Important Bird Area and a Bird Conservation Area in the Croton Shimek Stae Forest Unit

The Iowa Ornithologists' Union (IOU) developed a birding guide to the Croton Unit at Shimek. The Croton Unit is designated as an Important Bird Area and a Bird Conservation Area because of the many and often unique or unusual birds for Iowa that are found in it. There are no campsites in Croton and there are no horse trails there but it is one of the best birding sites in Iowa.
http://www.iowabirds.org/Places/SiteGuide.aspx?site=26

 

iowabirds.org

Birding Croton Unit, Shimek State Forest

Birding Croton Unit, Shimek State Forest by Bob Cecil Back to List The Croton Unit of Shimek State Forest includes some 1,700 acres in three tracts in Lee County.

 

Check out the links for more detailed information.

 

DNR Camping Kick Off Weekend May 3 - 5

 

 

 

 

 

Forester John Byrd's Corner:

 

We made it through winter finally and the forest and prairies are coming alive once again. This also means that camping and riding season will be in full effect before long. I know there has been some riding and camping already. Currently only the Wet Weather Trails are open to riding and the other trails are drying nicely. The Shimek crew has been busy with many other duties right now and we have not been able to get on the trails. The current plan for opening the trails is to have most of them ready for the weekend of May 3-5, which happens to be Camping Kickoff weekend. Our course trail status is always weather dependent so check the status before coming to ride. The purpose of leaving the trails closed at this point is to prevent dozens of ride arounds (which can cause damage and more maintenance) and keep riders safety a priority. Please help us keep the management of the trails a high priority by staying off the dirt trails until they are ready. With the proper management we can keep the trail system healthy for many years.
Thank you for the support.
John Byrd, Area Forester

JOHN BYRD | Area Forester, Shimek State Forest

Iowa Department of Natural Resources

P 319-878-3811 |  33653 RTE J56, Farmington, Ia 52626

www.iowadnr.gov  

Are the Trails at Shimek Open, Closed or Wet Weather Trails only? See http://friendsofshimek.blogspot.com/p/photos.html

DNR campgrounds and trails status site:   https://www.iowadnr.gov/Places-to-Go/State-Parks/Alerts-and-Closures?fbclid=IwAR16cjzgUWtohB8EImdojse6Q9B_4ae7IxujC3bR7G3sBlQoDY53u1eCLHM

Planned new section of the Wet Weather Trail under construction

The Lee County Charitable Fund awarded Friends of Shimek a grant of $5,500 in 2018 to be used in a joint project with the DNR Shimek staff to add a section of 2,000 feet of Wet Weather Trail that will join two existing sections of the Wet Weather Trail (WWT) on the equestrian trails in the Lick Creek Unit. This is needed because currently equestrians ride on the Iowa Highway 2 right of way to make this connection. This could potentially be highly dangerous to both a rider and horse and/or for drivers on the road. In addition, this section as currently ridden is not Shimek Forest property and thus can not be maintained by DNR Shimek staff—instead it is DOT property. The new WWT section will provide an entirely new section of trail located safely back in the woods on Shimek Forest property to solve this problem.

Attached is a map showing where this new trail section is under construction.

 

 

  So far, the trail has been mapped and most state approvals have been obtained.  Currently, the Archaeology Review is pending. Until it is approved by the state, the project can not be finished. Requests have been made repeatedly for the past eleven months by Forester Byrd but to no avail at this time. We remain hopeful that the final approval will be accomplished soon. DNR staff have cut the trees as shown in the photos below.



DNR staff cut the trees in the path of the new section of Wet Weather Trail that is under construction.



The red line shows the path that the new trail section will follow, with tree stumps showing.  These will be removed once the Arch Study approval is obtained.

When the final Archaeology Office approval is obtained, the DNR crew will extract the stumps, install two culverts and spread rock purchased with the LCCF grant and with FOS funds.

Some time will be needed for the ground and rock to settle before it is used as a wet weather trail, but it should be usable under dry conditions in early summer. Once a final schedule is determined, an announcement to riders will be made. In the meantime, when you see the trail with stumps cut, know that FOS and the DNR Shimek crew are anxiously awaiting the state Archaeology Office approval that will allow them to finish the project.

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.

Join FOS at Dinner to Honor 2018 Volunteers

Friends of Shimek holds an annual dinner in honor of the previous years hard-working Volunteers.  The dinner honoring the 2018 Volunteers will be held at Little Mexico in Mt. Pleasant in their upstairs banquet room on Saturday, March 9, 2019 at 4pm.  The attendees in 2018 are pictured above, just before dinner.

Please RSVP to Ann Bennett at windrush2199@gmail.com or call 319-986-2199 

You can leave a message on the recorder.  The dinner choices are Shrimp Enchilada or Salmon and Vegetables or Chicken Fajitas or Steak Fajitas.  The meals are all $12.95 each. Please RSVP by Wed Mar 6th. This helps the restaurant serve a big group more promptly. You may order off the menu for a vegetarian choice or other choice. This does not include a drink, tax or tip. Please be generous in your tips as we are not charged to rent the room for this large party. 

The program will include introduction of the 2019 Board of Directors by President Ringo Covert, a report on activities accomplished in 2018, comments by Forester John Byrd re 2019 Plans at Shimek, the Bennett Volunteer of the Year Award and Awards for all 2018 Volunteers.

Plan to join us for an evening of good fun, conversation and recognition of our Volunteers.

 

Emerald Ash Borer at Shimek Forest

Emerald Ash Borer at Shimek Forest

Sadly, the Emrald Ash Borer arrived at Shimek as it has all over the area. Many ash trees are dead or dying.  This has resulted in the need to remove a number of trees from both Lick Creek campgrounds because they were either dead or dying.  Right now, the areas will look a little bare, but Forester Byrd plans to plant replacement trees within a year.

Work Day Scheduled August 22, 2018

The last scheduled Friends of Shimek Volunteers Group Work Day for 2018 is scheduled for August 22nd in the Lower Campground at the small loop as you enter the campground. Marsha Achenbach is the Work Coordinator for the day. Lunch will be provided by Lora Conrad. Work planned for the day includes clearing trails of trees or limbs, lopping back overgrown multi-flora roses, and picking up trash beside the trails. In the campgrounds, work planned includes cleaning out firepits, paiintng some tables and painting he restroom facilities.

Volunteers may bring ATV's for the day to use for trail work.

Bring your recyclable cans and bottles from home to add to our recycle fundraiser. 

Enjoy helping keep our campgrounds clean and our trails in good shape, and making new friends over your work and lunch. Forester Byrd will assign work tasks and give all an update on what is happening at Shimek Forest.

FOS President Ringo Covert is shown preparing to head off to the trails on the last work day. .

Ann Bennett to receive the Governor's Volunteer Award on August 1, 2018.

Coordinated by Volunteer Iowa, the Governor's Volunteer Award program—now in its 35^th year— recognizes the dedicated people who volunteer their time and talent to help fulfill the missions of Iowa nonprofits, charitable organizations, and government entities. Ann will receive the award for her service with Friends of Shimek State Forest. The Award Program will be held at Bridge View Center in Ottumwa on August 1, 2018 at 11:15 AM. All friends of Ann are invited to attend. The members of the Board of Directors of Friends of Shimek extend congratulations to Ann on this well-deserved honor.

Friends are invited to join Ann after the award program for lunch in her honor at Appanoose Rapids, which is just across the river from the Bridge View at 332 E Main St., Ottumwa. If you plan to attend the lunch after the awards program, please let Lora Conrad know so that the reservation will have seating for all that attend. E-mail her at FOShimek@gmail.com.

Ann Bennett: Governor's Volunteer Award Nomination Excerpt

Ann Bennett has spent her 27 years in Iowa volunteering to make the lives of children, horses and riders better in significant ways. Her volunteerism has included serving as a County Board of Education member, leading an effort to build a new high school, improving rider safety in 4-H clubs, horse rescue efforts and other volunteer activities supporting children and horses. One of those volunteer projects to which she has dedicated much time, energy and heart has been the Friends of Shimek State Forest (FOS). FOS is an all volunteer, non-profit organization to support Shimek Forest. It was formed when the state was considering closing equestrian trails such as those at Shimek Forest. Ann and other local equestrians wanted very much to save those trails from closure as they are a popular outdoor activity for families in Iowa, especially in southeastern Iowa. She and a small cadre of like-minded volunteers, working with Shimek Area Forester John Byrd formed the group to preserve the equestrian trails and protect the forest. FOS was the first friends group in Iowa formed to support a state forest. Ann sought and obtained the support of the Great River Classical Horsemanship Association, the Iowa Trail Riders Association and Iowa Horse Council and her many individual contacts around the state to obtain support and cooperation for the new volunteer organization. Both the Shimek Area Forester and the Southeast Area Parks Supervisor worked with FOS to meet the goals of improving the trails and facilities for equestrians and to protect the resources of Shimek Forest. Volunteers dedicate about 1,000 hours each year to support Shimek Forest. This organization has been a valuable support for addressing the serious challenges of maintaining safe trails for equestrian families to enjoy a healthy outdoor activity free of charge and to develop an appreciation for the beauty and value of Shimek Forest in those that ride, hunt, hike, fish or drive through this lovely forest. Ann Bennett served as President from 2011 through 2017 and is still a member of the Board. Advocacy for the protection and care of the forest is an ongoing challenge to develop among the public a mindset of the need to protect, not “use” this beautiful resource—this is a struggle she, FOS volunteers, and the DNR staff continue to address today.

Lots of work done on hot July day.

FOS Volunteers and the DNR crew met on July 11th at 8:00 AM at the Lick Creek Upper Campground for a morning of working on the trails and in the campgrounds.
Here Forester John Byrd is shown making work assignments for the day.

 Despite the hot, humid conditions, lots of work was completed.  Several downed trees were removed from the trails by DNR crew members Ben Hassman, Eric Martin and Heath Fraise and Volunteers Bob Bender and Neal Hartman, some that were quite difficult for riders to get around.   Briars and poison ivy were cut back by hand loppers along one narrow trail.   In this photo, Eric is shown with the Gator used to transport one of the chainsaw crews out to the downed trees.

Before heading off to work, the paperwork must be done and Susan and Ross discuss their activities for the morning.  Both are summer DNR staff .  They keep the campground working well, mowed and  assist campers and riders on the weekend with registration and any questions they may have.  Susan assisted Ann and Bonnie with can collection this morning. Kayla helped Bob Achenbach and John Byrd with trimming on the trails.  Meanwhile, John Bennett and Ross O'Day cleaned out the firepits.

The Paint Iowa Beautiful grant crew included Jo Watson, Nancy Grams, Marsha Achenbach, Lora Conrad, and for a short while  Bob Achenbach and  John Byrd.  Tables and restroom facilities at White Oak Campground were tackled with Vogel paint.  Here Marsha and Nancy begin the work on one of the restroom facilities--Marsha is scraping loose paint and Nancy has begun to repaint.   Much paint was peeling off as can be seen.

 

 

A couple of hours later------

 



 

And when the work was done---the reward---Skillbilly BBQ provided by Mary and Shawn Skillman with slaw and watermelon brought by Ann Bennett and desserts provided by Bonnie and Lora.  And water, water and more water then tea. 

And then Forester John Byrd gave an update to the team on the plans for the new Wet Weather Trail segment to replace the dangerous ride along side Highway 2. He has it planned and almost all the necessary permissions, but trees can not be cut until after October 1.

 

Re-pack, re-load, clean up after lunch, then--

The End!