Shimek has had an unusual year so far ---- no rain, then rain for every scheduled FOS work day and then some, and now hot conditions. The past few weeks have been
some of the hottest for the longest stretch of time that I can remember. Without the heat and other factors being an excuse, but after several months with Ben Hassman and I as the only full time staff, we have now hired two new full-time employees
for the Forestry Section. I'm pleased to announce the addition of Heath Fraise and Eric Martin to the DNR Shimek Forest staff as Technicians.
Heath Fraise has been working as a seasonal
Parks employee for 9 years as well as being
a farmer and a logger for a local mill.
He will be a great addition to the FORESTRY section of the DNR.
Eric Martin has been working the last few years
as a seasonal employee for wildlife and parks.
He is a graduate of Iowa State University
with a degree in Forestry.
Eric will also be a wonderful addition to the FORESTRY section.
Both Heath and Eric grew up around the Farmington area so they are familiar with the area already. Welcome guys! This is the first time in many years that Shimek Forest has actually been fully staffed.
This is an exciting time because we have been trying to get to the equestrian trails when we have a chance and get Heath and Eric more familiarized with them. I have been out on the skidsteer getting the proposed WWT addition graded and ready for rock once the trails dry a little. Something that I hope to do this year is re-route some of the trails that have bad crossing areas or are very hard to access, unless you walk them. We have also trimmed trees on most of the roads, which was long overdue.
We will also be scheduling time to work on the project to put lime chips around the hitching rails —that will be later this year and we will need the help of Friends of Shimek for that. We appreciate the support of the Lee County Charitable Fund for the project and the commitment from FOS to help get it done.
I want to thank everyone for their patience in a year where I have been running behind, but with full staffing, we should be caught up soon.
JOHN BYRD, Area Forester
Iowa Department of Natural Resources
P 319-878-3811 john.byrd@dnr.iowa.gov
Shimek State Forest | 33653 RTE J56 | Farmington, Iowa 52626
