Upcoming Program Announcements:

Whitetails Unlimited Donation

The Jones County Conservation Board would like to thank members and supporters of the Wapsi Bottoms Whitetails Unlimted chapter who recently donated $1000 toward the Central Park Nature Center Renovation Project. This project would not be possible without donations from citizens, groups, and organizations who know the importance of environmental education and our natural resources.

Committee members of Wapsi Bottome Whitetails Unlimited. 

Viewing from front left, clockwise:

Tim Jensen, Chip Brown, Sam Vacek, Kris Leeper, Danny Feuss, Brian Niebuhr, Brad Brownell, Glenda Leeper, and Duane Feuss.

Stone City Access Renovation Completed

Construction at the Stone City Boat Ramp was completed fall 2009.   Stone used in construction was donated by Weber Stone Company in Stone City.

Jungletown Access Repairs Completed

Flood damage at the Jungletown Access was repaired this past September.  This cement boat ramp provides a wonderful boat access to this part of the Wapsipinicon River.  Jungletown access is located roughly halfway between Olin and Oxford Junction along the south side of the Wapsipinicon River.

Work has begun on the Maquoketa River Water Trail project at Pictured Rocks and Mon Maq Access in Monticello.  The beginning of construction marks the end of a 3 year planning process to improve the areas for recreational use and beautify the areas as community entryways.  Construction is scheduled to take place between now and Memorial Day next May.  Construction activities were scheduled during the fall, winter and early spring to minimize impact on park users and businesses that

Maquoketa River Water Trail Images

During construction we are encouraging people to refrain from use of the areas if at all possible.  During short time periods the areas will be closed to vehicle traffic.  Semi trucks, dump trucks and concrete trucks will be using the park roads and we cannot risk someone being injured or killed during construction.  At Mon Maq Access we will develop some parking upstream from the mill site while the road is under construction that accesses McDonough Canoe Rental.  At Pictured Rocks the gate may be closed during times when large machinery and trucks are using the steep road accessing the river bottom.

The project activities include construction of two boat ramps or river access points, gathering areas, parking areas, a new latrine and shelter at Pictured Rocks, new signage, a steel deck over the old mill site at Mon Maq Access, seating, walkways and flagstone patio or interpretive areas.  The road accessing McDonough Canoe Rental will also be seal coated.

Officials will make every effort to accommodate use of the areas whenever possible, but at times this will not be possible.  We appreciate everyone’s cooperation during construction and foot traffic will be permitted in certain areas.

Maquoketa River Water Trail Final Plans

2009 Mid-America Trails and Greenways Award

The Hale Bridge Project recieved the 2009 Mid-America Trails and Greenways Award this past fall in Michigan.  They were nominated by the Iowa DOT.  Those attending the award luncheon were from left to right:  John Maehl, Iowa DNR, Dennis Murphy, Iowa DNR, Rose Rohr, Jones County Historic Preservation Commission, Merlin Moore, Jones County Supervisors, Larry Gullett, Director of the Jones County Conservation, Nancy Krugpiarz, Executive Director of the Michigan Trails and Greeway Alliance, and Missy Ortiz, Iowa DOT. 

Fall Internet Hunter Education Class Popular

64 participants received their Hunter Safety Certificates on November 14th after passing this falls Internet Hunter Education Field Day testing at the Monticello Gun Club.  Sponsored annually by the IDNR, Monticello Gun Club, and Jones County Conservation Department this class continues to draw participants from across the state of Iowa and surrounding states.  Anyone interested in attending a Hunter Education Course should watch the IDNR website at www.iowadnr.gov to locate area classes.  

Fall 2009 NCCC Crews 

Fall 2009 NCCC Crew

Two select groups of Americorps National Civilian Community Corps. (NCCC) assisted Jones County Conservation Board staff with fence removal, boundary signage, and shrub and tree removal at Mon Maq Dam, Hale Wildlife Area, and Scotch Grove Prairie during the months of October and November.   Members of these crews came from throughout the United States and were impressed with Jones County and the state of Iowa.  After assisting the Jones County Conservation Board the two crews went on to their next assigments with one crew heading to Des Moines and the other to New Orleans.   

Martelle Section of the Grant Wood Trail Grand Opening A Success

About 50 people participated in the Grand Opening Ceremony of the Martelle Section of the Grant Wood Trail.  The weather cooperated and provided a beautiful fall day for the celebration.  Members of the Grant Wood Trail Association informed participants of the hard work and perseverance put into the trail project and thanked the many donors and individuals who gave so much of their time to see this project become a success.  

With increased participation in the paddle sports the Jones County Conservation Board is studying the North Fork of the Maquoketa River from Cascade to Jackson County.  As part of the planning process officials from the Conservation Board, IDNR and National Park Service met with landowners along the river last fall to get input about future development for public use and use of the river by paddlers.  The intent of the Board is to do everything possible to help keep the river the way it is and designate it as a “wilderness” or “undeveloped” water trail.  The Conservation Board then met this past summer to gather input from the public about how they feel about the river and access to it.  The meeting included a short presentation from Larry Gullett - Jones County Conservation Board, Nate Hoogeveen - IDNR Rivers Program Coordinator and David Thomson - National Park Service Rivers and Trails Conservation Assistance Program. After the presentations participants broke into small groups and provided input to help the Conservation Board develop a planning and policy approach to help preserve the North Fork.

During the summer of 2008 two new ponds were constructed at the Hale Wildlife Area.  Both ponds should be great for bluegill, bass and catfish fishing within the next two to three years.  Each pond is about 2 acres in size and includes many piles of brush and trees and steep drop offs for fish structure.  The pond nearest the entry and parking area will be about 20’ deep when full and the pond located in the southeast portion of the area will be about 16’ deep.  The ponds were stocked with bluegill and catfish and bass were added spring 2009.

This past spring four new wetlands and 170 acres of prairie were constructed and seeded.   

Funding for this past springs work at Hale has been supported through the WHIP, Wildlife Habitat Incentives Program, administered by the Iowa Department of Agriculture, Cargill, Incorporated – Oilseeds Division in Cedar Rapids and the Cargill Corporate Headquarters in Minnesota, and Twin Rivers Pheasants Forever Chapter.

2009 Wetland Construction Plans

North 40 Wetland Plan

Lower Complex Wetland Plan

Upper Complex Wetland Plan

West Wetland Plan 

Hagan 60 Acre Hale Addition

The Iowa Natural Heritage Foundation has purchased 60 acres of land adjacent to the Hale Wildlife Area and is holding this property until enough funding is raised so that the land can be acquired by the Jones County Conservation Department. 

To date funding for this project has been committed by both the Dubuque and Twin Rivers Pheasants Forever Chapters.   Fundraising is ongoing.  Anyone interested in donating toward this project should contact the JCCB Administrative Office at (563)487-3541. 

This area will not be open to the general public until it has been turned over to the JCCB.

Nature Center Renovation Project Underway

The Central Park Nature Center Renovation Project is now underway.  Construction on the Live Animal Exhibit on the main floor of the Central Park Nature Center was completed January 2009.  

Although one exhibit is now completed the Central Park Nature Center Renovation Project is still in need of your help.  You hold the future in your hands.  With your help, the entire Central Park Nature Center Renovation Project can become a reality.  Your local organization and private contributions provide critical funding.  Renovation components will only be completed as funding allows. 

Renovation components will include:

-Improved entrance signage.

-Redesigned parking and drive.

-Exterior building improvements and repairs.

-ADA accessibility.

-Educational signage.

-Native landscaping.

-New doors and windows.

-New flooring and wall treatments.

-Updated entry.

-Updated educational exhibits.

-Kitchenette upgrade.

-Hands on learning exhibits.

-New functional educational lab and improved classroom area.

With your contributions these upgrades and renovations will continue to give the children, students, families, residents, and visitors of Jones County the opportunity to learn about the importance of our environment and natural and cultural resources. 

Exhibit and facility naming rights are still available.  Please contact the Jones County Conservation Board Administrative Office, at (563)487-3541, for more information or to find out how you can make a contribution today. 

Renovation Project Fundraising Brochure

Renovation Project Fundraising Handout

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Pictured Rocks Volunteer Trail Day

Trail Day

 

 

Greetings Pictured Rock Volunteers,

The Volunteer day went off with a bang! There were 47 volunteers from all over Iowa and even out of state that came to help construct the well deserved hiking trail at Pictured Rock. The level of support from the climbers, hikers, and spelunkers was phenomenal. All of you should be proud of what was accomplished on Saturday. Your work will be enjoyed by thousands for years to come.

The AmeriCorps Trail Crew was very grateful for your help. This project couldn’t have been completed with such great enthusiasm without your support. The Trail Crew loved seeing everyone working so hard on the trail and having such a great time while doing it.

Just to show how much work all of you did, here are a few staggering numbers for you: eight tons of gravel (road stone), four tons of soil, six tons of erosion stone (bigger rock), seven tons of cutter ends (blocked wall stone).

I just want to thank you again for your support and backing in this project. If it weren’t for dedicated people like you we wouldn’t even be building this trail. I hope to see and hear more of your support in the future.

If you would like to come over for another work day in the near future just give me a call (515)250-2083 and I will let you know what we are planning on doing that day. We can always use the help!

Thank you,

Bri Goodin
AmeriCorps Trail Crew Leader

 

 

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Cave at Pictured Rocks Mapped

Cave

Members of the Iowa Grotto spent several weekends this spring mapping the cave at Pictured Rocks.  Many hours were spent plotting the survey and creating a map of this cave.   The Jones County Conservation Board would like to thank the following members for their time and commitment to Iowa caves:  Ed Klausner, Elizabeth Miller, Mike Lace, Gary Engh, Phil La Rue, Brandy Zin, and John Kirk.

This map will be used for interpretive programs, brochures and publications, signage, and safety.     

Cave Map