Shimek Forest hosted a DNR Volunteer Day

Shimek Forest hosted a DNR Volunteer Day on Saturday 9/26 as part of the Iowa State Parks Centennial Celebration. DNR Technician Patrick Thomas was joined by five volunteers that morning who helped stain picnic tables as part of the Friends of Shimek 2020 Paint Iowa Beautiful grant. DNR staff had already pressure washed and dried the tables in preparation for staining. After staining the tables look like new! Thanks all for the help. The newly built manure bunker was also stained. All 5 gallons of stain awarded by Diamond Vogel Paints as well as three more gallons bought by DNR have been used. The tables are so dry they really soak up the stain so quite a lot more will be needed to do all 57 tables in the forest. However, this should greatly lengthen the life of the tables as well as make them look much better. Many thanks from all of us that will enjoy those tables for years to come to Patrick, the volunteers and Diamond Vogel. (Photo by Jo Watson

 

Virtual Shimek Forestry Field Day October 1, 2020

Attend the Virtual Shimek Forestry Field Day on October 1, 2020, 11am -12pm. Shimek Forester John Byrd announced that the virtual field day will be held instead of the in-person Shimek Forestry Field Day. The theme is “Forestry For the Birds.” Forestry professionals will take you through timber harvesting management and wildlife-avian professionals will evaluate how this affects birds/wildlife. Timber market updates and forest health issues will also be discussed.

The Virtual Shimek Forestry Field Day is FREE. You will access it from your computer via ZOOM.** For more information and to pre-register, go to https://www.extension.iastate.edu/news/forestry-virtual-field-day-planned-shimek-state-forest

You can ask questions live the day of the event.

Please put the date on your calendar so you do not miss this educational opportunity. **You will need ZOOM to enjoy (and participate in) the field day. If you do not already have it, download the free “Zoom Client for Meetings” from https://zoom.us/download to your computer. Do this in advance of the date and run a demo to be sure your camera/ speaker/ microphone are working.

For additional info, you can contact

Forester Byrd: John Byrd Area Forester, Shimek State Forest

Iowa Department of Natural Resources

P 319-878-3811 | Fax 319-878-3821

33653 Rte J56, Farmington, IA 52626

 www.iowadnr.gov

 

Dirt Trails have Opened

This information is a few days behind.  For those who do not know:

 

As of 9/18/20 all Shimek Forest Lick Creek trails are open for riding per Forester Byrd.

There are few areas that are still muddy.  Please avoid this if it is at all possible

Enjoy your next ride.

Happy Trails

Kathy

Editor

 

Annual Volunteer Day Event

Trail Status Change - Dirt Trails are Closed 9-10-20

TRAIL STATUS CHANGE! As of 9/10/20, the Shimek Forest Lick Creek dirt trails are closed to riding due to the recent rainfall. The Wet Weather Trails (rocked trails) are still open for riding at this time. (However, rain continues in the area).

We will keep you updated as the trail conditions become available.  This has definitely been a challenging year for riding.

Stay Safe and Healthy

Kathy

Editor