Shimek State Forest Hike on Your Own First Day Hike 2021 Recommendation

 

Join the First Day Hike Challenge in Iowa State Parks DES MOINES – The Iowa DNR and Travel Iowa invite Iowans to participate in the 2021 First Day Hike Challenge to ring in the New Year through the digital State Park Passport. The challenge takes the place of traditional guided hikes due to COVID-19. “We are looking for ways to encourage both outdoor fun and social distancing,” said Todd Coffelt, Bureau Chief of Parks, Forests and Preserves. “First Day Hikes are a popular tradition in state parks, and the passport is a great way for people to enjoy winter hikes on their own or with their families.” With the First Day Hike Challenge, park visitors can check into any of the more than 50 participating state parks on the passport from Friday, Jan. 1 through the end of Sunday, Jan. 3. Every check-in will qualify for a prize drawing of a 2-night stay at a 2-bedroom cabin at Lake Darling State Park near Brighton. Restrictions will apply on the cabin stay, with reservation fees and other business rules applying. Visitors can go to as many parks as they wish during the weekend -- every check-in counts as a contest entry.  Additionally, visitors will find trail suggestions and directions from park staff under the “More Info” tab for each park entry on the passport. Last year, more than 4,300 people participated in hikes on New Year’s Day across Iowa. Hikers can expect to be surrounded by the quiet beauty of nature in winter, and experience spectacular views, beautiful settings and the cultural treasures offered by Iowa’s State Parks. Participants should dress for the weather, including warm, sturdy boots for winter conditions. For more details on First Day Hikes in Iowa’s State Parks, and to find links to sign up for the Parks Passport, visit www.iowadnr.gov/firstdayhikes.

Trail Status Change at Lick Creek Unit-WWT Only 11/24/20

Paint Iowa Beautiful Project at Shimek Forest

 

 
Paint Iowa Beautiful Project at Shimek Forest

 

  

Picnic Table before pressure washing

Diamond Vogel, through the Paint Iowa Beautiful Project, awarded Friends of Shimek a grant of 5 gallons of stain in 2020. The stain was to be used to refurbish picnic table tops and benches, beginning with those in the Shimek Forest Lick Creek Unit. The stain was awarded to Ringo Covert, President of Friends of Shimek, by Nick Wittenmyer at the Diamond Vogel Store in Burlington. Due to the COVID pandemic, work was delayed, seeking a way to safely accomplish the task. Under the leadership of Patrick Thomas, DNR Technician at Shimek, DNR staff  began the project by pressure washing the tables to remove soil and mold from the old but sturdy tables. A test project showed that one gallon of stain would only cover a few tables!! The wood had been untreated for so long that it is very absorbent. With sufficient tables cleaned for the stain available, on the Iowa DNR Parks Volunteer Day, Patrick and a group of five Volunteers completed the staining of tables until all five gallons of awarded stain and three additional gallons purchased by DNR were used. The result was tables that look like new! A remarkable transformation occurs and hopefully the useful life of the tables will be extended. There are many more tables yet to do! Hopefully with volunteers, DNR staff, and additional stain, more can be refurbished next year.

 

 The first step of the Paint Iowa Beautiful Project at Shimek Forest  was to pressure wash the tables. On the DNR State Parks Volunteer Day, a small group of volunteers, following COVID guidance, worked with DNR Technician Patrick Thomas to stain the tables.  Volunteers shown, left to right, Marvin and Doris Thomas, Bruce Huddleston, Jo Watson and Marsha Achenbach assisted Patrick with the staining.

   

  

The results of pressure washing tables and applying Diamond-Vogel stain is spectacular!  The tables look new again though they are well over 20 years old, thanks to the Paint Iowa Beautiful Project at Shimek Forest.  This project has only done a small number of the tables, but more are planned in the future, when funds are available.

 

 Thank you for your support of our project.

on behalf of Friends of Shimek

Lora Conrad, Secretary

Kathy, Editor 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

DNR crew completing work on the Wet Weather Trails

The Shimek DNR crew have been spreading lime chips and road rock on the Wet Weather Trails--getting them ready for another year of trail riding even in wet conditions. The rock has been provided by a grant from the William M and Donna J Hoaglin Foundation. The Foundation has been the major benefactor in the development of the Wet Weather Trails at Shimek. The DNR Crew have provided most of the ...labor. As riders, our responsibilities are two-fold --- 1)do no harm: Follow the regulations about riding only on trails that are open --trails can be all open, or only Wet Weather Trails open or all closed--depending on weather conditions. 2)leave no trash: If you carry it in, carry it out--maybe be extra nice and pickup and remove any trash you see. Much appreciation to both the Foundation and the DNR Crew from all the Friends of Shimek. (Photo by Jo Watson)

 

As a reminder hunting season is upon us.  Please use caution by wearing your reflective clothing while out riding. 

 

We hope you are enjoying these beautiful fall days. Winter will soon be upon us and we will be wishing for the warm riding weather.

 

May your trails be blessed with beauty and enjoyment.

 

Kathy

 

Editor

 

 

 

DNR Director Kayla Lyon and Assistant Director Alex Moon visit Shimek

State Director Kayla Lyon and Assistant Director Alex Moon 

 
Ann Bennett, Bonnie Moothart and hubby Doug, were hosts to the Iowa DNR Director Kayla Lyon and Assistant Director Alex Moon for a trail ride in Shimek. Ann (past president of Friends of Shimek) provided horses for our guests, and Bonnie (board member) and Doug (valued volunteer) rode along to assist the riders. After our lovely ride in 70+ degree temperatures thru the lovely fall foliage and sunshine, Bonnie and Doug provided lunch of drinks and snack style foods.

  

 

 

 

 

 

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