a Summer Naturalist at the open shelter by the boat ramp to learn about animals that roam the night. Free!

Saturday, July 11: Bison Days at Broken Kettle Grasslands. For more information contact 712-568-2596.

Saturday, July 11: Animal Tracks, 7:00 p.m., Little Sioux Park, 2 miles SW of Correctionville, Iowa. Join a Summer Naturalist at the country school house to learn about animal tracks and our local mammals. Free!

Tuesday, July 14: Nature Tales, 10:00 a.m., DPNC. Pre-schoolers, join us with an adult for this special story time and explore our Nature Playscape. We’ll hike too, weather permit-ting. Please pre-register by calling 712-258-0838 or email [email protected].

Friday, July 17: Birds of Prey, 7:00 p.m., Brown’s Lake, 2 miles west of Salix, Iowa. Join a Summer Naturalist at the open shelter to learn more about raptors and our why they are important. Meet a live bird of prey. Free!

Saturday, July 18: Insect Investigations, 7:00 p.m., South-wood Conservation Area, 1 mile S of Smithland, Iowa. Join a Summer Naturalist to search for insects in the prairie. We’ll use nets and hope to catch a few for closer study. Meet at the parking lot by the boat ramp. Free!

Friday, July 24: Turtles, 7:00 p.m., Little Sioux Park, 2 miles SW of Correctionville, Iowa. Join a Summer Naturalist at the country school house to learn about turtles and meet some live examples. Free!

Saturday, July 25: Basic Fishing, 10:00 – Noon, Snyder Bend Park, 3 miles SW of Salix, Iowa. We’ll bring the rods & reels—you plan on having fun. All persons 16 years of age or older must have a valid Iowa Fishing License. You are welcome to bring your own bait and fishing tackle also. Meet by the boat ramp. Pre-registration is appreciated by calling 712-258-0838.

Friday, July 31: Evening Campfire, DPNC. 7:00 p.m. Join the Summer Naturalists for a fun evening around the camp-fire—complete with S’Mores. Free!

Saturday, August 1: Basic Archery, 10:00 – Noon, Snyder Bend Park, 3 miles SW of Salix, Iowa. Learn the basics of archery and how to shoot a compound bow. Meet by the open shelter. Pre-registration is appreciated by calling 712-258-0838.

August 5-9: Come see us at the Woodbury County Fair in Moville. We will be in the Varied Industries Building.

Wednesday, August 5: Reptiles at the Fair. 1:00 p.m. Old Town area. Meet some live reptiles up close when you are at the Woodbury County Fair. Free!

Thursday, August 6: Raptors at the Fair. 1:30 p.m. Old Town area. Meet some live birds of prey up close when you are at the Woodbury County Fair. Free!

Friday, August 7: Make Your Own Walking Stick at the Fair. 2:30 p.m. Old Town area. Decorate your own walking stick that you can use when you are at the Woodbury County Fair. Free!

Saturday, August 8: Perseid Meteor Showers, 9:00 p.m., Southwood Conservation Area, 1 mile S of Smithland, Iowa. Take a walk in the Loess Hills and follow it up with a stop to watch the Perseid meteor showers. Perseid meteor showers occur in August and create what most consider the best and most reliable meteor display for Northern Hemisphere observ-ers. Meet at the far parking lot by the ponds and wear sturdy walking shoes. Bring a blanket to sit on, if desired. Free!

Tuesday, August 11: Nature Tales, 10:00 a.m., DPNC. Pre-schoolers, join us with an adult for this special story time about butterflies. We’ll hike too, weather permitting. Pre-reg-ister by calling 712-258-0838 or email [email protected].

September 6 – 12: Iowa Prairie Heritage Week

Friday, September 11: Nature Center Closed for Nature Calls preparation.

Saturday, September 12: Nature Calls, 6:00 – 10:00 p.m., Sioux City Convention Center. Fundraiser featuring beer tast-ing, nature art & charity auction to raise funds for the Doro-thy Pecaut Nature Center. Call 712-258-0838 for tickets or purchase online after August 1 at http://www.woodburyparks.com/naturecalls.html.

Sunday, September 13: Nature Center Closed

Saturday, October 24: Nature Center 20th Anniversary. DPNC. Time & agenda to be determined.

Go Green! Request this newsletter electronically. Email [email protected] or call

712-258-0838.

Page 8: Woodbury WANDERINGS...Camping Kick-off Weekend 2015 Woodbury County Conservation Board’s Camping Kick-off Weekend will be held May 1-3, 2015. Parks and facilities open for the season

Acknowledgements and Thanks

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If your name is not included above and you have helped us, the omission is unintentional. Please accept our apologies and thanks!

• Scheels for cash donations• Bob Gillespie for program• Glenda Plaza for program• Edward Walding for cash donation• Juliann Delperdang for cash for animal care• Sam’s Club for sunflower seeds• Wal-Mart for grant for recycling containers• Kingsley Garden Club for cash donation• Donna Popp for cash donation• Rod Tondreau for cash donation• Randy Kramer for cash donation• 1st Financial Bank for cash donation• The Prairie Flower for butterfly milkweed seeds• Benjamin Vogt for program• Kevin Pape for program• Prairie Moon Nursery for catalogs• Rod Tondreau for print• River City Anglers for cash donation for summer intern fund• Siouxland Fly Fishing Club for cash donation for summer intern fund• Woodbury County Pheasants Forever for cash donation for summer intern fund• June Peters for cracked corn• George Duchossois for program• Niki & DJ Faller for program• Joy Larson for Barred Owl adoption• Dean & Paula VanRoekel for Barred Owl adop-tion• Morgan Mahon for Barred Owl adoption• Chloe McClure for box turtle adoption & helping with crafts• Dick’s Bait & Tackle for minnows• Kathy Schroer for program supplies • Jan Marshall-Thoreen for bird seed • Loess Hills Long Beards NWTF for cash for Intern fund and newsletter advertising • Connie Smith for program supplies • Nate Henning for snow removal • Tyler Flammang for filling bird feeders, natu-ralist program assistance, & exhibit docent • Bennett Snyder for playscape assistance, filling bird feeders, exhibit docent, trail patrol & clean-up • Katy Jones animal care, recycling and crafts • Nevaeh Crichton for office assistance • Shaena Howell & Chris Waas for prairie rescue • Doris Swanson for receptionist assistance

• Ginger Martin for receptionist assistance • Leonard Kurtz for bee keeping • Rita Birke office assistance & exhibits • Anne Shaner, Doris Swanson, Brenda Nelson & Donna Popp for office assis-tance & special project (sunflower seeds) • Briar Cliff Environmental Stewardship Stu-dents for assisting with bluebird houses & cleaning

WCCB Welcomes New EmployeeThe Woodbury County Con-servation Board welcomes new employee Dylan Bales. Dylan graduated from West Monona High School in 2009. He then attended Mount Marty College where he graduated with a BA degree in Recreation Manage-ment and Minor in Business Administration in 2013.

Dylan is the new Resource Technician for Brown’s Lake-Bigelow Park and Snyder Bend Park. He will work directly with Resource Manager Briar Stehr and Assistant Resource Manager Josh VanVoorst.

Prior to this full-time position Dylan worked as a Summer Ranger at Little Sioux Park near Correc-tionville. In his spare time he enjoys golf, hunting and fishing.

“I think that it is important for us to protect and take care of our natural resources so that we don’t lose them and so that future generations are able to enjoy them,” stated Dylan.

He also subscribes to the motto shared by Resource Manager Bernie Ketelsen of Little Sioux Park: “Every day is a good day in the park.”

Welcome Dylan!

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Individual LevelKrista Benson Carol Blair Jeanne Bockholt Michael & Hilda Carrigan Inderjit & Amy Chabra Carol Donahue Anh Drury Daryl & Jane Fletcher Barbara M. Frey Laura L. Gerkin Bob Gillespie Michael A. Hanus Monette Harbeck Brian Hazlett Dorothy Henderson Patricia Herbold Bev Hinds Ona Iverson Brenda Jones Greg Pranke & Julie Miller-Pranke Jonathon Keller Jeanette Krage Wade & Tamara Kuehl Rose Kuhl Travis & Jackie Lammers Krissy Lamoreux Susan McCulley Aaron & Carmen McNaughton Grant Mears Helen Miller Brian & Jennifer Newberg Jan & Dick Null Dr. Sharon Ocker Pyper Perez Marti Peterson Carrie Radloff Kelly & Gary Riibe Lawrence Roesler John Scherrman Peggy Scholten Kevin & Katie Schultz Steven & Kristi Schultz Edward Sibley Francis Speck Harold Stump Rebecca Zimmerman Family LevelBill & Kathy Addison Aesoph Family Kristian & Angela Aldrich Ryan & Sarah Avery Dr. & Mrs. Robert R. Billiar William & Dianne Blankenship Bethany & Andrew Bourne Ryan & Amy Callaghan Michelle Cheever Jim Clark Peter & Laura Danis Gracia Davenport David & Rebekah Elder Patrick & Denise Fleming Gene & Jill Groetken Helen Gugat Amy Hall Mike & Angie Harder Dolf & Mercedes Ivener Betty W. Jahn Andrea & Wayne Johnson Jeanette & Harland Johnson Mark Johnson Larry & Margee Joines Jennifer Kennelly Christy Kingdom-Knoepfler Charity Koehler Jim & Deb Lane

Woodbury County Conservation Foundation Members Thanks to all for their gift of membership. Below is our current list as of April 20, 2015. For more

information on becoming a member see the back page of this newsletter.Family Level ContinuedVictoria & Kevin Leming John & Keri Leopold Rachel Lewis Jeanna & Kirk Lilly Randy & Wendy Livings Erik & Sara Loe Robert & Joi Mahon Don & Kathy Meisner Mickey Nelson Megen Noll Alexis & Matthew Pangborn Roberta S. Pendleton Andy & Erin Pinney Jerry Reicks, Jarco Builders LtdTom & Cindy Roberts Gary & Karen Sawin Cary & Elaine Schoep Robert & Molly Seff Damon & Carole Sierk Donna & Leon Skuodas Connie & Mac Smith Dawn Snyder Jim Soukup John Stankiewicz & Carolyn Niemeyer John & Mindy Stevens Scott & Diane Stevenson Rodney & Mary Terrill Patrick & Elizabeth Tisher Jeremy & Amanda Vande Zande Bryan & Hope Warren Derek Winkel, Derek Winkel Insurance Agency

Wildlife LevelRobert & Angela Bergendahl Randy Bradley & La Vone Sopher Jack & Janice Bristow Matthew & Deanna Byington Jean Carroll Joy & Roger Caudron Chris Collins Bobbier Cranston Doug & J.R. Davis Richard, Mary & Susan Delfs Warren Dunkle Richard & Marilyn Engle Paul A. Fee, M.D. Marc Gorsett Don Grigg Greg & Teri Grupp Mike Guntren, Ray’s Midbell MusicTina Hall Gary Heineman Jane Hey Bruce & Jeanette Hopkins Tom & Diane Jensen Herbert & Rosie Kuehne Lindblom Services, Inc. Mary Cae & Linda Madden Mike & Shannon Maier Marilyn Milbrodt Rodger & Linda Miller Robert D. Mishne Sharon & John Polifka Howard & Barbara Reinsch Bonnie Rohr Aaron L. Sewalson Paul & Joan Shaputis Bill & Mary Sievers & family Dan & Dorothy Swain Cathy Sweatman Sandy & David Updegraff William Vust Wal-Mart #3590 Jeffrey Wheeler Bill & Dotty Zales

Woodland LevelBarbara & Jack Aalfs Anonymous Matt & Theresa Basye Linda & Brad Bornholtz Elaine L. Brown Samantha & Pat Brown Gary & Susan Chapman Paul & Paula Crandell Julie Delperdang Don & Jane Dixon Lujean Faber FEH Associates Andrew Galinsky Julie Gilbert, Great West Casualty CompanySteven Hansen Dan & Sally Hartley Ramon & Nancy Horton Bob & Steffanie Hubbell Phil & Cheryl Irwin Charles Johnson & Donna Popp Dr. Mark E. Johnston Karen Juhl Kyle & Jaclyn Kelly John Kiernan, O.D.Dean & Patricia Kime Jack & Sherry Krage Craig & Jennifer Letch Mahoney-Hill Charitable Fund Trust Bethany S. Manning Dr. Stee & Barb Maxwell Steven & Crystal McHugh Mark & Judy Monson Bob Moritz Rich & Judy Olson Marty Palmer Eric & Pam Pfautsch Tom & Glenda Plaza Bob & Phyll Powell Rex & Maria Rundquist Brian & Jo Ann Sadler Patrick & Catherine Saulsbury Rick & Angie Schneider Ed & Cindy Storm Jerry Von Ehwegen Elisa Zappacosta Prairie ConservationistJoe & April Bousquet John Cordoue & Sylvia Kuennen Rich & Sara Crawford Niki Faller, Zeke’s TreeRick Farrell, Farrell’s Heating & Air Con-ditioningDr. Paul and Patrice Johnson Randy & Pam Kramer George F. Madsen Jody Reich, Reich Painting & Decorating Co., Inc.Gary & Anne Shaner Rod Tondreau James & Alice Villone Gene & Marce Wagner Barbara Ann & Charles Yelverton Wetland ConservationistElise Greenberg, Greenberg FoundationAlisha & Dave Riemenschneider Bonnie K. Zetterman

Distinguished ConservationistRon Jorgensen Nancy Rutter-Spriggs Dennis Stabe, ScheelsMark Wetmore

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The Loess Hills Longbeards ChapterNational Wild Turkey Federation

For more information contact Ralph 712-239-4531

Remembering Bob MoritzWoodbury County lost a “Big Tree” in March with the passing of former Woodbury County Conserva-tion Foundation Board member Bob Moritz. Known affectionately to many as “Audubon Bob,” “Butter-fly Bob,” or “Master Gardener Bob,” this man had a profound effect on the promotion of conservation and the Loess Hills.

I met Bob when I began my job as Woodbury CCB naturalist in 1988. He often spoke of how when he retired from the world of business and sales, he began learning what truly was important in life. His passion for nature, birds, butterflies, gardening and the environment took full focus and he spent count-less hours in the field identifying flowers, birds and catching butterflies.

Bob was a dedicated volunteer for several environ-mental organizations including the Loess Hills Audu-bon Society, Loess Hills Alliance, Iowa Audubon, Friends of Stone Park, Iowa State University Master Gardeners and several others. He served eleven years as a member of the Board of Directors of the Woodbury County Conservation Foundation and was always a strong supporter of the Dorothy Pecaut Nature Center.

Environmental songwriter Douglas Wood wrote of “Big Trees” in his song “The Big Trees are Down.” The lyrics tell of past environmentalists that were integral in the conservation movement and referred to them as ‘Big Trees’ holding up the sky.

We will miss Bob as one of our “Big Trees” but we will continue to hold up our end of the sky and do what we can to promote conservation of our natural resources and educate others to do the same.

A generous memorial in Bob’s name was established at the Dorothy Pecaut Nature Center. Thanks to all who honored Bob with their memorial gift. We will use these funds to enhance educational programs and exhibits, especially those related to birds, butter-flies and the Loess Hills.

Memorial Gifts In Memory of Robert H. Moritz Melanie & Dave Allen Melissa Anawski Arlene Baldes Carol Boyle Catherine Burke & Family Marilyn Childs Zac Chwirka & Chris Garthright-Chwirka Tim & Elaine Cook Linda Cron Gracia Davenport Doug Harr, Iowa AudubonLinda Herman, Loess Hills AllianceMarilyn Howe Chuck Johnson & Donna Popp Richard & Lori Menke The Allen & Alice Murray Family Herman & Sandra Schultz Gary & Anne Shaner Dawn Snyder Chris Zellmer-Zant, Landscape Designs

Your gift can last forever. To make a donation contact Dawn at 712-258-0838 or [email protected].

Bob hiking in his treasured Loess Hills in 2005.

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VOLUNTEER - make a difference! As the seasons change so do the volunteer opportunities at the Nature Center. Whether you are interested in volunteering once a week, once a month, occasionally, or for a special event, the opportunities are endless. Now that the weekends are getting nicer we could utilize a volunteer to help the receptionist with various duties. Please check

with us on hours available. Field trips are in progress, the garden is starting to green-up and it is not too soon to think about volunteering with summer camps. Help support our mission of educating people and developing awareness and appreciation for our natural environment, volunteer today. For more information about volunteer opportunities, please call Volunteer Coordinator, Betty West at 712-258-0838 or e-mail her at [email protected].

The Sierra Club

Northwest Iowa GroupApril 28- “Environmental Overview given by City of Sioux City

Staff.” Desiree McCaslen with the Wastewater Treatment Plant and Melissa Campbell with Environmental Services will discuss their involve-ment with environmental education, storm water, hazardous wastes, and

recycling.

May 26- Niki Faller, Zeke’s Tree- “Cotton of Many Colors”Niki will introduce the landscape of the Yanesha, their textile traditions,

and our common goals through the fair trade partnership.

June 23-Mercedes Ivener- “Honeysuckle Hollow is not your ordinary florist.” Mercedes opens shop once a month for a truly unique flower experience bursting with seasonal, lush blooms and nature-inspired

arrangements. She’ll share her story and her vision for her new shop in which she aims to mindfully order seasonal flowers, reduce the immense waste involved in the floral industry and, most importantly, bring a new

beauty to the community.

Every 4th Tuesday of the month, 6:30-7:45 PM, NW IA Group Sierra Club hosts a presentation and discussion held at 2508 Jackson St, Sioux City. It is always free and we encourage all members of the

community to participate! Come as early as 5:45 PM for salad pot-luck and conversation. Questions? Contact nwiasierragroup@gmail.

com or call Jim:712-389-1562. Find us on Facebook.

WiFi Now Available at Nature Center

The Dorothy Pecaut Nature Center has gone wireless! Public Wi-Fi is now

free & available to visitors and groups at the Nature Center. This will provide a service

that had not been available before now for educational meetings and general visitors.

Continued from Page 1...

Anna Larson, Sara Larson, John Leopold, Sarah Leopold, Joanna Leslie, Kenny Leuenberger, Barb Levich, Kim Lindemann, Steve Lindemann, Lyle Listamann, Jonah Loft, Kim Luebbers, Sharese Manker, Ginger Martin, Alyssa Max, Lisa Max, Joel Max, Alex McCray, Jane Merritt, Judy Miller, Bob Moritz, Ally Mueller, Mark Musselman, Brenda Nelson, Erica Newbrough, Megan Newbrough, Staci Page, Kevin Pape, Ron Perrin, Annie Peterson, Lynne Peterson, Walt Peterson, Kathy Pfautsch, Zach Pike, Donna Popp, Carrie Radloff, Kelly Ridgway, Pam Ridgway, Parker Risdal, Becky Roberson, Becky Roemmich, Larry Roesler, Heidi Rouse, Norb Ruhland, Becky Ryan, Catherine Saulsbury, Pat Saulsbury, Alan Schmeckpeper, Angie Schneider, Nancy Schulenberger, Herman Schultz, Chris Schwerin, Michele Schwerin, Anne Shaner, Gary Shaner, Bill Sibley, Ed Sibley, Mary Sievers, Rowan Sievers, Barb Small, Kerry Small, Bennett Snyder, Stacey Snyder, Bobbi Swanson, Doris Swanson, Jack Swanson, John Swanson, Kate Swanson, Mike Swanson, Patrick Swanson, Paul Swanson, Tracy Swanson, Bob Sweeney, Mark Taylor, Sam Thomas, Rod Tondreau, Lynette Tullis, Alison Uhl, Hunter Vedral, Emma VonHagel, Hannah VonHagel, Shirley Warren, Paul Weber, Carly West, Gina West, Eric Wissing, Vanessa Wodtke, Eric Wodtke, Logan Wold, Lois Wright, Pam Wright, Rebecca Wright and Chris Zellmer-Zant.

Volunteers assist with educational programs, trail maintenance, playscape construction, gardening, special projects, fund raising, trail patrol, animal care and other duties at the Dorothy Pecaut Nature Center and Woodbury County Parks. For more information on volunteering contact Betty West, Volunteer Coordinator at 712-258-0838 or http://www.woodburyparks.com/volunteer.html.

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Printed on recycled paperPlease recycle with a friend

Non-Profit OrganizationU.S. Postage

PAIDSioux City, IowaPermit No. 138

Dorothy Pecaut Nature Center Hours:Tuesday - Saturday 9:00 a.m. - 4:30 p.m.Sunday 1:00 - 4:30 p.m.Closed on Mondays and Holidays

No Admission Fee

Woodbury County Conservation Foundation4500 Sioux River RoadSioux City IA 51109-1657

$20 Individual Membership$35 Family Membership $50-99 Wildlife Conservationist$100-249 Woodland Conservationist$250-499 Prairie Conservationist$500-999 Wetland Conservationist$1000 + Distinguished Conservationist

Name_______________________________________________________

Address ____________________________________________________

City ____________________________________________State _______

Zip Code ____________ - ________ Phone (_____)___________________ E-mail _______________________________________________________

Please indicate the area in which you prefer your donation be used:Dorothy Pecaut Nature Center support & Summer Camps general supportWoodbury County Park EnhancementsManagement of special Loess Hills areasNo preference—use where it is needed most

Amount enclosed: $_______________Please make checks payable to: Pay Online: http//www.woodburyparks.com/membership.html

Woodbury County Conservation Foundation4500 Sioux River Rd., Sioux City, IA 51109-1657

I would prefer to receive the Woodbury Wanderings quarterly newsletter via e-mail to save postage costs.

WCCF is a 501(c)3 organization and your donation is tax-deductible to the full extent allowed by law.

All levels will receive the Woodbury Wanderings conservation newsletter & early Day Camp reservation privilege. Family Level & above—receive a $5.00 off

coupon for Woodbury County Conservation Board and Dorothy Pecaut Nature Center 2015 Summer Day Camp registration.

Wildlife Conservationist and above— receive certificate for one night free camp-

ing in any Woodbury County Conservation Board campground during 2015.

Woodland Conservationist and above— receive a 15% Discount Card to be used at

the Dorothy Pecaut Nature Center gift shop during 2015.

Distinguished Conservationist will be displayed annually on a plaque at the Dorothy Pecaut Nature Center.

Yes! Please accept my dues to the Woodbury County Conservation Foundation to provide conservation education and protection of our natural resources. Please include me in the membership category checked below:

X X

Donations and Memberships now accepted via PayPal Online at http://www.woodburyparks.com/

membership.html