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Spring, 2019
Education Center Donors
2-4
Hanson Family Foundation Grant
4
WCCB News 4
Grants/Business Donations
5
Spring Programs 5
Thank you! 6
INSIDE THIS ISSUE:
The Prairie Country Quarterly
A quarterly newsletter made possible by REAP funding
THE WINNEBAGO COUNTY CONSERVATION BOARD
Did You Know?
Bald Eagles Have Returned!
For many of us, a bald eagle was a rare sight when we were growing up. We had to travel to northern Minnesota or Canada to even have a chance at catching a glimpse of our national symbol. But, in recent years, bald eagles have made a wonderful comeback here in Iowa, as well as throughout the country! The bald eagle became our national symbol in 1782, when there were an estimated 100,000 pairs of eagles in what would become the contiguous United States. But, by 1905, no eagles were left in Iowa and, by 1963, there were only 417 nesting pairs of bald eagles in the lower 48 states. Habitat loss, pesticide use, and actual killings had taken their toll on the eagle population and it was feared that our national symbol would become extinct. Although eagle numbers had already been declining due to habitat loss and poaching, in the 1940’s we began extensively using DDT, a pesticide that bald eagles ingested when they fed upon birds and fish. DDT contamination caused the eagles to lay eggs with very thin egg shells, causing the eggs to break in the nest. As result, eagle populations plunged. But, in the 1970’s Congress banned the use of DDT, passed the Endangered Species Act,
and added the bald eagle to the Endangered Species list, providing it with extensive protections. And, with those actions, the recovery of the bald eagle began! The recovery was a slow process, but in 1977, Iowa recorded its first bald eagle nest in 72 years! And, by 2006, there were over 9,000 nesting pairs of eagles in the continental U.S. Today, there are over 270 bald eagle nests just in Iowa and there are only a handful of counties in the state that have not recorded an eagle nest.
Bald eagles are large, majestic birds that stand at around 3’ tall, with wingspans of up to 8’. Young eagles are mostly brown, with white mottling. But, gradually, their tails and heads turn white, becoming completely white by the time the birds turn 4-5 years old. Because of their large size, eagles build huge 6’-10’ nests near the tops of large trees close to the water. Although eagles are opportunistic and will eat almost any small animal (including carrion), their favorite food is fish; that’s why they are often found around water. Eagles in Iowa usually lay their eggs in February or March, with the eaglets hatching out in March or April. They grow fast and, by June, the little ones are ready to fledge! It’s wonderful that we’ve been able to bring back the eagle! Unfortunately, they continue to face threats such as lead poisoning from lead shot and lead fishing tackle. So, please use non-lead shot and tackle when you hunt and fish. And, if you do see an eagle, please keep your distance. They are easily disturbed and will leave an area or abandon a nest if they are disturbed too often. But, do enjoy them from a distance and appreciate the fact that, after they almost be-came extinct, you’re able to see them at all!
Bald eagles can live up to 30 years in the wild.
Eagle pairs will usu-ally return to the same nest, adding to it each year.
Many bald eagles will migrate to find open water during the winter months.
Iowa’s prime loca-tion, between two major rivers, makes our state a prime wintering location for bald eagles!
Rachel Carson’s book Silent Spring brought the dangers of DDT to light in 1972.
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Thank You to All of Our Donors!
The following people and organizations have contributed to our Environmental Education Center Capital Campaign through March, 2019. We can’t thank everyone enough for all of the support we have received for this project! Our campaign has been very successful and, because of that, we hope to break ground later this year! Although we are close to
our $1.2 million goal, we still have a ways to go. So, please consider donating, if you haven’t already. You can find information about the Center, our Campaign, and how you can help, by going to our web site at www.winnebagoccb.com. And, again, thank you all!
Chickadee Level (< $250) John and Mary Carlson In Memory of Frances Benson John and Mary Carlson In Memory of Frank Dahn Steve and Kathy Iverson In Memory of Frank Dahn Steve and Kathy Iverson In Memory of Bill Anderson Steve and Kathy Iverson In Memory of Terry Gasper Steve and Kathy Iverson In Memory of Frank Yegge Steve and Kathy Iverson In Memory of Vernon Vold Steve and Kathy Iverson In Memory of Oswald “Ozzie” Rognes Glenn Pannkuk In Memory of Bob Rollefson Donald Block In Memory of Carroll Block Donald and Suellen Lowther In Memory of Carroll Block John and Karen Monson In Memory of Bill Anderson John and Karen Monson In Memory of Jan Block John and Karen Monson In Memory of Leonard Harms John and Karen Monson In Memory of Lila Rauk Marjorie Anderson In Memory of Bill Anderson David and Carolyn Halvorson Julienne Friday Beverly Schroader AJ Embroidery of Buffalo Center Robert Filbrandt Barb and Jim Braun Anne Anderson Gary Friesenborg Deb Potter
Alex Brandenberg Steven P. Ingebritson Roderick and Gayle Hansen Roger and Bev Dant James and Karen Meyering Julie Damm David and Ruth Melby Linsey Current Julaine Albertson Central Iowa Distributing Paul and Jane Nagy Erich and Kimberlee Gilbert Stan and Marilee Siemens Seth and Amy Thorson Jim and Lorraine Amelsberg Chad Zittritsch The Charities Aid Foundation Anonymous (10) Bluebird Level ($250-$499) Adam and Lindsey Anderson In Memory of Joel Anderson Haugsdal Farms In Memory of Raymond Haugsdal Kingland Construction of Forest City The Rice Lake Izaak Walton League Blake and Tina Henely Samantha Dugan Cheryl Skogen Dave and Theresa Thorland Sonja and Dan Tiedman John and Cindy Charlson Monroe Jim and Dixie Joebgen Dale and Kristin Gerdes Charles and Marcia Tweeten Steve and Carol Pederson Mark and Diane Larson Steven R. Bakke, Bakke Law Office Daryl and Joyce Sherman John and Joan Skogen Joel and Tanda Albertson Belinda Friis
The Prairie Country Quarterly Page 3
Larry D. and Rebecca S. Hill Phil and Ruth Ann Torgerson Rock and Sue Bridges Mittelstadt Funeral Home, Isaiah and Tasha Schott Scott and Signe Meinders The Wooge Family Linda Nieman Jim and Linda Jacobson The Winnebago County Soil and Water Conservation District Mark and Joy Newcom Rebecca Notter, AFS Switzerland, 2016-2017 Madeline Sarasio Meyer Ag Performance of Buffalo Center Steven and Sharyl Anderson Vernon and Betty Vold Allen and Nita Severson Vernon Martinson Dr. Christopher Hill Roger and Dorothy Hill DeVere and Clarine Steffensen Lynn and Becky Jurgens Paul and Marge Fitzgerald Olivia Sarasio Meyer Bob and Paula Schreiner Henriette Evjen Winum, AFS Norway The Branding Iron Restaurant of Thompson D.K. Arndt, P.C. Doug and Karen Penning Laura Winter Winter Dental Anonymous (2) Goldfinch Level ($500-$999) Caryl Dahn In Memory of Frank Dahn Mary Engebretson For her parents Merel and Darlyne Engebretson Bill Becker Don and Kristin Heidemann Mark and Sherry Sandvik Jerry and Vonnie Anderson Dana Benson K1 Excavating of Thompsopn Wayne and Gloria Johnson The Huntington Family Steve and Nancy Helm Rick Hofbauer Abbey Valeda Christensen Farms of Sleepy Eye (MN) Neil and Leah Boyd Tom and Sheila Pilgrim Orin and Jan Harris Carolyn and Tom Fischer Thompson Lions Club
John and Kathleen Grunhovd Charlene Hanson Ron and Linda Haugen Tom and Dianne Stensland Kristine and Robert Schwartz Anonymous (1) Cardinal Level ($1,000-$2,499) Leroy Brackey In Memory of Roger Dean Thorson Leroy Brackey In Memory of Selmer and Nettie (Bergland) Thorson Wayne Steffensen and Darwin Steffensen In Memory of Cecil Steffensen Anonymous In Memory of Glenn and Emeline Johnson Anonymous In Memory of Marilyn Sours Anonymous In Memory of Arnold Agre Joe and Pam Angstman John and Mary Carlson Leroy W. Brackey and the late Sharon Thorson Brackey Doug and Barb Murra State Savings Bank of Rake Al Carson, Bison Graphics of Buffalo Center The Community Foundation of NE Iowa, Anonymous Fund Darlene Rodberg Raymond and Joan Beebe Larry and Kathy Vold Susan Langerud Rick and Kelly Lillie, Bear Creek Outdoors Heartland Power Cooperative Keith and Becky Johnson Tim and Julie Missal Steve Nelson Farmer’s Trust and Savings Bank of Buffalo Center Winnebago Industries Foundation Community GO Award Anonymous Sandhill Crane Level ($2,500-$4,999) Steve and Kathy Iverson Pioneer DuPont KIOW Radio of Forest City Darwin and Cindi Lehmann
Donors
Continued on Page 4...
Page 4
Continued from Page 3... Trumpeter Swam Level ($5,000-$9,999) Susan Schoning In Memory of Fred Schoning ITC Midwest Bob and Gail Kuefler Rozella and Eldon Hagen, Connie and Mark Johnson Al and Linda Larson Tony and Sue Coloff Bruce Hertzke/FCB Charitable Foundation O. Jay Tomson Trust Bald Eagle Level ($10,000 and over) The 3M Foundation The Kinney-Lindstrom Foundation EDF Renewable Energy The Worth County Development Authority The Farrer Endowment Foundation Gaylord and Jody Wooge Phil Robinson Joel Twedt Titonka Savings Bank of Titonka Manufacturer’s Bank and Trust of Forest City Winnebago Industries Foundation John K. and Luise V. Hanson Family Foundation Asmus Farm Supply of Rake
Environmental Education Center Receives
Large Donation from Hanson Foundation
The Friends of Winnebago County Conserva-tion Foundation, along with the Winnebago County Conservation Board, have received a $400,000 grant from the John K. and Luise V. Hanson Family Founda-tion for our new Environmental Education Center! The grant is the largest grant that we have received for the project. In addition to the various grants, the Capital Campaign has also raised over $163,000 from individual donors and businesses. This latest donation means that the Campaign has now raised almost $923,000 of the $1.2 million goal for the project. Now that more than 75% of the project cost has been raised, we are looking at bid letting later this year, with a possible ground-breaking soon after, and a grand opening sometime in 2020. We still have a ways to go to reach our goal, though, so fundraising will continue. We hope that people will continue to contribute by visiting our web site (www.winnebagoccb.com) and either downloading and mailing in a pledge form or by donating online. We truly appreciate all the support we have received for the Environmental Education Center and would like to thank everyone who has donated to this project and has helped to bring this vision closer to reality!
Hanson Foundation Grant Donation...Left to right...Larry Vold (Friends Foundation), Tim Ranes (Friends Foundation), Robert Schwartz (WCCB Director), Tim Missal (Friends Foundation/WCCB), Dennis Busta (President/CEO of Manufacturer's Bank and Trust, Hanson Foundation Community Adviser), Jeff Schmidt (WCCB), and Paul Fitzgerald (Friends Foundation).
WCCB News Briefs
We’d like to welcome Jeff Schmidt to the
WCCB as our newest board member! Jeff lives north of Leland and joins Mike Korth, Tim Mis-sal, Nancy Helm, and Julie Hagenson on the board. Welcome aboard, Jeff!
The Holland Prairie Conservation and Youth
Hunting Area is no longer open to the public. The area was being leased by the Conservation Board and that lease has been terminated. The area, located northeast of Leland, is now private property, so please respect it as such. Thank you!
If you’d like us to come and speak with your
club or organization about the plans for our new Environmental Education Center, just contact WCCB Naturalist Lisa Ralls at 641-565-3390! We’d be happy to come present a program!
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If any of our programs need to be postponed or canceled, that announcement will run on KIOW Radio (FM 107.3), on our web site, on our Facebook page, and on our Twitter feed.
The Prairie Country Quarterly
Banks and Other Businesses Donate to Environmental Education Center
Since our Fall/Winter newsletter, we have received some very nice grants and business donations, including: Winnebago Industries Foundation—$25,000 Titonka Savings Bank of Titonka—$10,000 Manufacturer’s Bank and Trust of Forest City—$10,000 Asmus Farm Supply of Rake—$10,000 Winnebago Industries Foundation Community GO Award—$1,000 State Savings Bank of Rake—$1,000 Farmer’s Trust and Savings Bank of Buffalo Center—$1,000 We want to thank these organizations for their generosity and for their support for this project!
Get Out and Enjoy Spring!
Spring Stargazing—Friday, May 3rd Meet at the entrance to Thorpe Park at 9:00 PM for an informal, 45-60-minute tour of the nighttime sky! We will identify some of the brighter stars and constellations and discuss some interesting facts about them. Star charts will be handed out afterwards for people to take home.
Union Slough Auto Tour—Saturday, May 4th through Sunday, May 12th Celebrate International Migratory Bird Day (May 11th) by taking a drive through Union Slough National Wildlife Refuge in Kossuth County! The auto tour route will be open from sunrise until sunset. You could see a wide variety of migratory birds, as well as other critters!
Spring Wildflower Walk—Saturday, May 11th Come enjoy a leisurely Spring walk to view the wildflowers blooming at Pilot Knob State Park. We will meet at the shelter house at 10:00 AM and spend an hour identifying and learning about the park’s woodland flowers. We may also see some turtles, frogs, and birds along the way!
Cody Lycke (left), former TSB Marketing Officer, presents the first TSB payment to Robert Schwartz (right), WCCB Director.
Dennis Busta (right), MBT President and Chief Executive Officer, and Merri-Beth Hollinger (center), MBT Senior Vice President and Chief Operating Officer, present Conservation Board Director Robert Schwartz (left) with their donation.
Don’t Forget to Check Out Our Website!
We want to remind everyone of our web site! It contains WCCB news, a listing of all of our parks and wildlife areas, a listing of upcoming programs, and a lot of other information. You can even read this newsletter there or download a cabin reservation form. So, check us out at www.winnebagoccb.com! Be sure to also “like” us our Facebook page or follow us on Twitter !
Winnebago County Conservation Board
Your Winnebago County Conservation Board Director Robert Schwartz ([email protected]) Naturalist Lisa Ralls ([email protected]) Natural Resource Manager Rick Lillie ([email protected]) Board Members Julie Hagenson, Thompson Nancy Helm, Forest City Mike Korth, Forest City Tim Missal, Forest City Jeff Schmidt, Leland
Phone: (641) 565-3390
Web Site: www.winnebagoccb.com
Presorted Standard U.S. Postage
PAID Forest City, IA 50436
PERMIT #50
Address Service Requested
Thorpe Park
34496 110th Avenue Forest City, IA 50436
“The Prairie Country Quarterly” is published, free of charge, four times a year. Anyone wishing
to be on our mailing list need only send their name and address to our office listed below. The public is also invited to attend our board meet-
ings which are held at our Thorpe Park office the second Monday of each month,
beginning at 8:00 A.M.
The Winnebago County Conservation Board Thorpe Park
34496 110th Avenue Forest City, IA 50436
Phone: (641)565-3390
Web Site: www.winnebagoccb.com
The WCCB, in the provision of services and facilities to the public, does not discriminate
against anyone on the basis of race, color, sex, creed, national origin, or handicap. If anyone
believes that he or she has been subjected to such discrimination, he or she may file a complaint
with the WCCB at the address above, or with the Office of Equal Opportunity, U.S. Department of
the Interior, Washington, D.C., 20240.
Enjoy a relaxing stay at the
Lake Catherine Cabin!
$73.50/night on Fri. and Sat. and
$57.75/night during the week
Reserve now for the 2019 season
at www.winnebagoccb.com
Thank You!
To Linda and Bill Germann of Shorewood, MN,
for donating wildlife prints in memory of Lionel and Beverly Andersen of Lake Mills
To the Buffalo Center Library for donating a rock collection
that can be used in programs and put on display
If you truly love Nature, you will find beauty everywhere. —Vincent Van Gogh
