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.

Lots of work done on hot July day.

FOS Volunteers and the DNR crew met on July 11th at 8:00 AM at the Lick Creek Upper Campground for a morning of working on the trails and in the campgrounds.
Here Forester John Byrd is shown making work assignments for the day.

 Despite the hot, humid conditions, lots of work was completed.  Several downed trees were removed from the trails by DNR crew members Ben Hassman, Eric Martin and Heath Fraise and Volunteers Bob Bender and Neal Hartman, some that were quite difficult for riders to get around.   Briars and poison ivy were cut back by hand loppers along one narrow trail.   In this photo, Eric is shown with the Gator used to transport one of the chainsaw crews out to the downed trees.

Before heading off to work, the paperwork must be done and Susan and Ross discuss their activities for the morning.  Both are summer DNR staff .  They keep the campground working well, mowed and  assist campers and riders on the weekend with registration and any questions they may have.  Susan assisted Ann and Bonnie with can collection this morning. Kayla helped Bob Achenbach and John Byrd with trimming on the trails.  Meanwhile, John Bennett and Ross O'Day cleaned out the firepits.

The Paint Iowa Beautiful grant crew included Jo Watson, Nancy Grams, Marsha Achenbach, Lora Conrad, and for a short while  Bob Achenbach and  John Byrd.  Tables and restroom facilities at White Oak Campground were tackled with Vogel paint.  Here Marsha and Nancy begin the work on one of the restroom facilities--Marsha is scraping loose paint and Nancy has begun to repaint.   Much paint was peeling off as can be seen.

 

 

A couple of hours later------

 



 

And when the work was done---the reward---Skillbilly BBQ provided by Mary and Shawn Skillman with slaw and watermelon brought by Ann Bennett and desserts provided by Bonnie and Lora.  And water, water and more water then tea. 

And then Forester John Byrd gave an update to the team on the plans for the new Wet Weather Trail segment to replace the dangerous ride along side Highway 2. He has it planned and almost all the necessary permissions, but trees can not be cut until after October 1.

 

Re-pack, re-load, clean up after lunch, then--

The End!

 

 

 

FOS Workday Planned for July 11, 2018

FRIENDS OF SHIMEK FOREST (FOS)

July 11th, 2018  WORK DAY –

  CAN YOU COME HELP? 

Come join other friends of Shimek at 8am at the Lick Creek Upper Campground on Wednesday, July 11th at the Day Parking Area.  Ann Bennett is the Work Day Coordinator.  Forester John Byrd  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 Upper Campground at noon for a great lunch courtesy of Shawn and Mary Skillman with some help from Ann Bennett and Bonnie Moothart.  Shawn has quite a reputation for excellent grilled ribs --so come work for the morning and enjoy the reward!   Everyone working will report back to Ann and Forester Byrd on the progress they made and Forester Byrd will update all of us on what is happening at Shimek now and plans for this fall.   Remember—no previous volunteer experience necessary.


Please RSVP to FOS by email  shimekfriends@gmail.com   so we know what you are bringing for tools and equipment (if any), what job you might do, and to have a headcount for the meal.     If pouring rain (Oh we have had little chance of that of late--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 include both campground and trail work. Campground work includes clean up of fire pits, campsites and stalls, can and bottle sorting, and  painting at the White Oak Campground.  Trail work needed that can be done using your ATV, on foot or on horseback includes cutting off and removing downed trees, 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 loaner vests available to identify all of us as volunteers.

Volunteers shown here at the May Friends of Shimek Workday
 

Reminder --bring your Iowa recyclable cans and bottles from home with you for the FOS fundraiser.

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.   Most work is expected to be finished by noon.