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Working Together to Preserve Natural Areas

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Become a fan of Arrowhead Park, Botna Bend Park, Hitchcock Nature Center and Narrows River Park to receive park updates and upcoming program and event information.

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the following prizes:

Cabin rental at Arrowhead Park or Hitchcock Nature

Center

5 Camping Coupons Weekday Lodge Rental

To sign-up for The Conservator via e-mail, please contact Sydney at sydney.hiatt@pottcounty.com.

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FoundationFoundationFoundationFoundation The Conservator www.pottcoconservation.com Fall 2012

Arrowhead-Neola Botna Bend-Hancock Hitchcock-Honey Creek Narrows-Council Bluffs Old Town-Macedonia Blackbird Marsh Farm Creek Public Wildlife Area Pheasants Forever Food Plot

Meet the 2012 Seasonal Interns

Congratulations to the Martin Family, our fall newsletter winners of a cabin rental. Thanks for Going Green!

Save the Date The Annual Pottawattamie

Conservation Foundation Event will be held on

September 20, 2012

Each year, Pottawattamie County Conservation hires seasonal interns to help achieve our projects and goals, as well as fulfill our mission to help people connect with Iowa’s unique natural resources. During the busy summer season, Park Ranger interns help with maintaining facilities and interacting with visitors, while Natural Areas Management interns assist with invasive species removal, prescribed fires, and larger land management efforts. Environmental Education interns assist with summer day camps, field trips, and programs in each of the county parks. We would like to thank the following individuals for dedicating their time to helping Pottawattamie County Conservation this season.

Marcus Birt Park Ranger Intern—First year Marcus says his favorite part about working at Arrowhead is getting to be outside all of the time. “Working for a county conservation board is helping me gain experience in working with natural resources in the future.” Marcus is a criminal justice major at Iowa Western Community College with hopes to work for the DNR in the future. He also enjoys interacting with people, including coworkers and visitors, saying, “It’s great to see new faces every day.”

James Shughart Park Ranger Intern—First year James started his career with conservation working for Crawford County, and has enjoyed his first summer at Botna Bend. “I love interacting with the campers, to help show them what conservation is all about—especially the wildlife animals and the prairie.” He calls Botna Bend a “hidden gem” that he hopes more people will discover and enjoy. “I never knew it was so big and had so much to offer.” James hopes his experience with PCC will help him find future employment, and states that his internship has “helped me become an independent and reliable worker. I know how to solve problems on my own.” James attends Iowa State University and hopes to teach in the future.

Seth Livengood Park Ranger Intern—Second year “I love working with the animals, and helping campers experience wildlife the best that they can,” says Seth about working at Botna Bend. “This internship has given me an opportunity to reconnect with the natural resources Iowa has to offer,” says Seth, adding, “Not everybody uses them to their full advantage, and I like helping connect people with the river and wildlife they have in their own backyard.” Seth’s favorite part about Botna Bend is the unique landscape; “Botna Bend has a great atmosphere—there’s something for everyone.” Seth attends Rocky Mountain College in Montana and hopes to become a commercial pilot.

Devon Griffis Park Ranger Intern—First year Above all of the skills his internship has taught him, Devon says what he takes away the most is a positive work ethic. “Jon has taught me to work hard and not give up on anything. I know that if I work hard enough, I can achieve anything.” His favorite parts about working at Botna Bend include working with the animals and getting to be outside. “It’s a fun place to be, a fun place to work. I like being outside and working with people, and also the animals. There’s no place quite like Botna Bend.”

We would also like to thank Park Ranger interns Joe Giasson and Zack Powley and Park Aide Bob Mohart.

We would also like to thank Park Ranger Intern Scott Berndt and Park Aide Al Conyers.

Narrows River ParkNarrows River ParkNarrows River ParkNarrows River Park

Connecting With the Hills

Hitchcock Nature Center is one of nine establishments working together as part the Living Loess showcase, aimed at introducing visitors to the unique treasures within the Loess Hills. Visitors are invited to journey to each destination on every third Saturday of the month from May through October.

For more information on Living Loess, visit their website at

www.livingloess.com

Alli Theulen Environmental Education—Second year “There are a variety of things we do, so I feel like I learn something new everyday,” says Alli about being an environmental education intern. As a business major at Iowa State University, Alli mentions her biggest challenge this summer was learning about nature and teaching it to others. “I think teaching about conservation is very important,” explains Alli, “to help pass it down from generation to generation.” Although teaching about the natural world was challenging for Alli, she didn’t let it deter her from making connections between kids and nature. “I love being with the kids while they are learning about nature and exploring outside. They are always full of excitement and love discovering new things.”

Cory Thomas Park Ranger Intern—Third year After three years at Hitchcock, Cory has become a familiar face to workers and visitors alike. He has assisted the Park Ranger for three summers as a seasonal intern, but is also a member of the Loess Hills fire crew. “I love working with everyone at Hitchcock, working with the public, and doing conservation work. My internship has taught me how to interact with the public and how to achieve conservation goals. It has also given me the chance to do something new every day.” Cory says working at Hitchcock also gives him the opportunity to do something he loves—being outside and being with people. “I hope I can continue doing this type of work for the rest of my life.”

Mychal Cleaveland Natural Areas Management Intern—Second year When asked what his favorite part about his internship is, Mychal replies, “It is so great. It is impossible to choose one thing.” He enjoys the natural flora and fauna of the Loess Hills and appreciates that he can interact with them each day. “Just not the sweet clover,” he jokes, explaining that invasive species removal has been one of the toughest parts of his internship. As a natural areas intern, Mychal hopes to gain experience that will help him attain a job in conservation. Mychal likes working with his hands and making a difference. “I would also love to have my own sustainable, organic farm.”

Jeremy Biggs Natural Areas Management Intern—First year A Wildlife Ecology and Conservation major at Northwest Missouri State, Jeremy says finding his internship was “a perfect fit.” He has enjoyed learning how to use all of the equipment and interacting with land management and conservation. “Hitchcock is a special place with international significance. I like being a part of something big.” He also enjoys learning about the rest of Pottawattamie County’s natural resources and natural areas. “There are a lot of special places in Iowa and I like that I get to work at one of those places.”

Stephen Mayne Park Ranger Intern—Third year “The things I like the most? Definitely the people I’ve been able to meet,” says Stephen about his internship with PCC. “This is a great experience, and I’ve made a lot of great connections with a lot of different people.” A senior at Iowa State University, Stephen hopes to use his internship to work with conservation in the future, whether as a Park Ranger or with the DNR. “Not only have I learned a lot about being a park ranger and about conservation, but its also been a great networking experience to meet people who are in this field and do the same things.”

Rachel Fukumoto Environmental Education—Second year A native of Hawaii, Rachel moved to Iowa for school and fell in love with the state. “Especially the prairie,” she says. This summer Rachel especially loved interacting with the kids during field trips and summer camps. “They get so excited about nature, and can’t wait to learn both in the classroom and out on the trails. It is especially exciting to hear them tell stories that relate to things we are teaching about.” Once scared of grass and all things outdoors, Rachel overcame her fears upon learning about environmental issues. “I’d rather be helping,” she explains. “This internship has taught me how to communicate those issues in a way that both adults and children can understand and relate to. I love feeling like I have helped somebody connect with nature and hope to help and change it.”

Matt Rost Park Aide—First year As a finance major at the University of Central Missouri, Matt admits, “Manual labor isn’t necessarily relevant to what I’m studying.” Yet he still loves the works he’s been able to do with the county. “I enjoy working for the county. I would love to work for this organization in the future.” When explaining his job duties and responsibilities, Matt adds, “I work with a great group of people. We have a lot of fun, but also get work done.” With the 2011 summer flood, Narrows staff have a lot of work on their hands as they continue to clean and maintain the park. “I love the work we do—we see results right away. It is satisfying to see improvements at the park and know I helped achieve that.”

Trail Technology

With over ten miles of hiking trails that wind through the scenic Loess Hills, many first-time visitors to Hitchcock Nature Center worry, “What if I get lost?” As part of its improved trail system, and alongside its user-friendly trail maps, available to use and keep during your visits to the park, Hitchcock now offers tech-savvy visitors a new feature to help them navigate along the trails. Each trail marker that is used to help orient visitors now comes equipped with specialized QR Codes that will display a full-sized, paperless trail map. Anyone with a smart phone or the capacity to read QR Codes may use them while they hike along the trail.

Test it out! Use the QR Code above on your Smart Phone to see how this technology works in action.

We would also like to thank Park Aide Craig Voss.

Hitchcock Nature Center Hitchcock Nature Center Hitchcock Nature Center Hitchcock Nature Center

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The Pottawattamie Conservation Foundation invites you to

If you would like to become a sponsor, volunteer for the event, purchase tickets or donate an auction item, please contact Cindy Thompson at 712-328-5638 or

cindy.thompson@pottcounty.com.

Scholarships and supplies to 1,600 students for school nature field trips $10,000 for the acquisition of more than 145 acres of land at Hitchcock Nature Center to support the increase in public opportunities to enjoy nature and enable trail and sign renovations Residential Tree Program encouraging the community to plant trees $15,000 toward park improvements at Botna Bend Park Annual Kid’s Fishing Derby at Arrowhead Park and Chipper’s Spring Adventure at Narrows River Park

Over the past year, Pottawattamie Conservation Foundation contributions have helped fund:

Go Wild for Conservation The Pottawattamie Conservation Go Wild for Conservation

event will be held on

Thursday, September 20, 2012Thursday, September 20, 2012Thursday, September 20, 2012Thursday, September 20, 2012 Council Bluffs Hilton Garden Inn

The evening will begin at 6:00 p.m. with beer tasting, hors d’oeuvres and silent auction. Have fun trying a number of specialty brews, specifically paired with tasty culinary creations. A program and live auction follow at 7:30 p.m., so get your bids in early for our Go Wild Adventure at the Pottawattamie County Parks along with a number of exciting auction items up for grabs.

Adopt a Dozen

Please contact Tina Popson, Education Program Manager, at 712-328-5831 or tina.popson@pottcounty.com for more information

Looking for an opportunity to help kids enjoy nature? How about donating to the Pottawattamie Conservation Foundation

Environmental Education Scholarship Fund?

Cost to send a dozen kids on a nature field trip: $50

Cost for the whole class to attend a field trip: $125

Cost to cover an entire grade on a field trip: $350

Helping children connect with the natural world to foster a lifelong appreciation of nature:

Arrowhead Park Honors Vince Young

A blue spruce tree was dedicated and planted at Arrowhead Park during the 50 Year Anniversary Celebration in honor of Vince Young, the man who originally showed the property that the county would purchase and convert to Arrowhead Park.

Shirley Kenealy, Vince’s wife, was at the anniversary celebration for the special occasion. “Back then, you would be standing in the middle of cornstalks,” says Shirley of the early Arrowhead days. “Vince heard the county had money for a park if they knew where to put it,” she explains. “Vince knew about a piece of land and came to the conservation board with the idea.”

Fifty years later, Arrowhead Park enjoys over 40,000 visitors a year and continues to grow. The spruce tree represents this growth and a continuation of Arrowhead as a special place for visitors to enjoy in the many years to come.

Thank You to our 2012 Summer Camp Sponsors

Seed to soil contact is critical when raising many plants—it’s also a workable metaphor for our burgeoning county-wide environmental education program. The seeds we strive to plant include a lifelong love of nature, critical thinking skills, sense of place, and stewardship of natural resources. The soil for our planting includes the fertile minds and hearts of our program participants. Through our many summer camps, there are unique and numerous opportunities to nurture this growth in the next generation of conservationists. Starting as young as three years old, children may participate in our biweekly KinderNature camps. In our Pathfinders Camp, teens entering 7th and 8th grade complete conservation pledge cards as a sign of their commitment to environmental literacy.

We also foster a sense of community through our programming. This year, in addition to camper evaluations, we implemented parental evaluations. Here are some highlights of this feedback:

“Henley has learned to value nature and has relayed that to us in our own backyard. She also gets to be around other kids that she doesn't go to school with that value the same things she does. She also sees the great staff as

people that she looks up to—great role models for her!”

“The relevance of the camp! Kids need to know about nature, how to conserve and protect nature, and the importance of it. Hitchcock does a wonderful job with that!”

“This is the most fun ever.” – Aidan C., Discovery Camper

Being more deeply connected to nature is true nourishment for these youth. As part of our EE program review, we discussed the significance and priority given to our programming for children. We identified this work as crucial to our mission’s success and know that it must continue to blossom. This is where we ignite the sparks. But it doesn’t stop there.

We also recognized a need to stoke the fire in adults as well. So we created a new series— Native Biodiversity and Ecological Immersion Program at Hitchcock Nature Center (EIP): a partnership between Pottawattamie County Conservation, the Pottawattamie Conservation Foundation, and New Tree School LLC. Through monthly offerings, we hope to teach dedicated students of nature how to study, understand, and monitor local biodiversity and ecosystem dynamics, as well as develop a cadre of volunteer local biodiversity and ecological experts to provide ecosystems monitoring for HNC and PCCB. It is our continued educational mission to help connect people to nature. The soil is abundant—we look forward to planting more seeds and keeping the flame of learning about and loving nature burning bright.

Natural Selections By Tina Popson, Education Program Manager

Participants of the EIP program survey the prairie

Ecological Immersion Program at Hitchcock Nature Center A partnership between Pottawattamie County Conservation and New Tree School LLC

The Ecological Immersion Program includes eight sessions that will help participants learn how to study, understand, and monitor local biodiversity and ecosystem dynamics. Each session highlights a specific plant community found at Hitchcock Nature Center and are open to any person interested in the culture, care, and preservation of native plant communities.

Upcoming Sessions:

How Trees Respond to Storms, Fires, and Wounding September 2—9:00 a.m.—3:00 p.m.

A tree dissection and anatomy lab taught by Dr. Kevin T. Smith, USDA Forest Service Northern Research Station

Oak Savannah Restoration: Healing with Fire September 23—8:00 a.m.—12:00 p.m.

A field session led by Chad Graeve, Natural Resource Specialist, Pottawattamie County Conservation

Native Tree Ecology Below Ground November 17—9:00 a.m.—1:00 p.m.

A field and lab session on root growth and symbiosis taught by Jack Phillips, New Tree School

All sessions will be held at Hitchcock Nature Center. For more information on session topics and to learn how to register, visit www.newtreeschool.org.

Top: Plantastic Campers explore the prairie Middle: Sam and Matthew look for nature’s recyclers during Dig It Camp Bottom: KinderNature campers cool off during Splish Splash Camp

An earth pledge example

Natural Encounters in Your County Parks—Fall & Winter 2012

Monarch Tagging September 8, 2012

9:30 a.m., 10:30 a.m., & 11:30 a.m. Hitchcock Nature Center- How in the world do you tag a monarch butterfly? Find out at our annual Monarch Tagging event at Hitchcock. Discover more about monarch butterflies, their unusual life cycle, and miraculous migration to Mexico. Learn how to catch and handle monarchs, determine gender, and properly tag them in the wild as a part of a national research project. All monarchs will be released after they are tagged. Bring a butterfly net if you have one, or share a park net if you don't. Tags and refreshments provided. Pre-registration is required by September 5th. Cost for pre-registered individuals: $4.00 per adult and $3.00 per child ages 6-18. Children 5 and under admitted free. Cost the day of the event: $6.00 per person, if space is available. Please call 712-328-5834 to register for either the 9:30 a.m., 10:30 a.m., or 11:30 a.m. event. Weather permitting.

Hitch Hike September 18, 2012

6:00 p.m.

Hitchcock Nature Center—Join us for the conclusion of this summer series. This hike is a challenging one that includes exploring parts of more remote areas of the nature preserve. Cost: $2.00 per person and includes on-trail refreshments. Please call 712-545-3283 for more information. Weather permitting.

Enchanted Forest October 28, 2012

1:00 p.m.—3:00 p.m.

Hitchcock Nature Center—Wear your costumes and bring little ones for a special trail at Hitchcock to find out Where the Wild Things Are. Event will include pumpkin painting and carving, modern day apple bobbing, and refreshments. Please meet at the Fox Run Ridge Trailhead. Cost $10.00 per family. Weather permitting.

HawkWatch Eagle Migration November 10, 2012 1:00 p.m.—3:00 p.m.

Hitchcock Nature Center—Join us for the annual Eagle Migration event. Hitchcock has been recognized as one of the top 5 hawkwatches in the world for viewing migrating bald eagles and November is the ideal time to view these majestic animals on their journey south. The annual event will also include live raptor demonstrations, activities for children, scheduled programs and refreshments. Cost: $3.00 per person, children 5 and under admitted free.

Holly Jolly Night Hike December 1, 2012

7:00 p.m. Hitchcock Nature Center– Venture on a walk through the woods by the light of the moon, use nocturnal senses and discover wonders of the night. Includes seasonal refreshments: snickerdoodles and hot chocolate (with marshmallows!). Cost: $2.00 per person, 5 and under admitted free. Weather permitting.

Snowshoe Guided Hikes January 19, 2013 & February 9, 2013

10:00 a.m. or 1:00 p.m.

Hitchcock Nature Center– Enjoy the snow and witness the beautiful Loess Hills in the winter time on a guided snow shoe hike. Participants ages 12 and over are invited to attend this event. Pre-registration is required by January 18 for the January hike and February 8 for the February hike. Cost: $5.00 per person. Registration includes the hike, refreshments and the use of snowshoes. Please call 712-242-1197 to register. Weather permitting.

Hitchcock Nature Center—Give a hoot about owls and join us for a night hike to learn more about these fascinating creatures. The evening will include owl calling in our pursuit of the hoot. Bundle up and bring your sense of adventure! Please meet at the Loess Hills Lodge. All ages are welcome to attend. Cost: $2.00 per person, children 5 and under admitted free. Weather permitting.

Owl Prowl February 2, 2013

7:00 p.m.

Chili Fest October 13, 2012

4:00 p.m.—8:00 p.m.

Arrowhead Park—Come out and enjoy a warm bowl of chili in the crisp fall air. The chili fest will include children’s games and activities, pumpkin painting, and hayrack rides. All ages are welcome to attend the event. Please meet at Breezee Lodge. Cost: age 14 and over $5.00; ages 6-13 $2.00; children 5 and under admitted free. Call 712-485-2295 for more information.

Look high in the sky and try to catch a glimpse of the soaring wings of raptors and waterfowl as they begin their long journey South for the winter.

Try This! Visit Hitchcock Nature Center from September through December for the annual Hawkwatch. Climb the 45’ observation tower and meet hawkwatchers who count these birds every day during the migration season.

Tag a Monarch

KinderNature Preschool Programs are designed for children ages 3-5 years old accompanied by an adult. These unique programs are full of hands-on learning and outdoor activities that encourage curious minds to explore and engage with the natural world. Each program will introduce children to a new and unique nature theme, and includes stories, crafts, and outdoor exploration. Programs are held each month and last an hour. Cost: $4.00 per child. Weather permitting.

KinderNature Preschool ProgramsKinderNature Preschool ProgramsKinderNature Preschool ProgramsKinderNature Preschool Programs

13 Things To Do Outside This Fall

Make a Tree Guide

What to do: 1. Hole punch your pieces of paper and tie them

together using string or similar material. 2. Take your guide outside and look for different

types of leaves that have fallen to the ground—collect different shapes of leaves from different trees.

3. Glue the leaves onto separate pieces of paper. Then write the name of the tree they belong to underneath.

4. Take your guide to a new park or place and see if you can find all of your trees!

Catch butterflies

Jump in the leaves

Visit your County Parks

Look for migrating birds

Play Outside

Talking Turkey November 4, 2012

1:30 p.m.—2:30 p.m. Hitchcock Nature Center—Perfect for November, meet Tom Turkey and learn about wild turkeys. Examine turkey feathers, eggs, and tracks, and listen for their calls on a hike through the woods.

Magical Monarchs September 16, 2012 1:30 p.m.—2:30 p.m.

Hitchcock Nature Center—Reveal the magic of migration and discover how monarchs prepare for their long journey. Use nets to try and catch one of these beautiful butterflies to look at up close and wish them well on their way to Mexico.

Itsy Bitsy Spiders October 14, 2012

1:30 p.m.—2:30 p.m. Hitchcock Nature Center—Find out how spiders help us and other animals. Learn more about the intricate webs they weave and other special adaptations they use to catch their prey.

Carve a pumpkin Make music

Go camping

Build a stick fort

Go on a Picnic Pack a lunch, bring a blanket and enjoy a meal outside in the crisp autumn air.

Try This! Bring your picnic to the Narrows River Park for an afternoon while you enjoy the scenic river views.

LOVE Nature February 10, 2013

1:30 p.m.—2:30 p.m. Hitchcock Nature Center—Perfect for February, spend a day loving all that nature has to offer. Explore the connections we can make with the natural world and learn ways to take care of and protect our special planet.

Under the Ice December 9, 2012

1:30 p.m.—2:30 p.m. Hitchcock Nature Center—What’s going on under the frozen pond? Uncover ways aquatic plants and animals survive when the water freezes. Try your hand at indoor ice fishing and explore what happens under the ice.

Deer Detectives January 20, 2013

1:30 p.m.—2:30 p.m. Hitchcock Nature Center—Discover the fascinating world of one of Iowa’s most common animals. Learn about their antlers, quick wits, and how they stay hidden from predators.

What you’ll need:

• Crayons or markers • Paper

• Hole punch

• String • Glue

Go to www.monarchwatch.org to find out more about Monarch Tagging and learn how to tag a monarch in your own backyard.

Collect natural material like sticks, acorns and fallen nuts or seeds, along with trees, logs, water, or wind to create outdoor music. Get a group together and make your own nature band!

Make room for nature

When it gets cold, birds, squirrels, and other small wildlife are in constant search of food, water, and safe place to live. To help these animals prepare for winter, set up a bird feeder, bird house, or dedicate a small part of your yard as a safe refuge for these winter critters.

Volunteer Spotlight By Erin Kenney, Community Relations Coordinator

You hear their voices first, excitement about what they saw on their walk from the parking lot. The kids start to stream into the Lodge energized, speaking all at once. Laura Morrow greets the little ones as they come in, smiling and cheerful. She kneels down to their level to play before the KinderNature Camp starts. No one would guess that Laura was once their size coming to camp for the first time almost nine years ago. Laura’s mom signed her up for summer camp at Hitchcock Nature Center when she was five years old. After coming back every year for nine years, Laura aged out of the program. “I wanted to keep helping after camp. That’s when I found out I could volunteer,” said Laura. She has volunteered with the Environmental Education staff for the past two summers helping with the bi-weekly KinderNature Camps. This includes interacting with and supervising the program’s youngest campers from three to five years of age. “When it comes to volunteering,” says Laura, “I love the kids.” She tells stories of the funny questions they get asked and the children’s enthusiasm to go outside. Environmental Education Program Manager Tina Popson was happy to see Laura come back as a volunteer. “Laura is exceptional when working with young children, and we are grateful for the time she gives,” said Tina. “As a camper, Laura always included others and had a natural ability to connect with kids. These talents serve her well as a volunteer for the Environmental Education staff during summer camp season.” Laura is a freshman at Abraham Lincoln High School in Council Bluffs. She stays busy playing post on the basketball team and running track and cross country. She also knows how to defend herself, with more than ten years of karate classes. Laura is now a junior black belt working on her adult black belt later this year. Laura also enjoys hiking with friends and family on the trails at Hitchcock. “I love nature and seeing all of the different bugs and sites,” said Laura.

Botna Bend Begins Building Nature Playscape As the reliance on and fascination with technology grows, some worry that meaningful experiences in the outdoors have started to decline. “It’s becoming more common to hear kids ask to play video games rather than climb trees or look for bugs,” says Kelly Dix, environmental educator for Pottawattamie Conservation. “It’s important for kids to play outside and explore.” Pottawattamie County Conservation is committed to providing resources and opportunities that encourage visitors to appreciate our unique natural resources, as well as develop a connection to the natural world and foster responsible stewardship for future generations. Botna Bend is providing park visitors with a new opportunity to interact with nature by constructing a Nature Playscape, a playground made of natural materials that encourages children and users to directly interact with their natural surroundings while providing opportunities for creativity, imagination, and self-led discovery. “We wanted to provide some type of play structure for campers in the north campground,” says Park Ranger Jon Fenner. He says the idea to build a playscape came from Tina Popson, Education Program Manager, who, along with other members of the conservation staff, began planning a nature playscape for Hitchcock Nature Center. “Tina had the idea to do things with natural materials instead of using plastics and metals,” says Fenner. “We had a lot of natural materials at the park that we could use for this type of project.” Fenner has been working with staff members and volunteers to come up with ideas for the playscape. “We mostly used things we had around—a big rock for kids to climb on and jump off of, old stumps and trees.” Using these recycled, nature-made pieces makes for a cheaper alternative to playgrounds, but also provides kids with the opportunity to directly interact with materials that come from nature, an element of outdoor play that is becoming increasingly less available for children in the millennial age.

Yet building a playscape goes beyond just crafting a playground. It embodies multiple conservation values and supports the Pottawattamie County Conservation mission to help foster environmental stewardship in future generations. Multiple studies in several countries, conducted for over 25 years, have found that frequent, unstructured childhood play in natural spaces is the most common influence on the development of life-long conservation values and conservation behaviors. Pottawattamie County Parks offer natural spaces for future stewards to play in, and this new playscape adds another opportunity for kids to interact with their natural surroundings. Other conservation values include recycling materials and using them in innovative ways instead of manufacturing new ones. “One of our volunteers is building a tree cabin using the dead walnut trees from the Narrows,” explains Fenner, a project that involved multiple members of the

conservation staff. “We’ve been helping remove the trees at the park after the flood, and decided we could use them in a new way.” “We are planning on adding more things to the playscape, as more material becomes available,” says Fenner. “As we add new things, we hope more and more people will come to enjoy it.”

Botna Bend interns Seth and James add some finishing touches.

The playscape project continues at Botna Bend

Help support the Pottawattamie Conservation Foundation by participating in our 5th annual Winter Wreath Sale. All proceeds will benefit natural and recreation areas and environmental education in Pottawattamie County. These beautiful 24” Scotch Pine wreaths, made from Midwestern wreath material, will feature a red bow & pine cones for $25.00 each. Please order by Wednesday, November 21st. Please call 712-328-5834 for more information. Wreaths

will be available for pick-up at the following two locations (please indicate pick-up location preference on order form):

Friday, November 30, 2012 Saturday, December 1, 2012

9:00 a.m. - 4:00 p.m. 9:00 a.m. - 5:00 p.m. Pottawattamie County Courthouse Annex Hitchcock Nature Center 223 S. 6th Street 27792 Ski Hill Loop Council Bluffs, IA 51501 Honey Creek, IA 51542

Pottawattamie Conservation FoundationPottawattamie Conservation FoundationPottawattamie Conservation FoundationPottawattamie Conservation Foundation

5th Annual 5th Annual 5th Annual 5th Annual

Winter Wreath SaleWinter Wreath SaleWinter Wreath SaleWinter Wreath Sale

Wreath orders may be sent to: Hitchcock Nature Center Attn: Kelly 27792 Ski Hill Loop

Honey Creek, IA 51542

Yes! I would like to support the Pottawattamie Conservation Foundation by participating in the annual Winter Wreath Sale.

Name ____________________________________ Address__________________________________ City, State, ZIP ____________________________ Phone ___________________________________ E-mail ___________________________________

Please send payment along with order form to reserve your wreaths & make checks out to PCF.

24” Original Scotch Pine Wreath Quantity ______ @ 25.00 each

Total Enclosed ________

I wish to pick-up my wreath at (choose one)

____ Courthouse Annex (Nov. 30th) ____ Hitchcock Nature Center (Dec. 1st)

Pottawattamie

Conservation

Foundation

Book Review: Summer World: A Season of Bounty By Jack Phillips, New Tree School

Bernd Heinrich has been lauded by the likes of E.O. Wilson and Amy Tan, and has often been compared to Thoreau. While Thoreau prescribed “the tonic of wilderness,” Heinrich shows us where to find it. His Summer World leads us to the deep pools of biodiversity that can be found in any patch of woods or prairie, if one knows where to look. Heinrich insists that humanity desperately needs two things: a “clear vision and also a spiritual imperative so that we will focus on the ultimate ecology, not the proximate ecology.” In our parched, de-natured world, we need to drink deeply. But Summer World is not about economics, politics, or spirituality. Nor is it the sentimental musings of a casual nature-lover on a pleasant stroll through the woods. The book results from two summers of being “actively observant,” which for Heinrich means a climbing, crawling, and never-strolling plunge into the green and urgent orgy of courting, mating, and reproduction that thinly conceals a drama of struggle, death, and being eaten. The reader follows on a wild pursuit of the interesting and the puzzling. He deftly leads us through an array of disciplines ranging from meteorology to anthropology, from mycology to herpetology, with a strong dose of parasitology. His essays are framed within personal narrative that is driven by relentless curiosity. It is this curiosity that the reader will find infectious, and that makes Bernd Heinrich an insistent companion on any outdoor foray into the green riot of the season. He will get you out of your hammock.

Jack Phillips is the principal of New Tree School, an educational and consulting cooperative that promotes preservation and care of native trees and ecosystems.

Phone

E-mail

I want to be notified about events by e-mail

I would like to know more about volunteering

Name

Address

Enclosed is my check for the amount of:

City, State, ZIP

Individual …………….…………………………….$40

Family ……………………………………………….$50

Contributing ……………………………………..$100

Sustaining………………………………………$1,000

Sponsor…………………………………………….$500

Benefactor ……………………………………….$250

The Pottawattamie Conservation Foundation is a 501(c) non-profit organization, so your contribution is tax-deductible as allowed by law.

YES, I would like to support PCF with an Annual Membership

Send to: Pottawattamie Conservation Foundation 223 South 6th Street, Council Bluffs, IA 51501

wild conservation and become

a member go for

Pottawattamie Conservation Foundation

As a member of the Pottawattamie Conservation Foundation (PCF) you help preserve our natural areas and provide outdoor recreational and educational opportunities for all ages to connect with nature. • PCF provides scholarships for school nature field trips • PCF supports the acquisition of land increasing the public opportunity to enjoy nature • PCF sponsors events and activities in Pottawattamie County Parks

As a PCF member you will receive: • Annual park pass to all Pottawattamie County nature areas • 10% discount on merchandise • Free admission to designated nature centers in the area and throughout the country