Invitation to FOS Dinner on Jan. 9, 2016

2nd Annual Raffle and Potluck - Oct. 24, 2015

  Friends of Shimek 2nd Annual Raffle and Potluck Held on Oct. 24, 2015 
After a rainy Friday--and some more Friday night--Saturday got lighter and nicer as the day progressed.

  By the time riders had returned to their campsites to warm up, the sun was out and the evening was looking great for the raffle and  potluck and an evening around the firepits.  Debbie with Marilyn and  Donnie Harris' help had set up the items to be raffled for all to see...and Debbie was busy selling tickets to anyone that stopped by.  Kristine Sink was baking up a huge batch of tasty bacon wrapped  goodies for the potluck that drew people from some distance away with the enticing aroma  and other good smells were coming from the dishes being brought to the table.

      

         
     


 As the drawing began--one more person wanted to buy tickets--which led to a round of applause.  Then Emcee Ringo Covert asked Bonnie Moothart to to assist with the drawing of names from the ticket stub canister while FOS Treasurer Debbie Miller held the winning tickets.

The winners were:
Quilt made by Bonnie Moothart and Yellow Flower made by Dennis Hunter : Jeanne Kew of California
Large Custom Firepit by Dennis Hunter: Chelsea Voss
Triangle Fire Stand by Dennis Hunter: Kristine Sink
Blue Flower by Dennis Hunter: Ken Hartman (Also known as Neal and Lala's father)
Red Flower by Dennis Hunter : Ryan Atkinson
   
Friends of Shimek: $935. raised for trails and campground maintenance at Shimek!!!!.

Thanks to----
Dennis Hunter for the generous donation of prizes including the firepit, the triangle fire stand and flowers;
Bonnie Moothart for the beautiful quilt won by a lady who will treasure it greatly;
Debbie Miller for handling all the logistics and, oh, yes, for carefully handling the money and prizes;
Ann Bennett for the largest number of sold tickets and the distribution of tickets;
Ringo Covert for serving as Emcee and Bonnie for helping him with the drawing;
and to Marsha Achenbach, Neal Hartman and Donnie and Marilyn Harris for helping with what needed doing on site;
and to all of you, the Friends of Shimek,  that sold and bought tickets and helped FOS raise $935.

Plan now for next year.  Got a great raffle prize you can donate?  Reply to FOShimek@gmail.com and a Board Member will be in touch with you.

The lovely end to the day--a glowing sunset over the Lower Campground:

For more photos--see  2nd FOS Raffle Photos

Wet Weather Trail Addition Now Being Rocked

.
The many loads of road rock to be put on the 2.2 mile expansion of the Wet Weather Trail have been piled at the end of the road into the Lick Creek Unit. Many Thanks to the William J and Donna M Hoaglin Foundation for the $10,000 funding for the rock.

Forester John Byrd was hard at work this week loading rock into a dump truck and then spreading the rock on the trail that has been prepared for the rock.

  This photo shows a trail section that has just been rocked. (The view down the trail is from the back of Friesian Jupiter while Lora was riding with Marsha on Gussie.) Much more to go to finish the 2.2 miles but Thanks very much to John and Crew for the work already done. The work on the WWT could not be done until the trails dried out so now is the time. 

Know how to operate a dump truck, a skid steer?  Call John and offer to help. 1-319-878-3811

FOS Workday Sept 26, 2015 Follow-up

Lots Done!

Fifteen FOS Volunteers gathered in the lower campground turn around area on a really lovely Saturday morning. A perfect day to ride---or in this case, work. Work done in both campgrounds included cleaning firepits, picking up trash, smoothing the rough piles of gravel near the new water hydrants, collecting and sorting cans and bottles for recycle and IA deposit return, and removal of the old kiosks. In addition, the gate supports were installed under the gates on the upper campground stalls. They were very much needed as one gate had already gotten badly twisted. Several people worked over near Croton, checking that mowing was done there and lopping back hanging branches and vines. A good morning's work that concluded with a picnic lunch and Southern cake brownies. 

Bob Achenbach and Art Duke begin taking down the old kiosks.  They were assisted by Don Harris. 

Cleaning firepits--please people--these are not trash pits!
 Linda Fiordelise, Kathy White, and Jo Watson worked on cleaning up the campgrounds.

 



Marilyn Harris and Judy Duke begin sorting and bagging the recyclable, deposit paid cans and bottles
.

Bob Bender, Neal Hartman, Art Duke and Bob Achenbach
 working on the gate supports for the stalls.



Sandy Harrison tackled smoothing the already packed rock and chips around the water hydrants.

The new gate supports hard at work trying to prevent bending gates
 from horses leaning, buckets hanging and kids climbing.
 

Lunch all---Bonnie and Doug Moothart and Marsha Achenbach
worked over on the Croton side clearing trails,

FOS Raffle and Cookout -Buy Tickets Now

FOS Work Day Aug 25th Followup

A total of seventeen wonderful Volunteers and Forester John Byrd met at the Lick Creek Upper Campground on a beautiful crisp, sunny morning to attack the overgrown trails, cleanup the campgrounds, fill gravel potholes, and prep cans and bottles to recycle.  Volunteers were: Marsha and Bob Achenbach, Linda and Bill Fiordelise, Neal Hartman, Bob Bender, Marilyn Harris, Don Harris, Bonnie and Doug Moothart, Judy and Art Duke, Pam Larson, Wayne Long, Jo Watson, Pam Ball and Lora Conrad.

John Byrd made assignments as Volunteers gathered.

John explains to Bill and Linda Fiordelise where to put rock in potholes with the dump truck.  They were assisted by Art Duke.

Pam Larsen and Jo Watson set off to clean out firepits and stalls at both campgrounds.

Judy Duke and Pam Larson tackle sorting and bagging cans and bottles at both campgrounds for recycling.

John asked Wayne Long and Marilyn Harris to walk trails with a saw on a weedeater engine and loppers, trimming back limbs and multi-flora.

Neal Hartman and Bob Bender rode out on some rougher trails and cut off downed trees.  Bonnie Moothart and Doug Moothart rode out on the WWT and mowed back the sides of the trails and removed trash.  Both teams went back out after lunch for more trail work.

Marsha Achenbach (pictured) and Lora Conrad took DR brush mowers out along some of the narrower trails . Overgrowth was so bad that a trip down a trail and back with two mowers was needed to clear it for riding.

Pam Ball and Jo Watson used stencils provided by Bonnie Moothart to paint "Please Clean Your Stalls" on the boards inside the stalls--at both campgrounds.  After cleaning some stalls left dirty by some messy campers, they decided this was much needed.

John Byrd and Bob Achenbach went out
on some rougher trails with chain saws to clear downed trees.  They happened along the trail being hand mowed right when the chain was pulled off the DR, so also repaired the DR so mowing could resume.






For more photos-- See FOS Work Day Photos and slideshow - 17 images

Friends of Shimek Update --News and Aug 25th Work Day Plans

Friends of Shimek Update 2015-9

From Forester John Byrd......

It has been an interesting spring and summer this year at Shimek.  Looking back, a dry summer would have been  a welcome site, given the amount of work we need to get done.  Some hope is on the horizon with the rains becoming less frequent and trails starting to dry out.  Hopefully, we will actually be able to hold the August 25th Work Day discussed below.  I'll see you there as we tackle the overgrowth and downed trees on the trails.

The wet weather trail (WWT) was recently closed so some of the bad spots could be fixed.  After 2 weeks of being closed and spreading over 100 tons of rock on it, the WWT is about 70% repaired and is open for riding.  One thing a wet year provides is a worst case scenario.  The staff now knows what to expect and where the weak spots are on the WWT.  This is especially important when construction of the new WWT gets underway.  Construction of the additional WWT should begin this fall, but before we can start putting rock down we must get the trails shaped so they are easier to maintain.  Most of the rock for the additional WWT is being funded by a grant from the William M. and Donna J. Hoaglin Foundation, Inc.  Please look for updates in the future on the progress and called work days for spreading rock, if you would be willing to help.  Of course this is all weather dependent.

 

 I would like to thank everyone for staying off the trails when they have been closed.  I know it is frustrating but, it makes maintenance much easier and less costly when there are not major wet spots everywhere.  Thank you for being patient while the WWT was closed.  I have learned that the WWT is not an all-weather trail and may have to close from time to time, when we have such weather extremes. 
             

 I look forward to a safe and enjoyable fall riding season.

 

John Byrd, Area Forester

john.byrd@dnr.iowa.gov
319-878-3811 *******************************************************************************************************************

Group Work Day Scheduled for August 25th.                                       

Clearing the trails.

We are optimistic that with the shift to drier weather, we will be able to hold our first trail maintenance workday this year!  So please try to come help with trail work--lots of catch-up to do.

 Meet at the Lick Creek Unit Upper Campground, day parking area at 8:00 AM on August 25th.  Marsha Achenbach is the FOS Work Day Coordinator.  She and John Byrd will assign trail sections for volunteers to work.  Work to be done: Clearing downed trees and mowing back brush on trails. Reinstalling six of the You Are Here Signs that were taken down last fall. ATV teams will be sent out to clear downed trees from trails, pick up cans, and clear back overhanging limbs with loppers.  Mowing teams will be sent out to mow on and beside trails. The heavy duty walk behind mowers or weedeaters or small tractors/brushhogs will be needed as trails are badly overgrown.  Please contact John  if you can bring an ATV, chainsaws, mowers or other equipment suitable for attacking the trail clearing needed.  All crew members out on trails are requested  to wear their FOS Vests or use one of the loaner vest provided by FOS.

One crew will be needed to fill potholes on the road with rock from the dump truck--John will provide the dump truck and rock.  In the campground, the Horse Shelter at the Upper Campground needs the support posts installed under the gates.  Cody will bring the materials and tools to do this. Fire pits need cleaning out in the campgrounds.

 Plan to BrownBag your lunch; water provided.  Contact John Byrd at John.Byrd@dnr.iowa.gov or phone number 319-878-3811  or send a message to FOShimek@gmail.com if you are planning to attend. 

Working after lunch will be up to the individual workers and weather conditions.

Bring Iowa deposit cans/bottles from home to redeem/recycle.  The ones you bring plus those left in the recycle baskets at the campgrounds or picked up off the trails will be sorted and packaged for redemption. Ann Bennett is in charge of recycling.

***********************************************************************************************

Lala and friends out for a ride.

Reminder--October 24th  Friends of Shimek's 2nd Annual Potluck and Raffle.

Plan to come ride with friends and stay for the Potluck and Raffle.  More details will follow on prizes and ticket sales but NOW IS THE TIME TO RESERVE YOUR CAMPING SPOT!  LOWER CAMPGROUND. There are only 24 sites at the lower campground! 

 

 

Debbie Miller, FOS Coordinator for the event, has already reserved her space--Site #46--same location as last year.

 

To reserve your space---

 Go to
 http://iowastateparks.reserveamerica.com/

1. ******************************************************************

Friends of Shimek Group Work Day Scheduled for July 11th.is Cancelled

Cancellation Notice
After heavy rains this past weekend and another .7 inches of rain on July 8th at Shimek--there is no way that the trails will be dry enough to go out on with ATV's and mowers to work without damaging the trails and increasing the risk to volunteers.   As a result Forester John Byrd and FOS have cancelled the Saturday July 11th work day. 

If it ever gets dry, we will have some extra called work days as we will have so very much trail maintenance and gravel work to do. 

DNR Technician Cody Brothersen has the campgrounds in good shape and when the funds arrive for the grant we have been awarded by the Lee County Charitable Fund, we will call for help to build the new kiosks.

 

What's Happening at Shimek -June 12, 2015

 Soggy trails have been the rule so far this year...but for this weekend, unless there is yet more rain, the Wet Weather Trail is open. Please, Please--ride only on the WWT or next time there are wet conditions, Forester John Byrd will have to close all the trails to try to prevent damage to the dirt trails. There are maps in the campgrounds and on our blog that show the WWT---but then its not too hard---its the graveled trail (except where it runs along the main highway which is muddy grass a this point). See the map and the rules on a separate page of this  BlogSpot.

Those people riding the trails when they are closed (and some other riders) are leaving behind their beer cans--and that means work for other people-- all of us that volunteer and pick them up! We don't pick them up because of the few cents they bring to recycle but to return the appearance of the trails to their natural beauty. None of us want to ride through trash. So--practice and preach "Carry it in, carry it out!" .

The DNR Technician can not be there all the time to monitor where people are riding--we can not just leave it to DNR. We as the users of these trails must respect the rules and protect the resources and speak out to and about those who do not, as peer pressure is important in getting cooperation on following the rules. Of course, a few tickets costing $127.50 given to people who have repeatedly broken the rules is a big help!

Right now, it looks like FOS will not hold its group work day until July 11, the next regularly scheduled date. However, that does not mean nothing has been done. In the campgrounds, DNR Technician Cody Brothersen, working on his own time as a volunteer, Chelsie Rohrs and two other FOS Volunteers worked on replacing weak hitching post rails this past week. Cody has been very dedicated to improving the appearance and condition of the campgrounds. Right now, FOS is seeking funding support to replace the information kiosks at the Lick Creek campgrounds as well as those at Bitternut and White Oak non-equestrian campgrounds. The current ones are over twenty years old, deteriorated and some were damaged in the vandalism. Its time for some kiosks that can provide a reliable information source for campers. Cody has in fact already begun construction of the ones in White Oak and Bitternut. In addition, when there was a day or two of drier weather, John Byrd and crew began clearing/widening the 2.2 miles he plans to add to the WWT this summer---if it ever gets to be dry enough to haul and spread rock!

Riders have reported that what we can see of  the dirt trails is badly overgrown (did you notice how vigorously the multi-flora have been growing and blooming everywhere?)  with the wet conditions, unable to mow and clear, and less riding on them. We will be busy July11th---hope the weather is good that day.

 Facebook.  You can also follow FOS on facebook: https://www.facebook.com/FOShimek

 

Trail Status as of June 4th

Shimek Trails as of June 4th.
Marsha rode at Shimek on June 3rd since the trails had been opened. She found that most dirt trails are still very wet so she rode on the WWT. She found a downfall totally blocking the WWT just a slight ways off the dead end gravel road. There was no way around through the thorny underbrush with at least 2 large birch/aspen trees involved. She notified Forester John Byrd and by this morning at 9:30, all was cleared away and the WWT is clear and ready to ride! Enjoy! And much thanks to John and crew for the fast work.

Before going---remember to call 319-878-3811 for the current status of the trails at Shimek.

CANCELLATION of Group Work Day Thursday May 21st

FOS WORK DAY MAY 21 CANCELLED
Since the rains have continued this week and and the rain is still falling as we write, the Friends of Shimek Work Day scheduled for tomorrow May 21 is cancelled.  The trails are soggy and riding or
working on them would be damaging. We will reschedule when its drier! We are sorry to disrupt everyone's plans once again...but there will be better days to work.

SHIMEK TRAILS STATUS
Right now ALL EQUESTRIAN TRAILS are closed. The message on the office phone machine as of 1pm on May 20th states that “if we do not get any more rain between now and Friday the trails will open  at noon, on Friday, with some trails open”. Please call the phone at
the office to check the status before planning to ride there this
weekend (319-878-3811).    Whether John will be able to open any of the trails depends on what happens over the next day or two.  He said he is hopeful that “with good sun, wind and no rain for two days , the trails should be fair (some spots will never be fair) for riding.” 

Also, check your online weather --- weather projections I've seen indicate a high likelihood of more rain on Sunday and Monday.



Meet at the Lick Creek Lower Campground at the graveled entry loop at 8:30 AM on date to be determined.   Be sure to check back here the night before to be sure we have not had to reschedule again.  Look for Ringo Covert, FOS Work Day Coordinator. Ringo and John will assign teams to work specific trail areas for downed or leaning tree removal. Some areas will require the use of the DNR track loader to push aside larger trees. The You are Here signs that were removed in the fall will need to be re-installed. We also need to pick up cans/bottles/litter along the roadway and on trails. Lots of trail work needed. Marsha has a list of the locations where trees are across the trails.Volunteers should bring ATV's, chain saws, safety equipment and any other tools they might need.

Campsite work needed will include removing tree tops to the woods in the Lower Campground (hazardous trees to be cut on May11th), installing supports for gates at Upper Campground horse shelter, replacing the hitching post at site 31, Lower Campground, and general clean-up. Cody Brothersen will work with the teams doing this and will supply all tools and materials needed.

Brown bag your lunch--Bottled water provided. We will work until noon or later depending on each volunteers schedule.
Be Aware: Ticks are bad in the woods---bring your tick repellant!  Contact Forester John Byrd at John.Byrd@dnr.iowa.gov or Ringo Covert at covertr@westburlington.org. Ringo is the FOS Coordinator for this work day.

Bring Iowa deposit cans/bottles to sort/redeem/ recycle. Ann Bennett is in charge of the recycling.



 

Come help us remove trees across trails and work in the campgrounds on May 12th.

Check out the Event at the Friends of Shimek Facebook page:
https://www.facebook.com/events/465833910235869/

Mid-April: Shimek Trails Issues - Downed Trees

Watch out especially for trees down and in or over the trail from "Potter's Rest" down to the Croton gravel road. Its so thorny/bushy beside the trail in this area that it is very difficult to get around the trees right now. Riders are advised to avoid this area for now. Marsha Achenbach rode most of the trails this past week (before the rain) and reported this and several other dirt trails with trees across them, caused by a combination of forestry work during the winter and the usual winter losses to wind and ice. Forester John Byrd is aware of the issues and will work with FOS and DNR staff to clear trails on or before the next FOS workday on May 12.

Plan now to come help us clear this up on May 12th--see the Activities page for details.

March 30 Shimek Trails Update from Forester John Byrd.......

Shimek Trails Update from Forester John Byrd as of March 30.......

It is that time of year again when the phone starts ringing off the hook about camping and riding trails.  This also means that the mushroom hunters will be calling as well.  Spring is a great time to visit Shimek and get back in touch with nature after a long winter.  Woodland plants start to emerge and show their lovely colors which make for a good distraction from all the other activities people have this time of year. 

As of now the equestrian trails are still wet and muddy, but as things start to “green up” the trails dry out faster and recover from spring rains faster.  Something new this year to lock into the memory banks is the status of the trails at Shimek.  There have been hundreds of hours devoted to trying to provide good trail management by DNR staff and FOS Volunteers and there will be hundreds more this year.  With a grant to FOS from the William M and Donna J Hoaglin Foundation for the purchase of gravel this year, we are set to put in another 2.2 mile loop of wet weather trail (WWT) (if the weather is drier this year.) 

The map below shows the current WWT in red and the planned additon to the WWT in blue.

Another point involving the WWT is that it will be closed more this year.  This is not due to the fact that it isn’t holding up or we can’t maintain it.  It is due to the nature of the rules.  One of the most important rules is staying off the other riding trails when they are closed and the WWT is open.  After visually inspecting the trails during closures there were multiple areas that still had significant riding pressure.  I have had multiple people tell me that their horse doesn’t mind riding through the mud and wet trails.  This is not the point of closing trails.  The primary point of closing the trails is to protect the natural resource. In some cases (particularly rough terrain) this also protects the safety of horses and riders.  If the natural resource can’t be protected during these wet times then the future of horse riding at Shimek could be compromised and no one wants that scenario.  With all of that being said, I do plan to try to open the WWT when the other trails are closed in the future and see if riders can follow the rules.  My hope is that everyone can follow the rules so the riders that follow rules aren’t punished by the riders who don’t.

As always, thank you for everyone’s support and I look forward to a great riding and trail work season.

 John Byrd, Shimek Area Forester

Iowa Department of Natural Resources

Phone 319-878-3811

john.byrd@dnr.iowa.gov

 

 

Why not ride when the trails are wet?

 

 

This is what happens when we ride the trails when they are wet – a muddy loblolly that lasts for months is created that then begins to ditch and wash and erode the trails, destroying them forever. Follow the riding rules and stay off the trails when they are closed. Its easy to know where the Wet Weather Trails is---it is the graveled trail. Print off the map above or on the FOS blogspot. The Closed, WWT only or Open riding designations are not an option---if we want to ride at Shimek---we must protect the trails and follow the riding rules. People violating the rules might get tickets---but we could all lose our riding privileges in the forest. Yes—riding there is a privilege—not a right. Lets all cooperate to be sure we can continue to enjoy the riding trails.

Friends of Shimek

FOS 3rd Annual Forest Education Day with John Byrd

On Saturday March 21st, the lovely second day of spring, a dozen attendees and Shimek Forester John Byrd met at the Shimek Forest Headquarters to begin a  morning of learning about trees.  The first topic was pruning.  Most trees in this area should be pruned between January and March

 

 

 

Forester Byrd explains how NOT to trim a tree---never cur a branch off totally flush with the trunk.

Forester Byrd uses a small, folding pruning blade to demonstrate the three cut approach to cutting limbs from trees.  This method should be used  to avoid tearing of the bark and splitting of the wood that would cause permanent damage to a tree.

Always trim a limb off a tree just in front of the branch collar.  The branch collar is the area that will create the regrowth that seals over a cut limb. The collar is a slight thickening of the branch a short distance from the trunk.

Forester Byrd demonstrates the use of a power pruning saw on a pole to trim a larger limb.  Here he is making a final cut just in front of the branch collar.

To learn more about tree pruning, see  http://www.extension.iastate.edu/forestry/care_maintenance/pruning.html

Coppicing is re-sprouting of a tree from the stump or root system after a tree is cut.
To learn more about coppicing, see  http://publications.iowa.gov/3415/1/F-327.pdf
 

Shimek Forester John Byrd discusses coppicing experiments he is doing near the Upper Campground in the Lick Creek Unit.  He has demonstrated dramatic, fast regrowth by using coppicing, which can be a much faster way to obtain a new tree trunk than by replanting an entire tree. 

Follow-Up on Spring Spruce Up/Fix-Up Day Held March 12.

Message re Campground Work from Cody Brothersen, DNR Technician

Thanks to the help of DNR staff and Friends of Shimek Volunteers, we now have most of the vandalism damage to the Shimek Forest Campgrounds restored, though the trail barricades have not yet been replaced.  The Lick Creek Unit camping sites are all ready to use as soon as the trails are dry enough to ride.  I personally really appreciate all the help from the FOS Volunteers in this really tough time.  Everyone put in a hard and busy day.  Extra thanks are due to Bob Achenbach who returned the next day and helped me with more 6 x 6 posts.  I finished the last of the new reservation sign posts the following day.  My thanks also for a donation of some heavy telephone poles to use as boundary marker posts as well.  We have a great partnership between Friends of Shimek and DNR staff.   I look forward to working with the FOS Volunteers this year in campground maintenance and to replace the damaged and deteriorated kiosks in the campgrounds.   

CODY BROTHERSEN,  Park Technician

Iowa Department of Natural Resources

P 319-293-3502 | C 319-931-9566 | cody.brothersen@dnr.iowa.gov

Report on the Spring Fix-Up Day  from Lora Conrad
Such a lovely spring day to be working in the forest, though a lot drier underfoot would have been really nice.
DNR Technician Cody Brothersen lead the campground activities for the day and he was assisted by  DNR Shimek Forest staff, Barry and Ben, for part of the day.  Forester John Byrd checked in and showed us he could still swing around 6 x6 posts and operate saws.  Volunteers for the day were: Bob Bender, Bob Achenbach, Marsha Achenbach, Doug Moothart, Bonnie Moothart, Ann Bennett, Lora Conrad, Linda Fiordelise, Bill Fiordelise, Jo Watson, Wayne Long and Dennis Hunter.  Volunteers came from as far away as north of Cedar Rapids to work for the day.  The top priority was to recover the campgrounds as much as possible from the vandalism damage.   Many new posts were installed and painted.  Heavy 6 x6 posts, several at each location, were installed to protect the water faucets and the fee collection stations, new signage was installed, and lots of painting was done.  Several dead or dying trees were removed along with the brush created.  Work was done in both the Upper and Lower campgrounds, but it could not all be done in one day.  On Friday, Bob Achenbach returned and worked with Cody again all day.

A few photos are below. Photos of all the action, made by Bonnie Moothart and Lora Conrad , are on-line at: 
 https://plus.google.com/photos/109715468761500706650/albums/6126654080204521233?authkey=CI2MydeyqbnyfA

Bonnie was celebrating her March 12th birthday by working in the forest and by sharing delicious homemade cupcakes with everyone. FOS rewarded her dedication with a  strawberry cake with chocolate birthday decorations during the lunch break.

 

                                Bob and Doug unloading 6 x 6 posts.

Doug cutting trees marked for removal

Bonnie shares cupcakes with Bob and Ann.  Ann preparing fee collection station for painting.



John sawing cross bar for new tie rail needed in Lower Campground with help of Bob Achenbach, Bob Bender and Dennis Hunter.

Bob, Dennis, Jo and Ann help Cody install posts for new campground sign

 

Spring Campgrounds Spruce-Up Day

 

The Spring Spruce Up Day is now more of a Fix-Up Day.  We'll be at the Lick Creek Campgrounds at Shimek State Forest on Thursday March 12^th , meeting at 8:00 AM at the Upper Campground. I talked with Cody this evening (3/9) and confirmed that we will be working. He was working in the White Oak campground today. Cody will bring all the paint, brushes, posts, supplies, signs and post hole digging equipment to work on the campgrounds. But he needs help to get it all done. Cody is working in the campgrounds most of this week—he needs help to get as much done as possible. Due to the vandalism, we will be making a few changes in the work list. Whatever does not get finished, will be added to our scheduled FOS Work Day task lists for the later work days.

Cody will bring all the supplies and tools needed except Doug Moothart is bringing his chain saw and trimmer on a pole.   Post holes will be drilled with the front end loader and post digging attachment by DNR staff. . Do wear heavy gloves, clothes for work in muddy conditions, and rubber boots. Safety gear will be provided for the chain saw operators to wear.

The work list is as follows:

*Cut of broken posts, install new posts, paint posts and put reservation holders on them.

*Trim/cut hazardous trees (see paragraph below)

*Paint cash vault

*Replace old posts and signs

*Add gravel to low areas

*Replace safety posts around cash vault/water hydrants

*Install new campground signs

*Add hitching post to site 49 at lower campground

*Delete any duplicated or unwanted signage

*Paint legs on picnic tables (FOS painted the legs on most of the ones in the lower campground last fall so only part of them need painting now.)

The Parks Department is also providing 10 additional tables for Shimek—while not new they are in excellent condition.

Cody will be coordinating the work. He can be reached on his cell phone 319-931-9566 or at e-mail cody.brothersen@dnr.iowa.gov if you have any questions.

Let Lora know at lpconrad@wildblue.net if you are planning to come work. Work as long as your schedule permits. Plan to brown bag your lunch if you can work all day. Cody plans to work until 4:30. If there is any last minute cancellation, Lora will send out a notice and post the cancellation on the blog, so check before coming that morning. She will also call anyone that has told her in advance that they plan to be there that day.

Fundraising Online for Friends of Shimek

Its been almost a week since the vandalism at Shimek State Forest. John Byrd and Cody Brothersen have been working with area law enforcement officers in investigating the vandalism and all are very actively pursuing the investigation. DNR staff have been cleaning up the damaged areas. In the mean time, there has been an outpouring of support and sympathy from equestrians and from people that never ride but care deeply about protecting our forest and state resources. We, the Board of Directors of Friends of Shimek (FOS), thank you all for your concern and suggestions.

At the urging of members of the Trail Sisters and other on-line friends from the Iowa Horse Council and the Eastern Iowa Trail Riders group, the Board of the FOS has set up an online fund raiser through GoFundMe. Funds raised will be used as needed to: a) to continue to improve the facilities and trails in Shimek State Forest, b) replace or repair necessary structures at all the campgrounds at Iowa's Shimek State Forest with better, more indestructible items including heavier posts, better kiosks, heavy duty trail guards, and if necessary, c) to offer a reward for the arrest and conviction  of vandals in extreme cases of damage.  The Department of Natural Resources will help provide funds and FOS will match grants from other sources with these raised funds to achieve its mission.   All funds will support the mission of Friends of Shimek which is to maintain and improve the campground facilities and riding trails at Shimek State Forest, consistent with good forestry management practices and the protection of the natural resources of the forest.

Anyone willing to assist the Friends of Shimek, which is a 501c(3) public charity, may donate in either of the following ways:

Go to:

 http://www.gofundme.com/FOShimek/  

There your donation will be immediately processed through GoFundMe using your credit card (information not provided to the FOS). You will receive an immediate tax receipt for your donation by e-mail. The fee applied by GoFundMe out of the donation is 8% of the total.

OR

donors may make a donation by mailing a check made out to Friends of Shimek to Lee County Bank, c/o Debbie Miller, Treasurer of Friends of Shimek, 2501 Ave L, Ft. Madison, IA 52627. You will be mailed a tax receipt directly by Friends of Shimek

The other way in which you may assist FOS is through participation as a Volunteer on our scheduled work days. The complete calendar is on the page above titled "Upcoming Activities at Shimek."    The next planned work day is March 12^th. With the ground not yet thawed, and possibly very soggy when it does thaw, we will advise you early next week if this work day can still to be held. Please check back on the Upcoming Activities page for that information if you do not receive an e-mail directly from FOS.

 

To be added to the FOS mailing list, just send an e-mail to FOShimek@gmail.com and ask to be added to the list. We send out e-mail updates on an as needed basis. We will also post information about work days on the new Friends of Shimek Facebook page at  https://www.facebook.com/FOShimek 

Thank you for your interest in and concern for protecting our state forest and helping assure the future enjoyment of its great riding trails. We'll hope to see you on the work days and on the trails later this year.

Posted by Lora Conrad on behalf of
Ann Bennett, Marsha Achenbach, Debbie Miller, Lora Conrad, Ringo Covert and Neal Hartman,  Board of Directors, and John Byrd, Board Advisor,

Friends of Shimek State Forest Equestrian Trails, Inc.

Vandalism in Shimek State Forest - ARREST MADE!!

Readers:
As updates on the investigation into the vandalism, the arrest and conviction of the guilty party are obtained, they will be posted here.

3/13/2015
See this link to the Keokuk Daily Gate paper regarding the arrest for criminal mischief at Shimek State Forest of  Stacy Schlicher who lives only a few minutes away from the  Forest .
http://www.dailygate.com/news/article_d6ebc51e-c99f-11e4-b82d-3b8ef9b3d578.html


3/12/2015  3:00 PM

DNR Technician Cody Brothersen and Shimek Forester John Byrd announced to Friends of Shimek volunteers this afternoon that a man has been arrested in the recent vandalism of Shimek State Forest Campgrounds. Look for further information to be publicly announced by the Lee County Sheriff's Department, maybe by tomorrow. Brothersen and FOS Volunteers had spent all day Thursday in Lick Creek and Brothersen and volunteers had worked on Monday at White Oak to help restore some of the damage and to better protect critical areas like water hydrants from such damage. Everyone was elated at the news that the a suspect has been arrested. We will provide further information when it is available.


3/4/15 8:00 AM
The investigation into the vandalism is being led by Cody Brothersen, DNR Technician for Lacey-Keosauqua Park and for Shimek State Forest campgrounds.
Cody reported this morning: " I met with the Lee County Sheriff's office yesterday.  There is an ongoing investigation.  I have contacted all the surrounding law enforcement offices to aid us in the apprehension of this person(s). I am sorry but this is all I can report at the moment.  If anyone would like to talk with me regarding the incident, please fell free to call me at 319-931-9566 or you can e-mail me at  cody.brothersen@dnr.iowa.gov."

3/2/15
This past weekend (Feb. 28-March 1), some person or persons driving a vehicle with a heavy bumper destroyed the hard work of many volunteers and cost all of us taxpayers several thousand dollars in materials and damaged trails and have made the campgrounds almost unusable. Friends of Shimek Secretary Lora Conrad announced this destruction to Friends of Shimek Volunteers with a heavy heart. She said: “We have all tried very hard to improve the facilities at Shimek with the help and extra funding from DNR, grants and donations of individuals. This mindless destruction is disgusting. Someone in the community is likely to know who committed these acts of destruction.” The White Oak campground had the kiosk knocked down and numerous posts broken off at the ground. The damage was found on Friday morning. But the worst damage was done Sunday afternoon after the snow quit when the vandals drove through the Shagbark Lake area and Lick Creek campgrounds and broke off 32 6-inch diameter site marker posts, broke through trail barriers, and drove on the trails with their vehicle. ATV tracks were also found. DNR staff estimate the materials cost alone at over $2,000 plus several thousand dollars in labor to take out the broken stumps of the posts and reinstall new posts, paint them and put signage on them. Anyone knowing who might have done this is urged to contact the Sheriff's office or contact the DNR Shimek office at 319-878-3811. Conrad added: “FOS Board members and volunteers are dismayed to realize we have vandals destroying what we are working to have for all community members who like to hike, or ride horses.”

Kiosk knocked down at White Oak

Posts broken off at Shagbark Lake

Posts marking and reserving campsites

 broken off at Lick Creek. 

 

A Full House!! Volunteers and Friends seated before dinner at the Little Mexico Restaurant to honor 2014 FOS Volunteers

Shimek Forester John Byrd speaks to the group.

 



Dennis Hunter, Recipient of the Bennett FOS Volunteer of the Year Award admires the beautiful hand turned bowl made by Bob Achenbach, who is shown with  John and Ann Bennett presenting the award.

Dennis Hunter draws a name to win the campfire set he donated for
 a FOS Board Member.  Neal Hartman won the campfire set.

After dinner conversation: Brenda and Ringo Covert, Doris Parks (the sculptor of the Ding Darling bust at Lake Darling) and John Bennett

 

 

Chelsea Rohrs and DNR Technician Cody Brothersen with their son Owen.