Friends of Shimek Update August 8, 2019
Friends of Shimek has lots of news and events to share with everyone. Let's take a look at the happenings within the forest.
Forester John Byrd's Corner I take great pleasure in announcing the opening of a new addition to the Wet Weather Trail System! The Wet Weather Trail System (WWT) is now safer with the completion of about 1.25 miles of trail that allows riders to avoid riding next to Highway 2. This WWT trail addition was made possible by a cooperative effort that included a Lee County Charitable Fund (LCCF) grant in 2018, the volunteers of Friends of Shimek, and Iowa DNR Shimek personnel and equipment.
Have fun on the trails and always, please carry out what you carry in to the forest.
Grant Awards to Friends of Shimek for Wet Weather Trail Upgrades.
As part of a two Phase project, Friends of Shimek (FOS) has been awarded a grant of $5,000 by the Lee County Charitable Fund to correct problem areas that have developed in the over 6 miles of Lick Creek Unit Wet Weather Trails. The erosion developed over this past winter and spring due to repeated rainfall extremes, especially the fast downpours of several inches over a few hours. The Department of Natural Resources (DNR) Shimek staff have committed to using their time and equipment to make the repairs but the DNR Shimek budget was inadequate to provide the rock needed. FOS is committing $2,000 in rock toward the project from funds donated by friends. The project will begin later in July, if the rains have slowed, and continue until the major problem areas are corrected, probably by late fall. This project follows the 2018 grant awarded by LCCF to FOS which was used by the DNR staff to create 1.1 miles of additional Wet Weather Trail inside the forest, a safe area off the Highway 2 right of way. This project is now being completed Forester Byrd explained above.
This is the first Phase in a multi-year plan to re-surface the entire Wet Weather Trail System. The increasing load of riders, especially on the Wet Weather Trail from both campers at Shimek and riders from adjacent equestrian facilities has combined with the increased amounts of rainfall to mean more wear on the Trails. This has caused the firmness from the rock surface to give way to a softer surface which becomes more susceptible to erosion.
FOS has been awarded $10,000 by the William M. and Donna J. Hoaglin Foundation to complete Phase II of re-surfacing the WWT! For this phase of the project, beginning later this summer and running through next year, the FOS has pledged an additional $3,000 toward rock and the DNR Shimek staff have committed to use their time and equipment to complete the re-rocking and any corrections needed after this coming winter. The William M. and Donna J. Hoaglin Foundation has made the WWT possible--this is the third grant they have provided --two for the initial development of the two major segments of the WWT and now this one to re-rock the entire trail! All of us who ride at Shimek owe them much appreciation---which is best demonstrated by the successful completion of the project and taking care of all the trails by following the closure/open rules.
FOS will be holding a fund-raising Meal and Auction in November to raise funds for this and future match requirements.
These projects are all designed to provide safe, free, accessible public use of the trails by equestrians and others while protecting the resources of the forest from erosion and ditching damage, thus helping preserve Shimek Forest and its trails for future generations.
FRIENDS OF SHIMEK FOREST (FOS)
WORK DAY
August 21st
CANCELLED DUE TO RAIN 8/20/19
Come join other friends of Shimek at 8:00 AM at the Lick Creek Lower Campground on Wednesday, August 21st 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. Lunch will be provided to all Volunteers and DNR Shimek staff by Gary and Denise Schieffer!!! Mmm good— those of us who have volunteered when Gary cooked for us before know how tasty lunch will be! Water provided. Remember—no previous volunteer experience necessary. The FOS Workday Coordinator is Marsha Achenbach.
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, then the work day may be canceled. 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. Both campground and trail work is needed. Campground work includes clean up of fire pits, campsites and stalls, can and bottle sorting, and some painting yet to be done. Some rails in the lower campground need painting brown. The toilet facilities need to be painted white inside at both the White Oak and Bitternut Campgrounds, with the paint awarded by Vogel Paint. 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 intrude on the trails (can use loppers, weedeaters, or walk-behind mowers), clipping back overgrowth on narrower trails with loppers, and removing any trees that have fallen since the last work day. Please talk to Forester Byrd at the Shimek Office about what you might be doing if you plan to bring a 4-wheeler and/or chainsaw. 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, paint supplies, vinyl gloves and trash bags will be provided by DNR or FOS. 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.
Mark your calendar's November 9, 2019 at River Valley Camp Lodge, Farmington, IA
Fund Raising event is in the planning stages. Stay tuned! There will more details released in the coming months.
Any Questions? Send an e-mail to FOShimek@gmail.com
For more information: See http://friendsofshimek.blogspot.com/ or check out our Facebook page.
Kathy Weber - Editor
Picture by John Byrd
