An

1775 Mackenzie Drive, Cedar Rapids, IA 52411

(515) 963-9582

IACCB@mycountyparks.com

mymymymycountycountycountycountyparksparksparksparks.com

Volume LVI February 13, 2015 Issue XXIV

IMPORTANT DATES:

* Feb. 17 – REAP Day at the

Capitol, Des Moines

* Feb. 17-18 – CCB Director

Retreat – Polk County

* Feb. 19 – District 4 Mtg. –

Decatur County

* Mar. 11 – County Day at

the Capitol

* Mar. 12-13 – ISAC Spring

School of Instruction

* Apr. 2 – District 1 Mtg. –

Story County

* Apr. 8 – CCPOA Exec.

Comm. Meeting – Ames

* Apr. 10. – Equine Soft

Trails Conf. – Des Moines

* Apr. 18 – IACCB Spring

Board Member Workshop,

Clinton CCB

The IACCB Newsletter is

produced on a periodic basis, and

provided in digital format as a

membership benefit to IACCB

Members and stakeholders.

PLEASE forward or make copies of this communication for your Board Members.

in 2015

Iowa’s County Conservation System

4.

60th Anniversary of

County Conservation!

Sept. 17 – 19, 2015

Cedar Rapids

26th ANNUAL REAP DAY AT THE CAPITOL – February 17th

60 Years

“FUNDING THE TRUST” will FULLY FUND A REAP

PROGRAM @ $20M – forever! So our conversation with

legislators is two-fold as we continue to beat a couple of

drums this month. Not to diminish the importance of the need

to support the full-funding of REAP, our main focus of

discussions with legislators and supporters remains to “Fund

the Trust!”. It is important to emphasize the local impact that

funding the trust will have – telling your local stories;

partnering with local business leaders and stakeholders for

letters to the editor; taking advantage of local talk radio or

cable shows; writing those email or snail-mail letters – each

and every one of these as important as the other.

LEGISLATIVE FORUMS are the very best opportunity to

engage your local legislators during Q&A opportunities – for

YOU or local community leaders to tell your stories,

encourage their support and to generate additional local and

regional awareness about the Trust Fund. There are over 85

Legislative Forums across the state over the next three

weekends – a list of these has been posted to the IWILL file

in the Portal. (see next page of newsletter). NOTE: Please

remember that listed legislators are those that are invited and

may not be able to attend any particular event.

CCBs that have provided information on

“WHAT CAN WE DO WITH THE MONEY?”

Happy Valentines

Day 2015

We have had a grrrreat secondary

response from CCBs kicking in those

listings of “What Would You Do With

The Money?” question – totaling 59

counties at last count. This has yielded a

very significant document……24+ pages

of “The UN-MET NEEDS of Iowa’s

County Conservation Boards”. The

previous 15-page version was available

at IWILL Day at the Capitol, and the 2nd

iteration will be printed in time for REAP

Day at the Capitol next Tuesday!

IWILL INFORMATION FOR YOU IN THE IACCB PORTAL FILE The “IWILL INFORMATION” File under the FILES tab in the IACCB Portal has a

bunch of great references/resources for your discussions about the Natural

Resource and Outdoor Recreation Trust Fund. The two most recent additions (last

evening) include: 1) An inventory of over 30 PowerPoint slides that we are

currently utilizing for the various presentations that are being made around the state,

and; 2) A listing of over 85 Legislative Forums across the state over the next

three weekends. (See the parent file contents to the left) You are encouraged to

access these documents and educational materials and utilize them as needed for

your local outreach and networking on this essential mission. Please don’t hesitate

to be in touch with me at IACCB@MyCountyParks.com at any time with your

questions, suggestions or concerns. We most certainly appreciate your collective

dedication, support and participation as we ramp-up our resolve to make this happen

in 2015! ☺

REPORT FROM THE IWILL LOBBY TEAM – February 13, 2015 • The lobby team is working numerous avenues to see legislation introduced. • We are working with Sen. David Johnson, R-Ocheyedan, to co-sponsor a bill in the

Senate with Sen. Dick Dearden, D-Des Moines, and expect to see something shortly. • The lobby team is working behind the scenes with a prominent House Republican to

introduce IWILL’s proposal as part of a broader tax proposal. Details are still being worked out. We believe this is our best shot at getting IWILL’s legislation this year.

• In the House, a group of majority Republicans interested in conservation are working on legislation that would include IWILL’s proposal.

• Because IWILL’s proposal is a tax issue, it is considered “funnel proof” and not subject to the Legislature’s funnel deadlines.

• The most important actions supporters can take at this time is contacting their own local legislators to stress how important this issue is for them and why.

• Supporters who want to stay active can also author a letter to the editor or op-ed for their local newspapers to keep IWILL’s issue in the news and front of mind for legislators.

• We will ultimately need broad bipartisan support to get this passed, so it is important to engage rank and file legislators so they know the voters back home – and Iowans at large – are in support.

• Rather than supporting a particular bill number, at this point we need to push the cause of IWILL. We will update IWILL supporters of a bill number as soon as legislation emerges.

REAP DAY AT THE CAPITOL – (Supplemental) Just a reminder to those of you that will be joining the effort next Tuesday – please

remember to wear BLUE (in recognition of the clean water aspect); plan ahead for travel, parking and getting through security at the capitol building; find a complete schedule for the day listed on the website for the Iowa Environmental Council: http://www.iaenvironment.org/envirolobbyday.php Be sure to stop by the County Conservation / REAP Alliance table for buttons, stickers and additional information

for legislators, etc. Looking forward to seeing another great turnout!

ROADSIDE SPRAY TRUCK FOR SALE The Crawford County Engineer has a roadside spray truck for sale as follows:

1996 Ford F550 Chassis, 83,900 miles, 750 gallon water supply tank, 2 - 30 gallon and

1 - 15 gallon chemical tanks, 8 direct spray nozzles with range of 2-40 feet, one brush

nozzle, enclosed liquid handling system with chemical fill manifold, Mid-Tech

Spraytronics spray control system. Unit is in very good condition. Asking $22,000.

Call 712-269-7802 for more information.

(NOTE: Not that we want to turn into a “Buy-Sell-Trade” circular, but if you have a good

piece of equipment, exhibit, etc. that may be on interest to another CCB – send it along

and we will try to fit it in as space/time allow – thanks!)

NEW VERSION UPDATE – V.4 ☺☺☺☺ We have received a “sandbox” version of the new MCP.com site

to begin an initial review of the functionalities, look & feel, etc. A

preliminary schedule for the roll-out of the new production is below,

pending of course – no disasters or major glitches. (I remember

typing this verbiage in late May of 2008 – two weeks later, Cedar

Rapids was under water and a 6-moth project setback ensued ☺)

FEB. 23-27 – Testing of the ALPHA Version by selected CCBs utilizing online reservation systems on the site

MAR. 6 – BETA Launch. Site wide functionality testing by developer

MAR. 6-13 – Final testing by System Administrator, CCB staff and developer.

APR. 2 – PROJECT LAUNCH of final version of the all-new MyCountyParks.com!

We would be kidding ourselves to think that a digital project of this magnitude would launch without absolutely

ANY moments of humor, stress or terror – so this testing process will be critical to a smoother overall process! ☺

NOW COMES THE TRAINING SCHEDULE!?!?

Once your System Administrator gets his arms around all the changes and additional functionalities and

features, we will begin to structure a schedule of training opportunities around the state. As I have solicited at recent

District meetings, we need to identify computer lab locations around the state that have 12 to 25+ P.C. work stations

to accommodate interested participants. (Community colleges, libraries, etc.) It will also be helpful if the location

would have Wi-Fi to allow for additional participants bringing their own wireless laptops. We already have labs

identified in Cedar Rapids and Denison, but would like to hear from you about other regional locations that will help

reduce travel time. Due to the time commitment to prepare and present these workshops – there will need to be a

minimum attendance requirement at each location. These will be offered at NO CHARGE to CCB participants, and/or

their county IT support personnel. The scope of the training has yet to be determined, but with the wide range of

experience out there, and the number of newer personnel – there will out of necessity, be training for the MCP.com

beginner included ☺. Stay tuned – more to come………

WELCOME TO KRISTINE NEMEC!! – IRVM PROGRAM MANAGER – UNI We were privileged to have Kristine join us at the District 5 Meeting and make a brief presentation in Mahaska County yesterday. She replaces Rebecca Kauten, and therefore becomes the new “Kirk Henderson” to those seasoned veterans of the IRVM program! ☺ CONTACT INFORMATION: Kristine Nemec Integrated Roadside Vegetation Management Program Manager Tallgrass Prairie Center - University of Northern Iowa Cedar Falls, IA 50614-0294 Phone 319-273-2813 Email kristine.nemec@uni.edu http://www.tallgrassprairiecenter.org

PARK DIRECTORS AND TRAIL MANAGERS – It’s Time to Register for the …… 2015 Iowa Horse Council Soft Trails Conference – 4/10/15, Des Moines

The Iowa Horse Council (IHC) extends a special invitation to all Iowa County Conservation Directors and Trail Managers - including those who do not currently have equestrian trails. Come and meet equestrians who value the trails they have to ride on and learn about how to sustain the trails you have. There will be a free copy of The Federal Equestrian Design Guidebook for Trails, Trailheads, and Campgrounds available to all attendees. We also encourage attendees to bring information/brochures about your county park to the conference. A table for these materials will be located at the registration area. The focus of the 2015 conference will be on Iowa’s county park trails with an opening presentation on economic impact by Tom Hazelton, CEO, Iowa’s County Conservation System. Other items include presentations by various trail riders on their favorite county trail and a summary of 2014 state trails maintenance

REGISTRATION INFORMATION: http://iowahorsecouncil.org/iowa-horse-trails/

TRI-STATE FORESTRY CONFERENCE – March 14th Sinsinawa Mound Center (just east of Dubuque)

This conference is designed specifically for landowners in the Midwest. Topics will range from

traditional woodland management techniques, timber taxes, game and non-game wildlife

management to soils and soil erosion in woodlands. Non-timber forest products such as maple

syrup production, raising ginseng and mushrooms are also presented. Concurrent sessions will

provide participants with the knowledge and skills to manage woodlands using good

stewardship principles. Additional information and registration procedures available here:

http://www.extension.iastate.edu/forestry/tri_state/introduction.html

LOOKING FOR A GREAT PR OPPORTUNITY FOR YOUR COUNTY? Gift to Iowa’s Future Recognition Day is a great opportunity for donors to receive the

recognition they deserve while at the same time highlighting the projects your county will be

working on as a result of the donation. March 23, 2015 is the Seventh Annual Gift to Iowa’s

Future Recognition Day held at the Iowa State Capitol. Has your County worked with a

landowner who should be recognized by the Governor’s Office and the Iowa Legislature? To

qualify, landowners must have donated land, land value or a conservation easement to your conservation entity to

place permanent conservation protections on their natural land in 2014 in the form of fee title; bargain sales; full or

partial conservation easement; or bequest of donation with reserved life estate. The Department of Natural

Resources is charged with maintaining a continuing registry of landowners who donated land or land value for

conservation purposes and coordinating their recognition annually. Please contact Stacey Sipe at the Department of

Natural Resources at 515-725-8461 or Stacey.sipe@dnr.iowa.gov with any questions about this event. Deadline to

submit qualifying donors is February 16, 2015. (Sorry – just received this information)

CHECK OUT IOWA’S CONSERVATION EDUCATION GRANT OPPORTUNITIES

Got an idea to advance environmental literacy, but lack funds? The Resource Enhancement and Protection Conservation Education Program (REAP CEP) annually awards $350,000 for conservation education in Iowa. Plan now for the May15 grant deadline. The average grant award is approximately $22,000, and mini-grants for $3,500 or less are also available. For more information about the application process and the types of programs funded, go to the REAP Conservation Education website at:

http://www.iowadnr.gov/Environment/REAP/REAPFundingatWork/ConservationEducation.aspx For a quick overview, go to: http://www.iowadnr.gov/Portals/idnr/uploads/REAP/files/facts.pdf

Janesville teachers Emily Stensland and Liz

Foelske involved 6th-8th graders in cross-

curricular activities for a unit that explored

decisions about material possessions.

IOWA CHAPTER OF THE WILDLIFE SOCIETY WINTER MEETING Registration is now open for the Iowa Chapter of The Wildlife Society annual Winter Meeting

March 3-4, 2015 at the Quality Inn and Suites Starlight Conference Center in Ames, Iowa. Iowa

TWS is excited to host Dr. Susan Skagen, Research Scientist with the U.S. Geological Survey

Fort Collins Science Center. Dr. Skagen will deliver her keynote address on climate change

impacts on grassland and wetland birds in the Great Plains. They also have a great lineup of

presentations during the general program as well as a student poster session and social!

Registration Information available at: http://meetings.iowatws.org/

APRIL 18th – SPRING BOARD MEMBER WORKSHOP

Clinton CCB’s Eco-Tourism Center – along the Mississippi We hope that you all have your calendars marked for the annual IACCB Spring Board Member Workshop. After three years at Reiman Gardens in Ames – we are hitting the road to Eastern Iowa to the beautiful Eco-Tourism Center in Clinton County. Preliminary agenda items include; a Legislative Update, new state-of-the-art flood plain mapping project from the Flood Center at the U of I, CCB Foundation & Friends Organization Network, information on the Eco-Tourism Center Construction, and personnel management. As we have done for the past couple of years, this c Workshop will be provided at NO COST to all IACCB member counties. Registration materials should be available by

early-to-mid March, and will be done online via our website. We looking forward to hosting you at this wonderful new gem in our county conservation system for this great annual networking and learning experience!

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

1. EMMET Co. – Naturalist

2. JOHNSON Co. – Part-Time Office Assistant

3. FAYETTE Co. – Park Ranger

4. MITCHELL Co. – Parks Supervisor

5. DICKINSON Co. – IRVM Vegetation Specialist

6. BUENA VISTA Co. – Director

7. TEMPORARY POSITIONS – 128 opportunities listed on website

Full Time Employment

Seasonal/Part-Time – Listed on website

NEWSLETTER JOB LISTINGS - CHANGE We have spent the better part of the past 5 years

encouraging our newsletter readers and interested parties to

refer to the “EMPLOYMENT” link on our website at

MyCountyParks.com for the “live” listing of job opportunities.

We believe that this has been a HUGELY successful venture,

and that enough time has transpired to make the following

adjustment to our newsletter postings: We will no longer list

the seasonal/temporary positions in the newsletter – only

on the website. We will continue to list all permanent

openings, a reference to the number of temporary openings

available, and of course, the link to our website listings. So,

what you are seeing here today will be the norm forthcoming

Many thanks for all you do!

WELCOMING BACK 7 PREFERRED VENDORS FOR 2105! Join me in welcoming back seven of our Preferred Vendors from 2014 for another great year of supporting our

county conservation operations! As always, you can find additional information, links and contact information on ALL

31 of our current 2015 Preferred Vendors on our website: http://mycountyparks.weebly.com/preferred-vendor.html

WELCOME BACK TO:

Carpenter Uniform Company – Dennis Gruss, dennis@carpenterunipro.com , (515) 283-1985 – Des Moines, IA

Central Iowa Distributing – Mark McBride, mark@cidsanitary.com , (800) 383-6089 – Fort Dodge, IA

Connect-A-Dock, Inc. - Steve Teague, steve.teague@connectadock.com , (712) 243-2430 – Atlantic, IA

EZ Dock of the Midwest – Dick Moe, ezdock@bevcomm.net , (651) 388-8997 – Red Wing, MN

Huffcutt Concrete, Inc. – John Cook, jcook@huffcutt.com, (715) 723-7446 – Chippewa Falls, WI

Keep Iowa Beautiful - Bill Jackson, bjackson@keepiowabeautiful.com , (515) 323-6537 – Des Moines, IA

Midwest Turf & Irrigation – Jerry Deines, jdeines@midwestturf.net , (402) 895-8900 – Omaha, NE

CCPOA REGIONAL SPRING WORKSHOPS – Registration Now Available! The annual regional spring workshops in Carroll, Monroe and Linn counties are now accepting reservations as outlined below. Complete agendas and registration details are available on the CCPOA Website at: http://iowaccpoa.weebly.com/2015-spring-workshops.html

MARCH 10th - Monroe County - monroe.conservation@hotmail.com , or call (641) 455-4778 MARCH 10th – Carroll County – (712) 792‐4614, or email jason@carrollcountyiowa.org MARCH 18th – Linn County - (319) 438-6616, or email: aaron.batchelder@linncounty.org

ON THE ROAD WITH I.A.C.C.B. It has been a fantastic recent month of being on the road 3-4 days

each week – getting out to visit your counties, District Meetings, legislative

work at the Capitol, and “pounding the pavement” promoting all that we do

best! Your collective support, enthusiasm and youthful energy is certainly

invigorating – and demonstrative of why we are without question – the

finest county conservation or park system in the country! We are on the

cusp of a moment that could secure our futures and enable those visions

to burst into reality – your dedication to going “all out” in our efforts to fund the Natural Resource and Outdoor Recreation Fund in 2015 will be remembered long after both you and I have

moved on to other facets of our lives. Not unlike the rally in the late 1980s to push the REAP legislation through, we

have on our plate another one of those “MOST IMPORTANT THING THAT YOU WILL EVER DO IN YOUR

CONSERVATION CAREER” challenges. It is up to each of us to do what needs to be done – let’s DO IT NOW! ☺