Ann Bennett to receive the Governor's Volunteer Award on August 1, 2018.

Coordinated by Volunteer Iowa, the Governor's Volunteer Award program—now in its 35^th year— recognizes the dedicated people who volunteer their time and talent to help fulfill the missions of Iowa nonprofits, charitable organizations, and government entities. Ann will receive the award for her service with Friends of Shimek State Forest. The Award Program will be held at Bridge View Center in Ottumwa on August 1, 2018 at 11:15 AM. All friends of Ann are invited to attend. The members of the Board of Directors of Friends of Shimek extend congratulations to Ann on this well-deserved honor.

Friends are invited to join Ann after the award program for lunch in her honor at Appanoose Rapids, which is just across the river from the Bridge View at 332 E Main St., Ottumwa. If you plan to attend the lunch after the awards program, please let Lora Conrad know so that the reservation will have seating for all that attend. E-mail her at FOShimek@gmail.com.

Ann Bennett: Governor's Volunteer Award Nomination Excerpt

Ann Bennett has spent her 27 years in Iowa volunteering to make the lives of children, horses and riders better in significant ways. Her volunteerism has included serving as a County Board of Education member, leading an effort to build a new high school, improving rider safety in 4-H clubs, horse rescue efforts and other volunteer activities supporting children and horses. One of those volunteer projects to which she has dedicated much time, energy and heart has been the Friends of Shimek State Forest (FOS). FOS is an all volunteer, non-profit organization to support Shimek Forest. It was formed when the state was considering closing equestrian trails such as those at Shimek Forest. Ann and other local equestrians wanted very much to save those trails from closure as they are a popular outdoor activity for families in Iowa, especially in southeastern Iowa. She and a small cadre of like-minded volunteers, working with Shimek Area Forester John Byrd formed the group to preserve the equestrian trails and protect the forest. FOS was the first friends group in Iowa formed to support a state forest. Ann sought and obtained the support of the Great River Classical Horsemanship Association, the Iowa Trail Riders Association and Iowa Horse Council and her many individual contacts around the state to obtain support and cooperation for the new volunteer organization. Both the Shimek Area Forester and the Southeast Area Parks Supervisor worked with FOS to meet the goals of improving the trails and facilities for equestrians and to protect the resources of Shimek Forest. Volunteers dedicate about 1,000 hours each year to support Shimek Forest. This organization has been a valuable support for addressing the serious challenges of maintaining safe trails for equestrian families to enjoy a healthy outdoor activity free of charge and to develop an appreciation for the beauty and value of Shimek Forest in those that ride, hunt, hike, fish or drive through this lovely forest. Ann Bennett served as President from 2011 through 2017 and is still a member of the Board. Advocacy for the protection and care of the forest is an ongoing challenge to develop among the public a mindset of the need to protect, not “use” this beautiful resource—this is a struggle she, FOS volunteers, and the DNR staff continue to address today.