buchanan county bccb fy17 annual report conservation board · successful grant writing and...

BCCB FY17 Annual Report

— “Increasing our quality of life through programs of conservation and education.”

BCCB FY17 Annual Report - page 1

Buchanan County Conservation Board

Annual Report (July 1, 2016 – June 30, 2017)

“Improving quality of life

through programs of

conservation and education.”

Table of ContentsExecutive Summary....................................... 3Conservation and Natural Resources............ 4Parks and Recreation..................................... 8Environmental Education............................. 9Conservation Volunteers............................. 12Board and Staff Development...................... 13Areas and Facilities...................................... 15Board Meeting Highlights........................... 27Cooperative Programs and Agreements..... 30

Appendices

A: Status of Funds...................................... 31B: Donations................................................ 34C: Environmental Education..................... 35D: Volunteers.............................................. 36E: Conservation Board and Board of Supervisors....................... 37F: Map of Buchanan County Parks............ 38




Loren Hamilton, ChairIndependence, IA

Pat FenclIndependence, IA

Dan Cohen, Executive DirectorFontana Park, Hazleton, IA

For more information about programs and activities of the Conservation Board, contact the Executive Director, Dan Cohen.

Fontana Park1883 125th St.Hazleton, IA [email protected]

Visit Buchanan County Conservation Board at www.buchanancountyparks.com!

Like “Fontana Park” on Facebook!

Your Conservation Board, FY17: Conservation Board members are county residents who have an expressed interest in conservation. They are appointed by the Buchanan County Board of Supervisors to staggered five-year terms. For more information about the roles of a Conservation Board member, contact the Executive Director (see below).

Karen Stephenson, SecretaryIndependence, IA

Ronnie Wolfe, Vice-ChairQuasqueton, IA

Andy CrumpIndependence, IA

Anita MillerIndependence, IA





Executive SummaryA lot of projects moved forward this year – thanks largely to help

from many friends. Successful grant writing and donations from many groups and organizations allowed for projects that will provide additional acres for public recreation, wildlife habitat, and natural resources protection, and allow for building and park improvements at Fontana Park. Important grant programs and donors to these projects are discussed in this report.

The Conservation Board continued with its priority to add and connect public lands in the Wapsipinicon River Corridor. The Corridor is recognized as only one of five state-designated Protected Waters Areas, is an Iowa Bird Conservation Area and state Water Trail, and provides the bulk of recreational opportunities and habitat in Buchanan County. This year, funding was largely secured for acquisition of 109 acres that will serve as a key connection between public lands in Buchanan County’s Perry Township and to bordering lands in Black Hawk County.

Funding also was secured through grants and support from Friends of Fontana Park to complete work on a new Animal Care Building, improved sidewalks, and other work in the Fontana Park Wildlife Display. The Conservation Board dedicated a good portion of its saved reserves to acquire property for an improved entrance to Fontana Park at Highway 150. The entrance visibility from the highway was lost in the 1980s when the road was re-routed away from the park. Once again, local grant programs were acquired to beautify and better sign the park entrance - a project in the works!

While the busy work of securing funds and developing projects proceeded, Conservation Board staff continued the daily work of maintaining parks, conducting management practices in natural areas, and providing educational and recreational programs to meet the inexhaustible demand from area schools and citizens of all ages. Work being done and projects underway provide benefits now and a legacy for future generations.

Involvement of county residents is key to the success of conservation in Buchanan County. Every park visitor, every educational program attendee, every landowner who partners on conservation practices, and every citizen who enjoys a clean environment and nature-based outdoor recreation are key to signs of success in the efforts of dedicated Conservation Board members and staff!

Buchanan County Conservation Board“Increasing quality of life through programs of conservation and education.”

Dan Cohen, Executive Director Buchanan County Conservation Board

Buchanan County Conservation Board

Send correspondence to:Dan Cohen, Executive DirectorFontana Park1883 125th St.Hazleton, IA 50641319-636-2617 (ph)319-636-2624 (FAX)[email protected]

BCCB Board MembersJuly 1, 2016 – June 30, 2017

Loren Hamilton, ChairIndependence, IA

Ronnie Wolfe, Vice ChairQuasqueton, IA

Karen Stephenson, SecretaryIndependence, IA

Pat FenclIndependence, IA(through July, 2016)

Andy CrumpIndependence, IA

Anita MillerIndependence, IA(Beginning August, 2016)




The Annual Report and Long Term Planning

This Annual Report serves two roles. The report is an explanation of the projects and services provided during the Fiscal Year running from July 1, 2016 through June 30, 2017. Such a report is called for in the 1955 legislation which established the County Conservation Board system (Chapter 350 of the Code of Iowa). This report goes a step further, and indicates future objectives of the Conservation Board and its staff. It serves as an annual update of the Outdoor Recreation, Conservation, and Open Spaces Plan. These plans can be viewed online by visiting www.buchanancountyparks.com.

Conservation and Natural ResourcesThe USDA estimates that, from 1990 to 2013, retired CRP and

other factors resulted in nearly 3,000 square miles of habitat loss for pheasants and other upland wildlife. That equates to more than an eight mile wide strip of land stretching from Council Bluffs to Davenport! Land planted to oats, hay, and wheat suffered a 28 percent loss between 2003 and 2011, as much of it was converted to row crops. Not surprisingly, many of Iowa’s rivers and lakes are considered impaired by pollutants.

The Iowa Department of Natural Resources receives less than one percent of the state’s general tax appropriations, routinely ranking among the lowest states in per capita spending on environmental protection - and this funding problem has become even worse with drastic cuts to the DNR during the past couple years. Although the state has many plans for improving natural resources and the environment (such as the Nutrient Reduction Strategy, Wildlife Action Plan, and State Parks plans), to date, there is no reliable and sustainable funding mechanism to implement these efforts.

In Iowa, most landowner programs are voluntary. Therefore, conservation and natural resources rely heavily on local agencies and organizations, and an educated and motivated citizenry. The Conservation Board has a strong policy of promoting and implementing conservation practices, and protecting and enhancing natural areas.

Private Lands - Landowner AssistanceAlthough the Conservation Board manages 40 properties, these

public lands account for less than one percent of the landscape. To a large degree, the fate of waters, wildlife, land, air, and wise use of natural resources is in the hands of private landowners and land




managers. The Conservation Board is involved in promoting a knowledgeable and conservation-minded citizenry, and providing planting equipment and services for implementing conservation practices on private land.

During the year, Conservation Board staff and equipment were used by 26 private landowners to plant 132 acres of grass and forbs, and more than 1,000 trees. Demand for prairie planting has been high, and the Conservation Board realized that equipment needed to be increased. The Conservation Board Director wrote a successful grant to the Buchanan County Community Foundation on behalf of Buchanan County Pheasants Forever, and a new seed drill was purchased. A private business also is involved in conducting plantings.

The most important long-term impact the Conservation Board has on private lands and the environment is through environmental education programming. Because implementing conservation practices on private land is almost always voluntary, as are people’s actions at home, an educated citizenry with an appreciation for nature and the environment is key to implementing conservation on the landscape. Conservation Staff also continues to implement the Prairies to Schools/Prairies to Businesses Program, and advising Schools, Cities, and trails groups on ways to incorporate conservation plantings and energy considerations.

The Conservation Board also is interested in working with groups at the watershed level. This year, the Conservation Board Director attended meetings of the Upper Wapsipinicon River Watershed Management Authority (WMA). The WMA is a cooperative venture among counties, cities, soil and water conservation districts, and other interested groups to address flood risk and water quality. There also has been similar work on the Cedar River Watershed. The Conservation Board Director also worked past watershed projects for the North and South Forks of the Maquoketa River and Buffalo Creek. A recent draft report on the Buffalo Creek Watershed indicates conservation practices in the Buffalo Creek watershed between 2010 and 2015 through two watershed projects is keeping the equivalent of 316 dump truck loads of eroded farm soil out of the river. The Director also helped in the creation of a new Bird Friendly Iowa initiative to recognize cities and towns that promote and implement habitat and education programs that make their communities “bird friendly”.

Public Lands - Natural AreasNatural areas constitute most of the public land managed by

the Conservation Board. On these areas, management practices are

Farmer Doug Borrett (left) and Buchanan County Conservation Board Conservation Technician Chris Hansen stand by the tractor and native seed drill being used to plant native grass and flowers on Borrett’s property.




implemented to enhance wildlife habitat, maintain unique natural features, including healthy forests, prairies, wetlands, and waterways, and improve water quality. For more information about management of individual Conservation Board areas, see pages 15-26.

The Wapsipinicon River Corridor is recognized as one of Iowa’s most important ares for wildlife habitat and public recreation, and is a Conservation Board top priority for protection and enhancement. The Conservation Board worked to add 109 acres of uplands, wetlands, and river front to the great public lands resources in the Wapsie Corridor in Perry Township. This acquisition will connect existing parcels of land to form more than 500 contiguous acres of wildlife habitat and public recreation ground. Many successful grant applications were approved to fund this project, and the Board plans to close on this property as soon as the grant awards are received.

The old wetland and pond structures at Koutny Pond were in need of repairs and upgrades. With cooperation from the US Fish & Wildlife Service and Natural Resources Conservation Service, work began to replace the water intake for the pond and install a new water control structure for the wetland. The new equipment will allow the Conservation Board to better manage the wetland for waterfowl and other wildlife.

Conservation Board staff continued its forest enhancement efforts in Iron Bridge Woodland, Cortright Wildlife Area, Jakway Forest, and Fontana Park. Trees were planted along the border of Buffalo Creek Wildlife Area. More than 900 trees were planted at Buffalo Creek, Fontana, and Jakway.

Burn management was conducted on 16 burn management areas, comprising 118 acres. Mechanical removal of invading woody vegetation also was used in several prairie areas. Sunflower and corn food plots were planted at Crumbacher Wildlife Area in spring. The area is prone to being wet, so future plantings may be hit-and-miss.

Invasive species are of special concern throughout Iowa, as they supplant native species and greatly reduce habitat diversity. Some

A new water control structure allows the Conservation Board to manipulate water levels in the Koutny Pond wetland. As the wetland drains, new green growth starts to sprout, which attracts Canada Geese.




of the more prevalent species in Buchanan County public lands include Reed’s canary grass, garlic mustard, crown vetch, multiflora rose, Canada thistle, buckthorn, and woody plants in prairies. The Conservation Department worked hard to eradicate or reduce these species, and to nurture establishment of native plants and wildlife. Pulling, spraying, burning, and mowing were regularly used in problem ares. Some of the bigger invasive species problems are identified for individual Conservation Board areas on pages 15-26.

To address needs of nesting bluebirds, wood ducks, and bats, more than 100 nest boxes are maintained and monitored throughout conservation areas. Staff periodically compiles data collected from nest box monitoring to make recommendations for future nest box placement.

The Conservation Board continues to promote the Wapsipinicon River Water Trail. A new effort was undertaken to better sign the Water Trail Accesses. Planning also began for an update of the existing trail brochure. During the past decade there has been a notable increase in demand for water access on the Wapsie. The Conservation Board intends to improve its access at Iron Bridge as funding allows. However, cuts to DNR river programs has made this more difficult.

Future Objectives – Private Lands & Public Natural Areas• Continue timber stand improvement at Jakway and Fontana Parks, and

enhance new forest management plantings at Iron Bridge Woodlands and the southwest corner of Crumbacher Wildlife Area.

• Give acquisition priority to areas as per the Conservation Board’s policy.• Acquire the 109-acre property known as Roberts Wildlife Area.• Work with Watershed Management Authorities (Wapsie and Cedar) to

assess and implement potential wetland, oxbow and other practices on county and private lands.

• Monitor fish populations at Koutny Pond, Fontana Park, and Grover Pond.• Complete work with USF&WS to replace the intake at Koutny Pond and

develop an improved draw down water control for the marsh.• Conduct prairie and timber burns as per a burn schedule. Use mechanical

removal to rid prairie areas of woody plants.• Continue to offer the Prairies to Schools/Prairies to Businesses Program.• Continue nest box, monarch, frog and toad, bald eagle nesting, osprey, and

other wildlife monitoring.• Continue to address invasive species problems, especially the following:

• Crown vetch at the Hodges and North Wildlife Area; • Thistles and woody plants at the Crumbacher Area; • Garlic mustard at Jakway Forest, Putty Root, Wehner Woods, and Schneider-Heinick-Rowe; • Honeysuckle at Fontana Park and Wehner Woods; • Buckthorn at Jakway Forest and Newton Township Area.

• Water milfoil and brittle niaid at Kounty Pond.• Obtain funding to implement improvements plans for Iron Bridge Access.• Conduct, organize, or promote volunteer river and parks cleanups.• Continue efforts to rehabilitate the Buffalo Creek Area and Cutshall Area

as roadside park and wildlife areas.• Maintain a sunflower/wildlife food plot at Crumbacher Wildlife Area.• Implementing the management plan for Roberts Wildlife Area.




Parks and RecreationOf the Conservation Board’s 40 managed areas, some are

considered parks where a significant portion of the area is maintained for picnicking, camping, and/or other facility-oriented activities.

Efforts were made to improve visitor experiences in the popular Fontana Park Wildlife Display. For decades, a boardwalk path provided access to view the animals. The boardwalks would become slippery when wet or if covered with frost. Snow removal was a problem. During the year, conversion of the boardwalk system to concrete sidewalks was completed. In addition to providing better footing and ease of snow removal, the new walkways are better for wheelchair use.

A new Animal Care Building was constructed in the Wildlife Display. The Building - scheduled to open in July, 2017 - will provide for displaying of live animals during winter and other displays during the warmer seasons. The building also provides better space for animal care and storing feed and equipment. The building is being paid entirely with grants and donations through the Friends Of Fontana Park nonprofit group.

Fontana Park is the most visited county area. More than two-thirds of all county residents, and many non-county residents, visit the park each year. The Fontana Interpretive Nature Center is among the most popular attractions. Exhibits were periodically changed to address new messages and the needs of repeat visitors, as per an Exhibit Plan. Exhibits were developed for display in the new Animal Care Building. A display with seeds for sale was developed to promote Monarch plantings.

A mountain bike trail was added to the vicinity of an archery course Three Elms Area last year. This year, a new latrine was placed at the park, and the old porta potties were removed.

Future Park Development Objectives• Place a large, new sign at the recently acquired East Entrance property at

Fontana Park.• Beautify the new East Entrance to Fontana Park with prairie and tree

plantings.• Evaluate the unfinished building at the East Entrance and develop a plan

for its future use.• Provide new nature center displays, as per the exhibit plan. Work to obtain

the wolf mount from the animal shot in Buchanan County, and make this into a traveling display.

• Continue grooming ski trails at Fontana and Jakway Forest using volunteers.

• Continue to partner with Black Hawk County Conservation Board to provide improvements to the Cedar Valley Nature Trail segment in Buchanan County.

• Complete work on Wildlife Display improvements - including the new Animal Care Building, sidewalks, and pheasants display. Conduct a public

A new latrine was installed at the entrance to Three Elms Area.




Open House to showcase these changes.• Continue cooperative efforts for a regional park concept along the Cedar

Valley Nature Trail.• Consider water supply at Lime Creek should rural water service be offered. • Consider upgrades to Jakway and Lime Creek to 50-amp service.• Consider soliciting an outside resource to assess and develop a master plan

for select parks.• Consider campground development at Koutny Pond.• Assess shelters at Cutshall and Buffalo Creek Areas for replacement or

removal.• Assess latrine at Buffalo Creek Area for replacement or removal.• Place a latrine at Iron Bridge Access, and work toward other

improvements as funds allow. • Evaluate use and potential for more cabins.• Set up a system to accept reservations online via credit cards.• Assess free camping areas for confirming designation.• Assess potential for solar energy use at Fontana Park.• Replace the roof on the East Shelter and shower house at Fontana Park,

and at the shelter at Three Elms.• Within a few years, replace the roof on the Main Shelter at Fontana Park.

Environmental Education(For more EE Program statistics, see Appendix C on page 35).

Environmental education (EE) is an important strategy used by the Conservation Board to provide information and experiences that allow people to make more informed personal choices regarding conservation practices, natural resources protection, and environmental health, and to gain appreciation for the natural world. In a landscape dominated by private lands and interests, informed choices made by environmentally literate citizens will determine the future of Iowa’s water, air, wildlife, and wild places. Demand for education programs, especially through area schools, remains strong. To address the incredible need for local education and recreation programs, the Conservation Board employs two full-time naturalists.

This year’s participation in EE programming included more than 1,000 programs which had a total attendance of nearly 22,000 people. Programming to area youth has been the main emphasis of the EE Program. In addition to meeting the need to interact with youth, the program strives to reach adults and families. Nearly 60 percent of all programs are primarily held outdoors as part of the strategic effort to get people outside.

In addition to in-person presentations, many displays and other media were used to teach about nature and the environment. Work on the Fontana Park Wildlife Display and Nature Center is discussed on pages 7-8. There also were numerous display signs, kiosks, and other media used to reach park visitors. New interpretive signs were placed along the Woodland Management Trail in Jakway Forest. Seasonal displays were rotated in a kiosk near the Fontana Park playground. The Conservation Board maintained a strong presence via internet through www.buchanancountyparks.com, www.MyCountyParks.com web sites, a “Fontana Park” Facebook page, and an email listserve.

Information about upcoming public education program and other activities sponsored by the Conservation Board is included in the Conservation Board newsletter – the Otter Creek Quarterly.




School ProgramsNearly a thousand presentations by Conservation Board staff

were provided to students from area schools throughout the year (pre-school through college), with more than 17,000 students in attendance. Both outdoor field trips and in-class programs were offered on various topics related to EE program goals and teachers’ curricula. Emphasis is placed on getting youth outdoors. Most field trips were to Fontana Park, although students also visited other county parks (indicated in park listings on pages 15-26). Naturalists communicated with teachers to make sure presentations met curriculum needs. Among the many school programs custom designed to specific classrooms, the annual 5th Grade Field Day (all county 5th graders) and My Side of the Mountain Winter Field Day (East Buchanan 7th Grade) continued to be popular. Spring and fall are especially busy times for programs delivered to schools, limited only by availability of Conservation Department staff.

Youth and Camp Programs

Eighty-nine presentations were made to youth groups, including scout, 4-H, library, and church groups, as well as youth enrolled in BCCB camps, with attendance of more than 2,000 participants. Youth progressed from preschool participants in the Wee Nature Tales (ages 3-5), to the Nature Explorers (ages 6-8), and on to Young Naturalists (ages 9-12). Youth also participated in a series of Extreme Outdoor Adventures and a River Raiders overnight canoe trip. A cooperative effort with Buchanan County 4-H helped get more youth involved in an “Earth, Too Clover Kids” 4-H Club.

Public Programs and Adult Education

Environmental education does not stop with youth. There were 110 programs were offered during the year for families and adult participation. Of these, 51 programs were requested by civic groups, senior centers, and nursing homes. Topics for the 59 programs

advertised to the general public are listed in the appendices. A Master River Stewardship Program was implemented in Buchanan County for the first time. The Director served on committees working to re-establish the statewide Master Conservationist Program and a new Bird Friendly Iowa initiative. Public programs were advertised through local news papers, radios stations, postings, and through the Conservation Board’s Facebook, website, and listserves. The Conservation Board also promoted and provided meeting space for the Fontana Herb Society.

Participants in Buchanan County’s first ever Master River Stewardship Program analyze water from the Wapsipinicon River.




Interpretive ResourcesIn addition to in-person programs, educational efforts

include publications, self-guided trails, displays, web sites, and other media. More than 10,000 people visited the Nature Center guest book during the year. Since its inception, the Nature Center has drawn visitors from all 50 states and more than 70 foreign countries. The Nature Center and Wildlife Displays continue to be very popular. These displays require a lot of upkeep and enhancement, and receive financial support from the nonprofit group Friends of Fontana Park. An outdoor kiosk display was changed with the seasons. Interpretive signs were placed on the new Woodland Management Trail at Jakway Forest, and continue to be maintained along trails at Jakway and Fontana Park. Kiosk signage also exists on topics of a pioneer homestead (Jakway), sustainable cabins (Fontana), fens (Rowley Fen and Fairbank Fen), Wapsipinicon River Corridor (Grover Timber), and Wapsipinicon River Water Trail (Quasqueton and Independence). Other interpretive resources included four issues of the Otter Creek Quarterly, maintenance of web sites (buchanancountyparks.com, mycountyparks.com, Iowa tourism, and www.tripadvisor.com), and maintaining a Facebook page and conservation listserve. Work was nearly complete on a new Wapsipinicon River Water Trail brochure.

Future Objectives for Environmental Education• Disseminate program information and provide teacher inservice training.• Work with PE teachers, Archery in the School classes, youth leaders, etc.

to increase participation in outdoor recreation and education programming, especially for older youth.

• Coordinate and promote field trips to conservation board and school nature areas, with the objective of participation by every Buchanan County elementary school classroom.

• Increase engagement youth and adult groups in special projects such as cleanups, water testing, invasive species removal etc.

• Provide issues instruction, with an objective of one 6-12th grade level participating at each county school annually.

• Coordinate and promote field trips to the Richardson-Jakway Historic Site, with the objective of participation of at least one 4th-8th grade level from each school district.

• Promote and evaluate the use of “nature play” areas.• Host at least one educator training at the nature center annually. • Make reference materials and activity guides available to teachers, and

advertise this availability.• Conduct one or more public service learning programs, such as cleanups

and invasive species removal annually.• Offer at least 40 programs per year for participation by the general public. • Offer summer educational/recreational programs for pre-school and school

age children.• Conduct Outdoor Adventures type programming for 7-12 graders annually.• Offer minimum of two public programs annually that bring people to

outlying parks.• Better promote Conservation Board sponsored programs through media,

postings, and contact with various groups.

www.buchanancountyparks.com is the Conservation Board’s web site. Visitors to the site can access park information, upcoming programs and activities, volunteer and job opportunities, Conservation Board background information, a variety of downloadable publications and handouts, and more. People can also be involved by joining Fontana Park on Facebook!

www.mycountyparks.com contains information about Buchanan County’s parks and programs, and also contains information about other county conservation programs throughout Iowa!




• Offer adult-oriented programs on in-depth conservation topics annually, such as those presented as Master Conservationist and Master River Stewards, at least biannually.

• Publish the Otter Creek Quarterly• Make meaningful changes in nature center displays at least semi-

annually, as per the Exhibit Plan. Make use of traveling displays and on-loan exhibits as periodic display features, at least annually.

• Make quarterly updates to the outdoor kiosk near the playground at Fontana Park. Consider placement of a second kiosk.

• Obtain the mount of the wolf shot in Buchanan County and develop it into a traveling display.

• Support and educate the public about the REAP Program and the Iowa’s Natural Resources and Outdoor Recreation Trust Fund.

• Maintain strong Conservation Board web site and social media presence. Use this media to interact with school groups, the public, and other users.

• Maintain and develop databases for targeting program and events.

Conservation Volunteers(Volunteers are listed in Appendix D)

Volunteers are an important part of Conservation Board programs and activities, providing both physical assistance and visible public support. Since its opening in 1994, volunteers have been instrumental to nature center operations. Nature center volunteers act as receptionists, and assist in preparation of newsletter mailings, which

are assembled by volunteers at the Independence Senior Center. Since 1994, Nature center receptionist volunteers have donated 12,459 hours of service. At the current basic minimum hourly wage of $7.25, the total dollar value of this service is $90,328. This year, 24 nature center receptionist volunteers contributed 811 hours!

Nature Center receptionists are just one area of the Conservation Volunteers Program. There are 18 areas in which people may volunteer. During the year, more than 100 volunteers monitored nest boxes, developed and maintained herb and landscape plantings, conducted cleanups, served as campground hosts, helped with educational programs, helped with mailings, fundraised with Friends of Fontana Park and the Richardson-Jakway Foundation, and picked up litter. Volunteers were recognized during a spring luncheon, which drew approximately 60 participants. A March Volunteer

Training was conducted to recruit new volunteers and provide refresher training for current volunteers.

Future Volunteer Program Objectives• Better distribute the Volunteers brochure.• Host a Volunteer Recognition event.• Recruit more nature center receptionists and campground hosts.• Better communicate the volunteer program in media.• Continue using volunteers as much as possible in the 18 areas of need.

For more information about scheduling an education program for a group, contact a naturalist at Fontana Park (319-636-2617).

Loren Hamilton (left) volunteered to build a table that folds into two benches for a fundraiser raffle.




Board and Staff Development The Buchanan County Conservation Board functions as a corporate

body, making group policy decisions regarding facilities, natural resource areas, development of recreation areas, environmental education, and other departmental policy. Conservation Board policies are implemented by the Executive Director, who is responsible to the Board. Other staff are hired by the Executive Director with Board approval, and are directly responsible to the Executive Director. Buchanan County Conservation Board members, with the expiration dates of their terms, are listed to the right.

The Conservation Board conducted a Strategic Planning Retreat in February. During this important meeting, Board members discussed Conservation Board mission, goals, objectives, and future plans for parks, natural areas, and the environmental education program. The Board Field Day to tour maintenance and management of properties was canceled due to conflicts in Board Member schedules. All Board members attended the Iowa Association of County Conservation Board Annual Conference held in Webster and Hamilton counties. Board member Pat Fencl resigned from the Board in July, and the Board of Supervisors appointed Anita Miller to fill the remainder of Fencl’s term and to continue with a full term that began January 1, 2017. Fencl was a very dedicated Board Member, and she was thanked for her service.

Conservation Department staff are encouraged to further their professional development. Park rangers and technicians kept current on all necessary chemical applicator and Mine Safety Health Administration certifications, as required. All field staff attended the Iowa Association of County Conservation Board Employees annual training. Park rangers attended County Conservation Peace Officer Association (CCPOA) trainings. Naturalists attended workshops and training provided by the Iowa Association of Naturalists (IAN) and Iowa Conservation Education Coalition (ICEC). The Director attended meetings and training provided by the IACCB, IACCBE, Iowa State Association of Counties (ISAC), County Conservation Directors Association, and attended regular Safety Committee, Department Heads, and Trails Association meetings. The Director served on the ISAC Legislative and CoSTAR Committees.

Staff was trained in using a new custom IPad management tool to better track implementation and results of various land and facilities management. In June, Naturalist Angela Auel resigned. Auel had served the Conservation Board and citizens of Buchanan County for seven years. She was thanked for her committed years of service.

Conservation Board Term Expirations

• Andy Crump, 12/31/17

• Loren Hamilton, 12/31/18

• Ronnie Wolfe, 12/31/19

• Karen Stephenson, 12/31/20

• Anita Miller, 12/31/21

Pat Fencl (right) resigned from the Conservation Board in June. With her is her husband Dave, who supported Pat in her work as a Board Member.




Staff RosterThere was one change in regular full-time staff during the year.

Naturalist Angela Auel resigned. Employee names and start dates of employment are shown below.

Full time Staff Dan Cohen, Director........................................................................................ 1/13/86Mike Van Raden, Park Ranger.......................................................................... 7/1/90 Jeremy Whittle, Park Ranger......................................................................... 8/14/06Chris Hansen, Conservation Technician........................................................ 5/15/00Michael Maas, Conservation Technician.......................................................... 11/9/15Sondra Cabell, Naturalist................................................................................ 5/30/01Angela Auel, Naturalist..................................................................... 8/9/10 - 6/23/17

Part time and Seasonal StaffElaine Walker, Office Manager........................................................................ 2/17/10Diane Johnson, Secretary/Volunteer Coordinator........................................ 10/10/12 Mack Kleitsch, Seasonal Cons. Tech... 5/12/14 - 8/23/14; rehired 5/11/15 - 8/22/16; rehired 5/9/16 - 8/20/16 Dalton Koch, Seasonal Cons. Tech.................................................... 5/9/16 - 8/20/16James Mount, Seasonal Cons. Tech................................................................. 4/17/17Dylan Hall, Seasonal Cons. Tech...................................................................... 4/24/17Dylan Lampe, Seasonal Naturalist Intern......................................................... 5/8/17

Conservation Board BackgroundCounty conservation boards are agencies of county government

created by statute (Chapter 350.1 of the Code of Iowa). They have broad policy-making responsibilities in the area of local conservation, education, and recreation programs. Conservation boards are relatively autonomous, and control all properties and set the direction for conservation programs. Conservation boards address diverse matters for parks, preserves, museums, recreation, wildlife management, and education.

The Conservation Board consists of five county residents, appointed to staggered, five-year terms by the Board of Supervisors. Members of the Board are appointed on the basis of their demonstrated interest in conservation matters and serve without pay.

Buchanan County Conservation Board MeetingsWith the exception of the December meeting (held at Bill’s

Restaurant in Independence), all regular, monthly Conservation Board meetings were held in the Board Meeting Room of the Fontana

Dan Cohen, Executive Director

Sondra Cabell, Interpretive Naturalist

FY2017 Full-time

Conservation Board Staff

Angie Auel, Interpretive Naturalist

Jeremy Whittle, Park RangerMike Van Raden, Park Ranger

Chris Hansen, Conservation Tech.

Michael Maas, Conservation Tech.




Interpretive Nature Center. Special meetings were called for time sensitive reasons and were held at the Independence Public Library. Board meetings were tentatively scheduled for 6 p.m. on the third Tuesday of each month, unless a conflict occurred that required a change in meeting date. All meetings were posted and open to the public.

Future objectives• Conduct a Board Member Strategic Planning Retreat.• Adopt an Update of the Conservation Board’s Long-term Plan.• Conduct an annual Board Field Day with all Board Members.• All Board Members attend the IACCB Annual Conference. • Assist in planning statewide and regional training workshops.• Maintain a minimum of 24 hours of professional development for full-time staff, and 20 hours for board members.• Work to retain quality and dedicated staff.

Areas and FacilitiesThe following are descriptions of Conservation Board areas and

facilities, and a brief account of highlighted activities during the past year. Not described are routine maintenance activities such as mowing, maintaining roads and fences, janitorial and cleanup, patrolling, administration, and public relations.

Buchanan County Conservation at a GlanceFacilitiesTotal number of areas managed....................................................... 40Total acres managed..................................................................... 2,977River accesses (with designated ramps)............................................. 5 Lakes/ponds/reservoirs with fish....................................................... 5River/stream fishing......................................................................... 22Areas open to hunting....................................................................... 28Modern campgrounds......................................................................... 3Primitive campgrounds....................................................................... 3Number of picnic shelters................................................................. 10Shower houses..................................................................................... 2Group campgrounds............................................................................ 1Hard surface trail................................................................................. 1Interpretive trails................................................................................ 2Hiking/walking trails........................................................................ 14Ski trails............................................................................................... 2Nature center....................................................................................... 1Live wildlife displays........................................................................... 1Historical interpretation sites............................................................. 2

Visitors and participation (FY17)Nature center visitation from signatures in Guest Book........... 10,668 Fontana campground users.......................................................... 1,741Jakway campground users............................................................. 684Lime Creek campground users....................................................... 272Participants in environmental education programs.................. 21,925




Conservation Board Areas (key)A – Location; C – Current Management B – Acquisition D – Major Activity During the Year

1. Fontana Park - 138 acresA. Fontana Park is located one mile south of Hazleton, off

Highway 150. B. The original 128 acres were acquired in 1959, and since that

time Fontana has been the base of operations and the location of administrative offices for the Conservation Board. An additional six acres were added in 1998 with the donation of the Jarrett Slater addition, and an additional four acres were added at the East Entrance in 2016.

C. Fontana Park offers modern and primitive camping, two cabins, a shower house, a live animal display, woodland, prairie plots, three picnic shelters, chapel area, interpretive and ski trails, hard surface and soft trails, stream and lake fishing, educational plantings, and a nature center (the nature center has drawn visitors from all 50 states, the District of Columbia, and many foreign countries). Management practices relate to visitor use, park and recreation area development, live wildlife and other outdoor exhibits, educational and recreational programming, and natural areas management. Conservation Board offices, and most of the maintenance shops and equipment storage, are at Fontana Park. Fontana Park is the most visited of Conservation Board-managed properties, and the place that introduces citizens to Conservation Board facilities and programs. It is the main destination for school and other youth field trips.

D. New sidewalks were installed to complete the replacement of old boardwalks around the wildlife display. Work was largely completed on

a new animal care and display building in the wildlife display. Grant funds for the project came from Buchanan County Community Foundation, Black Hawk Gaming Association, Northeast Iowa Charitable Foundation, and Prairie Rapids Audubon. Many donors also contributed through the Friends of Fontana Park. The building was completed with no tax asking dollars. A new pheasants enclosure was added to the display, and raptors building was re-built. Four acres were acquired for a new entrance to the park on Highway 150. No additional tax asking was approved, so the Board used its Reserve dollars to purchase the area, which includes a shop building and unfinished house. A new roof was placed on the house. Funds were sought to beautify the site

and install an attention-getting entrance sign. Grant funding was awarded from Buchanan County Community Foundation and Hazleton Housing Corp. The Main Shelter floor was repaired to fix cracks that had become trip hazards. All facilities were connected to rural water. Tree plantings were maintained in areas of the woodland that were most devastated from the 2008 tornado, and where canopy seed trees did not exist. Nest boxes were maintained. Prairie areas were burned. The park was impacted by the September flood.

Construction of a new Animal Care Building was nearly complete by the end of the fiscal year. The entire cost of the $60,000-plus facility was paid by grants and donations obtained through Friends of Fontana Park. The building provides houses live animal display during winter, and other displays during the rest of the year.




2. Jakway Forest - 315 acresA. Located 1 1/2 miles south of Aurora off W45.B. Acquired in 1968, 1970, 1971, 1973 with Land and Water

Conservation Act (LAWCON) Grant Funds.C. Managed for modern and primitive camping, picnicking, public

hunting, interpretive trails, equestrian riding, hiking, ski trails; disc golf, and a historic site. Ongoing Timber Stand Improvement (TSI): 100-year rotation on approximately 200 acres of timber. Contains a shower house with modern restrooms, a storm shelter, dump station, disc golf course, two pit latrines, wildlife observation blind, picnic shelter, staff residence, heritage plantings, and the Richardson-Jakway Historic Site.

D. Interpretive signs were installed along the Timber Management Trail accessed from the south parking areas. Two pioneer suppers were held as fundraisers for the Richardson-Jakway Historic Site. School field trips and other programs were conducted on topics of Iowa history, trees/forestry, crayfish, and photography. Electricity was installed in the tractor shed. Buckthorn, garlic mustard, and multiflora rose are the main invasive species concern in the timber, and efforts were made to control these species. Nest boxes were maintained.

3. Buffalo Creek Area - 81.5 acresA. Located one mile East of Winthrop off HWY D22.B. Acquired in 1961. In 1998, 1.5 acres on the east side were donated

by Dr. A.J. Murphy.C. Managed for picnicking, hiking, and public hunting. Natural areas

include a bottomland woodland, ponds, and constructed prairie. Contains a pit latrine and shelter house. A walking trail is maintained around the park area and to a pond.

D. Tree plantings were maintained, and signs were installed to facilitate use of the walking trails. The prairie was burned and nest boxes were maintained. The area was used during school field trips.

4. Lime Creek Area - 45 acresA. Located 1.5 miles northeast of Brandon.B. 39 acres were acquired in 1964. A six-acre addition was donated by Lime

Creek Fish & Game Club in 1985. C. Managed for modern and primitive camping, and for public hunting

during fall and winter. Natural area is managed as a riverine woodland. Contains two pit latrines, a playground, swing-set, and two shelter houses.

D. Normal maintenance and patrolling. Nest boxes were maintained.

A trailhead map indicates trails at Jakway Forest. Interpretive signs were placed along the Woodland Management Trail.

Lime Creek Campground




5. Boies Bend Area - 26 acresA. Located 1.5 miles west of Quasqueton.B. Acquired in 1967.C. Managed for primitive camping, picnicking, river fishing with stairway

access, restored prairie, woodland, and public hunting. Contains a pit toilet.D. Signs were replaced for the trail system. The area received a lot of

primitive camping.

6. Otter Creek Roadside Park – 13 acres A. One mile south of Oelwein at the intersection of Highways 150 and 281.B. Acquired as former FEMA buyout property in 2002 from the Buchanan

County Board of Supervisors.C. Managed as a roadside park with walking and ski trails, picnicking, fishing,

canoe access, and a savanna planting.D. The savannah was burned, and invasive shrubs were removed.

7. Cutshall Area - 85 acresA. Located 4.5 miles north of Jesup off V62.B. Acquired in 1959.C. Managed for picnicking, primitive camping, and public hunting. Natural

area is managed as riverine wetland and timber. Trail is maintained for a Water Trail put-in, and along the river. Contains a picnic shelter.

D. The Board continued work on enlarging the area through acquisition of the Roberts Wildlife Area. A mudpuppy was found at the area. Much of the area was flooded several times, and received damage from September floods.

8. Patton Prairie - 45 acresA. Located southwest of Aurora off Quonset Ave. B. Acquired in 1998 with REAP Grant FundsC. Managed as a native prairie and wetland with public

hunting.D. Normal maintenance and patrolling. Nest boxes were maintained.

9. Otter Creek Wildlife Area - 100 acresA. Located on west edge of Hazleton, adjacent to Fontana Park.B. Acquired 1965, 1969, 1973, and 1983 with some parcels

receiving LAWCON Grant Funds and one parcel donated. In 2014, 0.137 acres were impacted during construction of a new bridge. In return, 0.161 acres was purchased by Secondary Roads to become part of the Otter Creek Wildlife Area.

C. Managed as a nature preserve and wetland habitat with public fishing at the pier.

D. Normal maintenance and patrolling.

10. Nibeck Nature Preserve - 55 acresA. Located adjacent to the north city limits of Hazleton.B. Forty acres were acquired in 1981, bequeathed by Leora

Nibeck. An additional 7.5 acres were purchased from Chad Dettbarn in 2013.

C. Managed as a nature preserve.D. Normal maintenance and patrolling.




11. Van Laningham Wildlife Area - 3 acresA. Located 4.5 miles east and 4.5 miles north of Independence.B. Acquired by gift from Thurman and Veva Van Laningham in 1967.C. Managed for wildlife habitat.D. Normal maintenance and patrolling.

12. Sand Creek Area - 80 acresA. Located three miles east and three miles south of Quasqueton.B. Acquired in 1971.C. Managed for public hunting and fishing on the Wapsipinicon River. A trail

is maintained from the parking area to the river.D. Normal maintenance and patrolling. Nest boxes were maintained. The

area received flood debris from the September flood event. 13. Pine Creek Area - 40 acresA. Located five miles southeast of Independence. B. Acquired in 1971.C. Managed for public hunting, fishing, and native hard maple woodland.D. Normal maintenance and patrolling. Nest boxes were maintained.

14. Rowley Fen - 43 acresA. Located 0.5 mile northwest of Rowley.B. Acquired in 1984. C. Managed for unique fen habitat, restored prairie, and public hunting. The

area was designated an Iowa Registered Natural Area in 1986.D. Nest boxes were monitored. The area was visited during a Sierra Club

outing. 15. Koutny Pond-Hoffman Woods - 106 acresA. Located one mile east of Brandon.B. Acquired in 1985.C. Managed for wildlife habitat, public hunting and

fishing, two fishing jetties, walk-in boat access, prairie planting, marsh, and 12-acre lake.

D. With assistance from USF&WS the marsh water control structure for the wetland and the water control intake for the lake were replaced. Areas around the pond that were overgrown with shrubs and parsnip were mowed, and additional lake fishing accesses were opened up. Nest boxes were monitored.

16. Mickey Fox Area - 97 acresA. Located five miles north of Jesup off V62.B. Sixty acres acquired in 1960. In 2003, an additional 37.10 acres were

acquired from the Melvin and Lila Anderson Estate with funding from REAP. In January, 2013, an additional 21 acres was purchased from the Iowa Natural Heritage Foundation which had previously purchased the land from the Johnson Estate to hold while grants were being written. Funding came largely from REAP, Buchanan County Pheasants Forever, and Buchanan County Wildlife Association.

C. Managed for public hunting, fishing, and wildlife habitat. D. Normal maintenance and patrolling. Nest boxes were maintained.

Ratchfiord Excavating installs the wetland water control structure at Koutny Pond.




17. Putty Root Preserve - 17 acresA. Located three miles northwest of Quasqueton.B. Original five acres acquired in 1962. Ten acres acquired 1992 from Delbert

Crow and two acres acquired from Betty Payne in 1996.C. Managed as an old growth oak-hickory woodland preserve. The putty root

orchid, for which the parcel is named, grows here.D. Garlic mustard removal remains a priority for management, and

truckloads were pulled.

18. Crumbacher Wildlife Area - 371 acresA. Located 3.5 miles southwest of Independence.B. Acquired in 1989. The first 320 acres were acquired with Habitat Stamp Grant funds. Fifty one acres were acquired with funds

from Buchanan County Pheasants Forever, German Shorthair Club, and Buchanan County Wildlife Association.

C. Managed for forest, prairie, and wetland habitat, and public hunting.

D. Weed tree encroachment and other invasive species control are ongoing, labor-intensive tasks in native and reconstructed prairies. Management burns were conducted in two management areas. Sunflower and corn food plots were planted. Nest boxes were monitored. The area was used for several school field trips for class study of habitats. “Beaver baffler” tubes are maintained to stop beaver dams from pooling water into neighboring private land. Nest boxes were monitored.

19. Bearbower Sand Prairie - 40 acresA. Located two miles west of Highway 150, off the Buchanan-Benton County

Line Road.B. Acquired in 1988 with public/private cost share grant funds by the

Iowa Natural Heritage Foundation (many donors were involved) and then transferred to the Iowa DNR. The Conservation Board assumed a management agreement with the Iowa DNR in 1995.

C. Managed for preservation and enhancement of the unique sand prairie, public hunting, and nature appreciation.

D. Nest boxes were monitored. Local herpetologists have been monitoring the box turtle population, which appears to include at least 11 individuals. Two management areas were burned.

20. Blazing Star Prairie - 7.5 acresA. Located two miles east and 1 1/4 miles south of Rowley.B. Acquired in 1987 by cooperative efforts of the Conservation Board,

Buchanan County Chapter of Pheasants Forever, Buchanan County Wildlife Association, and the Cedar-Wapsi Chapter of the Lutheran Brotherhood.

C. Managed as native prairie habitat with public hunting.D. Normal maintenance and patrolling.

21. Swartz Preserve - 4 acresA. Located 5.5 miles east of Hazleton at the junction of C57 and W33.B. Acquired in 1991 by conservation easement from Mr. & Mrs. Ormel

Swartz.C. Managed for wetland habitat and as a wildlife preserve.D. Normal maintenance and patrolling.

The BCCB publishes a Buchanan County Parks, Accesses, and Natural Areas brochure, available upon request. Copies are available at the Nature Center or by calling 319-636-2617. Digital copies are available by emailing [email protected]. or through the web site: www.buchanancountyparks.com.

2015




22. Bryantsburg Prairie Preserve - 1.5 acresA. Located two miles south of Hazleton on Highway 150.B. Acquired in 1988 by conservation easement from Mr. & Mrs. Henry

Brandt.C. Managed as a native prairie preserve.D. The area was used for monarch tagging and releases, and for several

school field trips and public programs. Woody vegetation was cut. Parsnip and queen Ann’s lace were hand-pulled.

23. Schneider-Heinick-Rowe Wildlife Area - 20 acresA. Located three miles east and 3.5 miles south of Quasqueton. B. Acquired in 1996 by Buchanan County Pheasants Forever, Tri-Rivers

Chapter of Whitetails Unlimited, Lime Creek Fish & Game Club, Littleton Hookanliners Club, and the Buchanan County Wildlife Association.

C. Managed for woodland and wetland wildlife habitat. Some rare plants are found on the site.

D. Garlic mustard removal remains a priority for management, and truckloads of garlic mustard were removed. Garlic mustard also was sprayed when other herb layer species were dormant.

24. Three Elms Area - 75 acresA. Located one mile southeast of Independence.B. Acquired in 1964.C. Managed for wildlife habitat, river access, fishing, and a public archery

range maintained with assistance by the Wapsi Bow Hunters. In 2015, the Buchanan County Four Seasons Trails Association partnered with the Bowhunters to allow for trail maintenance to include mountain biking, under a signed agreement with the Conservation Board. Contains a boat ramp built with Motor Boat Fuel Tax Grant funds, handicap fishing, picnic shelter, prairie plot, and porta-potties.

D. The area receives high use. A new latrine was placed at the entrance, and the two porta potties were removed. A mountain bike event and archery shoots was held. The area was used as a starting point for several public and school field trip canoe floats. The area received damaged from September floods. Nest boxes were monitored.

25. Frogville Access - 116 acresA. Located three miles northwest of Troy Mills.B. Original 96 acres acquired in 1978 with LAWCON Funds. An additional

20 acres were acquired with Wildlife Habitat Stamp Grant funds in 1997.C. Managed for public hunting and fishing.D. Normal maintenance and patrolling. Nest boxes were monitored.

26. Troy Mills Access - 63 acresA. Located three miles east and 4.5 miles south of Quasqueton.B. 23 acres acquired in 1969. 40 acres acquired in 1981 with Wildlife Habitat

Stamp Grant funds. C. Managed for riverine timber, fishing, hunting, and Wapsipinicon River

access. The DNR owns 11.5 acres under a long term management agreement with the Conservation Board. Camping has been allowed, although no developed campground is maintained. Contains a boat ramp.

D. Complaints about ATVs and other off-road vehicles continue, and barricades are maintained. Nest boxes were monitored. New water trail signs were placed. The area received damaged from September floods.

Rules and regulations are posted at all Conservation Board areas. They also are published in a brochure that is available at the Nature Center. Digital copies are available for download at www.buchanancountyparks.com.




27. Wapsi River Access - 51 acresA. Located 0.5 miles northwest of Independence. B. Acquired in 1963 and 1964.C. Managed for picnicking, fishing, river access, and hunting. Contains a pit

toilet and picnic shelter.D. Snowmobilers used the area in winter to access the Wapsi. The area gets

regular use as a roadside park, and ruts from off-road drivers is an issue. Nest boxes were monitored.

28. Iron Bridge Woodland and River Access - 34 acresA. Located 4.5 miles northwest of Quasqueton.B. Access acquired in 1996 from Buchanan County Secondary Roads, which

manages the bridge. An additional 33 acres were acquired in 2012 from the Iowa Natural Heritage Foundation which had previously purchased the land from the Laverne Kress Estate. Major funding came from grants

from the Wildlife Habitat Stamp Program, Buchanan County Pheasants Forever, Buchanan County Wildlife Association, Buchanan County Tri-Rivers Waterfowlers, National Wild Turkey Federation, and Iowa Whitetails Unlimited. C. Managed for nature appreciation with public hunting, fishing, and river access, and as a historic site. Contains a boat launch constructed with a Waters Access Grant and a circa 1872 Bowstring Arch Bridge.D. The access was used for canoe and kayak programs and school field trips. Vehicle congestions remains an issue. The area received damage from September floods.

29. Newton Township Natural Area - 158 acresA. Located nine miles southeast of Quasqueton.B. Acquired with REAP Grant Funds in 1998.C. Managed as a riverine woodland with public hunting, fishing, and canoe

access to Buffalo Creek.D. Nest boxes were monitored. Normal maintenance and management.

30. Hodges and North Wildlife Area – 66 acres A. Located one mile south of the Jesup Highway Interchange, off V65.B. Acquired in 2001 by a donation of Basic Materials Co. Inc., Waterloo.C. Managed as restored prairie and wetland, with public hunting and fishing.D. Crown vetch is the major weed problem along the pond and in the prairies,

and burning and spraying is ongoing. Nest boxes were monitored. Litter is a problem. Geocaching were held.

31. Buffalo Creek Wildlife Area - 52 acresA. Located six miles south of Winthrop off W45.B. Acquired in 1969.C. Managed for riverine woodland habitat, public hunting, and stream

fishing. The road to the Wildlife Area is managed by Secondary Roads with limited maintenance.

D. Trees were planted to re-establish areas destroyed and damaged by the neighboring landowner, and to make boundaries more clear. Nest boxes were monitored.

Iron Bridge Access typically is crowded with parked cars during busy weekends.




32. Hoover Area - 20 acresA. Located three miles east and 3.5 miles south of Quasqueton.B. Acquired in 1962.C. Managed for wildlife habitat and public hunting.D. The area is inundated with garlic mustard, but receives less staff attention

due to higher priority areas that also require garlic mustard removal.

33. Fairbank Fen – 41 acresA. Located two miles east of Fairbank, a half mile off Highway 281.B. Acquired by the Conservation Board in August, 2002, with funding from

Buchanan County and State Pheasants Forever, Ducks Unlimited, Fairbank Gun Club, Buchanan County Wildlife Association, INHF and Kirkwood Wetland Students, and Hookanliners Club.

C. Managed as a prairie and wetland fen, with picnicking and public hunting.D. A prairie management area was burned.

34. Anderson Addition to Cutshall Park – 25 acresA. Located four miles north of Jesup, off Highway V62.B. Purchased along with the Addition to the Mickey Fox Area on November

21, 2003 from the Lila Anderson Estate, with a REAP Grant. A donation from Buchanan County Pheasants Forever paid for a 6.5-acre prairie reconstruction.

C. Managed as river bottom timber, riverine wetlands, and restored prairie upland, with public hunting.

D. Bluebird and wood duck boxes were monitored.

35. Ham Marsh – 55 acresA. Located four miles northwest of Independence, off Indiana Ave.B. Purchased in 2006 from the Iowa Natural Heritage Foundation which

had served as an intermediary in a bargain sale from the John and Maxine Ham Family. Ten acres had been protected in 1985 with a life estate agreement. These ten acres were donated to the Conservation Board, and 45 acres purchased, to secure the property.

C. Managed as a glacial wetland marsh, sedge meadow, and restored prairie, with some public hunting. A small area of hay ground is maintained for wildlife habitat and hay production for Conservation Board use.

D. The area was used for birding, monarch tagging, geocaching, wetland programs, and school field trips. A prairie management area was burned. Hay ground was mowed and baled for feeding bison at Fontana Park. Nest boxes were monitored.

A bluebird incubates her eggs in one of the nest boxes at Ham Marsh. Although the nest was located in the middle of an area that received a prairie management burn, staff was able to carefully protect the nest, and the eggs and chicks survived.




36. Cortright Wildlife Area - 186 AcresA. Located one mile southeast of Littleton, off River Road.B. The Iowa Natural Heritage Foundation (INHF) purchased 152 acres from

Kevan Cortright, which the Conservation Board repurchased from INHF in 2008, with grants from the North American Wetland Conservation Act (NAWCA), REAP, Wildlife Habitat Stamp Fund, Iowa Pheasants Forever Build A Wildlife Area (BAWA) program, Iowa Chapter of the National Wild Turkey Federation, Buchanan County Wildlife Association, Buchanan County Pheasants Forever, and the Kirkwood Wetland Students. The 34-acre Hookanliner Addition was acquired from the Hookanliner Sportsmen in 2010. A REAP grant, and Buchanan County Pheasants Forever and Wildlife Association, funded the acquisition. Four acres adjacent to the southeast corner were purchase from James and Kathy Brown in 2010. Fish Habitat Grant funds paid for a river reconnection project, completed at the southeast ponds in 2010.

C. Managed as forest and forested wetlands, with a mile of Wapsipinicon Riverfront; restored timber and prairie areas; ponds; and for public hunting, fishing, picnicking, hiking, and nature appreciation.

D. Two management areas were burned. Nest boxes were monitored.

37. Robert “Chic” McGlaughlin Easement Area – 5 acresA. Located at the Littleton Dam, off Highway D16.B. The Iowa DNR purchased a public use easement from the Robert and Betty

McGlaughlin Family. The land has since been sold to Craig and Nancy Coventry, with the easement attached. The easement covers a stretch of land along the Wapsipinicon River and the east half of the Littleton Dam. The Conservation Board signed a Management Agreement with the DNR in February, 2009 to manage and maintain the land, not including the dam. The DNR controls management of the dam.

C. Managed for public river access, fishing, and portage around the dam.D. The area received damaged from September floods. Law enforcement had

occasional issues with neighbors and users of the fishing area below the dam. The DNR continued work to develop a plan for dam modification to improve safety and improve the health of the river. Normal maintenance and management.

38. Wehner Woods – 30 acresA. Located at the northeast corner of Lamont.B. The Conservation Board entered into a 15-year contract to purchase the

property from Nels and JoAnne Wehner on August 18, 2009. C. Managed as river bottom and upland timber, riverine wetlands, and nature

appreciation, with public hunting and a nature trail.D. Garlic mustard and honeysuckle are the main invasive species threats,

however staff time constraints requires this to be a lower priority. A Lamont resident was contracted to keep the lot and trails mowed.

39. Guy Grover Timber and Tree Plantings – 186 acresA. Located three miles east of Quasqueton. The area is divided into east and

west parcels, connected by a path that goes through private land.B. Guy and Shirley Grover donated the area to the Conservation Board in

December, 2011. The property includes a conservation easement granted to the Iowa Natural Heritage Foundation in 2007. The easement is perpetual and tied to the land. In 2015, 15 acres were purchased from




Justin Kuhn, connecting the east side to the river. C. Managed for river bottom and upland timber, riverine wetlands, prairie

savanna, a fishing pond, nature trails, and public hunting and fishing. The pond contains two fishing jetties.

D. The easement area was checked by INHF staff. After September floods, pond levels remained above the jetties. Nest boxes were monitored. Orienteering field trips were held.

40. Quigley-Slattery Heritage Prairie – 33 acresA. Located four miles northeast of Winthrop The area is a high quality,

native mesic prairie and wetland.B. The area was owned for a long time by the Quigley family, and had been

protected in grassland reserve. In 2011, the property and surrounding farm land was sold to Jerry Slattery, who attempted to convert parts of the prairie-wetland to row crop agriculture, but ended up selling 33 acres to the Iowa Natural Heritage Foundation in 2012. The Conservation Board and INHF submitted successful grant requests and donor requests to recoup the cost. Major funding was secured from: REAP, the North American Wetland Conservation Act (NAWCA) grant program; Iowa Pheasants Forever State Council; Buchanan, Linn, Clayton, and Black Hawk County Chapters of Pheasants Forever; Iowa’s Living Roadway Trust Fund; Buchanan County Wildlife Association; and Iowa Prairie Network. In March, 2015, the Conservation Board took possession of the property.

C. Managed to enhance the prairie and wetland qualities for public education, hunting, and nature appreciation.

Beauty in Buchanan County Parks and Natural Areas! (photos by Dan Cohen)Clockwise from top left: Fringed gentians at Rowley Fen, bloodroot at Boies Bend; compass plant and dickcissel at Ham Marsh; great blue heron at Otter Creek Wildlife Area; purple prairie clover at Cortright; northern water snake at Grover Timber.




D. Nest boxes were monitored. Normal maintenance and management.Efforts to Expand County Parks and Natural Areas

The Conservation Board places public lands acquisition priority on places that expand existing properties, enhance wildlife corridors - especially along the Wapsipinicon River, have rare or unique qualities, and for which the Conservations Board has capacity to manage and maintain. The following acquisition was underway during the year.

41. Roberts Wildlife Area – 109 acresA. Located six miles northeast of Jesup. The area connects to other

properties in the Wapsipinicon River Corridor, including the County’s Cutshall Area and Black Hawk County’s Wilson Woods, resulting in 512 contiguous acres of public wildlife Area. It contains a variety of wetlands, river bottom forest, upland pasture and tree plantings, and Wapsipinicon River shoreline.

B. The area was part of the Harris Estate. In 2016, the Conservation Board entered into a purchase agreement with Iowa Natural Heritage Foundation, which purchased the property from the Estate and holds the property while the Conservation Board Director wrote grants to repurchase the property. Major funding was secured from: REAP, Land and Water Conservation Fund, Iowa Pheasants Forever State Council; Buchanan, Linn, Clayton, Delaware, and Black Hawk County Chapters of Pheasants Forever; Wild Turkey Federation, Whitetails Unlimited, Tri-Rivers Waterfowlers, and Buchanan County Wildlife Association. All funds were received with the exception of the LWCF, which has been holding up the ability to close on the property. The Conservation Board also is awaiting notification of final clearances from State Historical Preservation Organization.

C. Conservation Board staff will manage the area to enhance savannah and wetland habitats, and for public hunting, fishing, and nature appreciation.

D. A lot of grant writing and funding proposals were submitted, The project was the top-scoring REAP and second highest scoring LWCF grant applications in the state. A lock was placed at the north gate. Volunteers with Iowa Natural Heritage Foundation conducted a service day to remove shrubs from

Potential Acquisition Criteria

The Conservation Board places a high priority on land protection in Buchanan County. Acquisition is one method, and is appropriate in certain circumstances. The Conservation Board often uses the following criteria when evaluating land for possible acquisition:

• Presence of unique ecosystems or endangered species

• Degree of vulnerability to destruction or loss

• Whether the property enhances an existing area of habitat (greenbelts and additions)

• Size and value to wildlife• Costs involved

A view from the shoreline from the soon to be acquired Roberts Wildlife Area.




one of the future management areas.

Board Meeting HighlightsThe following are brief meeting highlights from the Conservation

Board’s 12 regular meetings and two special meetings.

July 19, 2016The Board considered taking action to recoup damages from

water line issues that resulted from geothermal loop work done by a contractor. The Board approved purchase of a pickup truck. The Board discussed potential changes in policy to allow ATV/UTV use of some park areas.

August 16, 2016The Board approved making an offer to purchase approximately

four acres of land at the Highway 150 entrance to Fontana Park, including an existing shop building and unfinished house. New Board Member Anita Miller attended her first meeting, filling the remainder of the term vacated by Pat Fencl.

September 7, 2016 - Special MeetingA special meeting was held for the Board to consider a counter-offer

regarding the Board’s purchase of property adjacent to the Highway 150 entrance to Fontana Park. The Board approved acceptance of the counter-offer.

September 20, 2016The Director reported that the REAP grant application that was

submitted for Board’s acquisition of the 109-acre Roberts Wildlife Area received the highest score in the state and was selected to receive full funding of $185,500. The Board approved its FY16 Annual Report. The Board reviewed results of a public survey conducted regarding ATV/UTV policies for County parks and natural areas.

.October 18, 2016

The Board approved policies and rules changes to allow ATVs to use lanes and parking areas wherever cars currently are allowed, except within Fontana Park and Three Elms Area. Board members conducted their annual performance evaluation of the Executive Director. The Director reported on damage that resulted from September floods, and the Board approved making repairs to the floor of the main Shelter at Fontana Park. The Board provided comments for the Director to relay during an upcoming Zoning Committee Meeting discussion of a potential quarry expansion near the Jakway Forest Campground.

November 15, 2016The Board approved its salary policy for FY18. The Director

provided the Board with take-home information regarding potential

Online Credit Card Reservations!

Beginning January 1, 2018, the Conservation Board will be taking reservations online. Those wishing to renta cabins, campsites, or shelters wil be able to do so from their home, office, or cell phone!




e-commerce opportunities through the statewide My County Parks web site.

December 15, 2016The meeting was held in the meeting room at Bill’s Restaurant in

Independence. The Board approved terms of a potential settlement for costs incurred due to contractor damages to water lines. The Board approved moving forward with the process to accept commerce and do e-commerce online. The Board instructed the Director to move forward in investigating potential pond development at Crumbacher Wildlife Area. The Board presented a certificate of appreciation to outgoing County Supervisor Ellen Gaffney

December 29, 2016 - Special MeetingThe Board approved its FY18 Budget, elected its officers, and

nominated/confirmed members to serve on the Roadside Advisory, Community Foundation, and Friends of Fontana Park Committees. The Board set its official meetings calendar. Two porta potties at Three Elms Area were sold via sealed bids. A closing date was set for the newly acquired East Entrance property along Highway 150. The Director reported the Board of Supervisors would not commit any County general funds for the acquisition.

January 17, 2017The Director reported that all funds for acquisition of the Roberts

Wildlife Area have been approved and committed, with exception of the NAWCA grant, which the federal government did not allocate to Iowa DNR. Funders include: REAP, Wild Turkey Federation, Iowa Pheasants Forever and several local PF Chapters, and Iowa Whitetails Unlimted. The Board approved the Director to apply for a Land and Water Conservation Fund (LWCF) federal grant for the remaining dollars needed to complete the acquisition. The Director distributed a document he prepared for the Board of Supervisors demonstrating that for each dollar provided by the County for land acquisition, $150 was leveraged for investment in Buchanan County from outside sources.

February 21, 2017The Board approved bid awards for construction of a new building

in the Fontana Wildlife Display. Building costs will be paid through a funding campaign of the nonprofit group Friends of Fontana park. No tax asking dollars are anticipated for the project. The Board approved a request for variance on rules regarding quiet hours for a park event.

March 21, 2017Board members were encouraged to attend events at the Iowa

Capitol to call attention to the REAP program and the need to fund the Natural Resources and Outdoor Recreation Trust Fund. The Board reviewed plans for improvements at the newly acquired East Entrance along Highway 150.




April 18, 2017The Board discussed items in the Long-term Plan in preparation of

a plan update. Purchase of a rotary mower was approved.

May 16, 2017 The Board approved allowing a park ranger to sign claims and

timesheets during the Director’s absence. Sale of a heifer bison was approved. The Director informed the Board that the LWCF federal grant scored second among statewide applications, and was selected for full funding. This would provide the remaining funds to allow closing to occur.

June 21, 2017The Board accepted a settlement offer for costs incurred due to

a contractor’s damage to water lines at Fontana Park. The Director reported that work was completed on water control structure replacements at the Koutny Pond and wetland. The project was cost-shared with the US Fish & Wildlife Services Partners for Wildlife Program. The Board accepted a letter of resignation from Interpretive Naturalist Angie Auel, and approved the Director to advertise for, and hire, a person to fill the open position.

Above: During its January meeting, the Director reported that all grants and donations were in place for acquiring the Roberts Wildlife Area - with the exception of the federal NAWCA grant which the state did not receive. The acquisition will connect lands along the Wapsipinicon River in Buchanan and Black Hawk counties.




Cooperative Programs and AgreementsThe Conservation Board actively partners with many agencies and

organizations as a means of increasing its effectiveness. The following represents some of the important partnerships during the year.

• Worked with Pheasants Forever (PF) to encourage the planting of native grasses, trees, and shrubs on private land, and for the purchase of a new seed drill.

• Participated in local committees related to conservation and recreation, including the Trails Association and Sustainable Independence.

• Communicated closely with the Board of Supervisors.• Provided tree and grass planting equipment to private landowners.• Worked with the Friends of Fontana Park and Richardson-Jakway Foundation as

partner groups for funding Conservation Board projects.• Partnered with County Conservation Boards during 5th grade field days.• Shared expert advice with DNR, NRCS, Iowa Natural Heritage Foundation

(INHF), US Fish and Wildlife Service, and others in development of wildlife habitat, environmental protection, conservation practices, and specific projects.

• Partnered with Buchanan County ISU Extension for administering environmental education programs, such as the 5th Grade Field Day, Earth, Too 4-H Club, and Farm Safety Day.

• Worked with the Four Seasons Trail Association, Northeast Iowa Resource Conservation & Development, City of Hazleton, and Iowa Northland Regional Council of Governments (INRCOG) to plan future trails.

• Partnered with Black Hawk County Conservation Board to obtain funding for the future Roberts Wildlife Area.

• Hosted the local REAP Committee meeting, and promoted REAP funding.• Worked with groups and associations to improve support for REAP and the

Natural Resources and Outdoor Recreation Trust Fund, especially through IACCB and the Iowa’s Water and Land Legacy Committee.

• Received substantial funding assistance from the following groups and programs: Resource Enhancement and Protection (REAP), Buchanan County Pheasants Forever (PF) and surrounding PF Chapters, PF State Council, National Wild Turkey Federation, Iowa Whitetails Unlimited, Prairie Rapids Audubon Society, Tri-Rivers Waterfowlers, Buchanan County Wildlife Association, Friends of Fontana Park (and its many donors), and Richardson-Jakway Foundation.

• Provided meeting space and advertised programs for the Fontana Herb Society.• Partnered with the DNR and other groups to promote eagle and osprey nest

monitoring, sandhill crane sightings, monarch tagging and larvae monitoring, and other wildlife surveys.

• The Director served on the ISAC Legislative and CoSTAR Committees, Buchanan County Four Seasons Trails Association, Buchanan County Chapter of Pheasants Forever Committee, Buchanan County Safety Committee, Bird Friendly Iowa Board, and Friends of Fontana Park.

• Naturalists served on the Buchanan County Wellness and Web Site Committees, and Friends of Fontana Park (office staff also served on the FFP Committee).

• The Director served as a presenter at the Iowa Association of County Conservation Board Employees (IACCBE) Conference.

• The Wapsi Bowhunters and Mountain Bike group mowed and maintained grounds at Three Elms Park as part of the Trails Association.

• The Independence Senior Center Meal Site folded and taped the newsletter.• Partnered with IACCB on website items.• The Director partnered with Iowa’s Water and Land Legacy, IACCB, and ISAC

to provide education to lawmakers, county officials, and the public regarding funding the Natural Resources and Outdoor Recreation Trust.

• The Conservation Board worked with, shared resources with, assisted, or received assistance from many of the other County departments. One notable project was GIS assistance with the new IPad Management Tool.

• The Buchanan County Board of Supervisors (and the statewide BoS Statewide Association) joined efforts to promote funding for the Natural Resources and Outdoor Recreation Trust Fund.




Appendix A: Status of Funds

A.1 FY17 Revenue, Reserves, and Grants0001-1-22-6110-520000 Camping: Fontana $22,594 $35,040.00 Jakway $9153; Lime Creek $3293 0001-1-22-6110-523000 Shelter Reservations $1,615.000001-1-22-6110-622000 Firewood Sales $2,275.000001-1-22-6110-843000 Insurance Reimbursement $68.030001-2-22-6110-271500 State Grant $185,500.000001-4-22-6110-612000 Rent of Equipment & Machinery $7,874.500001-4-22-6110-831000 Livestock Sales $4,585.000001-4-22-6110-846000 Fuel Tax Refund $1,099.930001-4-22-6110-847000 Misc Reimb. $55.40 0023-3-10-6110-242100 REAP $16,455.000023-4-10-6110-600000 Interest on REAP $767.640027-3-22-6110-242200 FEMA Reimb. $9,115.000027-4-22-0210-810000 Donations $6,535.000027-4-22-6110-266000 Reimburse Local Gov’t $16,332.000027-4-22-6110-523100 Reimb. Private Source - Cabins $14,239.000027-4-22-6110-600000 Interest on Conservation Reserve $1,723.930027-4-22-6110-811000 Reimb from Private Source $1,218.900027-4-22-6110-848000 Donations & Refunds $228.150027-4-22-6110-920000 Sale of assets $1,001.000029-4-22-6100-600000 Interest on Nature Center $1.66 Reserve Accounts: Beginning Balance Receipts Disbursements Transfers Balance incl. interest • REAP-0023 $84,087.50 $17,222.64 $11,200.00 -$4,000.00 $86,110.14• Conservation Reserve-0027 $231,800.83 $50,392.98 $101,768.71 $0 $180,425.10• Conservation Nature Center-0029 $8.46 $1.66 $0 $0 $10.12

Grants Received (asterisk indicates received through Friends of Fontana Park or Iowa Natural Heritage Foundation): Grant Program Project AmountResource Enhancement & Protection (REAP) Roberts Wildlife Area $185,500.00National Wild Turkey Federation Roberts Wildlife Area $ 25,000.00 (INHF)*Buchanan County Pheasants Forever (PF) Roberts Wildlife Area $ 7,500.00 (INHF)*Linn County PF Roberts Wildlife Area $ 5,000.00 (INHF)*Delaware County PF Roberts Wildlife Area $ 5,000.00 (INHF)*Clayton County PF Roberts Wildlife Area $ 1,000.00 (INHF)*Black Hawk County PF Roberts Wildlife Area $ 5,000.00 (INHF)*Buchanan County Wildlife Association Roberts Wildlife Area $ 5,000.00 (INHF)*Tri-Rivers Waterfowlers Roberts Wildlife Area $ 5,000.00 (INHF)*Whitetails Unlimited Roberts Wildlife Area $ 2,500.00 (INHF)*Buchanan County Community Foundation East Entrance Beautification $ 7,500.00 Hazleton Housing Corp. East Entrance Beautification $ 2,500.00 Black Hawk County Gaming Association Animal Care Building $ 17,770.00 (FFP)*Northeast Iowa Charitable Foundation Animal Care Building $ 20,000.00 (FFP)*Prairie Rapids Audubon Animal Care Building $ 1,000.00 (FFP)*




Fontana Camping Receipts Total # of People 1,741Total Camping Units 556Total Electrical Received $20,463Total Primitive Received $2,086Total Camping Revenue $22,594 (23,790 FY16) Jakway Camping Receipts Total # of People 684Total Camping Units 208 Total Electrical Received $8,501 Total Primitive Received $652Total Camping Revenue $9,153 (7,604 FY16)

A.2 Camping Revenue FY17

Expenditures and Balances continued on page 33

Lime Creek Camping Receipts Total # of People 272Total Camping Units 88Total Electrical Received $3,018Total Primitive Received $275Total Camping Revenue $3,293 (2,180 FY16)

Total Camping Revenue: $35,040 (33,574 FY16)

Land Acquisition and Development 001-22-0210-000-60000 Land $190,500.00 Total budgeted $190,500.00 Remaining Balance $0.00 Administrative 0001-22-6100-000-10004 Salary-Director $58,424.85 0002-22-6100-000-11000 FICA-Director $4,256.36 0002-22-6100-000-11100 IPERS-Director $5,197.39 0002-22-6100-000-11300 Health Insurance-Director $17,940.00 0002-22-6100-000-11301 Life Insurance-Director $49.20 0002-22-6100-000-11302 Dental Insurance-Director $180.00 0002-22-6100-000-11303 Flex Fee-Director $54.00 0002-22-6100-000-46200 Real Property Insurance $6,382.90 0001-22-6100-000-26000 OfficeSupplies $1,262.29 0001-22-6100-000-26700 Educational Supplies $1,726.51 0001-22-6100-000-29400 Uniforms $1,815.80 0001-22-6100-000-40200 Printing & Advertising Services $1,013.99 0001-22-6100-000-41200 Postage & Mailing $315.94 0001-22-6100-000-41320 Mileage & Sub-Director $206.59 0001-22-6100-000-41321 Mileage & Sub-Board $830.61 0001-22-6100-000-41400 Telephone $4,661.52 0001-22-6100-000-42100 Data Processing Service $1,200.00 0001-22-6100-000-42220 School of Instruction-Director $1,392.00 0001-22-6100-000-42221 School of Instruction-Board $1,992.90 0001-22-6100-000-42500 Legal & Court Related $1,246.96 0001-22-6100-000-46300 Vehicles & Equipment Insurance $3,961.00 0001-22-6100-000-46400 Workmen’s Compensation Ins $5,568.00 0001-22-6100-000-48000 Dues & Membership $1,990.00 Total County Conservation - Administrative $121,668.81 Total Budgeted $131,116.00 Remaining Balance $9,447.19

A.3 Expenditures and Balances - FY17 $-

$5,000.00

$10,000.00

$15,000.00

$20,000.00

$25,000.00

$30,000.00

revenue

Fontana

Jakway

Lime Creek

Camping Revenue Trends




A.3 Financial Report FY17 – Expenditures and Balances (continued from page 32)

Maintenance and Operations 0001-22-6110-000-10000 Salaries-Full Time $236,149.05 0001-22-6110-101-10101 Salaries-Part time $31,222.45 0002-22-6110-000-11000 FICA $19,727.69 0002-22-6110-000-11100 IPERS $22,875.00 0002-22-6110-000-11300 Health Insurance $65,100.00 0002-22-6110-000-11301 Life Insurance $295.20 0002-22-6110-000-11302 Dental Insurance $900.00 0002-22-6110-000-11303 Flex Fee $238.50 0001-22-6110-000-20101 Animal Display $3,149.84 0001-22-6110-000-20200 Chemicals - Herbicides $703.70 0001-22-6110-000-20700 Plantings $1,323.40 0001-22-6110-000-21201 Road Rock-Fontana $619.16 0001-22-6110-000-21202 Road Rock-Jakway $108.85 0001-22-6110-000-21203 Road Rock-other parks $5,248.58 0001-22-6110-000-21400 Signs $1,648.49 0001-22-6110-000-21901 Constr Maint-Fontana $8,561.27 0001-22-6110-000-21902 Constr Maint-Jakway $813.93 0001-22-6110-000-21903 Const Maint-other parks $9,998.24 0001-22-6110-000-23200 Janitorial Supplies $3,339.95 0001-22-6110-000-23300 Propane & Fuel Oil / Fontana $2,420.06 0001-22-6110-000-25000 Fuel $11,891.87 0001-22-6110-000-25200 Safety Items $3,455.97 0001-22-6110-000-29000 Minor Equipment & Hand Tools $1,015.50 0001-22-6110-000-41101 Bldg Repair & Maint-RH Fontana $350.43 0001-22-6110-000-41102 Bldg Repair & Maint-RH Jakway $60.52 0001-22-6110-000-41300 Mileage & Sub-Employees $85.56 0001-22-6110-000-42200 School of Instruction-Employees $1,028.20 0001-22-6110-000-42801 Employee Hearing Tests $99.25 0001-22-6110-000-43101 Electricity-Fontana $11,941.75 0001-22-6110-000-43102 Electricity-Jakway $3,353.44 0001-22-6110-000-43103 Electricity-other parks $1,401.47 0001-22-6110-000-43201 Rural Water-Fontana $2,648.52 0001-22-6110-000-43202 Rural Water-Jakway $1,196.52 0001-22-6110-000-44000 Motor Vehicle Equip Maint $667.89 0001-22-6110-000-44101 Janitorial & Bldg Maint-Fontana $2,301.98 0001-22-6110-000-44102 Janitorial & Bldg Maint-Jakway $749.99 0001-22-6110-000-44103 Janitorial & Bldg Maint-All Parks $128.67 0001-22-6110-000-44300 Equipment Repair & Maint $3,629.32 0001-22-6110-000-44501 Plumbing Repair-Fontana $3,540.25 0001-22-6110-000-44600 Radio Equipment Repair $215.50 0001-22-6110-000-63500 Motor Vehicles $15,000.00 0001-22-6110-000-63900 Equipment $5,819.28 0001-22-6110-000-12400 Volunteer Program-Americorp $578.54 Total Maintenance and Operations $485,603.78 Total Budgeted $490,141.00 Remaining Balance $4,537.22 Total Budget Remaining County Conservation-Administrative $9,447.19 Maintenance and Operations $4,537.22 Year End Balance $13,984.41




Donated Items & ServicesFriends of Fontana Park Animal Care BuildingBuchanan County Pheasants Forever Seed DrillLoren Hamilton planteruseandrafflebench/tableSpahn & Rose, Independence LumberforraffletableJames May – Fish Structure (Eagle Scout Project)Mr. & Mrs. William Raber Pumpkins and watermelonsCorner Market - PumpkinsHank Haskins, Do It Center Corp. 30 BarrelsKatherine Gibbs – Canning JarsVern’s True Value – pallet of Dog FoodSpahn & Rose – LumberEric Morine – HayCity Laundry – Towel service

Special thanks to all those who donated feed for animals in the Fontana Park displays

and reusable containers for environmental education classes!

Appendix B: FY17 Donations (Conservation Board and/or Friends of Fontana Park)

Donations – GeneralRick & Joyce TrotterDorotha SundquistPheasants ForeverArdith GarfRichard & Joann CrainPaul GraffDean & Linda HeinsDuane & Barbara BlountMillie JessenBank IowaAnthony TafollaMaynard Savings BankNorman & Susan WestMarcella WestCharles & Rosemary KrebLinda LumsdenSteve EphraimRick & Julie WhittleGrace United Methodist ChurchVerna KernsDavid VoigtsVirginia SleeperDeb StanfordLinda FiesterMildred SefertPrairie Rapids Audubon SocietyWilliam StuartGissel ConstructionFontana Herb SocietyNorth East Iowa Charitable FoundationRick & Joyce TrotterKlever ConcreteBlackhawk County Gaming Assoc.Independence Plumbing & HeatingBuchanan Co.Community Found.Buchanan Co. Wildlife AssociationSpahn & Rose- Independence

Memorial DonationsIn Loving Memory of John & Velma RichardsonCharles KrebIn Memory of Peter LodholzIn Memory of Dale “Old Man” Crandall

Animal Sponsorships (as recognized) East ElementaryDunlap MotorsKeira & Adaline ScharesHazleton Commercial ClubIn Memory of Laverne KauneCy & Sydney HearnDarrell E. Davis Adult Day CenterMarybeth JaggardIn memory of Gus JohnsonKitty MyersIndependence Federated Garden ClubCamden, Isabella, William & BentleyTrisha KressIn memory of Marsha L and Jeanne ShannonTrevor Myers, Colby Myers, Alex Bryan, Eric Bryan, Michael BryanAddi, Zoe, Mikey & CameronEmma Munson & Coy MunsonSophia SandersonJames HackettLauren MunsonLuke & Anna StephensJane & Chuck Watson, Azalea & JohnKaison, Cade, Monica, Braxton, & Baby MAmanda RohrigBrody SandersonJD Michael SchmitzPam NoahKen & Barb RobersonBenjamin KornLarry & Margie TorgersonAlexander KornEdna Henderson and in Memory of Vic HendersonQuasqueton Federated Garden ClubChautauqua Literary Club




Master Gardener SymposiumLand Owner WorkshopEagle ProgramPop Can AirplaneTug-a-SuckleSpring in the HeartlandEarth Day Birds of Prey ShowRhubarb Leaf BirdbathsCamouflageProgramMonarchLarvaMonitoring&IowaButterflySurvey TrainingFishing ClassOutdoor SurvivalOutdoor Movie

Appendix C: Environmental Education

School Student Programs (K-college)Number of presentations: 958 (866) (789) Total attendance: 17,122 (16,940) (16,480)Average group size: 17.9 (19.6) (20.9)

Teacher and Youth Leader ProgramsNumber offered: 14 (14) (11)Total attendance: 133 (217) (149)Average group size: 9.5 (15.5) (13.6)

Civic and Senior ProgramsNumber of presentations: 51 (55) (72)Total attendance: 793 (1,142) (1,023)Average group size: 15.5 (20.8) (14.2)

Appendix C.3: Public Programs Offered - FY17Monarch Tagging (2)Richardson Jakway Meals (2)Clover Kids 4-H (10)Photo Contest & JudgingTrick-or-Treat for the AnimalsNASP Training Preserving Local Foods (4)Wee Nature Tales Day CampNature Explorers Day CampYoung Naturalists Day CampRiver Raiders Canoe AdventureVolunteer WorkshopPrincess Adventures (4)Goose BandingWho Goes There (2)

Star Party Rock ClimbingSurvival SkillsMaster River Steward Training (10)Extreme Outdoors – CavingBirding HikeFarm to Fork MealFarmer’s Market EcoFestTama County Fall FestivalSTEM festivalCover CropsArtisans Reclaim & Recycle ShowYard Art FlowersIce & Snow Creations Fun DayRecycled Denim Quilt

Youth Programs (other than school groups)Number of presentations: 89 (89) (83)Total attendance: 2,043 (1,984) (1,711) Average group size: 23.0 (22.3) (20.6)

Public Programs (advertised to public) Number of presentations: 59 (60) (58)Total attendance: 1,834 (1,183) (1,165)Average group size: 31.1 (19.7) (20.1)

Total AttendancePresentations: 1,171 (1,087) (1,017)Total: 21,925 (21,595) (20,771)Avg. Group Size: 18.7 (19.9) (20.4)Outdoor programming: 52.3% of programs were primarily conducted outdoors.

Appendix C.1: Environmental Education Attendance Figures FY17 The following is a summary of the groups served through the EE program. The EE program is designed to meet a set of specificgoalsandobjectives,describedintheBuchananCountyConservationBoard’sLong-termPlan.FiguresforFY16and FY15 are shown in parenthesis.

Appendix C.2: Programming Support - FY17Vic CollinsHeather Gamm, Bremer CCBDoug Beier, BC Wildlife Assoc.Ken Ahrus, BC Wildlife Assoc.Chris Anderson, Iowa CCBMatt Crayne, Chickasaw CCBMary & Harvey DavisMicki Sand-Cohen, ICSDTerry VandeWalleCynthia Thompson, ISU ExtensionRoxanne Fuller, ISU ExtensionAshley Sherrets, ISU ExtensionAlexia Hamlett – ISU extensionSarah Kielly – ISU ExtensionBuchanan Co. Pheasants ForeverBuchanan County Wildlife Assoc.Jason Auel, Iowa DNR

Dave Harms, Wapsi BowhuntersSteve McGraw, Wapsi BowhuntersPat Higby, UNI CEEEMarc Winn, Iowa DNRDan Kirby, Iowa DNRAmber Sauser, Iowa DNRJen Dillon, Jesup FFATom Shilke, Prairie Rapids AudubonDavid VoigtsDawn Amundson, Fayette CCBKristi Moeller, Buch County HealthDarrin Siefkin, Crawdaddy OutdoorsLinda NebbeAnita MillerMarybeth JaggardSherlyn Hazen, Buchanan CountyJoe Olsen

Ruby & Coralee BodekerAmber Sauser – Iowa DNRAndy Crump – Wapsie River RentalsKara & Dennis Vance – Independence Public LibraryKenny Slocum – Clayton CCBJim Pease – retired ISU ExtensionNate Hoogeveen – Iowa DNRMary Skopec – Iowa Lakeside LabsJustin Stout – Crawdaddy OutdoorsRonnie WolfeJoe Thompson – NRCS Des MoinesMolly Hanson – Iowa Rivers RevivalMike Olsen, Iowa DNRLogan McEwan, Iowa DNRJustin Clark, Iowa DNRWanda Havercamp




Appendix D: FY17 VolunteersCampground HostsScott & Jennifer SchuldtRosalie NielsenVern Tiedt & Wanda Williams-Tiedt

Friends of Fontana Park BoardDan CohenSondra CabellElaine WalkerDiane JohnsonAngie AuelLinda RidihalghLisa Ross ThedensWendy VandewalleDavid VoigtsPat FenclLoren Hamilton

Richardson-Jakway FoundationMary and Harvey DavisWanda HaverkampCoralee Bodeker

Wildlife MonitoringCoralee BodeckerJoye BowersFaith RulapaughClark WilloughbyTim AndersonElaine HughesJane Watson

Gardens and LandscapingClaudia SchweerElaine JohnsonKathy KarstenMargaret DamgeEdith BiddingerJoe PorterBev SageJane WatsonRuth HamiltonLynda FiesterNancy BrewerSue SchneiderRita KnudsonMarybeth JaggardMary Kalb

Newsletter assemblyDonna JensenPearl PatGerry WilliamsBetty ZethoffDonna DickBarbara RaymondMarley TempletonJoan ZimmerFaith DuwaElenor HandShirley RozendaalJim RozendaalLeo SandKarla OlstonKarla LinnyRonnie GilsonJim OhlDana WilliamsWinona WestMary GrittonJeanne GrittonRosie NielsenMillie JessenEdith BiddingerMargaret DamgeKathy KarstenRuth Schlitter

Park MaintenanceJames MountTim AndersonTed Good (Ham Marsh)• 3 Elms mountain bike/archery Rob Hughes Jenny Yoder Mike McGill Gary Graeser Jamie Bonazza Neil Eager Pete Gaumer Terry Gaumer Justin McLeod Anita Barker Travis Ficken Nikki Murphy Andy Higgins Ben Reiff Alex Anthopoulos Travis Stoner Chris Luloff Dan Lawless Steve McGraw

Nature Center Receptionists - HoursEdith Biddinger – 35Ruby Bodecker – 14Joye Bowers – 19Margaret Damge – 8Ellen Gaffney – 40Helen Hoefer – 28Elaine Hughes – 67Marybeth Jaggard – 48Rita Knutson – 6Kathy Karsten – 45Frankie King – 23Bob Miehe – 16Duane Olsen – 7Patti Olmstead – 8Judy Porter – 51Barb Roberson – 35Ken Roberson – 18Shirley Rozendaal – 42Faith Rulapaugh – 43Ruth Schlitter – 12Lorene Shonka – 28David Voigts – 50Jane Watson – 63Clark Willoughby – 105




Ralph L. Kimball*, Independence 1956-58C. L. (Mickey) Fox*, Jesup 1956-67L.O. Weston*, Lamont 1956-58 “ “ “ 1962-65A.J. Murphy, Winthrop 1957-62R.C. Stewart*, Lamont 1956-62H.G. Lincoln*, Rowley 1956-57Jack Gates, Independence 1958-62Robert Buckman, Aurora 1959-62 “ “ “ 1965-92Lacey Gee, Brandon 1962-63Warren Pratt, Rowley 1962-63Don Anderson, Independence 1962-81Kessler Clark, Brandon 1963-65Miller McMillen, Quasqueton 1964-66Raymond Finley, Brandon 1966-80Max Grover, Rowley 1967-93J.M. Tounshendeaux, Jesup 1968-79John Miller, Jesup 1980-94Carroll Conklin, Independence 1981-95

Appendix E: Conservation Board and Board of SupervisorsE.1 Board Members and terms from founding to present (*Denotes charter board member)

Harry Brooks, Independence 1982-83Bob Booher, Independence 1983-91Nyle McMartin, Jesup 1992-01Phil Thyer, Independence 1993-00Diane Slaughter, Independence 1994-03Loren Hamilton, Independence 1995-04 “ “ 2013-Robert Bainbridge, Independence 1996-99Dr. Kenneth McDonough, Oelwein 2000-06Roger Johnson, Independence 2001-12Richard Vogel, Jesup 2002-05Gary Buresh, Independence 2004-12Jim Klever, Independence 2005-14Ranor Hoffman 2006-10Patricia Fencl 2006-16Karen Stephenson 2011-Don Shonka 2012-15Ronnie Wolfe 2015-Andy Crump 2015-Anita Miller 2016-

E.2 Board of Supervisors

Ellen Gaffney - through 12/16

The Conservation Board thrives on the support of the Buchanan County Board of Supervisors, and their understanding of the importance of local conservation programs. Members of the FY15 Board of Supervisors are shown below.

Buchanan County Board of Supervisors, FY17

Gary Gissel Don Shonka Clayton Ohrt - beginning 1/17




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Appendix F: Map of Buchanan County Areas

buchanan county bccb fy17 annual report conservation board · successful grant writing and...

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