DNR and Southeast Iowa Parks Progress Reports

Southeast Iowa Parks Supervisor Tom Basten addressed the attendees at the FOS Volunteer Recognition Dinner on March 9th. He announced that Iowa State Parks has defined 2019 as the Year of the Volunteer. Parks all over the state are seeking assistance from volunteers to "spruce-up" the parks in advance of the 2020 Celebration of 100 years of Iowa Parks. He thanked all the volunteers and assured us that DNR values greatly the help of volunteers. Volunteer hours reported to the state help our area Parks Supervisor to make the case to the legislature that the parks are supported by the local community. SO---reminder all you Friends of Shimek who see this FB page---we need you--and we need your volunteer hours reported to Jo Watson. When you clean up trails or around the campgrounds while you are there to camp or ride.

Forester John Byrd gave a Shimek State Forest Review for 2018 at the FOS Volunteer Recognition Dinner. He and his staff harvested timber on 119 acres, planted trees on 55 acres, and did stand improvement on 614 acres. In addition, in the Lick Creek Unit, they put out 404 ton of rock on the WWT, did maintenance on 12 miles of the trails including 2 re-routes and are currently completing a grant to add 1.1 new miles to the WWT to keep riders away from Highway 2. Due to the emerald ash borer damage, almost 100 dead ash trees have been cut in and around the 4 Shimek Forest campgrounds. The campgrounds hosted 1,433 guests in 1,227 nights of reservations. This is in addition to the wear on trails and facilities from thousands of day rides on the trails, either out of Shimek or by entering from nearby businesses. That's an impressive amount of work for the Shimek crew in 2018. We all owe them much appreciation for their hard work to preserve and protect Shimek Forest and especially for the support of the equestrian trails.

FOS Volunteer Recognition Dinner

Friends of Shimek celebrated the 2018 Volunteers at a dinner in Mt. Pleasant at Little Mexico on March 9. A fun evening with friends, updates from DNR leadership and awards to those that are some of our best ever Friends of Shimek.  
 

The Iowa Trail Riders Association (ITRA) was thanked by the attendees at the FOS Volunteer Recognition Dinner--everyone signed a giant Thank You Card. ITRA recently donated $2,500. to Friends of Shimek. These funds will be used as matching money in seeking funding to maintain and develop the Wet Weather Trail system in the Lick Creek Unit. Representing ITRA are Denise Schieffer, Beth Aswegan and Karen Glock, members of the Board of ITRA. They are pictured here with FOS President Ringo Covert during the awards program.

 

The 2018 Bennett Volunteer of the Year Award was presented to Bob Bender at the recent FOS Volunteer Recognition Dinner. Shown here are John and Ann Bennett and FOS President Ringo Covert presenting the award certificate to Bob Bender. In addition he was given both a horseshoe boot rack and a photobook documenting his work with Shimek over the last six years. He arrives at most every work day with his ATV and chainsaw, ready to clear trails of downed trees, pick up trash or work on whatever project is planned for the day. Congratulations to Bob Bender!
 

At the FOS Volunteer Recogniton DInner, Shawn and Mary Skillman were presented a framed collage of photos of their BBQ'ing for the FOS in 2018. They prepared the BBQ for both a work day and the Pot-luck. Tasty BBQ!

Gary & Denise Schieffer were each presented with a coffee cup emblazoned with a 2018 FOS picture collage and "Thank for You being a Friend of Shimek in 2018! as a special Thank You from the workers at the May workday where Gary prepared and Gary and Denise served a homemade lunch for the Volunteers and the FOS Crew. He even treated us to a great peach cobbler-- not a bite was left -- even if that meant eating second helpings! Thank You for your support for the DNR staff and the volunteers! We highly recommend your catering!
 

                                                                                                                                                                                                                                             Lora is doing a wonderful job handing out the many awards for volunteer hours complete to guests at the banquet.  She always has a smile on her face and a warm spot in her heart for each and everyone.

 

 

We are looking forward to the memories that 2019 has in store for the Friends of Shimek. Come join us for food, fun, and fellowship on the trails or around a campfire this year.