Tidbits from the Friends of Shimek Annual Banquet 2020

As I sit here thinking about all the uncertainties the COVID - 19 has brought into play ,  I realize the many joys and blessings we have been giving.  I would like to reflect on these positive moments that has touched our lives in so many ways.

Friends of Shimek is composed of an outstanding group of volunteers that give so much of themselves to better Shimek Forest for all to enjoy.  It is selfless act of kindness given by so many devoted people who care deeply about preserving our trails for many years to come.  Let's take a look at the accomplishments this past year.

The Bennett Volunteers of the Year Award for 2019 was presented to

Denise & Gary Schieffer.

 



 
 

Shown are Denise Schieffer, Gary Schieffer, Bob Achenbach, John Bennett and Ann Bennett. The Schieffers were presented with a certificate of appreciation and the beautiful spalted elm hand turned bowl made by Bob Achenbach that Denise is holding.

 

 

FOS Past-President Ann Bennett was honored by the Board of Directors

 



Ann has served nine years on the Board and her service as founding President. Bonnie Moothart presented her with a letter of appreciation for the leadership she provided and the inspiration she gives to others. She was also presented with a winter vest with a custom made Friends of Shimek Hero patch , as well as a photo album of her nine years with FOS. She will continue to volunteer with FOS but she is no longer serving on the Board.



　Friends of Shimek expressed their appreciation to Forester Byrd

He was given an award at the March 7th Dinner for his vision of the Wet Weather Trail when FOS was formed in 2011. FOS also thanked him for the leadership and hard work that he and his forest crew have put into making the Wet Weather Trail a reality for us to enjoy in all but the worst of weather. If you missed the dinner, and have read the report he submitted here--you can send John a Thank You or an "Atta-boy!" to john.byrd@dnr.iowa.gov.

 

 

 

 

 

Judy and Art Duke donated a vintage saddle for FOS fundraiser.

 

FOS Board member Bonnie Moothart presented Judy Duke with FOS cups in appreciation of the donation by her and Art Duke of a fine vintage saddle for the November Fundraiser. It was the highest valued item sold! Over $4,100 was raised at the fundraiser thanks to the help of many people. The cups were donated by Cassie Graber.





Volunteer Recognition

 



FOS recognized 31 volunteers on March 7th. Jo Watson, Volunteer Hours Coordinator, is shown providing each volunteer present at the dinner with a Thank You card and a green FOS pen as a token of our appreciation for their hours of time working to raise money and working to improve Shimek trails and campgrounds.







FOS is always looking for new enthusiastic volunteers help with or continue the betterment of the forest.  We need to preserve this beautiful land that has been bestowed to us to enjoy.  It is not just for people to ride horses on the many trails, but for EVERYONE to enjoy.  There is so much beauty to be found within the forest walls.  Please consider joining us for a work day, trail ride, hiking, fishing, or just sitting on a picnic table soaking in the sun.  Thank you for being a part of Shimek!

May the trails your ride or hike be smooth, May the sun shine fully in your face, and May you find the peace and tranquility only found in the quietness of the forest.

Happy Trails

Kathy
Editor.

COVID_19 Response in IA State Forests as of 3/27/20

 

Update received today-3/27/20: REVISED AT NOON:::::
Forest not closed to public but Bring your own porta-potties!!

"Due to Covid19, ALL pit toilets throughout Shimek Forest are temporarily closed. All toilet facilities at all state parks and forests are now closed. Please check these sites frequently for the latest closures, postponements and updates:
https://www.iowadnr.gov/events

https://www.iowadnr.gov/Pla…/State-Parks/Alerts-and-Closures

 Thank you for your patience and flexibility. We appreciate your support as we all work together to keep each other safe."

Patrick Thomas, DNR Technician at Shimek
 

Friends Update on Campgrounds

Update from Shimek DNR Technician Patrick Thomas: Shimek campgrounds 2019 and Current COVID-19 Guidance…….

 

 

At the Friends of Shimek Volunteer Recognition dinner held shortly before COVID-19 arrived in Iowa, I spoke of the past years work of DNR staff and FOS as well as activities in the campgrounds.

 

 

 

 

 In summary: We had 1,454 individuals stay in the Shimek campgrounds, which is slightly up from la...st year. They came from 10 states. (Florida, Illinois, Iowa, Massachusetts, Minnesota, Missouri, Nebraska, New Mexico, Tennessee, and Wisconsin)
FOS had three workdays scheduled however wet weather only permitted us to get together July 10th. Attending were twenty-one Friends of Shimek volunteers, the DNR full time employees include Ben Hassman, Heath Fraise, Eric Martin and myself, along with our seasonal staff Ross O’Day and Susan Meinhardt. The group was able to clear trails from downed trees, pick up litter, replace a hitching rail, clean fire pits, and paint the insides of all the Lick Creek unit pit toilets and two of the outsides.
The FOS obtained 10 gallons of paint thanks to a Vogel Paint grant through Paint Iowa Beautiful. We will use the paint up this year, finishing painting pit toilets in the other campgrounds and posts.
The hydrant at the Upper Campground was replaced due to damage. The hydrant was bent and finally developed a leak. Following current specs set for DNR, a new Woodford Sanitary Yard Hydrant Model S3 was installed. It is designed for use anywhere potable water is located. The hydrant is completely sealed to prevent surface and ground water from entering reservoir or service line. This hydrant protects users from any contamination entering into the hydrant from above ground or below. An anonoymus donor provided funds to replace the hydrant.
Dan Hull who built the trail and bridge system around Black Oak Lake as an eagle scout project in the late 1980’s shared his experience in that project with me and shared a photo album about that major construction project with the FOS, which is posted on their FB page. I used this information to help prepare for the First Day Hike on Jan. 1, 2020. We hope to meet this summer to discuss more about the trail.
The DNR crew spread rock on all of the camp pads throughout the four campgrounds to level and widen them.

 The State DNR office has responded to the COVID-19 pandemic with guidance for the operation of all park and forest facilities. This guidance is in accordance with CDC guidelines and state recommendations pertaining to COVID-19.
At this point, Shimek State Forest campgrounds are open as are all Iowa State Parks. Our highest priority is the health and well-being of our visitors, volunteers and employees. During this time, we remain diligent in taking steps to make your visit as safe and enjoyable as possible. We are implementing additional cleaning procedures, according to CDC guidelines, such as more stringent and frequent cleaning of public areas.
Please check these sites frequently for the latest closures, postponements and updates: https://www.iowadnr.gov/events https://www.iowadnr.gov/Places-to-Go/State-Parks/Alerts-and-Closures
Thank you for your patience and flexibility. We appreciate your support as we all work together to keep each other safe.

Thank you,
Patrick Thomas
DNR Technician

 

Published by

 

Kathy

Editor

Friends Annual Dinner Gathering 2020

The Friends of Shimek's annual banquet was loaded with interesting information and updates.  Forester John Byrd had a lot of information about the logging operation currently being done in the Lick Creek Unit.



Update from Forester John Byrd on What is Happening in Shimek Forest....... Let's see what was or is going on in the forest!

Spring is getting closer and that means more people will be out and about in the forest. As of March 5th, the DNR Shimek Forest crew had cleared down trees from the over 6 miles of the Lick Creek Wet Weather Trail System. We are still having some very windy days, though, so please use caution when riding or hiking. We'll be clearing any down trees as they are found throughout the year.

At the Friends Volunteer Recognition Dinner on March 7th , I reported on other Lick Creek Projects that the DNR Shimek Forest crew Ben Hassman, Heath Fraise, Eric Martin and I have been hard at work on this past year. That included the following:
* A new 0.6 mile of trail in the forest was constructed by our crew to tie together two sections of the Wet Weather Trail so that riders could stay off the highway right -of-way, making for a much safer ride.
*Erosion problems in the Wet Weather Trails caused by heavy rains of the previous winter were all corrected by the crew . Both projects used rock funded by the Lee County Charitable Fund and the Friends of Shimek.
*We are now re-rocking the entire Wet Weather Trail thanks to a grant from The William M and Donna J Hoaglin Foundation. That will be completed later this year.
In addition to those trail projects, forest management practices have kept us busy all winter. Our major forest management unit was the Keosauqua Unit. It is unique in that it borders both Lacey-Keosauqua State Park and Lake Sugema Wildlife Management Area which is all managed by the Iowa DNR. We have also had a couple of forest management projects in the Lick Creek Unit. A contractor cut understory trees out of a few areas that you will see as you ride trails. There was also a clear cut timber harvest along a trail section. This timber harvest is an exciting time in forest management. It is a regeneration clear cut harvest. The overstory trees were removed in order to let the oak currently regenerating start to capture the site. Young oak seedlings will not grow and thrive in dense shade. Pre harvest inventory indicated 2,000-7,000 oak seedlings per acre! This will ensure that our next generation of Iowans will be able to enjoy oak on this site.

Kathy

Editor