Follow-Up on Spring Spruce Up/Fix-Up Day Held March 12.

Message re Campground Work from Cody Brothersen, DNR Technician

Thanks to the help of DNR staff and Friends of Shimek Volunteers, we now have most of the vandalism damage to the Shimek Forest Campgrounds restored, though the trail barricades have not yet been replaced.  The Lick Creek Unit camping sites are all ready to use as soon as the trails are dry enough to ride.  I personally really appreciate all the help from the FOS Volunteers in this really tough time.  Everyone put in a hard and busy day.  Extra thanks are due to Bob Achenbach who returned the next day and helped me with more 6 x 6 posts.  I finished the last of the new reservation sign posts the following day.  My thanks also for a donation of some heavy telephone poles to use as boundary marker posts as well.  We have a great partnership between Friends of Shimek and DNR staff.   I look forward to working with the FOS Volunteers this year in campground maintenance and to replace the damaged and deteriorated kiosks in the campgrounds.   

CODY BROTHERSEN,  Park Technician

Iowa Department of Natural Resources

P 319-293-3502 | C 319-931-9566 | cody.brothersen@dnr.iowa.gov

Report on the Spring Fix-Up Day  from Lora Conrad
Such a lovely spring day to be working in the forest, though a lot drier underfoot would have been really nice.
DNR Technician Cody Brothersen lead the campground activities for the day and he was assisted by  DNR Shimek Forest staff, Barry and Ben, for part of the day.  Forester John Byrd checked in and showed us he could still swing around 6 x6 posts and operate saws.  Volunteers for the day were: Bob Bender, Bob Achenbach, Marsha Achenbach, Doug Moothart, Bonnie Moothart, Ann Bennett, Lora Conrad, Linda Fiordelise, Bill Fiordelise, Jo Watson, Wayne Long and Dennis Hunter.  Volunteers came from as far away as north of Cedar Rapids to work for the day.  The top priority was to recover the campgrounds as much as possible from the vandalism damage.   Many new posts were installed and painted.  Heavy 6 x6 posts, several at each location, were installed to protect the water faucets and the fee collection stations, new signage was installed, and lots of painting was done.  Several dead or dying trees were removed along with the brush created.  Work was done in both the Upper and Lower campgrounds, but it could not all be done in one day.  On Friday, Bob Achenbach returned and worked with Cody again all day.

A few photos are below. Photos of all the action, made by Bonnie Moothart and Lora Conrad , are on-line at: 
 https://plus.google.com/photos/109715468761500706650/albums/6126654080204521233?authkey=CI2MydeyqbnyfA

Bonnie was celebrating her March 12th birthday by working in the forest and by sharing delicious homemade cupcakes with everyone. FOS rewarded her dedication with a  strawberry cake with chocolate birthday decorations during the lunch break.

 

                                Bob and Doug unloading 6 x 6 posts.

Doug cutting trees marked for removal

Bonnie shares cupcakes with Bob and Ann.  Ann preparing fee collection station for painting.



John sawing cross bar for new tie rail needed in Lower Campground with help of Bob Achenbach, Bob Bender and Dennis Hunter.

Bob, Dennis, Jo and Ann help Cody install posts for new campground sign