VOLUME IX, ISSUE VIII UNDER THE OAK TREE PAGE 1 SPRING 2018

UNDER THE OAK TREE A NEWSLETTER OF THE HENRY COUNTY CONSERVATION DEPARTMENT

Henry County

Conservation @HenryCo_Nature oaklandmills

Department

PHOTOGRAPHY CONTEST

June 19th

6:30 p.m.

OUTDOOR COOKING

May 17th

6:30 p.m.

Conservation staff. Hands-on dutch oven cooking. Cost includes sampling of all dishes prepared. Menu TBA. Plan 2 hours. Fees and preregistration are due via mycountyparks on or before May 11th to allow shopping time for recipe items. $12.00 per participant.

KIDS’ DAY

July 21st

afternoon

THE ART OF CONSERVATION: A VISIT WITH DING DARLING by Tom Mililigan, actor

April 22nd

at 2:00 p.m.

Photography Lesson and Contest, by Wanda

Broeker, art teacher and professional

photographer. The presentation will begin with tips on getting to know your camera followed by how to photograph wildlife- both animals and plants. After, time will be given for a hike and a few test photos with Wanda available for critique and suggestions. Photography contest and rules will be announced by the conservation staff at the close of the program. Preregistration appreciated, but not necessary. Free.

mycountyparks.com

Celebrate Earth Day with us! Taken from the Humanities, Iowa website: “In this 45-minute

presentation, Jay N. ‘Ding’ Darling visits with the audience, as an old friend, in his 11th office

at The Des Moines Register. Beginning with his early years in Sioux City where as a young boy

where he became aware of the natural world around him while developing skills as an editorial

cartoonist, he recalls his remarkable life journey…. Considered by many to be one of the most

important members of the modern conservation movement in the first half of the 20th century,

the impact of his work is still felt today.” This program is part of the Democracy and the

Informed Citizen Initiative, administered by the Federation of State Humanities Councils,

thanks to The Andrew W. Mellon Foundation. Preregistration appreciated, but not necessary.

Program will be held in the EE Classroom at the Oakland Mills Nature Center. Free program.

Kids’ Day at the

Henry County

Fair. Hands-on

activities by

Henry County

naturalists with

CSI style

investigations!

Free program.

VOLUME IX, ISSUE VIII UNDER THE OAK TREE PAGE 2

RECREATIONAL RENTAL CABINS Henry County Conservation Department has two

rental cabins overlooking the Skunk River.

Go online to www.mycountyparks.com

and click the Henry County tab to reserve a cabin.

Rates: Sun-Thurs: $68.00 per night Fri-Sat: $80.00 per night

Weekends require a two night minimum.

Red-tailed Hawk Sponsors Electronic Engineering Co.; Otto & Collette Groenewald;

David McCoid; Dan Peterson; Ralph & Helen See; Paulette Shappell

THANK-YOU TO ALL WHO HAVE DONATED A sincere and heartfelt thank-you goes to all of the individuals, families, groups,

businesses, and organizations that have donated time, talent, money, or items to the Henry County Conservation Department or to the Oakland Mills Nature Center.

Rough-legged Hawk Sponsors Dick & JoAnn Corell; Henry County Democrats; Bruce & Bertha King;

Genevieve McCabe; Pat & Brenda McCabe; Jim & Doris Onorato; Ralph & Helen See;

Deborah Fisher Vroom; Drs. Steve & Mary Wettach

To reserve a campsite, go to Walk-ins are still accepted

www.mycountyparks.com by registering with one of the

click Henry County, then facilities. campground hosts.

Rate: $20.00 per night electric site. Rate: $15.00 per night electric site.

$15.00 per night non-electric site. $10.00 per night non-electric site.

Deb Adams

Richard Ballou

J.F. Barr

Sharon Barton

John & Ann Bennett

Sandy Breazeale

David Carrick

Gabe Featherstun

John & Mary Ann Freeland

Friends of Conservation in

Henry County, LTD.

Jerry & Lorilee Glanzman

Teresa Owens

Real Estate by Waters, Bob Waters

Mary Ruschill

Ralph & Helen See

Curt & Cindy Sparrow

Steffensmeier Surveying

Claudia Streeter

Jake & Sarah Virden

Roberta & Mark Virden, In Memory

of Helen M. Virden

Deb Vroom

Rob, Kat, & Rhett Zeglen

Pam Holz, Washington

County Conservation

Iowa DNR, Dan Henderson

Tristan Keomanivong

KILJ Radio

Bruce Krause

Darren Lehman

Duane & Joni Maxwell

Genevieve McCabe

Pat & Brenda McCabe

Dave McCoid

Jim & Doris Onorato

Emily Ostrander, Lyon

County Conservation

VOLUME IX, ISSUE VIII UNDER THE OAK TREE PAGE 3

Barred Owl Sponsors Sharon Barton; Todd Brereton; Dane & Chaley Cook; John & Mary Ann Freeland;

Richard & Elizabeth Garrels; Henry County Nature Society;

Duane & Joni Maxwell; Kenny Morrison Memorial; Lori Muntz;

Real Estate by Waters; Alexandria Rowe; Ralph & Helen See;

Steffensmeier Surveying; Winfield-Mt. Union Elementary School

2018 HCCD Calendar

Calendar subject to change. For more details and to register online,

go to www.mycountyparks.com, Henry County, Events tab.

American Kestrel Sponsors Gabe Featherstun; Friends of Conservation in Henry County; Iris Dental P.C.;

Tristan Keomanivong; Mike Prottsman; Ralph & Helen See; Jared & Cole Smith;

Rob, Kat, & Rhett Zeglen

April

9- Board Meeting

13- Evening- campgrounds open for the season

14- Oakland Mills Nature Center opens for the season

19- ACORN Migration Frustration

22- At the Park Art of Conservation: A Visit With Ding

Darling, Tom Milligan, actor

May

14- Board Meeting

17- At the Park Outdoor Cooking

28- Offices closed for Memorial Day holiday

June

TBA- At the Park Photography Lesson and Contest, speaker

Wanda Broeker

7- ACORN Butterflies ARE Important

11- Board Meeting

13- Day Camp- Hawkeye

15- Day Camp- Green Arrow

18- Day Camp- Thor

20- Day Camp- Flash vs Captain Cold

22- Day Camp- Incredible Hulk

25- Day Camp- Spiderman and Black Widow

27- Day Camp- Antman and Wasp

28/29 Overnight Camp- Batman vs Batgirl

July

2- Day Camp- Aquaman

4- Offices closed for Independence Day holiday

9- Day Camp- Beastboy

9- Board Meeting

11- Day Camp- Defeat the Legion of Doom

12/13 Overnight Camp–-Superman vs Wonder Woman

21- At the Park Kids’ Day at the Henry County Fair

August

13- Board Meeting

19- At the Park Identify Your Artifacts, Ferrel Anderson,

archaeologist

23- ACORN Fish Lips and Casting Tips

September

3- Offices closed for Labor Day holiday

10- Board meeting

16- At the Park Flowers of the Prairie, Dr. Danuta

Hutchins, speaker

October

TBA- At the Park Odd Couples, annual night hike

8- Board Meeting

31- ACORN Pumpkin Smiles and Costume Styles

November

TBA- Board Meeting

TBA- Oakland Mills Nature Center and campgrounds close

for the season

12- Offices closed for Veteran’s Day holiday

18- At the Park Homemade Holiday Beauty Bags

22/23- Offices closed for Thanksgiving holiday

December

10- Board Meeting

20- ACORN Bag It- Is Your Life Too Plastic? plus holiday

potluck

25- Offices closed for Christmas holiday

VOLUME IX, ISSUE VIII UNDER THE OAK TREE PAGE 4

A.C.O.R.N. CLUB 2018 Adult Conservation Oriented Responsible Neighbors

“We’re all a bunch of nature nuts!”“We’re all a bunch of nature nuts!”“We’re all a bunch of nature nuts!”“We’re all a bunch of nature nuts!”

ACORN is an adult program for those interested in conservation and environmental education topics.

There are no membership fees and no commitments. This schedule may be subject to change. All programs

will meet at the Oakland Mills Nature Center for 2018.

To register for these programs, call the conservation office at 319-986-5067; email Cari at cnicely@henrycountyconservation.com; email Danika at dcox@henrycountyconservation.com or register

online at www.mycountyparks.com, click the Events tab, and choose Henry County.

No programs in May, July, September, or November.

April 19th 10:00 a.m. Migration Frustration. Program by Danika Cox, Assistant Naturalist. Free program

including a hands-on board game! RSVP deadline April 16th.

June 7th 10:00 a.m. Butterflies ARE Important! Informative powerpoint by Danika Cox, Assistant Naturalist, with fun facts and gardening tips followed by make and take butterfly feeder activity. Free program.

RSVP deadline June 4th to ensure enough supplies for all participants.

August 23rd 10:00 a.m. Fish Lips and Casting Tips. Program in the classroom by both Henry County Naturalists followed by a short fishing experience at the nature center pond. All equipment and bait will

be provided. No license necessary. Catch and release only. Free program. RSVP deadline August 20th.

October 31st 1:00 p.m. Pumpkin Smiles and Costume Styles. Come IN COSTUME to learn about the history of pumpkin carving with both Henry County Naturalists. Bring your favorite pumpkin recipe on a 3” x 5” card. We will copy those cards into a hand-out for all to take home. Pumpkin carving will be available. PRIZE for best costume. Muffins and cider will be provided. Free program. RSVP deadline

October 26th.

December 20th 10:00 a.m. Bag It- Is Your Life Too Plastic? “Try going a day without plastic. In this touching and often flat-out-funny film, we follow ‘everyman’ Jeb Berrier as he embarks on a global tour to unravel the complexities of our plastic world. What starts as a film about plastic bags evolves into a wholesale investigation into plastic and its effect on our waterways, oceans and even our own bodies….” Showing of the film followed by discussion then annual holiday potluck in the classroom. Film length 65 minutes. Free program. Deadline December 14th for accurate lunch count. Don’t forget a homemade

nature ornament to continue our friendship tree tradition!

*Reminder postcards or emails are sent out each month for those interested in the A.C.O.R.N. program.

Costs, itineraries, and deadlines are announced when the reminders are sent. You may also listen to

Cari Nicely, Naturalist, or Danika Cox, Assistant Naturalist, on KILJ Radio on the first Thursday of the

month for updates to all programs. Must have 10 people preregister to hold the program.

IDENTIFY YOUR ARTIFACTS

August 19th at 2:00 p.m.

Ferrel Anderson, archaeologist, will begin his presentation with the Black Hawk War shadowed by a brief summary of Mississippi River Valley archaeology. After his presentation, there will be a question and answer time followed by artifact identification. Feel free to bring your own artifacts for Mr. Anderson to look at during this segment. Preregistration appreciated, but not necessary. Free program.

VOLUME IX, ISSUE VIII UNDER THE OAK TREE PAGE 5

Summer Youth Programs 2018

To pre-register for any of these programs, go to www.mycountyparks.com, click on the Events tab,

then choose Henry County. Checks will no longer be accepted as a form of payment. Registration is

online only- do not mail in a registration form. Activities will be available on a first-come, first-

served basis so register early- camps fill quickly. Online registration will open April 2nd.

Please read the following before registering:

• Online preregistration is required along with any associated fees at least one week prior to program. • All programs will begin and end at the Oakland Mills Nature Center unless otherwise noted in that

program description. • All children who are under the age of 7 must be accompanied by an adult, as do all children requiring

one-on-one aids while in school. An adult is any person age 18 years and older. • It is the responsibility of the parent to read and adhere to age restrictions for each individual program

as some of them may be a bit advanced for younger children. In the event the age guidelines are not followed, a parent may be asked to stay or the child may be dismissed from the activity with no refund.

• It is the responsibility of the parent/guardian to inform conservation staff of allergies prior to the event.

• By registering for these programs, I hereby give permission for medical professionals to provide emergency services to my child(ren) if necessary and agree to hold the Henry County Conservation Board and Department, staff, and their volunteers harmless of any said illness, injury, or disease.

• By registering for these programs, I further understand and agree that my child(ren) will abide by the general rules of conduct and that violations may result in denial of future privileges, a forfeiture of fees, and immediate removal from the program activities.

• By registering for these programs, I also give permission for my child to be photographed by Henry County Conservation staff or media to be used for promotional purposes in all media outlets.

• No refunds once registrations have been completed unless the program is canceled by the conservation staff. All programs must have at least 10 registered participants to be held. Check for cancellations at http://www.henrycountyconservation.com/programs.htm.

• Activities will be held rain or shine. Dress accordingly. Avoid wearing sandals or flip flops.

All camps will have background information about each superhero (and possibly their villain) to show the relationship with that day’s activities.

June 13th 1-3 p.m. HAWKEYE– Want to know about hawks or other birds of prey? This program will feature live raptors. Must be 7 years of age or older to attend without an adult. No limit to number of participants. FREE but must pre-register. Note: This program is not limited to children. June 15th 1-3 p.m. GREEN ARROW– Atlatl throwing and archery skills are this camp’s focus. Must be 8 years of age or older to attend. Limit 12. $6.00 per child. June 18th 10 a.m.-12 p.m. THOR– Let’s learn about the weather- including thunder and lightning- through science experiments! Must be 7 years of age or older to attend without an adult. Limit 24. $6.00 per child.

VOLUME IX, ISSUE VIII UNDER THE OAK TREE PAGE 6

June 20th 10 a.m.-12 p.m. FLASH VS CAPTAIN COLD– What animals have fast metabolisms? How do animals achieve speed in short distances? Ice in June? Live raptor will be featured. Must be 7 years of age or older to attend without an adult. Limit 24. $6.00 per child.

June 22nd 10 a.m.-12 p.m. INCREDIBLE HULK– Dr. Banner was a scientist- you can be one, too! Go at your own pace through various science experiments. Younger children will need an adult to help read and follow directions. Must be 9 years of age or older to attend without an adult. Limit 24. $6.00 per child.

June 25th 10 a.m.-12 p.m. SPIDERMAN AND BLACK WIDOW– Truths and myths about spiders. Catch villains with your “web.” Must be 7 years of age or older to attend without an adult. Limit 24. $6.00 per child.

June 27th 10 a.m.-12 p.m. ANTMAN AND WASP– Learn about bugs! We will use bug nets for land insects then head to the pond to search for aquatic insects. Bring rubber boots or shoes that can get wet/muddy. NO sandals or crocs. Must be 7 years of age or older to attend without an adult. Limit 24. $6.00 per child.

June 28-29th 7 p.m.-10 a.m. Camp C.a.N.– BATMAN VS BATGIRL– Stay in the cabins and learn about creatures of the night! I CAN stay overnight in the loft of a cabin. I CAN bait bats and look for moths. Eat supper before you come. A snack and breakfast is included. Sleeping arrangements will be divided by cabin according to gender. Bring your sleeping bag and pillow. Child must be able to sleep overnight upstairs in the loft of a cabin with their peers with an adult downstairs. Must be 9 years of age or older. Limit 6 boys and 6 girls. Be sure to click the correct registration according to your child’s gender. $26.00 per child.

July 2nd 10 a.m.-3 p.m. AQUAMAN– Canoeing, fishing, ocean life, and water guns- we will do it all! Bring your lunch, swimsuit, towel, and sturdy shoes that can get wet. Must be 8 years of age or older to attend without an adult. Limit 15. $12.00 per child. Need canoe consent form signed by a parent. Print and bring with you to camp.

July 9th 10 a.m.-12 p.m. BEASTBOY– Haunted places in Iowa? Mythical monsters in Iowa- YES! Must be 7 years of age or older to attend without an adult. No limit to number of participants. FREE but must pre-register. Note: This program is not limited to children and it is NOT for the faint of heart. Please note this is about monsters and scary places in Iowa.

July 11th 10 a.m.-12 p.m. DEFEAT THE LEGION OF DOOM– Use a GPS and follow clues on a trail to find and fight bad guys. Handheld GPS unit will be provided. Must be 9 years of age or older to attend without an adult. Limit 24. $6.00 per child.

July 12-13th 7 p.m.-10 a.m. Camp C.a.N.– SUPERMAN VS WONDER WOMAN– Team building and competitions. I CAN stay overnight in a tent. I CAN paddle a canoe. Eat supper before you come. A snack and breakfast is included. Sleeping arrangements will be divided according to gender. Bring a swim suit, extra pair of sturdy shoes that can get wet, towel, sleeping bag, and pillow. Child must be able to sleep overnight in a tent with their peers with an adult nearby, but not in the same tent. Must be 9 years of age or older. Limit 12. $26.00 per child. Need canoe consent form signed by a parent. Print and bring with you to camp.

Canoe Consent Form: http://www.henrycountyconservation.com/programs.htm

Henry County Conservation Department 2593 Nature Center Drive, Mt Pleasant, IA 52641

319-986-5067 office phone

VOLUME IX, ISSUE VIII UNDER THE OAK TREE PAGE 7

Henry County Conservation Department

2593 Nature Center Drive

Mt. Pleasant, IA 52641 Henry County Conservation

Board of Directors

Kat Zeglen, President

Tony Brown, Vice-president

Tim Batey, Member

Caleb Waters, Member

Michelle Gardner, Member

www.henrycountyconservation.com

or mycountyparks.com

Phone: 319-986-5067

Fax: 319-986-5469

Email: office@henrycountyconservation.com

AN ONLINE NEWSLETTER OF THE HENRY COUNTY CONSERVATION DEPARTMENT

HCCD Staff

John Pullis, Executive Director

Tony Millard, Operations Supervisor

Becky Thornton, Secretary

Cari Nicely, Naturalist

Danika Cox, Assistant Naturalist

If you would like to receive this newsletter via email, we

can make that happen! You may submit your email address

by calling our office at (319) 986-5067; emailing our office

at office@henrycountyconservation.com; or postal mail to:

Henry County Conservation Department

2593 Nature Center Drive

Mt. Pleasant, IA 52641-8250

Name: ______________________________________________

Email:______________________________________________

If you would like to make a monetary donation to the

Henry County Conservation Department, please fill out the

form below and mail it along with your donation to:

Henry County Conservation Department

2593 Nature Center Drive

Mt. Pleasant, IA 52641-8250

Name: ________________________________________________

Please give us your name so that we may thank you in our

newsletter, or you may leave this blank if you wish to remain

anonymous. Thank you for your generosity!

I would like my donation to be used for:

_____ The Oakland Mills Nature Center

_____ Environmental Education OR Live Animal Display

_____ Wildlife Habitat

_____ Park Improvements/Facilities

_____ Wherever is needed the most

Tune to KILJ 105.5 FM on your radio on the first and third

Thursday morning of each month to hear updates from

the Henry County Conservation Department!

Oakland Mills Nature Center will be open

Sat. and Sun. 1-5 p.m. mid-April through mid-October.

Weekday appointments can be made by calling 319-986-5067.

Live animal display open year-round.

Weekend hosts for 2018 needed! Call 319-537-1061 to inquire.

Sharp-shinned Hawk Sponsors Needed! This little guy was brought to us by state conservation officer, Dan Henderson, and

will not be able to be returned to the wild due to neurological complications from his

injuries. This sharpie loves to eat and needs sponsors to off-set the cost of his food.

Monetary donations in any amount can be sent to the Henry County Conservation

office. Please specify the donation is for the live animal display. In return, your

name can be featured on the sign for this hawk, in the newsletter, online, and

mentioned during live programming with him.