Saturday, March 9, 2024

Notes from Patrick Thomas on the campground fire ring progress.

 Progress is being made!


Notes from Patrick -3/8/24
Progress on installing Firepits! Yesterday two volunteers helped me with the installation of 3 fire rings and 2 culverts in the Lick Creek Lower Campground. In addition we three finished the work on one campsite pad and got most of another finished in four hours of work. That's a lot of progress. I very much appreciate the great help provided as well as the interesting conversations with Isaiah "Ike" Meek and Bill Mathias. These photos show Ike and BIll hard at work on one of the firepits. Thank You, Ike! Thank You, Bill. I plan on continuing to work on this on Thursday March 21 and March 28 about 9:00AM. If you can join us, we would much appreciate the help in making our campsites safer and more comfortable. Call if you have any questions.



Bill Mathias (left) and Ike Meek begin installing a firepit. Ike is getting a workout there with that bag of Quickrete!




Making the final adjustments to the new Firepit.


Until next time,
Get out and enjoy the great outdoors!
Patrick Thomas
Natural Resources Technician
cell 319-931-7805






Volunteer help needed on Thursdays

 Do you have time to volunteer your time?

Do you like to camp and ride your horses or mules at Shimek Forest? Then will you help with the camping site improvement project in the Lower Campground in the Lick Creek Unit?? Three Thursdays in March beginning at 9:00AM, Patrick Thomas, DNR Technician, will be working on the Campsite Improvement project to upgrade sites for your convenience and safety. The current work is to replace the old fire rings with new ones. The fire rings are provided under a grant from the Lee County Charitable Fund to Friends of Shimek. To install them, volunteers are needed who can help remove the old ones, level the new space for a fire ring, install a new one and spread some gravel around it. No previous experience needed but gloves and a shovel would be handy! So if you can contribute a few hours beginning about 9AM on these Thursdays in March--- March (7, 21, and 28 --or until all are finished!) --your help would be appreciated. 




Here is a photo of FOS Board Member Teresa Murray and Dave Forsythe, DNR Summer Staff helping Patrick with installation of some of the new fire rings last fall.

 If you have any questions, contact Patrick at cell phone 319-931-7805. 


Follow the updates each week on the Friends of Shimek Facebook page or on the Friends of Shimek blog page.



As always, be kind and smile because it looks good on you!


Kathy

Secretary/Editor

Dirt Trails are Closed

 

The dirt trails have been closed for the time being.

Forester John Byrd just announced that due to over an inch of rain this week that has made the trails wet and predictions of more today, the Dirt Trails in the Lick Creek Unit are closed to riding.

Wet Weather Trails are OPEN.


We will post on Facebook and this blog page when there is a trail status update.


As always, stay safe!


Kathy

Sec/Editor




Sunday, March 3, 2024

Trails are open -Camping Rates increased

 All Trails Are Open

Forester John Byrd advised us that all the Lick Creek trails have been 95% cleared of down trees. Plus the dirt trails are dry enough to ride--so ALL OPEN for riding. Thanks much to the DNR Shimek Crew for clearing the trails.



Camping Rate Increase for 2024

You need to know about a change in the camping rates at Shimek Forest campgrounds. The Iowa DNR has set the camping fee for equestrian campgrounds in the Lick Creek Unit, both Upper Campground and Lower Campground, at $14/ night. The fee for the non-equestrian campgrounds at Bitternut and White Oak has been set at $10/ night. These rates will be year round and go into effect February 16, 2024.


If you need further information regarding camping, please contact:

Patrick Thomas
Natural Resources Technician
cell 319-931-7805
Or go to the Iowa DNR page
iowastateparks.reserveamerica.com

Kathy
Sec/Editor





Gray Fox


Gray Foxes






We're asking for your help in reporting sightings of Iowa's secretive gray fox!

Gray foxes are different than the more common red fox (check the ID guide below). Gray fox were listed as a Species of Greatest Conservation Need in Iowa in 2015 based on a decline in the gray fox population observed over the past 25 years. Similar trends have been noted in several other Midwestern states. We want to learn more about their habitat and research possible causes into their population decline.
If you spot a live gray fox or have trail cam footage, contact our biologists with location info: Dave Hoffman (david.hoffman@dnr.iowa.gov) or Vince Evelsizer (vince.evelsizer@dnr.iowa.gov).
If you see a dead gray fox (roadkilled, etc), please send location info to: Rachel Ruden (Rachel.ruden@dnr.iowa.gov) or Vince Evelsizer (vince.evelsizer@dnr.iowa.gov).

Tuesday, February 6, 2024

Friends of Shimek 2024

  Friends of Shimek 2024

 

Friends of Shimek have new officers to start this year off.

Let’s begin by introducing them.

 

President: Herman (Sonny) Gipe

Vice President: Neal Hartman

Secretary: Kathy Weber

Treasure: Debbie Miller

Volunteer Hours Coordinator: Lala O’Hara

Grant Officer: Teresa Murry

Member at Large/Trail reporter: Marsha Achenbauch

Member at Large: Jo Watson

Lora Conrad is still working behind the scenes posting information on our Facebook page as well.

The board has set up three workdays for the summer.  Please feel free to come to any or all of these days.  Volunteers are never turned away!  I am sure we will find something for everyone to do. A lunch break will be taken around noon. You should bring a sack lunch if you plan to attend for the entire day. Water will be provided.

 

May 16, 2024 –Meet at the lower campground at 8:30 am

Neal Hartman will be the coordinator.

Projects will be cleaning trails, installing new signage, cleaning firepits, and campgrounds.

August 15 – Meet at the lower campground at 8:30 am

Sonny Gipe will be the coordinator.

Projects will be determined after the 1st workday.

September 28 – Statewide All Volunteer workday.  All volunteers are to meet at the lower campground at 10 am.

Patrick Thomas will be in charge.  No coordinator was assigned at this time.

 

DNR Technician Patrick Thomas has been posting the entrance conditions leading into the Lick Creek unit.  As of today 2-6-24, the road is clear.  The dirt trails remain closed.  However, the Wet Weather trail is open.  Be mindful there could be some downed limbs, trees, soft spots, and ice and snow in the shaded areas.  The campgrounds are a little soggy with some standing water from the recently melted snow. Patrick will be posting road and camp conditions periodically on our Facebook page (Friends of Shimek State Forest Equestrian Trails, Inc.) to help keep you informed of troubled areas or the safety of entering the Lick Creek Unit.

 




                   February

We want you to have a safe and fun filled riding, and hiking experience.  Please contact the DNR staff if you have camping or forest questions in general.

DNR Shimek Office
319-878-3811
John Byrd, DNR Forester

Patrick Thomas
Natural Resources Technician 1
Cel 319-931-7805

If you have any other questions, please contact us at FOShimek@gmail.com  

 

As always- be safe, be kind, and smile because it looks good on you!

 

Kathy

 

Secretary/Editor

 

Follow us on our blog:

friendsofshimek.blogspot.com or

Facebook page - Friends of Shimek State Forest Equestrian Trails,Inc.

Tuesday, January 2, 2024

Closing out 2023

 Friends of Shimek 2023 

2023 has come and gone leaving behind many memories.


The year started with some ice and snow conditions that hampered travel and left the entrance road to the campgrounds with a blanket of slippery wet conditions. 

The first workday was held in May. FOS volunteers and DNR staff gathered to work on various projects. Firepits were cleaned, cans were sorted, bagged, and made ready to be hauled to the redemption center. A few new hitching rails were installed to replace the ones that had become unstable, and fresh lime chips were spread around most of the hitching rails, limbs and down trees were removed from the trails. This left the trails and campground in tip top shape for the upcoming long holiday weekend.


                      New hitching rail installed by volunteers and DNR staff.

                           Volunteers sorts the mountains of cans and bottles.


Construction started on realigning some of the campsites to allow for a more user-friendly site. New firepits were ordered to replace some of the more dilapidated ones. There is a total of 13 firepits that will be replaced as soon as weather permits. Three are already in place. 

                    
             Teresa and DNR staff working on a new firepits in the campground.


Van Buren County Historic Preservation Commission presented a Historic Preservation Award to the Friends of Shimek and the Shimek DNR staff for "continuous clearing and maintenance of equine trails at the heart of the forest management system built by the CCC in the 1930's." The award was presented at their annual banquet. Shimek Forester John Byrd and Marsha Achenbach, Vice-President of Friends of Shimek, accepting on behalf of their respective organizations. Lisa Plecker, Van Buren County Auditor and Paul Larson, Commission Chair, presenting the awards. Friends of Shimek and Forester Byrd wish to thank the Van Buren County Historic Preservation Commission for their recognition of the work done to maintain the trail system. 


Mounting blocks have been a hot topic for many years. We have finally constructed and strategically placed three mounting blocks (like the ones at the campgrounds) throughout the forest. You will find them close to the Wet Weather Trails for all riders to use. It is refreshing to know you can safely dismount and remount without fear of the log rolling away or walking through the weeds (poison ivy) to find a place to get back on.

                              Sonny shovels rock into a new mounting block.       

     (By the way- Sonny took the time to construct the mounting blocks in            his spare time)

 As 2023 gives way to 2024 there will be more changes within the Friends of Shimek board officers. We want to thank the two outgoing officers for their tireless efforts and a job well done while serving on the board.

Lora Conrad – has served as secretary of Friends of Shimek since the group began. She has tirelessly informed, organized, created, documented, and posted many, many articles, Facebook posts, grant letters and applications. She was the reference point when any question was asked. Her ability to create was second to none. Her leadership and inspiration will be greatly missed. 

Thank you, Lora, for all your hard work, positive influence on all the people you encountered, and your knowledge and wisdom of all the technical documents needed so we as a group can continue to thrive as the Friends of Shimek. You have been an inspiration to all the past and present board members. 

Jo Watson – has served as the Volunteer Hours coordinator. She has tracked and reported all the volunteer hours to Forester John Byrd. The volunteer hours are required to be sent on to the state for recognition of the work done at Shimek Forest. Jo also would take pictures on workdays to show what projects had been accomplished and who was lending a helping hand. Thank you, Jo, for all your hard work in emailing, posting, and reporting all volunteer hours. You will be greatly missed.

 This new year will bring many changes, especially to the Friends of Shimek board. We look forward to new adventures this coming year. 

The new officers will be posted in the next newsletter which will follow our January meeting. Please stay tuned! 

As always, may your troubles be less, your blessing more, and may nothing but happiness come through your door. (BG) 

Until then, 

Stay safe, be kind, and smile because it looks good on you.

Kathy President/Editor

Friday, December 29, 2023

Dirt Trails are closed

 Welcome to Winter

Rain, snow and mud have arrived!

Due to the recent rainfall and snow, the dirt trails are now CLOSED.

The Wet Weather Trails will remain open at the present time.




We will advise you when the dirt trails reopens.  


As always, stay safe!


Kathy

Editor

Friday, December 1, 2023

Shotgun Deer Season Opens 12-2-23

 


It's that time of year again.

Shotgun Deer Season Opens 


From DNR: "... more than 100,000 blaze orange clad hunters will be walking, posting, sitting and standing in Iowa’s timber and field edges hoping to tag an Iowa deer. The first deer gun season is Dec. 2-6; the second deer gun season is Dec. 9-17."

That is a lot of people standing there with guns at the ready! Please don't take the chance of you or your horse or your dog being mistaken for a deer or your horse being spooked by unexpected people/objects in the woods!




Please use extreme caution if you are a hunter or hiker during this hunting season. Ensure you are wearing your bright orange reflective clothing. 

Be safe out in the forest.

Kathy

Pres/Editor


Wednesday, October 18, 2023

Mounting Block for all to use.

 Mounting Blocks

This is one of the best announcements we have made in a very long time!

I don't know about you, but I am excited to be able to dismount and mount safely along the trail. 


Sonny Gipe shoveling gravel into the mounting block form.


                                 
Finished product!
 

Announcing: Trail Side Mounting Blocks Installed!!! Forester John Byrd, DNR Forest staff member Ben Hassman and Sonny Gipe, FOS Board member got it done today!! Many thanks from all of us riders to this group. Sonny purchased the material, with donations from FOS members, and constructed the three wooden mounting blocks in his home shop. They are the same type as were constructed by FOS Past-President Ringo Covert for the campgrounds earlier. Today, using DNR equipment, the blocks (and gravel) were transported to their final locations and filled with gravel. So they are there now for your convenience in getting on and off your horse while riding. As Forester John Byrd said in announcing this: " Mounting blocks are installed at trail markers 3, 11, and 13. Come ride and try them out!"



Photos (courtesy of John Byrd) and a map are attached here. Many thanks for this convenience to everyone who helped. Now from FOS --we expect riders to keep this area clean--it is not a trash place nor is it realistic to have any trash containers out there--so please be sure you leave no trash there but as always, bring anything back you carry in and dispose of it or recycle properly in the campground.

Thank you (Sonny) for taking the time to construct the forms and help finish the project for all to enjoy. Also Thank you to the DNR staff that brought the rock and tools to complete this task.

As our riding season gets shorter, always remember to be kind, be courteous, and smile because it looks good on you! You never know who's day you will make with that simple gesture.


May your troubles be less, your blessing more, and may nothing but happiness come through your door.


Kathy
President/Editor