Horse Plowing at the Maize Maze 2012

Saturday, April 21, 2012
Rain Date: Saturday, April 28, 2012
10:00 AM - Until Done
Gilbertson Conservation Education Area


Go East out of Elgin on Agate Road [County Road B64] the turn onto A Ave and you will soon see the Gilbertson Nature Center on your right and the Maize Maze site on your left.


The State Line Plowing Association of Southeast Minnesota and Northeast Iowa, plus others will again plow the Maize Maze Fields with their horse, mules, and plows.


So grab your family, some foot wear you can get dirty, your camera and join in the fun of watching some old fashion field plowing.


For more information contact: Laverne Swenson at 563-419-1133 or e-mail: lagracia@acegroups.cc

Environmental Educational Program Listing Up Dated 2012

The Fayette County Conservation Board Environmental Educational Program Listing as been up dated. Several newer programs have been added to the list so check it out.

Here is a link to the Google Doc. PDF that has the list.
Fayette County Conservation Board Environmental Educational Program List 2012

Here are some of the programs but not all of the newer programs that have been added to the list.

Bats in the Library – Preschool and Up, 20 – 30 Min. – The Naturalist will read the book “Bats in the Library”, sharing the pictures in the story with participants. At the end of the story the Naturalist will share basic information about bats and photos of many different bats that live in Iowa. The participants will also get to see and touch several toy bats. If there is time a game of Bat and Moth could be played.

Camouflage = Power Point Program – 1st Grade and Up = 30 Min. = Participants will discover what camouflage means. They will get to see many different types of camouflage and pictures of the animals that use those types of camouflage.

Getting Wild about Turkey’s - Power Point Program – All Ages = 1 Hr. = Participants will learn though this fun power point program how wild and domestic turkey’s are alike and different. They will learn lots of fun facts and trivia about turkeys and how many different wild turkey’s live in the United States.

The Best Nest – Preschool and Up = 20 – 30 Min. = The Naturalist will share the book “The Best Nest” by Laura Datta and Matta Buckingham. Participants will get to see pictures of many different bird nests, real bird nests and different materials and locations bird use and put their nests.

These are just a few new one's that have been added to the list, please check the list to learn about more new programs as well as programs we are still offering that we have done in the past.

If you are looking for a special program topic and do not see it on the list or what is on the list does not quiet fit your group call because the Fayette County Conservation Board Staff is always willing and ready to create a new program or adapt an existing program to fit your groups needs.

If you are unable to open the Fayette County Conservation Board Environmental Educational Program Listing 2012 document and would like a copy; you are interested in learning more about any of the Environmental Educational Programs; or would like to schedule one or more of the Environmental Educational Program the Fayette County Conservation Board has to off please contact: Dawn L. Amundson, Environmental Education Coordinator, Fayette County Conservation Board, 563-426-5740 or gncfccb@alpinecom.net

Hunter Education Safety Class = March 24 & 25, 2012

Gilbertson Nature Center
Saturday, March 24, 2012, 7:30 AM – 5:00 PM
and
Sunday, March 25, 2012, 7:30 AM – 2:30 PM

Participants must Pre-Register by March 16, 2012 to be able to participate in the class.

Hunter Safety Education Class is required according to Iowa law; any one born after January 1, 1972 is required to complete and pass a Hunter Education Safety Class to be able to purchase an Iowa Hunting License. This certification will also meet the requirements of other states.

Participants must be a minimum of 11 years of age.

This is a Regular Classroom Hunter Education Safety Class NOT an Internet Field Test.

Attendance is required for each of the full two days!

To pre-register or for more information call Dawn at the Gilbertson Nature Center at 563-426-5740 or e-mail: gncfccb@alpinecom.net. If the answering machine answers please leave the first and last name(s) of the person(s) who what to be in the class, phone number for contacting them so I can confirm they are signed up and to make arrangement on how the student can get a study guide to do the required chapter reviews for the first day of class.

Board Meeting and Board Member Changes

2012 marks changes in the Fayette County Conservation Board.

Frank Olson, West Union retired from the board at the end of his term. We thank Frank for his years of service to the Fayette County Conservation Board.

Deb Dessel, West Union has been appointed as the Fayette County Conservation Board new Board Member. We welcome Deb to our Board and look forward to her being part of the Fayette County Conservation Board.

Board Meeting Day and Time change.

The Fayette County Conservation Board voted at the February Meeting to move the regular board meetings from the First Wednesday of the Month to the Second Tuesday of the Month. The meetings will still be held at 7 PM and at the Wildwood Nature Center.

The Fayette County Conservation Board regular monthly board meetings will now be held on the Second Tuesday of the Month at 7 PM at the Wildwood Nature Center.

Fayette County Conservation Boards 2012 Camping Season Fee's

Season Passes for 2012
$350.00 for the 2012 Camping Season

Camping Season Coupon Book 2012
$150.00 for 11 nights of camping for the 2012 Camping Season

Gilbertson Conservation Education Area
Gouldsburg Park
$15.00/night with electricity
$10.00/night without electricity
$10.00/night Equestrian Camping at Gilbertson

Dutton’s Cave Park
$8.00/night with electricity
$5.00/night without electricity

Goeken Park
Twin Bridges Park
Echo Valley State Park
$5.00/night

Whitetail: Treasure, Trophy or Trouble? - A History of Deer in Iowa



Photo By: Dawn L. Amundson

Oelwein Public Library

Thursday, January 12, 6:30 PM

Hunters, farmers, homeowners, motorists, and wildlife watchers each may have their own opinions of deer – but it’s no exaggeration to say that Iowa’s prolific deer herd affects nearly every person in the state.

Larry A. Stone of Elkader, author of Whitetail: Treasure, Trophy or Trouble? – A History of Deer in Iowa, will speak at the Oelwein Library at 6:30 PM on Thursday, January 12. Stone worked with the Iowa Department of Natural Resources on the deer history project.

Stone’s program, which is adapted from the book, traces the fascinating saga of an animal that had nearly vanished a century ago, but whose population has exploded in recent years. It’s a testimony to the incredible adaptability of deer, as well as to a century of conservation and restoration efforts – and the challenges of managing a prolific herd.

It’s a story with broad appeal to anyone interested in Iowa’s outdoors. The program includes striking photos by Larry and premier wildlife photographer Roger Hill, of Roland, IA. The program lasts about 40 minutes, and will be followed by an open discussion and questions.

The event is sponsored by Humanities Iowa.

For details, call 563-245-1517 or 319-283-1515

Family Snow Fun

Cross-country Skiing Clinics and / or Sledding

The Fayette County Conservation Board will be offering some snow fun at several locations this year. Sledding fun and / or Cross-country Skiing are being offered at different locations.

For locations where there will be sledding fun please bring your own sled and try the slopes. Participants are asked to pre-register for one or both of the sledding times.

For the Cross-country Skiing participants will learn about cross-country ski equipment, helpful recovery techniques and the kick and glide method. Participants can either use the FCCB’s equipment for a $1.00 fee or bring their own equipment. Approximately 35 people can use FCCB equipment per clinic. Participants must pre-register in order to participate in the clinic(s) of their choice. The following information is required about each person participating: which season(s) you would like to participate in, First and Last Name, Contact Phone Number and Shoe Size (please indicate men's, women's, or children's).

Please call the Gilbertson Nature Center for more information or to pre-register at 563-426-5740 or e-mail gncfccb@alpinecom.net for the Sledding and / or Cross-country Skiing Clinics.

DATES, TIMES and LOCATIONS:

Cross-country Skiing Clinics
Saturday, January 14, 2012
Wings Park Elementary School, Oelwein, Iowa
10:00 AM – 12:00 PM

Cross-country Skiing Clinics
Saturday, February 11, 2012
Gilbertson Nature Center, Elgin, Iowa
10:00 AM – Noon
1:00 PM – 3:00 PM

Cross-country Skiing Clinics and Sledding
Saturday, February 18, 2012
West Union Elementary School, West Union, Iowa
10:00 AM – Noon

Fayette County Conservation Board is also doing programs with

Clayton County Conservation Board

Snowfest

Clayton County Conservation Board

Osborn Nature Center
Saturday, January 28, 2012
10 am - Noon
1 - 3 PM

Reservations Required call 563-245-1516 or e-mail cccb@alpinecom.net
Equipment Fee: $1 per Clinic
Learn how to cross-country ski, snowshoe or try our sledding hill