under the oak tree...under the oak tree pella wildlife company may 24, 2012, at 7:00 p.m. cougars!...

VOLUME IX, ISSUE III UNDER THE OAK TREE PAGE 1 SPRING 2012

Thank-you, cabin rentals,

animal sponsors

2

Calendar of Events,

outdoor cooking program

information

3

ACORN 2012 Schedule,

Night hike information,

Knap-in information

4

Summer Youth Program

registration form

5/6

Kid’s Corner 7

Inside this issue:

A NEWSLETTER OF THE HENRY COUNTY CONSERVATION DEPARTMENT

UNDER THE OAK TREEUNDER THE OAK TREE

Pella Wildlife Company

May 24, 2012, at 7:00 p.m.

Cougars!

HEATILATOR CIVIC CENTER, MT. PLEASANT

Talk about cougars, their history, and future in Iowa. They will even

bring a live cougar! FREE. All ages welcome with an accompanying

adult. Preregister through the date of the event

by calling 319-986-5067 or

e-mail [email protected].

This program is sponsored by

Wells Fargo Advisors, LLC of Mt. Pleasant.

Live Raptors

June 19, 2012, 7:00-8:00 p.m. Come see the live raptors of Oakland Mills Nature

Center up close. Learn about the differences

between owls, red-tailed hawks, and falcons. This

program is appropriate for all ages; children must

be accompanied by an adult. Free. This program

is being sponsored by Allie’s on Jackson Street.

Prairie States

Mushroom Club Foray

September 9, 2012, 1:00 p.m.

The Prairie States

Mushroom Club

promotes scientific

and educational

activities related to

fungi and will foray

Oakland Mills Park!

Afterward, we will

meet in the Nature

Center for a program

on edible mushrooms

found in Iowa. Free. Photos from Prairie States

Mushroom Club’s website.

VOLUME IX, ISSUE III UNDER THE OAK TREE PAGE 2

THANK-YOU TO ALL WHO HAVE DONATED

Barred Owl SponsorsBarred Owl Sponsors Todd Brereton; Hy-Vee, Inc., Mt. Pleasant; Duane and Joni Maxwell; Lori Muntz;

Real Estate, by Waters; Steffensmeier Surveying

RECREATIONAL RENTAL CABIN RATES Henry County Conservation Department has two

rental cabins overlooking the Skunk River.

Call at 319-986-5067 or go on-line at

www.henrycountyconservation.com for more information

and to check reservation availability.

PEAK SEASON OFF-PEAK SEASON

April 1st—October 31st November 1st—March 31st

Sunday - Thursday $ 55.00 per night Sunday - Thursday $ 50.00 per night

Friday - Saturday $ 75.00 per night Friday - Saturday $ 65.00 per night

One week (7 days) $350.00 per week One week (7 days) $325.00 per week

A sincere and heartfelt thank you goes to all of the individuals, families, groups, businesses, and organizations that have donated time, talent, money, or items to the Henry County Conservation Department or to the Oakland Mills Nature Center.

Sharon Barton

Sam Beatty

June Bisbey

Steven Brower

Joel Buck

Julie Canfield

Creative Metal Works

Electronic Engineering

Friends of Conservation in Henry County, LTD.

Jacklyn Gautsch, Iowa DNR

Clark Hays

Henry County Extension

Emily Herring, Marshall CCB

QP & P

Real Estate by Waters

John Riley

Alexandria Rowe

Jim and Mary Ruschill

Ralph & Helen See

Jared & Cole Smith

SOAR - Kay Neumann

Gene Stewart

Rene Stroud, Sac CCB

Kathryn and Daniel Veith, John H. Veith Memorial

Deb Vroom

Wisdom Quest students

RedRed--tailed Hawk Sponsorstailed Hawk Sponsors Allie's on Jackson Street; Electronic Engineering Co.; Otto and Collette Groenewald; David

McCoid; Dan Peterson; Q P & P; Paulette Shappell; and Wells Fargo Advisors, LLC, Pat

McCabe and Dan McCabe, Financial Advisors

Hy-Vee, Inc.

Iowa Assoc. of Naturalists listserve

KILJ Radio AM/FM

Bruce and Bertha King

Robert Latta

Duane & Joni Maxwell

David McCoid

Merritt and Nadine Martin

Midwest Tree Service Inc. Brenton Clark

Syd Millard

Jeff Moore

Lori Muntz & Todd Brereton

Dan Peterson

Bobcat SponsorsBobcat Sponsors Allie’s on Jackson Street; Gary and Sharon Barton; Sam Beatty; Bruce and Bertha King;

Q P & P; Eugene and June Schutte; Deborah Fisher Vroom; Drs. Steve and Mary Wettach


Our American kestrel American kestrel needs more sponsors. Donations can be in any

amount and can be renewed yearly. Sponsor names are included in all

newsletters, at the cage, and during programs. Contact Cari at 319-931-

2942 for more information Her sponsors are Jared and Cole Smith.

UPCOMING PROGRAMS

“Like Us” Henry County Conservation Department

August 13- Board Meeting

14/15- ACORN St. Louis overnight

26- At the Park Outdoor Cooking

September 5- Offices closed for Labor Day holiday

9- At the Park Prairie States Mushroom Club foray

10- Board Meeting

13- ACORN Starr’s Cave

October

1- At the Park Night Hike– Funny BonesFunny BonesFunny BonesFunny Bones 8- Board Meeting

11- ACORN Boone County, train ride

TBA Camping and Oakland Mills Nature Center

closes for the season

November 1- ACORN Astronomy program

12- Offices closed for Veteran’s Day holiday

TBA Board Meeting

24/25- Offices closed for Thanksgiving holiday

December 10- Board Meeting

14- ACORN annual potluck and movie

25- Offices closed for Christmas holiday

2012 Calendar

This calendar could be subject to change. Check out our website at www.henrycountyconservation.com for more details

and full listings on all our programs as well as to download necessary registration forms.

May 14- Board Meeting

24- At the Park– Pella Wildlife Company, live cougar program at Civic Center

June 11- Board Meeting

12- Night Camp– Fireflies

13- Night Camp– Night eyes

14- ACORN Clinton County Eco-tour

15- Day Camp– Canoe with adult 2nd grade+

18- Day Camp– Dinosaurs

19- At the Park Live Raptor program

20- Day Camp– Rocks and fossils

22- Day Camp– Trip to Mahaska Co. fossils

25- Day Camp– Bees

27- Day Camp– Camouflage

29- Day Camp– Canoe Geode, 4th grade+

July 2- Day Camp– fishing

3- ACORN Outdoor cooking

4- Offices closed for 4th of July holiday

9- Board Meeting

10- Day Camp– canoe river 5th grade+

18- Day Camp– science experiments

23- Day Camp– archery

25- Day Camp– Ice Age, movie, atlatals

27- Day Camp– Trip to Iowa City Museum

of Natural History

Outdoor Cooking

August 26, 2012, 1:00 p.m.

Participants will have a hand in preparing dutch oven recipes.

All ages welcome with an accompanying adult. Cost is $10 per

participant and includes sampling of all the dishes prepared.

Preregistration and fees are due on or before August 20th (firm).

Plan three hours, but program length is dependent upon cooking

times. Menu to be determined. Minimum 10 people to hold class.

Youth Jamboree

May 12, 2012, 9:00-2:00 p.m.

Big Hollow Lake Recreation Area

Family Outdoor Event, Free

For more information, or to register, call

(319) 371-4995 or (319) 759-3502

www.leopoldpf.org


A.C.O.R.N. Club Adult Conservation Oriented Responsible Neighbors

“We’re all a bunch of nature nuts!”“We’re all a bunch of nature nuts!”“We’re all a bunch of nature nuts!”“We’re all a bunch of nature nuts!”

June 14, 2012 Clinton County- Mississippi Eco Tour on a pontoon boat

7:00 A.M. Clinton County Learning Center- bring sack lunch and dinner money.

July 3, 2012 Outdoor Cooking 10:00 A.M. Oakland Mills Nature Center Classroom.

August 14-15, 2012 St. Louis Overnight Trip 7:00 A.M. Lewis & Clark Museum, Cahokia Mounds, World Bird Sanctuary,

Elk Park, and Wild Canid Research Facility (Wolves).

September 13, 2012 Des Moines County Conservation- Starr’s Cave & program TBA 9:00 A.M. Bring lunch money.

October 11, 2012 Boone County- Train ride, Kate Shelly Museum 7:00 A.M. Price to be announced.

November 1, 2012 Astronomy Program at the Oakland Mills Nature Center Time TBA

December 14, 2012 “The Greatest Good” DVD Presentation 10:00 A.M. Discusses 100 years of Conservation and prospects for the

future. The film examines these conflicts in major natural

resource issues: grazing, fire, wilderness, game/wildlife,

watershed protection, recreation, and timber. Christmas potluck to follow.

*Reminder postcards or emails are sent out each month for those that are interested in the A.C.O.R.N.

program. Costs and itineraries are announced when the reminders are sent. You may also listen to Cari

Nicely, Naturalist, on KILJ Radio on the first Thursday of the month for updates to all programs.

HENRY COUNTY CONSERVATION DEPARTMENT’S

Annual Night Hike October 1, 2012 6:00-7:30 p.m.

This year's theme will be FUNNY BONES FUNNY BONES FUNNY BONES FUNNY BONES and

focuses on animals with backbones. Easy hike, or

walk, begins in front of the Oakland Mills Nature

Center. Educational and fun–not scary. Free

program for all ages. Kids must be accompanied by

an adult but adults need not be accompanied by a

child. Properly supervised groups welcome!

Skunk River Knap-In October 5-7, 2012

Flintknappers and primitive

craftsmen are welcome to

show and sell their crafts.

Demonstrations will be given.

Registration fee of $5 for

participants. Facebook link:

“Skunk River Knap-in” for

more information.


Summer Youth Programs 2012

The Henry County Conservation Department will offer summer youth programs. Camps will be available on a first-come, first-

served basis. All children going into 1st grade and under must be accompanied by an adult, as do all children requiring one-on-

one aids while in school. Some programs may be a bit advanced for younger children; see camp descriptions for details.

Programs will be geared toward school-aged children. Pre-registration is required and all fees are due at least two weeks prior

to the start of the program. All programs will begin and end at the Oakland Mills Nature Center. Camps will be held outdoors, rain or shine. Dress accordingly. Avoid sandals.

June 12th– 7:00 p.m.– 8:30 p.m. Night camp– Fireflies! Let’s learn about these nighttime creatures. All ages. $5 Limit 24. BRING a small flashlight.

June 13th- 7:00 p.m.– 8:30 p.m. Night camp– Night eyes. Who looks back at you with glowing eyes? All ages. $5 Limit 24. BRING a small flashlight.

June 15th- 1:00 p.m.– 3:00 p.m. Basic Canoeing. Learn the basics of pond canoeing, safety, and basic strokes. Meet at

Gibson. Participants must have completed 3rd grade and parents will be required to sign a waiver. Younger children are welcome with accompanying adult. $10 Limit 12. BRING bug spray, swimsuit, and life jacket if you have one you prefer. Canoes/equipment will be provided. Adults are FREE with their child!

June 18th- 1:00 p.m.– 3:00 p.m. Dinosaurs. Let’s explore these reptiles through hands-on activities. All ages. $5 Limit 24.

June 20th- 1:00 p.m.– 3:00 p.m. Rocks and fossils. Fossils teach us about the past. All ages. $5 Limit 24. June 22nd– 10:00 a.m.– 3:30 p.m. Trip to Mahaska County– fossil hunting! We have spent the week learning about the

past–now let’s go search for the evidence. Must have completed 4th grade. $20 per person. Limit 22. BRING your

lunch and drinks for the bus ride.

June 25th- 10:00 a.m.– noon What’s the buzz? Bees are the topic–along with honey tasting. All ages. $5 Limit 24.

June 27th- 10:00 a.m.– noon Camouflage. Outdoor activities of search and find. All ages. $5 Limit 30. June 29th- 10:00 a.m.– 3:00 p.m. Basic Canoeing. Learn the basics of pond/lake canoeing, safety, basic strokes, and hop

the nature center bus to go canoeing at Lake Geode. Return by 2:30 p.m. Participants must have completed 4th grade and parents will be required to sign a waiver. $15 Limit 12. BRING your lunch, bug spray, swimsuit, and life jacket if you

have one you prefer. Canoes/equipment will be provided.

July 2nd– 10:00 a.m.– noon Fishing! Iowa’s fish species and basics of fishing will be discussed before we head outside and try to catch fish ourselves! Poles and equipment will be provided. All ages. $5 Limit 15.

Summer Program Registration Form BE SURE TO FILL OUT BOTH SIDES OF THIS CLIP-OUT FORM

Youth Program(s) (√) At the Park (√) # people Refunds will be made only if ________________________________________ � Fireflies $5 the program is cancelled.

Student’s name Age � Night Eyes $5 � Pella– cougars ______

� Canoeing 3rd+ $10 � Live raptors ______ Registration and all fees

________________________________________ � Dinosaurs $5 � Cooking $10 ea ______ are due at least two weeks

Parent/guardian’s name Child’s birth date � Rocks/fossils $5 � Mushroom Club ______ before camp start date.

� Mahaska 4th+ $20 � Night hike ______

________________________________________ � Bees $5

Address Last Grade Completed � Camouflage $5 Return this form to:

� Canoeing 4th+ $15 Henry County Conservation ________________________________________ � Fishing $5 2593 Nature Center Drive City, State, Zip � Canoeing 5th+ $15 Mt. Pleasant, IA 52641 � Science Fair $5 or it is on our website at:

________________________________________ � Archery 3rd+ $5 www.henrycountyconservation.com

Home/work phone # of parent Cell phone # � Ice Age 3rd+ $15

� Iowa City 4th+ $20 For more information, contact

________________________________________ Naturalist Cari Nicely

E-mail TOTAL AMOUNT DUE $________ at 319-986-5067 or 319-931-2942 or e-mail:

[email protected].

Checks payable to: HCCD


July 10th- 10:00 a.m.– 3:00 p.m. Advanced Canoeing. Only for those who have already taken Basic Canoeing with the HCCD staff on Lake Geode. Plan to return by 3:00 p.m. This will be a river trip. Participants must have completed 5th grade and parents will be required to sign a waiver. $15 Limit 12. BRING your lunch, bug spray, swimsuit, and life jacket if you have one you prefer. Canoes/equipment will be provided.

July 18th- 10:00 a.m.– noon Science Fair. Come try different experiments–eye tricks, motion, and electricity are a few. Note: These are the same science activities from last November. All ages. $5 Limit 30.

July 23rd- 10:00 a.m.- noon Bull’s-eye! Archery will be the feature activity. Must have completed 3rd grade. $5 Limit 12. July 25th- 10:00 a.m.- 2:00 p.m. Ice Age. Activities to include atlatal throwing. Intended for children who have

completed 3rd grade and older, but younger children are welcome if accompanied by an adult. $15 Limit 24. July 27th- 10:00 a.m.– 3:00 p.m. Trip to Iowa City Museum of Natural History. Excellent ending to summer activities–

they have rocks, fossils, and Ice Age artifacts, including a replica sloth. Must have completed 4th grade. $20 per person, includes tour. Limit 22. BRING your lunch and drinks for the bus ride.

**At the Park Opportunities for all children AND their parent(s) or guardian(s)** Programs to be held at the Oakland Mills Nature Center unless otherwise noted.

Go to: www.henrycountyconservation.com and click on Youth Programs and Camps or What’s Happening for more details on any of these programs.

May 24th 7:00 p.m. Pella Wildlife Company, live cougar presentation at Heatilator Civic Center in Mt. Pleasant June 19th 7:00 p.m. Live raptors– owl, hawk, and falcon August 26th 1:00-4:00 p.m. Outdoor Cooking September 9th 1:00 p.m. Prairie States Mushroom Club foray and presentation October 1st 6:00-7:30 p.m. Annual Night hike, FUNNY BONES

Emergency contact/phone: ___________________ Physician’s Name: ________________ Physician’s Phone:_______________

Medical History All information will be kept confidential unless in the case of an emergency List any allergies, ex. medication, insect stings, food, etc. ______________________________

List any medications you are currently taking: _________________________________

List any specific medical conditions, ex. asthma, etc. _____________________________

Liability/Medical/Photo release

THIS MEDICAL HISTORY IS CORRECT AND COMPLETE TO THE BEST OF MY KNOWLEDGE. In the event of an emer-

gency, I hereby give permission to a physician to hospitalize, secure proper anesthesia, order injections or surgery, or other

medical procedures required in an emergency situation. If my child(ren) is injured or suffer any illness or disease while par-

ticipating in HCCD youth programs , I agree to hold the Henry County Conservation Board or Department, leaders, employ-

ees, or volunteers harmless of any said illness, injury, or disease. I further understand and agree that my child(ren) will

abide by the general rules of conduct and that violations may result in denial of privileges, a forfeiture of fees, and immediate

removal from the program activities. I also give permission for my child to be photographed by Henry County Conservation

staff or media to be used for promotional purposes in newsletters, brochures, newspapers, or any other written media of the

Department.

X________________________________________________________ ________________

Parent or Guardian Signature Date


Kid’s CornerKid’s CornerKid’s CornerKid’s CornerKid’s CornerKid’s CornerKid’s CornerKid’s CornerKid’s CornerKid’s CornerKid’s CornerKid’s Corner

Signs of Spring in Nature

Watching the world around you for signs of springtime can bring hope and cheer

after a long cold winter. If you are excited for the arrival of spring, be on the lookout for

signs of the approaching season. There are signs everywhere- in the sky, the garden, the

woods, fields, and near water.

Watch the sky. The sun will begin to rise up at an earlier hour and go down

later as the spring nears. With spring, the sunlight is warmer and the air is too. The air

grow balmy, warm and amp. You may notice more breezed form the south and in many

areas there are tornadoes or other spring storms. There will be more fluffy cumulus

clouds and more sunshine. You might also see Canada geese flying toward the north.

Watch the animals. Animals that hibernate might be observed, such as

chipmunks or groundhogs. More insects can be noted outside, such as swarms of gnats

and flies that hatch out in the warmer air.

Watch the trees. Trees begin to bud and produce

flowers. The earliest to bloom may be fruit trees. Trees start

leafing out at different times and rate. Redbud trees are one of

the first to bud, with pecan trees being the last to put on

leaves.

ROBINS ARE NOT A SIGN OF SPRING

All robins do not go south for the winter. So why do we

cling to the old wives tale that a robin is sign of spring? Maybe

we are all inside where it is warm and do not notice the

robins.

The American Robin is a hardy and adaptable bird,

comfortable in just about any weather that North America can

provide. Robins needs only one thing to survive in any

weather- FOOD.

The red-winged blackbird and the turkey vulture are

true signs of spring returning in southern Iowa. When you see

a red-winged blackbird sitting on a broken reed stem or bare

tree branches, they have hurried northward to find and

establish a breeding territory.

When you begin to see turkey

vultures soaring overhead, you

may notice that there are not as

many bald eagles to be seen in

the area.

Other migrating birds

will follow closely behind as the

snow melts and the air warms.


Henry County Conservation Department

2593 Nature Center Drive

Mt. Pleasant, IA 52641

If you would like to make a monetary donation to the

Henry County Conservation Department, please fill out the

form below and mail it along with your donation to:

Henry County Conservation Department 2593 Nature Center Drive Mt. Pleasant, IA 52641-8250 Name: ______________________________________

Please give us your name so that we may thank you in our

newsletter, or you may leave this blank if you wish to remain

anonymous. Thank you for your generosity!

I would like my donation to be used for:

_____ The Oakland Mills Nature Center

_____ Environmental Education

_____ Wildlife Habitat

_____ Park Improvements/Facilities

_____ Wherever is needed the most

NON-PROFIT ORGANIZATION

U.S. POSTAGE

PAID PERMIT # 410

MT. PLEASANT, IA 52641

Henry County Conservation

Board of Directors

John Klopfenstein, President

Sarah Borders, Vice-president

Lori Muntz, Member

George Jaques, Member

James Onorato, Member

WE ARE ON THE WEB

www.henrycountyconservation.com

Phone: 319-986-5067

Fax: 319-986-5469

E-mail: [email protected]

A NEWSLETTER OF THE HENRY COUNTY

CONSERVATION DEPARTM ENT

HCCD Staff

John Pullis, Executive Director

Tony Millard, Operations Supervisor

Marcie Givans, Office Manager

Cari Nicely, Naturalist

Drew Scarff, Summer Maintenance

Tune to KILJ 105.5 FM on your radio on the first and third Thursday of each month at 8:20 a.m. to hear updates from

the Henry County Conservation Department!

This newsletter is printed

on recycled paper.

If you would like to receive this newsletter via e-mail, we

can make that happen! You may submit your e-mail

address by calling our office at (319) 986-5067; e-mailing

our office at [email protected]; or by

postal mail to:

Henry County Conservation Department 2593 Nature Center Drive Mt. Pleasant, IA 52641-8250

Name: _________________________________________

E-mail:________________________________________

Please give us your mailing address so we can remove you

from our newsletter mailing list. Thank you!

Address: _______________________________________

City:________________________ State:_____________

Zip Code: __________________-____________

Open weekdays by appointment only.

Call 319-986-5067. Live animal display is open year-round.

under the oak tree...under the oak tree pella wildlife company may 24, 2012, at 7:00 p.m. cougars!...

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