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.

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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

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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.