JACKSON COUNTY CONSERVATION BOARD WINTER 2020-21

Up and

Down

the River

Trees and Shrubs to Delight Humans and Wildlife By: Jennifer Meyer, Naturalist

There is no doubt that the effects of the derecho on 8/10/20 will be seen on our landscape for years to come. The heartbreaking loss of some of our wooded spaces will take careful planning to rejuvenate and county conservation is definitely in that boat. It is an opportunity to reassess some of our woodland management goals, take stock of the work done over the years, and see what has worked for our areas to better plan for the future. Many of us, after making sure the scene is safe and the wood pile is sky high, are wondering what to do next. I’d like to take the opportunity to nudge you toward replanting tree and shrub species that are native to our landscape. Not only will these species provide food and habitat for the wildlife, but they have a high food value to humans as well. Please don’t plant these with the idea that you’ll be able to harvest pounds and pounds of food for the table, at least not from the get go. I’m selecting species that are nutritionally very dense, particularly tasty or interesting and feed a wide variety of species. Hazelnut (Corylus americana): Not only are the nuts a favorite of mine and the turkeys, the

catkins (flower buds) are eaten all winter long by many. As a smaller species, small thickets of these will double as shelter. If you are so inclined, it is rumored that hazel wood makes the best divining rods.

Butternut (Juglans cinerea): Also known as the white walnut, the nuts are simply delicious and the trees are becoming rare due to an untreatable canker. The inner bark is used to make a soft yellow dye that was popular with early settlers.

Plum (Prunus americana): Grows 20-30’ high and 15-25’ wide, loves those sunny transi-tion areas with moist soil and good drainage and are most commonly found on woodland edges, fence rows and right of ways. The small fruits are usually prolific on alternating years and are excellent for cooking.

Downy Hawthorn (Crataegus mollis): The thorny, overlapping branches can be formed into a lovely hedgerow or grown as a small ornamental tree. Stipules at the leaf base create visual interest and provide shaded nesting space for a multitude of creatures. Since the fruit clings to the branches all winter it is popular with song birds.

Round Leaf Serviceberry (Amelanchier sanguinea): A scrappy species that does well on in our rocky limestone rich landscape. In the spring, the blooms show before the leaves unfurl making it a lovely ornamental in addition to having berries you must beat the birds to.

Shagbark Hickory (Carya ovata): Being adaptable to most soil conditions, providing tasty nuts and high quality firewood, it is a real winner in your plantings. The shaggy bark provides perfect little nesting cavities for the endan-gered Indiana bats as well as being used to make an excellent ice-cream syrup.

Black Cherry (Prunus serotine): Down the road, this tree’s lumber is highly sought after for fine woodworking but before then you can enjoy the fruit in your pemmican or make a fine native wine.

Please avoid purely ornamental flowering trees or those known to become invasive. Just because it has beautiful flowers or things the birds eat doesn’t mean that it is going to become a valuable member of your plant community. Some of those types of trees include Callery Pear, Autumn Olive, Bush Honeysuckles, Norway Maple and Burning Bush.

Hazelnut catkins

A butternut

Winter Reading List By Tony Vorwald, Naturalist

Reading for me is a important part of my winter pastimes. There is plenty of time to cozy up and dive into a good book. I am going to give you a few reading suggestions with an environmental theme that can help you get through our coldest months. So settle into a comfortable chair, brew some tea and crack a cover. The Overstory by Richard Powers There are many tried and true environmental literature classics such as Sand County Almanac, Silent Spring, Walden, etc. But if you are ready to pick up a recent and acclaimed piece of environmental literature, The Overstory is the book for you. This novel spans a course of time ranging from antebellum New York to more recent history. The Overstory is the story of multiple people and how they come to understand the natural world whether good, bad or ugly. Jayber Crow by Wendell Berry Wendell Berry is a classic author, poet, activist and farmer who has many influential works. One of my favorite Wendell Berry novels is Jayber Crow. This novel follows the life of an orphan born in early 20th century Kentucky and his coming to age to become a small town barber. This novel basks in the rosy glow of a small rural town “the way it used to be,” nostalgia and its transition into “modern” agriculture. This novel’s final moments gave me a shiver and brought a tear to my eye. Braiding Sweetgrass by Robin Wall Kimmerer Speaking of recent classics, Braiding Sweetgrass is widely considered a modern environmental standard, which many of you are probably familiar with. Braiding Sweetgrass has been on the shelves for a few years now but compared to Muir it’s a great representation of modern environmental perspective. Kimmerer blends her knowledge as an educator, professor, indigenous person, and mother to guide the reader through her life’s experiences and experiences with the natural world.

Conservation Staff Scoop

Congratulations Katelyn Yauslin on your graduation from the Iowa Basic Law Enforcement Academy! Jeannie Collins-Heer took on some new roles with our department this past fall. In addition to Park Ranger, she will be the County’s Roadside Manager and also spend more time on natural resource management at our wildlife areas.

Executive Director Nathan Jones will celebrate one year with the department on January 6. And what a year it has been! Our staff will grow in 2021 with the addition of a third park ranger. The job will be posted in late winter/early spring.

Jackson County Park Updates

Spruce Creek & South Sabula Campgrounds User fees at campgrounds will increase in 2021. South Sabula Lake Park camping fees will be $25 per

night. Camping fees in 2020 were $18 for gravel sites and $22 for paved sites. Higher fees in 2021 are due to increase in cost for utilities at the park.

Spruce Creek Park camping fees will be $22 per night in 2021. 2020 fees were $18 for gravel sites and $22 for paved sites.

Transient docks at Spruce Creek will be $20 per night in 2021.

Camping coupon books will no longer be available. All campsites will be available on a first-come-first-

serve basis in 2021. We do not plan to offer online reservations at this time.

For more information, visit JacksonCCB.com

Park Rangers Katelyn Yauslin & Jeannie Collins-Heer

Check out the new mural at the Hurstville Interpretive Center! Still a work in progress, it will be completed this winter. The mural is sponsored by the Muhlhausen Family in memory of Lou Behrend. Lou was a volunteer for us for many years.

Virtual Program Series

Programs are free and open to the public. Registration is required at least 24 hours in advance. To attend, email jess@jacksonccb.com to register and you will receive a

zoom webinar link to watch the program from home.

Live Birds of Prey...Virtually! Thursday, January 14 at 6:00 PM

Discover Iowa birds of prey with The RARE Group, a raptor rehabilitation clinic in Iowa City. Get the opportunity to meet an owl and hawk up close (to your computer screen that is!) while learning more about raptors and their amazing adaptations.

Woolly Mammoths in Iowa Monday, January 25 at 6:00 PM

Ten years ago, an ice age-old story began to unfold in SE Iowa when a landowner discovered a very large bone on his land—from a woolly mammoth! Join Mahaska County Naturalist Laura DeCook as she shares more about the woolly mammoth digs and about this big animal that lived in Iowa up until the last ice age.

Owls of Iowa Tuesday, February 2 at 6:00 PM

What’s that hooting in the night? Join Naturalist Tony Vorwald in learning about Iowa’s native owl species and their natural history. Also, learn to identify our local owls by their calls so you know what is hooting in the night!

Prairies of Jackson County Thursday, February 25 at 6:00 PM

Learn about Jackson County’s prairie heritage. Naturalist Tony Vorwald will share about prairie types, prairie plants and wildlife, and prairie management.

Replanting after the Derecho Wednesday, March 10 at 7:00 PM

The winds have passed and the August derecho will go down in history. One of the most visible effects of the storm is the destruction of trees. Trees Forever Field Coordinator Debbie Fluegel will share information about the effects of natural events, hurdles of cleanup, and op-tions for landowners in planning for their new landscape.

Women in Conservation Wednesday, March 24 at 7:00 PM

Modern conservation efforts have been spearheaded by voices and work from those in all walks of life. We’ll spend some time learning more about women whose dedication and perseverance have shaped and will continue to change how we strive to protect our environment. Presentations on various women in conservation will be given by Jen Meyer, Jessica Wagner, Sara Subbert, Ann Burns, Katie Pauls, and Renne Leitz.

Winter Calendar of Events

**Dress for the Weather**

Ice Fishing & Ice Skating

Friday, January 15 from 10:00—Noon

Prairie Creek Recreation Area—Pond All ages are welcome to join us in learning to ice fish and ice skate. Equipment is provided. Participants 16 & older will need to have a fishing license. Cross Country Skiing

Friday, January 22 from 1:00—3:00 PM

Rock Creek Marina, Camanche Let us introduce you to this great winter sport! Instruction and equipment will be provided.

Snowshoeing & Sledding

Friday, January 29 from 1:00—3:00 PM

Prairie Creek Recreation Area—Pavilion Get outside for an afternoon of fun in the snow! We will provide snowshoes and sleds. All ages welcome. Owl Prowl

Friday, February 5 at 6:00 PM

Maquoketa Caves State Park– Lower Shelter Owls live all around us, but as nocturnal animals, they aren’t often seen. Join Naturalist Jeny Meyer in learning how to identify our local owls by sound. Take a walk in the woods as we call for owls. All ages welcome. Winter Fun Days at Prairie Creek

Friday, February 12 from 10:00—Noon

Friday, February 26 from 1:00—3:00 PM

Prairie Creek Recreation Area—Pavilion Hope for snow and ice to enjoy snowshoeing, sledding and ice skating at the park and warm up with hot cocoa and a fire in the pavilion. All ages welcome.

Registration: all participants must register for a program in advance (at least 48 hours). To register, call (563) 652-3783 or email jacksonccb@jacksonccb.com.

Program Numbers: in-person programs are limited to maintain smaller groups. All youth must be accompanied by an adult.

Social Distancing/Face Coverings: face coverings are required by all participants for in-person programs per the Jackson County Mask Mandate when 6 feet cannot be maintained between persons of different households.

Cost Programs are free of charge unless otherwise noted. Donations are accepted!

For up to date information on our programs,

check online at JacksonCCB.com or the Hurstville

Interpretive Center’s Facebook page.

Videos about County Parks,

Wildlife and More! Want to see a cool beaver lodge? Interested in learning how to butcher your own deer? Would you enjoy viewing trumpeter swans? Or maybe you’d like a tour of our parks or learn about goat prairies. If any of this sounds interesting, head on over to our YouTube Channel—Jackson County Conservation—to view some videos created by our staff.

www.youtube.com/user/JacksonCountyCons

Volunteers We miss you! 2020 has brought on a lot of changes for all of us. We haven’t been offering very many volunteer opportunities as we all try to do the best we can to keep our community safe. However, if you are interested in volunteering we may have some opportunities for individuals or families to do, while still social distancing. Projects include work at our parks, litter pickup, and various other tasks. Please contact our staff at (563) 652-3783 or email jess@jacksonccb.com to talk more about volunteer opportunities this winter.

Recycle holiday lights

Drop off broken or old Christmas lights at

the collection box at the Hurstville Center

through January 15. Sponsored by the

Jackson County Energy District.

Hiking Club

Hit the trails at 9 Jackson County Parks

and find the password along the trails!

Find them all for a JC Hiking Club

Certificate! Watch for the orange

hiking club signs in the parking lots

and along the trails.

Jackson County Parks with passwords include:

Blackhawk, Buzzard Ridge, Cottonville,

Hurstville Center, McNeil, Ozark, Papke,

Pine Valley, Prairie Creek.

Share photos of your adventures!

Email jacksonccb@jacksonccb.com.

Employment Opportunities! We are hiring!

Summer Conservation Worker &

Summer Naturalist Intern

Part-time seasonal positions for summer 2021.

Apply now! Posted online at JacksonCCB.com

Species Spotlight:

Short-eared Owls While their range covers most of North America, the short-eared owl (Asio flammeus) is state listed as endangered in Iowa. You can find it year-round in Iowa, but is more common to see in the winter as short-eared owls from the north migrate south.

Short-eared owls are more diurnal than most owls in Iowa. They hunt during the day, flying low over grasslands, wetlands, prairies and open areas, looking for prey such as voles and mice. Pictured here is a short-eared owl that was spotted at Green Island Wildlife Management Area, south of Bellevue. Photo courtesy of Earl Sawvel.

KinderNature Series Our KinderNature programs are geared for homeschool families with kids of all ages. Programs are held the 3rd Thursday of the month at 9:00 am.

Thursday, January 21:

Ice Skating

Thursday, February 18:

Winter experiments Programs will be held outdoors; dress for the weather. Registration is required—call (563) 652-3783 or email jacksonccb@jacksonccb.com.

Tax Time for Wildlife Since 1982, when the Iowa legislature created the Fish and Wildlife Fund Tax Check-off, Iowans have been able to bring a little wildness into the tax season. The Fish and Wildlife Tax Check-off was created to allow people to make a charitable donation to wildlife conservation in Iowa out of their tax refunds or by tacking a few dollars on to any taxes owed.

When filling out the state income tax form, just look for the contribution line (usually somewhere between lines 55-60) and write in any dollar amount next to Fish/Wildlife. All the money contributed helps support the Wildlife Diversity Program at the Iowa DNR. You can learn more about the program on their website: www.iowadnr.gov/wildlifediversity

Friends of Jackson County Conservation

Membership Form

Name: ________________________________

Address: ______________________________

City/State/Zip: __________________________

Phone number: __________________________

Email Address: __________________________

Type of Membership (Please check one per form and make checks payable to Friends of JCC)

Student $5 Regular $10 Senior Citizen $5

Family $20 Sustaining $50 Individual Life $500

Amount Enclosed….. ___________

Please send membership form and fee to: Friends of Jackson County Conservation

18670 63rd Street Maquoketa, Iowa 52060

Next Friends Meeting will be Virtual!

Tuesday, January 12 at 6:00 pm

Join Friends for a virtual meeting! We haven’t met since January 2020 and we miss your face. If you are interested in attending, email friends@jacksonccb.com and you’ll receive a zoom link to log on for the meeting.

Membership Renewal 2021 A big thank you to those who continue to renew their

membership with Friends of JCC!! The dollars brought in through membership dues help sustain our organization

and we appreciate your continued support! Membership is on a calendar year. That means, January 1st is renewal time! Clip the portion below and mail in. Make sure we have an up to date email address!

Save us time, postage, and paper by mailing in your membership before the end of January!

Friends of Jackson County Conservation is partnering with the Jackson County Conservation Board to install a solar array at the Hurstville Interpretive Center. The solar array will power approximately 70% of the energy for the building. By moving to solar energy, we will reduce our carbon emissions and utilize a renewable energy source. The solar array will reduce operating costs for the building by $6,000 or more annually, putting those dollars towards conservation related projects instead of utilities. This is also an opportunity to educate visitors about solar energy. A solar information kiosk will be constructed adjacent to the solar array with information about solar technology.

Friends launched a fundraising campaign for the project in October with a virtual program—A Journey to the Sun. A recording of the program is available on our website (JacksonCCB.com—News) and Jackson County Conservation’s YouTube channel. We have been overwhelmed by the support from the community. THANK YOU to all of those who made a donation! YOU ARE APPRECIATED!! Friends goal is to raise $25,000 in private donations. Combined with Friends contribution of $10,000, this will fund 1/2 of the solar array. The Conservation Board is budgeting for the other 1/2 of the cost. As of early December we’ve raised just over $19,000! Help us reach our goal before spring. If you’d like to make a contribution towards this project, you can donate online at JacksonCCB.com, click on Donations, or mail a check to: Friends of Jackson County Conservation, 18670 63rd Street Maquoketa, Iowa 52060. For more information call us at (563) 652-3783.

Conservation Board Members Jim England, chair Maquoketa 563/652-3213 Lori Roling Bellevue 563/872-3299 Kathy Wosaba Monmouth 563/673-4551 Mike Griffin Springbrook 563/357-1736 Larry McDevitt Maquoketa 319/541-6357

The Jackson County Conservation Board meets the third Tuesday of every month at 6:00 pm. Public welcome.

Conservation Staff Nathan Jones Executive Director Pam True Office Manager Jessica Wagner EE Coordinator Jennifer Meyer Naturalist Tony Vorwald Naturalist Jeannie Collins-Heer Park Ranger Katelyn Yauslin Park Ranger Jerry Widel Operation Technician

Address & Contact Information Offices at the Hurstville Interpretive Center

18670 63rd Street Maquoketa, IA 52060 Phone: (563) 652-3783 Fax: (563) 652-2191

Spruce Creek Shop (563) 872-3621 E-mail JacksonCCB@JacksonCCB.com

JacksonCCB.com www.facebook.com/HurstvilleInterpretiveCenter

Office Hours / Hurstville Center

Monday–Friday 9:00 am–4:00 pm Weekends December–March Closed

Weekends April–October 12:00–5:00 pm

Winter Holidays: OPEN Martin Luther King Jr. Day & President’s Day

Fall Fun with Jackson CCB!

Snowshoeing & Ice Skating!

We are offering FREE use of our ice skates and snowshoes, a great way to get outside and enjoy the great outdoors this winter. Stop out any time the Hurstville Interpretive Center is open and use the snowshoes and ice skates at no cost. Weekend rentals are $5/pair (pick up Friday and return Monday). Friends members receive one free rental per year! Minimum 4” of snow/ice needed.

While our programs looked a lot different this fall—no field trips to our parks, no programs in the classroom—we were able to engage with students outdoors on school grounds. Above, Jess Wagner tagged monarch butterflies with Briggs 3rd grade; Easton Valley 4th graders participated in a mock archaeology dig; and Jeny Meyer hauled our stream table to Miles to demonstrate erosion, deposition, and how streams form.

In September, we hosted a multi-day paddling trip on the Mississippi River with Dubuque County Conservation. We had some great speakers who presented about mussels, fish, birds of prey, history of Voyageurs on the river—all topics related to the river community—while enjoying paddling on the big river. Mark your calendars for this year’s trip: Aug 30-Sept 2, 2021!

Homeschool families had fun learning how to throw with an atlatl, building and starting fires, and navigating with a compass at our outdoor skills class in December.

A Special Thank You!

Jackson County Conservation would like to thank and acknowledge the following

individuals, organizations and businesses for their continued support and donations.

With your help, we have been able to do so much more!!!

September 1—December 31, 2020:

Volunteers—Dean Nelson, Pam Bahr, Karen Manning, Mary Hayward, Jim England, Lori Rolling, Deb Holm, Kathy Wosaba, Larry McDevitt, Mike Griffin, Chris Tubbs, Forrest Martin

Cash Donations for the Hurstville Center Solar Project—David & Nancy Wilson, John & Ann Bernhard Hoff, Steve & Carol Gisel, Jean Kelly, Sam & Pam True, Roger & Eunice Schladetzky, Robert & Ruth Sheets, Craig & Kathleen Johnston, Jeff & Susan Siems, Karen Ganzer, Bill & Bonnie Schwenker, Bryan & Heather Hafner, David & Jane Heiar, Steven & Christine Tubbs, Joshua & Brielle Reicks, Steve & Diane Hermiston, Marilyn Schroeder, Thomas & Katherine Quinlan, David & Susan Gossman, Charles & Jeanne Jorgensen, Ann & Bob Osterhaus, Pete & Sally Maier, Vince & Michele O’Connor, Jeff & Cherie Tampir, Mary Stephany, Jack & Marilyn Willey, Michael Griffin, Trevis & Nancy Mayfield, Dean Nelson & Bonnie Daemmrich, Jackson County Energy District, The Tri-M Family, Kristi LeClere, David Manning & Sarah Hobbs, Don & Janice Carr, Barbara & Thomas Pestka, Wendy & Bill Hainstock, Jane Bentrott, KMAQ Dennis Voy, Dennis & Jeanette Schroeder, Ann & Kevin Burns, Mary Davis, Roberta & David Rosheim, Jennie Willcox, Bruce & Laura Fisher, Carla Behrend, Karen Manning, Dale & Lovell Caraway, Rick & RaeAnn Dickinson, Jim England & Pam Bahr, Jane Kutsch, Terry & Lori Roling, Paul & Denise Hughes, Jake & Judy Bickford, Marty & Dawn Wagner, Gary & Joanne Mensinger, Darci Becker, Lorraine Volkers, Daryl & Kerry Schepers, Carol Hammill, Phil & Pat Gent, Matt & Marilyn Osterhaus, Ben & Jess Wagner, John & Barb McCray, Carolyn Keck, David Kunzweiler, Tom & Sue Becker, Jacob Hayward, David & Gloria Cahalan, Country Home Embroidery, Denise, Colleen & Christy Miller, Julia Schvieger, David Manning & Sarah Hobbs, Abstract & Title Guaranty Co., Anamosa Silo Repair LLC, Smiles on Main Drs. Atienza & Gehl, Maquoketa State Bank, Jackson MFG Inc, White Pine Sierra Club, Steines Tree Service, Mike & Jane Steines, Tom & Robyn Lane, Ralph Saunders, Nathan Jones, Joel Tubbs & Family, Walmart Maquoketa Store, Keepsake Portrait Studio, Dwaine & Theresa Burken, Burken Underground LLC, Young Dental, Linda Grobstick, Mary Hayward, Quad Cities Women’s Outdoor Club, Jessica Carrye, Julie Reuter

Cash Donations—Peg Brown, David Snowden, Joelle McDermott, Cathy & Harold Huebbe Family, Cheryl Fuller Family, Cindy & Steve Starr Family, Carl L. Muhlhausen, Al & Nancy Muhlhausen & Girls, Duane & Marcey Kloft, Thomas & Carol Breuch, Sue Siems, Lanny Simpson Donations—Wendling Quarry (rock), Amanda Rundle Fowler (program supplies), Kathy Seifert (program supplies), Geoffrey Soltau (trees), Steve Stroyan (dolly, table), Bellevue High School Shop Class (animal cages)

Donations made in memory or in honor of: Lou Behrend John Beranek Ernest Doeringsfeld Richard Ganzer Dean LeClere June Hamer Ashley Becker Ben Hobbs & Julie McDill Harold Grobstick Robert L. Kennedy JCC Staff

Environmental Education

Wish List

**Used Items are OKAY!**

Backpacking and camping gear Black oil sunflower seed

Boot dryer Kayaks Chest waders Ice skates

Thank you Community Foundation of Jackson County

for a $4,000 grant to help us install a solar information

kiosk near the solar array. The information kiosk

will educate visitors about solar technology and

renewable energy. Thanks CFJC!

Attention Donors: If you made a donation

between $100-499, please go to the following

website to design and personalize your brick

(if you haven't done so already) for the Hurstville

Center Solar Project. Thank you!

ww.thatsmybrick.com/friendsofjcc

Jackson County Conservation Hurstville Interpretive Center 18670 63rd Street Maquoketa, IA 52060 Address Service Requested

PRE SORTED STANDARD US POSTAGE PAID

MAQUOKETA IA PERMIT NO. 123

Jackson County Conservation Newsletter—Winter Edition of Up & Down the River

The Hurstville Center is Going Solar! Sponsor a Panel or Buy a Brick to help us reach our goal!

Sponsor a Panel! Donations of $500 or more will help us purchase a solar panel. By purchasing a solar panel for the Center, you will be helping to personally offset up to 25,00 pounds of CO2 emissions for the life of the solar panel. Donor recognition will be included on the interpretive panels at the information kiosk on site.

Buy a Brick! 4”x8” engraved brick—$100 8”x8” engraved brick—$200 Bricks will be laid around a kiosk next to the solar array. Bricks make great gifts in honor or memory of loved ones!

You can design your own brick! Please

visit our online order form to personalize

your brick:

www.thatsmy brick.com/friendsofjcc