Update as of 11/10/17 Message from Forester and Benefit Photo Link

Friends of Shimek Update     November 10. 2017

Message from Shimek Forester John Byrd:

Hello Friends,

Fall colors are fading, daylight is shortening, and equestrian riding is slowing which means that winter is coming fast.  With all these changes it means that we have the opportunity to look back on the past few months and see what was accomplished.   Many of you have shown overwhelming support for Shimek State Forest, both trails and campgrounds, by attending workdays, donating funds, helping raise funds, and promoting pride in the Forest.

This spring we opened the second section of the Wet Weather Trail which the Shimek DNR Crew had worked on for over a year. It was made possible by the support of the William M and Donna J. Hoaglin Foundation, Inc. Over the summer, the Shimek DNR crew replaced several hitching rails and a manure bunker and did trail work (water diversions, smoothing, clearing, widening, mowing ) on several stretches of trail that hadn't received management in a few years.

Shimek DNR, Friends of Shimek, and Lee County Charitable Fund (LCCF) have undertaken a joint project to establish two new parking lots in Lick Creek to better accommodate horse trailer rigs.  One will be an expansion of the current parking lot in the Upper Campground.  The other is on the left down the hill to the Lower Campground.  Lack of parking for day riders, especially on weekends, has been an ongoing issue with the rise in popularity of Shimek's trail system. This should help tremendously.  These parking lots are not cheap to construct! Thanks to a grant from the LCCF and the FANTASTIC fundraising of the Friends of Shimek, we are going to make this venture successful.  Thank you to everyone who supported the Benefit Meal and Auctions this past weekend but especially the Volunteers who put countless hours into making it a success. Event Coordinators Bonnie Moothart and Ann Bennett were not only behind the success of the fundraiser—but “on it” all year!   

It is very important as we look to next year that we remain diligent on trail management.    We also plan some slight additions/improvements to the trail system as well.  The Shimek DNR Crew has several re-routes planned to make riding and access for trail management easier.  Please stay tuned for further information on those changes.  

I want to thank everyone who rides at Shimek that goes that extra mile of picking up trash, moving a small downed tree, or reporting to DNR a problem on the trails.  I have learned over the years that there are hundreds of riders that do these things because they take pride in how the trails look and never mention it to anyone.  Thank you to everyone for a successful season of riding.  I will spend the rest of my winter in the woods on forest management, knowing trails, campgrounds, and facilities are ready for next year.

Very appreciative,

John Byrd, Forester

FOS Benefit Meal and Auctions
The FOS Benefit Meal and Auctions was held Saturday November 4th at the River Valley Lodge.  Thanks to many many hours by Event  Coordinator Bonnie Moothart and FOS President Ann Bennett with a lot of back up from Doug Moothart, the FOS Board, hard working volunteers and all the many many donors, attendees, and bidders --WE DID IT!  OVER $9,000 RAISED (gross income).  This money will be used to match or fund projects planned by Forester John Byrd to improve the Forest trails and campgrounds as he discussed above.  A sampling of the photos from the event can be seen at the link below.

https://photos.app.goo.gl/xXuq1435n4ewPnD63

  Take a look a them--if you were there, you may be in one or more!

Anyone that missed the benefit and would like to help FOS -- please send a check to Debbie Miller, FOS Treasurer, c/o Lee County Bank, 2501 Avenue L, Ft. Madison, IA 52627.  Your help is much appreciated.

Message regarding trails 10-11-2017

Message from Forester John Byrd:

 

"Currently (10-11-2017) the trails at Shimek are OPEN.  The forecast for this weekend (10-13 to 10-15) is looking like it could be a wet one with estimated rainfall amounts close to an inch.  Trail status could change on Saturday in a moments notice.  This is just a courtesy informational post to those coming to ride trails at Shimek State Forest.  Up to date trail information can be found by calling 319-878-3811 or online at  http://www.iowadnr.gov/Places-to-Go/State-Parks/Alerts-and-Closures.

Thank you"

New Equestrian Day Parking Project gets underway!

  The Lee County Charitable Fund, DNR Shimek staff and FOS are jointly embarking upon a project to expand the equestrian day parking in the Upper Campground and to add an equestrian day parking lot near the Lower Campground. LCCF has awarded $5,000; FOS must raise at least an additional $4,000 which we are hoping to complete by the end of the night on Nov. 4 when we hold the Benefit Meal and Auction.

 The DNR Shimek crew has just begun the first step of this project---the clearing of the trees from the areas to be made into equine parking. On Monday, before the Tuesday rain, they removed the trees currently on the area adjacent to the day parking in the upper campground which will become expanded day parking. THANK YOU to Forester John Byrd for his planning and work to assure that we have adequate day parking at both campgrounds...and for the photos of the work being done. Follow us here or on Facebook for updates as it progresses---hoping for completion in May 2018---weather cooperating.

First step completed---trees cleared from area for day parking at Upper Campground.

FOS Update as of 10-1-17 Sept. Work Day Follow-up and Day-Parking Project

September 28th Workday Report

At the FOS Work Day on 9/28, there were 14 volunteers and five DNR Shimek crew to tackle the jobs needing done. Volunteers were Marsha Achenbach, Bob Achenbach, Ringo Covert, Jo Watson, Kathy Collins, Jeff Collins, Linda Fiordelise, Bill Fiordelise, Bonnie Moothart, Doug Moothart, Pat Pollpeter, Billie Dilsaver, Mary Doyle and Lora Conrad. The Shimek DNR Crew working with the volunteers were Forester John Byrd, Ben Hassman, Eric Martin, Heath Fraise, and Susan Meinhardt. The work of all is much appreciated!  Shown below is Forester John Byrd making work assignments for the morning.

Forester John Byrd assigned two crews of two ATV's each to take chain saws and clear trees that had recently fallen on both dirt trails and the WWT. Several people including Linda, Mary and Lora walked trails out of the campgrounds with loppers to cut back roses and carried trash bags and pickers to retrieve those cans and bottles thoughtlessly tossed back into the briars.  Ringo and Doug are shown here removing a tree across the WWT.  Photo by Bonnie Moothart.

In camp, recyclable and refundable cans and bottles collected in the deposit bins were sorted by Marsha and Kathy shown at work below and fire pits were cleaned –Pat, Billie, and Susan worked on this in both campgrounds.  The Mootharts took the cans to Ann then Ann Bennett took the cans to recycle and received $104 for the FOS treasury.

DNR crew had begun work on the lime chips in all the horse stalls by breaking up the hard pan so that volunteers could rake the lime chips into more nearly flat surfaces (getting rid of pot holes created by horses). Toilet facilities in both campgrounds were pressure washed by Jeff Collins and John Byrd...a difficult job but much appreciated by campers.  Pat Pollpeter and Billie Dilsaver cleaned out firepits.

After a morning of work, all gathered for a lunch of soup and sandwiches, an update from John Byrd on the new day parking project and an update from Bonnie Moothart on the Benefit Meal and Auctions scheduled Nov. 4 to raise matching funds for that project and for other work needed on the trails.

YOU can still help!

Much was accomplished but we never quite get finished—can't retrieve trash from 26 miles in one morning. But if riders will help when they are there---the trails could be completely cleared up—so when you are riding, if you see trash and cans on a section, take an hour and clean up a section of trail. Let us know when you do this, and we'll include you in the Shimek volunteer report! Just send your name, date and time worked at Shimek and what you did to FOShimek@gmail.com Any photos of you working on the trails or in the campgrounds will also be appreciated.

Day-Parking Project

The Lee County Charitable Fund has made a grant to FOS for the development of additional day-parking at the Upper Campground and for a new day-parking lot at the Lower Campground.  The grant amount is for $5,000.  FOS very much appreciates this generous grant.  However, the two new parking areas will require clearing trees, smoothing and packing ground, purchasing and spreading rock and lime chips, packing these and other related work to provide two suitable, well-drained  day-parking areas for trucks with horse-trailers  that can be used with only a small amount of annual  maintenance for many years to come.  The estimate of the cost is at least $9,000 total.  Forester John Byrd and his crew will clear trees and oversee the dozer work paid for by the grant.  Work will begin about the end of October and, weather permitting, it will be completed by early May.  However, there are no funds in the DNR Shimek budget for the amount of rock and lime chips needed.  FOS is committed to raising the matching funds for the project and additional funds to provide the rock needed for trail repairs on Wet Weather Trail maintenance. Remember, there is no charge to use the day-parking areas.  However, they are not to be used for overnight camping---campsites are already provided for that purpose.

Benefit Meal and Auctions for Friends of Shimek

For the latest photos of the almost 100 items to auction by the auctioneer, the silent auction items and the details of the meal, go to Facebook Friends of Shimek State Forest Equestrian Trails and check out the Event for November 4th--meal starts at 5:00PM, auction at 6:30.  It is being held at the Lodge at River Valley campground.  Bonnie Moothart and Ann Bennett are coordinating the fundraiser.

See you November 4th!!

Lora Conrad

FOS Secretary/Newsletter Editor

FOS Work Day Sept. 28, 2017

FRIENDS OF SHIMEK FOREST (FOS)

September 28^th WORK DAY –

  CAN YOU COME HELP? 

Come join other friends of Shimek at 8am at the Lick Creek Lower Campground on Thursday, Sept. 28^th at the gravel circle as you first arrive at the campground. Forester John Byrd will give us an update on what is happening at Shimek. Then he will assign work day tasks, volunteers will sign liability forms ( if needed) and volunteer log. After a morning of work, all will return to the Lower Campground at noon to report back on progress, then rest a while with friends. Light lunch provided for all by Lora Conrad, Work Day Coordinator. Water provided. Remember—no previous volunteer experience necessary.


Please RSVP to FOS by email FOShimek@gmail.com so we have an idea of who is coming and what you are bringing for tools and equipment. If pouring rain (Oh we do hope for that before then we are so DRY!), then the work day may be cancelled. Any change in work day status will be promptly posted on FB and the FOS Blog as well. If there is a change, anyone who has advised us they are coming will be contacted via e-mail or phone.

Primary goals for the day are both campground and trail work. Campground work includes clean up of fire pits, campsites and stalls, can and bottle sorting, and some painting yet to be done. Trail work needed that can be done using your ATV, on foot or on horseback includes trash/can pick-up, cutting back multi-flora that intrudes on the trails (can use loppers, weedeaters, or walk-behind mowers), clipping back overgrowth on narrower trails with loppers, and removing dangerous limbs that could jab riders. Let us know what you want to work on and we will discuss what supplies you might need to bring and what DNR or FOS can supply. Paint and trash bags will be provided by DNR. FOS has loppers. Don't forget your blaze orange Friends of Shimek work vest if you have one. There will be some loaners available to identify all of us as volunteers.

We look forward to having you with us that morning. We will all return to camp at Noon to report back and enjoy lunch with friends. Lunch and water will be provided. Most work is expected to be finished by noon.

Cautionary note: There have been multiple reports of “ground bees” or yellowjackets —so if you have a serious allergy to the stings of bees or wasps, do not plan to work on the trails.

Assistance Needed for the Benefit Meal and Auction Nov. 4.

Bonnie Moothart, who is coordinating the benefit, will be at the September work day—clip board in hand---to sign us all up for whatever jobs we can do to help make the fundraiser a big success. So—if you can plan on helping prepare on Nov. 3 or during the set-up, during and after the auction on Nov. 4---please talk to Bonnie. This includes food donations such as that great homemade pie you always make for special occasions. Or that extra saddle or piece of furniture or art work you are willing to part with to help raise money for the new day parking areas at both campgrounds and for other improvements. If you can help and won't be there on the 28th—contact her as described below.

See you September 28^th!

FOS Update --Happening At or To Shimek State Forest-8/13/17

Happening at or to Shimek State Forest

State Level Organizational changes...... Summary: Forestry has been disbanded –Shimek now under SE IA District Parks

In the last few weeks, there have been major changes to the DNR organizational structure that affect Shimek State Forest as well as Forester John Byrd and his crew. Many of you have already read that over the July 4th holiday weekend, the Iowa DNR Director Gipp disbanded the Forestry Bureau and retired or reassigned its leadership. Anticipated budget cuts to DNR were cited as the reason. The segments of Forestry have been disbursed in various other DNR Bureaus. The individual forests have been assigned to various Parks and Preserves Bureau offices. Shimek State Forest is assigned to Southeast Iowa District Parks under Tom Basten, who was already responsible for the campgrounds, in cooperation with the Shimek Forester. For the time being, there are no individual Forest staffing changes, no changes in responsibilities and certainly no increases in budgets for the State Forests. We all need to support both Forester John Byrd and Parks Supervisor Tom Basten as they work together to keep Shimek Forest improved and protected for future generations while still offering wonderful, accessible trails and excellent primitive campgrounds --- as it is today.

State Budgets......Summary: Major DNR cuts already and more looming. Speak to your legislators.

State lawmakers cut the DNR budget once again this year—cutting it $1.2 million earlier this year. The Governor now says she may call a special session later to act on “looming budget problems.”

In the opinion of your editor, the long term concern for both Parks and all the forests is whether there will be still further budget cuts to DNR. Watch your news for this. You may want to communicate your feelings on such matters in the future to the new Representative for District 82 ( which includes Van Buren and therefor the headquarters and a large part of Shimek Forest), Dr. Phil Miller and Representative Jerry Kearns of southern Lee County District 83 where the Lick Creek Unit is located as well as your own state representative if you live in another district. Our positive support of Shimek Forest could be very important.

Back on the ground in Shimek Forest.....

Summary: Trails and campgrounds in great shape thanks to DNR Crew

This spring, for the first time in 9 years –yes—that is for the first time in nine years--- Shimek State Forest was provided equipment money for one new piece of equipment for the entire forest. This was especially critical as the one little skid steer the forest had was (and is) inoperable (wearing out---needing several thousand dollars worth of repairs). So-- Forester Byrd selected and purchased as the Forest “Work Horse” a new heavier-duty skid steer, a John Deere 323E, that includes a front end serious- mow- everything Rotary Cutter. It is a much needed asset for management of the 9,000 acres of forest and and for the maintenance and support of the equestrian trails in the Lick Creek Unit . Shimek staff—especially Ben Hassman---have been putting it to good use. Part of that use has included mowing many of the equestrian trails (though some are too narrow or rough to use it). As a result, most trails that can be mowed have been mowed at this point, and since the drought has slowed the undergrowth, they are staying mowed for longer than usual. Downed trees have been removed promptly after Forester Byrd is notified since Shimek now has a functioning piece of equipment to do this with.

Shimek has also had exceptional Summer Staff in Ross O'Day and Susan Meinhardt who now work part-time, hopefully through the end of October. Those super clean toilet facilities, trimmed and swept up campgrounds are thanks to their hard work—the painted Bridge at Martin Pond, the rest of the tables painted that FOS did not get finished on the last work day—Thanks to Susan and Ross!

Forester Byrd and crew have also done some extra things this summer for us equestrians that have included more new hitching posts to replace some of the old ones, corrections to poor water crossings on the trails, and addition of water diversions along the trails to handle hoped-for future rains.

Despite the unsettled circumstances and frequent threats of less funding, Forester Byrd and Staff have stayed focused on doing the best possible job—and you can see it every time you go there.  See photos below of the new tie rails in the upper campground and of the repaired crossing where there was a very narrow deep ditch previously.

.

           

What we—the riders and Friends of Shimek can do or are doing.....

Summary: Help Out at the Next Scheduled Work Day

The August Group Work Day has been canceled. Join us on September 28^th at 8:00 AM for the next FOS Group Work Day. More information will be sent later and be posted on FB and on the FOS blogspot..

Summary: Help Raise Funds for New Day Parking. $$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$

FOS, working with Forester Byrd, has obtained a grant from the Lee County Charitable Fund for $5,000 to apply toward the cost of constructing two new day parking areas—one at each campground. The actual cost will be closer to $9,000 so we have a challenge to raise the $4,000 to assure the construction of these new parking areas on time. Needless to say, there will be no DNR money to apply toward this but Forester Byrd and his crew will provide much of the labor. Riders have been asking for these for several years---so now is the time to help us make it possible. The project will not begin until October 1 when the currently wooded area can be cleared. FOS is holding a Benefit Meal and Auction this November 4^th. You can donate items to the auction and/or purchase items at the auction to help out.

Summary: Benefit Dinner and Auction Saturday, November 4, 2017
At River Valley Lodge 29080 Hawk Drive – Farmington, IA
Admission: $10.00

Hot Meal -smoked pulled pork with all the trimmings... with homemade desserts 5:00-6:30 p.m.
Silent Auction 5:00- 8:00 p.m.
Live Auction 6:30 p.m.
(western items, tack, art work, quilts, gift certificates, services, equine care products, other) All auctioned items will be either new or clean and repaired used items. Nothing dirty or broken will be auctioned.

All proceeds will be used by Friends of Shimek
to support improvements in the Lick Creek equine campgrounds and trails.
Questions, Donations or Help: Contact Bonniemoothart@me.com or 319 653 5323 or FOShimek@gmail.com. Need donated items by October 1, 2017. Facebook: Benefit Meal and Auctions for Friends of Shimek

$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$

Summary: Simple - Clean-up After Ourselves And Our Animals

Most riders are very good about civil behavior. We really appreciate their cooperation in cleaning up after themselves and not damaging our precious resources. ---but we have a few $%^$$%^

So we'll spell it out--

On the trails---When you are riding—be sure to carry out all the cans and trash you carry in with you. If you can do so—help remove some of the cans and trash that some have left behind. These are scattered about through the forest and if you can carry a bag on the horse to hold cans and remove a few each time, we could get rid of those with no one having to work at it too hard. Also there is nothing attractive or considerate about hanging women's underwear about in the trees –yep-- a few people are doing that. What the??????????

In camp, none of this cans, bottles and plastic in the firepits or thrown down into the toilets to cause other people trouble. As my Grandma would have said to such people: “ Were you raised in a pig sty?

Appreciate a clean campsite and/or stable? Then please leave it clean when you go home.

Summary: Protect This Precious Place for Future Citizens to Enjoy.....

Consider the impact of what you are doing---riding on wet trails causes damage that is difficult to repair as does making your own trails or riding off -trail up and down a lovely bluebell hill that now will be ugly and ditched for many years. So treat these trails and this beautiful forest like you plan to bring your grandchildren here. If we all help keep it and protect it, then it will be here for them to enjoy.

Summing it all up: Shimek Forest --- If we do not help protect it, we could lose access to it.

July 8, 2017 FOS Work Day Report

Forester John Byrd was joined by 15 FOS volunteers and two DNR summer staff for a morning of work that included both Lick Creek Campgrounds, Bitternut Campground and White Oak campground.  Activities included painting table legs and replacing You Are Here signage on the equestrian trails. Chains were hung in several hitching posts and fire pits not in use cleaned. Several people rode trails with loppers and trimmed back low hanging limbs   Many thanks to all for taking the morning to help at Shimek.

One of the major tasks for the morning was updating the "You Are Here" signs. The map signs posted along the trails have been up now several years and had faded and no longer were correct as Shimek has expanded the Wet Weather Trail System. To replace the maps, Forester John Byrd prepared a new map which Lala O'Hara got printed and laminated for us and her brother Neal Hartman and Sonny Gipe (shown here) as well as Marsha Achenbach, Bob Bender and Debbie Miller rode out and installed them in the map holders. John Byrd used the DNR 4-wheeler to deliver six of the heavy map holders that needed to be reinstalled to the post sites. Now there are about a dozen up to date signs scattered along the equestrian trails at key points to help anyone that is wondering just exactly where they might be.  I know, you never get lost--but somebody might...like your directionally impaired blog writer.

Forester John Byrd goes over the map installation
plan with FOS Volunteers.

Neal Hartman and Sonny Gipe head off with maps in their saddle bags to install.

Forester John Byrd discusses where Bob Bender and Marsha Achenbach
 will install maps on the You Are Here signs.

Forester John Byrd delivered several of the  heavy map holders to the
 appropriate signage location. 

 
Another major activity was extending the life of picnic tables. Every couple of years, DNR staff and FOS Volunteers paint the metal table supports on the tables in all the Shimek Campgrounds. This year, DNR summer staff Ross O'Day and Susan Meinhardt had already painted the upper campground table supports and on the July 8th FOS Group Work Day, they along with several FOS Volunteers painted all the ones not in use in the Lower campground, all the ones at the White Oak Campground and six of the ones at the Bitternut Campground. Still some to go but a lot of headway was made. This helps slow the rusting of the table supports where they rest on the ground. 

Ross O'Day and Alan Ball flip a table with the legs up for painting.

Here Susan Meinhardt cleans the dirt and trash off the table legs
 while Alan Ball begins painting at White Oak Campground

Bill Fiordelise painting a table in the Lower Campground.

DNR Reorganization Affecting Shimek State Forest

 Many people have heard rumors of major changes within DNR over the holiday. What FOS has learned from several sources as of noon on 7-5 is that--yes--the Forestry Bureau has been eliminated as a separate bureau as of July 3rd by DNR Director Gipp. Personnel affected were notified by e-mail. Of course, many were on holiday at the time.

The segments of Forestry have been disbursed in various other DNR Bureaus. The individual forests have been assigned to various Parks and Preserves Bureau offices. Shimek State Forest is assigned to Southeast Iowa District Parks under Tom Basten, who was already responsible for the campgrounds, in cooperation with the Shimek Forester.

 For the time being, there are no individual Forest staffing changes, no changes in responsibilities and certainly no increases in budgets for the State Forests.

FOS are all concerned about the impact of such major changes and must hope for the best possible outcome for Shimek DNR staff and Shimek forest.  When any official documents on this are made available, FOS will post them here.

July 8th FOS Workday Plans

FRIENDS OF SHIMEK FOREST (FOS) JULY 8 WORK DAY –

  CAN YOU COME HELP? 

Come join other friends of Shimek at 8am at the Lick Creek Lower Campground on Saturday, July 8^th at the gravel circle as you first arrive at the campground. Forester John Byrd will give us an update on what is happening at Shimek. Then he and Work Day Coordinator Neal Hartman will assign work day tasks, volunteers will sign liability forms ( if needed) and volunteer log. After a morning of work, all will return to the Lower Campground at noon to report back on progress, then rest a while with friends. Bring a sack lunch (if you like), water provided. Don't forget your blaze orange Friends of Shimek work vest if you have one. There will be some loaners available to identify all of us as volunteers. Remember—no previous volunteer experience necessary.


Please RSVP to FOS by email FOShimek@gmail.com so we have an idea of who is coming and what you are bringing for tools and equipment. Since this is a Saturday and likely to be busy, we will NOT take 4 wheelers out on trails. If pouring rain, then the work day may be cancelled. Any change in work day status will be promptly posted on FB and the FOS Blog as well. If there is a change, anyone who has advised us they are coming will be contacted via e-mail or phone.

Primary goals for the day are both campground and trail work. Campground work includes putting chains on some new hitching rails, painting tables where campsites are not in use, clean up of fire pits, campsites and stalls and can and bottle sorting. Trail work needed that can be done on foot or on horseback includes some weedeating/walk behind mowing and replacing sign sheets in the You Are Here signs on the trails, trash/can pick-up and clipping back overgrowth on narrower trails with loppers. Let us know what you want to work on and we will discuss what supplies you might need to bring and what DNR or FOS can supply. Paint and chains will be provided by DNR.

We look forward to having you with us that morning. We will all return to camp at Noon to report back and enjoy our own brown-bag lunches with friends. Water will be provided and we might have a watermelon or two to share that day! Most work is expected to be finished by noon.

May 16th--A Beautiful Day to Work at Shimek

On a crisp , sunny day--May 16th--fourteen FOS volunteers and all DNR Shimek staff met to cleanup the campgrounds and to clear downed trees, mow some trails and generally improve the riding conditions and appearance in the equestrian campgrounds and on the riding trails.   Thanks to all the volunteers and the entire DNR crew.  Special thanks to the several volunteers who are not equestrians but enjoy and appreciate our forests.


Forester John Byrd gives the days "marching orders" before crews head off to the trails and spread out around the two campgrounds to get the place cleaned up.

Here volunteers are shown clearing gutters and cleaning out stalls in the Lower Campground.

Pam Ball, Marsha Achenbach and Shirley Mulligan followed by DNR employee Ben Hassman all carry collected bags of recyclable cans and bottles for sorting and bagging correctly. Over $150 was raised this time.

Three ATV crews head off to cut downed trees, remove fallen debris from trails and trim back overgrowth.

Forester Update: New Addition to WWT

We began the Wet Weather Trail System (WWT) in 2013 with the objective of providing some trails that can be ridden in more adverse conditions than the dirt trails, thus offering you, the riders, more days of suitable riding opportunity each year.   The first section of over 3 miles opened in 2014.

The project of adding 2.2 miles of trails to the WWT system has been ongoing since fall of 2015.  Weather is always a contributing factor to getting work completed on the trails, but we have been working diligently when it has been dry and we can take a break from forestry duties.  It is my pleasure to announce that we have COMPLETED the new addition to the WWT system.  This is an exciting time due to the scope of the project that we started a couple years ago.  It opens up a new part of the forest to riding when dirt trails are too soggy to ride.  This new trail should give users another option when conditions could otherwise be damaging to trails.  The WWT should insure  increased safety for both riders and horses or mules and  protect another section of the forest from extreme erosion.  

       

The new section of WWT was made possible by many hands and organizations that also share the forest's vision of protected and sustainable trails.  The major funding agency was the William M. and Donna J. Hoaglin Foundation which provided grants for the majority of the rock for both the initial WWT and for the addition to the WWT.  Friends of Shimek also provides  major support by dedicating funds every year to rock for trail development and maintenance and by managing the foundation grant.  The Iowa DNR funded additional rock needed and DNR Shimek staff did the trail construction work including shaping and rocking.  

       

From today forward this new section of the WWT System is open and is included in the trails that can be ridden both when all trails are open and when the trail status is Closed---WWT Open.  Signage is not complete yet but the trail should be obvious due to the rock on the trail.  A sign is posted on the side of each information kiosk that shows the complete WWT System.  There still is a possibility of closing the WWT if maintenance is needed or there are unusually wet conditions, so always check trail status before riding.  
       

Thank you to everyone that put work into the project or donated funds.  Thank you to all of the riders who have supported the plan to have a WWT System by following the guidelines posted for trail status and only riding trails that are open.   This addition to the WWT is another big step in the development of a sustainable trail system. The DNR Shimek staff and Friends of Shimek, with your help and support, will continue to work towards having the most sustainable trails possible.

   

Thank you and happy riding.

   

John Byrd,  Shimek Forester


Note:  See the page titled Trails at Shimek: Open, Closed or WWT? for a map and guidelines.

 

Section of the WWT Addition

 

In Memory of Donna J. Hoaglin

Two grants from the William M. & Donna J. Hoaglin Foundation  enabled FOS and DNR to establish the Wet Weather Trail system.. The generosity of  Mrs. Hoaglin and her family is much appreciated.   In Memory of Donna Jean Hoaglin     February 05, 1922 - May 04, 2017 See photo at  http://www.murphyfuneralandmonuments.com/images/HoagDonna.jpg Leave a message | View Messages Donna Jean Nicholson Hoaglin, 95, of Mt. Pleasant passed away on Thursday, May 4, 2017, at Park Place Elder Living Center in Mt. Pleasant. Funeral services will be held on Sunday, May 7, 2017, at 2:30 p.m. at the First Presbyterian Church in Mt. Pleasant with Rev. Trey Hegar officiating. Burial will follow in the Hillsboro Cemetery. Friends may call after 1:00 p.m. on Saturday at the Murphy Funeral Home in Mt. Pleasant where the family will be present from 5:00 to 7:00 p.m. The family will also receive friends on Sunday at the church beginning at 1:00 p.m. until the service time. Memorials may be directed to the HCI Care Services, First Presbyterian Church or to the Salem Crew Public Library in her memory. Donna was born on February 5, 1922, at home near Salem, Iowa, the daughter of Russell Paul and Florence Leila Ross Nicholson. She was united in marriage to Kenneth L. Remick on November 10, 1940 in Mt. Pleasant. They later divorced. On January 17, 1950, she was united in marriage to William M. Hoaglin in Keokuk, he preceded her in death on May 30, 1997, at the age of 100. Growing up on a farm in rural Salem, Donna attended the Salem Country Schools and graduated from Salem High School in 1939 at the age of 17. She worked as a bookkeeper for several area businesses including Hoaglin’s Department Store. Together, she and her husband established the William M. and Donna J. Hoaglin Foundation. Donna served as the vice-president of the Foundation during her husband’s tenure as president and then as president until her death. She and her husband were involved in agriculture, traveled, and were members of the Country Club on the River. She was a member of the First Presbyterian Church of Mt. Pleasant where she taught Sunday School, served in the Presbyterian Women’s Association, and was named one of the first women elders. Donna was a member of numerous organizations including Farm Bureau, the State Historical Society of Iowa, Questers, Mt. Pleasant Women’s Club, Henry County Genealogical Society, and the Henry County Health Center Auxiliary. Donna was named a 50-year member of both PEO Chapter Original A and the National TTT Society. Donna enjoyed genealogy, playing bridge, and reading her Bible. She also enjoyed gardening, cooking, and attending music and sporting events of her grandchildren and great-grandchildren. Donna is survived by her grandchildren, great-grandchildren and great-great grandchild: Grandson Joseph Remick and his wife Carol of rural Hillsboro, and their children: Spenser Remick and his wife Amber of Oskaloosa, Morgan Fry and her husband Benjamin, of New London; and Carson Remick of Pella; Grandson Larry Remick and his wife Lisa of rural Hillsboro, and their children: Rachael Sathoff, and her husband Jordan, along with their infant son, Jadon of rural Hillsboro; and Elliott Remick of Mt. Pleasant; Granddaughter Jeanna Yochum and her husband Tom of rural Hillsboro, and their children: Melia Smith of Kennesaw, Georgia; Mackenzie Yochum of Elwood, Iowa; and Casey Yochum of rural Hillsboro; and her daughter-in-law Judith of Washington. Donna was preceded in death by her parents; her son Russell K. Remick; her brother Ross Nicholson in infancy.

MAY 16 FOS WORK DAY -- CAN YOU COME HELP?

Here are the plans:


Come join other friends of Shimek at 8am at the Lick Creek Upper Campground on Tuesday, May 16^th. Forester John Byrd will give us an update on what is happening at Shimek. Then he and Work Day Coordinator Ann Bennett will assign work day tasks, volunteers will sign liability forms and volunteer log. After a morning of work, all will return to the Upper Campground at noon to report back on progress, then rest a while with friends. Bring a sack lunch (if you like), water provided. Don't forget your blaze orange Friends of Shimek work vest if you have one. There will be some loaners available to identify all of us as volunteers. Remember—no previous volunteer experience necessary.

Please RSVP to FOS by email FOShimek@gmail.com so we have an idea of who is coming and what you are bringing for tools and equipment. If trails are closed or conditions uncertain for a 4 wheeler, we will NOT take 4 wheelers (or horses) out on trail. Sorting redemption cans and bottles and campground clean up will still proceed. Or if pouring rain, then the work day may be cancelled. Any change in work day status will be promptly posted on FB and the FOS Blog as well. If there is a change, anyone who has advised us they are coming will be contacted via e-mail or phone.

Volunteers should bring equipment, tools or supplies from home as discussed below. Note: If you have equipment for workers to use but you will not be using it, please e-mail FOShimek@gmail.com or call John Byrd at 319-878-3811 to be sure it will be needed before taking the trouble to bring it.

Primary goals for the day are trail clearing and campground cleanup.

A couple of teams with ATV's are needed to clear fallen trees, pick up any cans/bottles, clear back brush as needed, and check trail signage for numbered posts, Wet Weather Trail and "You are here" with maps signage. Bring 4 wheelers, chainsaws and protective gear, loppers for branches and multi-floral rose and brambles (FOS has several good pair of loppers). Trash bags provided.

Clean out fire pits in Upper and Lower Campground and pick up sticks off camping pads. Need gloves. Trash bags provided by DNR.

Sort and bag cans and bottles for redemption. Quite a few bags have accumulated over winter and need to be sorted. Need gloves. Clear bags for redemption provided by FOS. Bring any recyclable deposit cans and bottles from home to add to the recycle.

Bleach and scrub inside of pit toilet buildings, check for supplies like toilet paper, hand sanitizer. FOS provides latex gloves, water hoses, mop and bleach needed for sanitizing.

Rake chips around hitching rails –heavy rakes and gloves needed.

Clean out gutters on horse shelters. Bring gloves. DNR provides ladder. Two person job - ladder to be stabilized by one person on the ground.

 Finally, if time and number of volunteers permit, painting of a pedestrian bridge at Martin Pond on Hiway 2. It will need to have some large areas ground with a grinding wheel to remove rust and flaking paint. DNR will supply green paint. FOS will provide mineral spirits and rags and latex gloves. Bring a paint brush. We will have some you can use if you do not bring one.

Whew! This list is long for this is our first work day of the season and once again DNR Forestry and Parks are under the axe on budgets so campground summer staffing has not been provided. Your help is needed more than ever to keep our facilities and trails in good shape.

The 5th Annual FOS Education Day ---- Lacey-Keosauqua Park

Education Day at Lacey-Keosauqua State Park

by Ann Bennett, FOS President
               

A total of 26 people met at the Lacey-Keosauqua Park Lodge on April 1st to enjoy an educational walking tour along the Des Moines River in Lacey-Keosauqua State Park and/or a Friends Group Meeting. The Friends of Shimek, with the cooperation of Friends of Lacey, hosted the Education Day. DNR Southeast Area Parks Supervisor Tom Basten hosted a Southeast Iowa Friends Groups Meeting following the walking tour.  

The hikers--Friends of Shimek and Friends of Lacey--are shown at Ely Ford.

          

 Participants learned about the development of Lacey-Keosauqua State Park. It is one of Iowa's largest and most picturesque parks with 1,653 acres of hills, bluffs and valley along the Des Moines River in Van Buren County. The Park Lodge was constructed by the Civilian Conservation Corp (CCC) and originally was the club house for a golf course.  There is a new memorial bronze sculpture of a CCC worker at the original park entrance.  The Friends of Lacey funded the renovation of the 1935 Gatehouse and the new CCC Memorial.  The golf course proved too difficult to maintain due to the hilly terrain so now the Park Lodge can be rented for weddings, family reunions and anniversaries.

Lacey-Keosauqua State Park was established in 1921 and was the second park established in Iowa. Backbone State Park was first,  established in 1920. The first national conference about parks was hosted in Des Moines due to Iowa's leadership in establishing parks.

The park is named after Major John Fletcher Lacey who fought in the Civil War and was elected to the House of Representatives in 1868 and to Congress in 1888. He campaigned for conservation legislation and was instrumental in establishing a state park system in Iowa.

Park Technician Justin Lynton and Park Manager Justin Pedretti guided a walk along the Des Moines River to Ely Ford used as a crossing before roads were established and near where the Mormon Pioneer Trail crossed the river.

  This photo shows members of the group crossing a footbridge along the trail.

The river was eroding the outside bend and eating into the banks so that a monument marking Ely Ford and some big sycamore trees would end up in the river.  A big riprap project was constructed using concrete from the old Douds bridge, then finished with quarry rock funded by Friends of Lacey.  Federal flood relief programs would not repair the damage since no measures had been taken before to stop the erosion.

This area on the Des Moines River also set the scene for the “Honey War “---which was an argument between Missouri and Iowa over the location of the border that began with surveying errors in the 1830's and ended in 1839 with some cut honey trees, attempts to collect taxes, and threats by militia from both sides. The actual boundary between the states was surveyed and marked in 1851 and again in 1896. Some of the stone markers can still be found along the IA-MO border.





There are several Indian Mounds protected within the park boundaries and the Office of the State Archaeologist (OSA) has examined human remains exposed by weathering which were then re-interred in accordance with the Native American Graves Protection and Repatriation Act. Descendants of the Ioway tribe have examined other artifacts within the park and believe they represent the late Woodland Culture around A.D. 1000.

This photo shows just how beautiful the bluebells are on the Bluebell Hill at Ely Ford.

           

                     

Several people noticed garlic mustard, an invasive weed that is difficult to control, overtaking the bluebells on Bluebell Hill. A few days after the hike, volunteers began hand weeding since chemical control would also harm the bluebells and other wildflowers.

Shimek State Forester John Byrd identified trees along the way and talked about forest management.  He talked about the difference between the Parks mission for recreation and the Forest mission for timber management.   There is a 918 acre Keosauqua Unit of Shimek State Forest adjoining the west side of Lacey-Keosauqua State Park.  There are several miles of hiking and snowmobile trails in it. John mentioned that there are 4 agencies that co-operate with each other in this area - Shimek State Forest, Lacey-Keosauqua State Park, Lake Sugema Wildlife Management Area and the Van Buren County Conservation Board.

John Byrd (in orange) is shown with Bob and Marsha Achenbach along the trail.                   

After the hike, the DNR Southeast Area Parks Supervisor, Tom Basten, hosted a Southeast Iowa Friends Group Meeting to discuss the Parks 2020 initiative which will celebrate the 100th anniversary of Iowa Parks. Retired Parks Bureau Chief Kevin Szcodronski is leading the Parks 2020, planning and enlisting help from the Friends Groups.  The years 2017 and 2018 are designated for fund raising, 2019 is "sprucing up" the parks, and 2020 is celebrate. The current Parks Bureau Chief Todd Coffelt attended and encouraged participation by the local communities in partnership with the local parks to celebrate the outdoors in some way during 2020. There is not a boiler plate for the celebration as each park is unique. Representatives of four Friends Groups attended: Lacey-Keosauqua, Lake Darling, Rock Creek, and Shimek Forest.  (The Shimek Forest campgrounds are managed by the Parks Bureau while the trails are managed by the Bureau of Forestry.)   For info on the Iowa Parks Foundation, see http://www.iaparks.org/

Tom Basten (left) and Todd Coffelt pause at Ely Ford before the Friends Group Meeting.

Addendum: Interested in the “Honey War” between MO and IA? Here is an entertaining article about it: http://iagenweb.org/history/moi/moi25.htm

Managing Shimek Forest and the Equestrian Trails

Most of us who use the trails and campgrounds at Shimek Forest are not very familiar with issues faced in managing that forest and the trails. Forester John Byrd must balance the requirements of sustainability versus use everyday. Here is a little about that process.

Shimek State Forest is over 9,000 acres subdivided into several units disbursed in Lee and Van Buren Counties managed by DNR Forestry. Managing a forest does not mean just letting it grow— sustainability requires extensive management practices followed carefully from planting to harvest. There is a detailed management plan online for Shimek State Forest that is over 300 pages and defines the many steps in forest management for each piece of ground—sometimes subdivided to one acre sites . See http://www.iowadnr.gov/Places-to-Go/State-Forests/Shimek-State-Forest . To do all this work, when fully staffed, there is the Forester and three full-time crew members. This past year, for four months there were only two people doing all that work. Because of the nature of the work and state regulations, certain aspects of the work must be done between Oct 1 and April 1—meaning that there is no time for other functions during this period. This work is the first priority for the Shimek crew....“to protect, sustain and ensure the lands” so the resources are there for future generations.

The equestrian trails are a courtesy over and beyond forest management and come under the next priority which is “Provide sustainable, responsible recreational opportunities where possible.” Yet, there are no state budget funds allocated for trails development, management nor improvement at Shimek. There are only a couple of summer hires and every once in a while a part-time technician to help with the campgrounds in summer —not the trails. Previous Shimek Foresters had often done very little to support the trails and campgrounds except allow them to be used. Thus, when Forester Byrd arrived, the campgrounds were dilapidated and the trails already badly eroded in some areas with little done to maintain them. In fact, at the state level in 2011 there was a push to close such trails in state forests. However, Forester Byrd is most cooperative about working with volunteers to improve the situation, making time during the primary riding season each year to improve and sustain the trails and to improve the campground facilities in cooperation with volunteers. Some funds to purchase rock and materials for the trails as well as for forest management come from REAP—the state fund from gaming and natural resource license plates. (DNR statewide gets 9% of those funds.) Through grants obtained by the Friends of Shimek from generous area foundations and donations from individuals who support this effort, funds to make significant campground and trail improvements were obtained. Labor was provided by Forester Byrd and his crew as well as Friends of Shimek volunteers to build horse stalls and develop wet weather trails. He has often volunteered on Saturday –which should be his day off.

Over the last few years, the number of riders using the trails has markedly increased, causing more stress to the resource and requiring more frequent closing of dirt trails during wet weather. Wet weather use of dirt trails results in serious erosion and development of deep wet loblollys. To improve this situation, the Wet Weather Trail (WWT) system was developed. It is designed to give a firmer foundation for riding in some of the flatter trail areas so that it would not be necessary to close all trails when the soil was wet and dirt trails are susceptible to damage. There will always be differences of opinions as to whether or not the dirt trails or even the Wet Weather Trails should be open. It is the Forester's responsibility to make that call, with protecting the resource the first priority. Some people have commented that the gravel on the WWT and in bad areas is hard on horses' feet. As the trail is used, the gravel packs and the trail becomes a firm foundation and not so hard on the feet. However, many people choose to fit their horses with boots such as EZboots to avoid a problem. On the other hand, taking a horse through a mud loblolly can easily cause serious harm to the horse and that means those areas must either be closed when wet (and they stay wet a LONG time) or heavily graveled. There is no way yet figured out to avoid an inconvenience or risk in some cases for some people in deciding when to open trails or whether to gravel or not---but we're sure Forester Byrd will keep trying.

The frequent funding cuts to DNR have often kept DNR Shimek understaffed – and that is happening again now--and the cuts have meant very little equipment money. DNR Shimek has one almost new track loader for 9,000 acres of forest management, 25 miles of equestrian trail maintenance and about 32 miles of hiking trail maintenance. The other equipment is very old and worn! Often in the past volunteers have brought in their own tractors to do trail mowing as the old tractors at Shimek are not very suitable for trail mowing.

Forester John Byrd (right) working with FOS volunteers
 on the hitching rails.

We hope you will pause to thank our Forester for his support next time you see him. We would also very much appreciate it if you would contact your state senators and representatives to urge them to support better funding for DNR so we can continue to have equestrian trails and facilities now and into the future.

And,yes, we hope you will be a friend of Shimek through donating time, items for use or auction and/or money to help support the equestrian trails.