Wings & Wetlands Weekend |
|
Date: This
event took place Saturday — Sunday, May 15-16,
2004 Winner
of INHF door prize: Sandra
Halverson (we draw for a door prize at each of the 25 events) Photo album: View photos from this exciting event! |
The story behind this place
Partner information
Directions/Visitor info
Event details
This is the 10th Anniversary of
the Wings and Wetlands Festival. With various wildlife activities
taking place throughout six different counties, everyone can find
a way to help celebrate! Each county will be sponsoring its own
trumpeter swan release, but the time and location of the releases
will be announced later. Be sure to keep checking this site!
The main event sponsored by all the counties:
- When: Saturday, May 15th, 2004
- Location: Spencer Community School Administration Building in Room B, 23 East 7th St, Spencer Iowa
- Cost: $5.00 per person (kids under 12 - $3.00)
- 5:30-6:30 p.m: Feast on a buffalo burger, beans, chips, a cookie and a drink at the Buffalo Feed.
- 6:30 p.m: Larry Stone will be signing his book and will have photographs for sale. S.O.A.R, Saving Our Avian Resources, will also have items on sale.
- 7:00 p.m: Then join Laura Zaugg, a representative from SOAR as she displays a live Northern Harrier, Krider's Red-tailed Hawk and the American Kestral during the Wonderful Raptors program. The program will include information about their habitats.
- 8:00 p.m: Larry Stone will present a program on Sylvan T. Runkel - Citizen of the Natural World.
Schedule of events:
Clay County:
Trumpeter Swan Release
- Saturday, May 15, 11:30 a.m., Barringer Slough
- Iowa Department of Natural Resources will be releasing a Trumpeter Swan at a local wetland. Learn more about the successful Trumpeter Swan Release Program and have the opportunity to see one of these magnificent birds.
- Directions: From the Hwy 18 and N18 intersection,
travel 2 ½ miles north. The release site will be on the
west side of the road.
Wildflower Hike
- Saturday, May 15, 1:00 p.m.
- Spend an hour with Mark Leoschke from the Iowa Department of Natural Resources exploring the wonderful world of Kirchner prairie. Everyone is welcome. Don't forget your binoculars, and be sure to wear knee boots or footwear that can get wet. Take advantage of this opportunity to get out and identify prairie plants and enjoy the spring season!
- Site: Kirchner Prairie
- Location: From Highway 71, drive 3 miles east on B17 to Landon, IA. From Landon, go south one mile on 250th Ave., and 3 miles east on 310th street. The prairie and parking lot is located on the north side of the road at the intersection with 280th Ave.
* Clay County also co-host the Warbler Walk and Falconry Program with O'Brien County, listed below.
Dickinson County:
Birding Hike
- Saturday, May 15, 8:00 a.m.
- Bring your binoculars and join local bird watchers as we enjoy the migrating warblers and more.
- Site: Kettleson Hogsback Recreation Area
- Driving directions: 3 mi. N of Spirit Lake on Hwy. 276, then 1 mi. W on 125th St.
Corridor Cup
- Saturday, May 15, 10:30 a.m.
- This 5 mile and 2 mile run/walk is open
to all ages and abilities. Start and finish at Kenue Park near
Okoboji Lake. T-shirts are given to participants. The 2 Mile
is non-competitive with all finishers receiving an award. The
5 Mile has a team and an individual competition. Age group and
team awards will be given.
Prizes will be awarded at 10 a.m. All proceeds will help establish a nature center in Dickinson County.- Entry fees are as follows:
- 2 mile kids - $6
- 2 mile adults (until May 14) - $15
- Race day - $25
- 5 mile kids (12 and up) - $7
- 5 mile adults (until May 14) - $17
- Race day - $27
- Entry forms are available at Spirit Lake Hy-Vee, Okoboji Expedition Company, Smith Lumber and Three Sons in Milford, YMCA's in various towns (Spencer, Ft. Dodge), and libraries and community centers. If you would like the entry forms mailed to you or would like more information, contact Anne Mc Cormick at 336-6828 or annemedley@mchsi.com
- Entry fees are as follows:
- Site: Iowa Great Lakes Trail
- Location: Start and finish at Kenue Park,
Okoboji. Kenue Park is located 1 mile West of 71 on 170th St.
Birding Hike
- Saturday, May 15, 1:30 p.m.
- We will explore the trails in this scenic park along East Lake Okoboji. The parcel of state land to the north of this park has recently been preserved with the help of the Iowa Natural Heritage Foundation
- Site: Elinor Bedell State Park
Trumpeter Swan Release
- Saturday, May 15, 3:00 p.m., Kettleson-Hogsback
- Iowa Department of Natural Resources will be releasing a Trumpeter Swan at a local wetland. Learn more about the successful Trumpeter Swan Release Program and have the opportunity to see one of these magnificent birds.
- Directions: The site is on located just off Hwy 276 on the west side of Spirit Lake.
Wild Edibles Hike
- Sunday, May 16, 1:00 p.m.
- Join us as we hunt for edible plants and mushrooms, plus scout ahead for edibles that will be available later in the season. We will sample wild edibles at the end of the hike.
- Site: Barney Peterson Memorial Trail
- Location: Gull Point State Park
Kossuth County:
River Canoeing Adventure
- Saturday, May 15, 10:00 a.m.-2 or 3:00
p.m.
- Enjoy scenic bluffs, waterfowl, great birding opportunities, wildlife viewing and high quality prairie hillsides as you canoe down the gently-winding waters of the Upper East Fork of the Des Moines River. All training and supplies will be provided including a cookout lunch!
- Site: Upper Des Moines River/Plum Creek Timber area
- Location: Meet along river at Veteran's Park in Algona (just SW of Hwy. 169 bridge). Then we'll carpool to the canoe launch site a few miles upstream
- Note: Canoes, supplies and food provided. Families are welcome, but the program may not be suitable for very young children. Must be 2 or 3 people to a canoe. No prior canoeing experience is necessary. Bring an adventurous spirit, a taste for scorched hotdogs, clothing that can get dirty and a good sense of humor. Pre-registration and payment is required before May 8th (call 515-295-2138). Cost is $5 per person.
Trumpeter Swan Release
- Saturday, May 15, 9:00 a.m., Goose Lake
- Iowa Department of Natural Resources will be releasing a Trumpeter Swan at a local wetland. Learn more about the successful Trumpeter Swan Release Program and have the opportunity to see one of these magnificent birds.
- Directions: From Armstrong travel north 6 miles on A16, travel east 2 miles, south 1/4 mile. The release will take place in the NE corner.
Palo Alto County:
Ducks Unlimited Greenwings and Pheasants
Forever
Ringnecks Youth Program
- Saturday, May 15, 1:00 p.m.
- There will be an injured and orphan wildlife program with live animals. Name that duck in duck identification and try your hand at spear throwing in archeology. Also, there will be plenty of smores at the campfire.
- Site: Huston Prairie
- Location: Lost Island Prairie Wetland Nature Center north of Ruthven on the corner of 330th St. and 355th Ave.
- Registration is required. Please call
712-448-2254. Participants who registered prior to May 7 will
receive a t-shirt.
Bug Bingo and Lunch
- Saturday, May 15, 12:00-1:00 p.m.
- Join us for lunch at a minimal charge. Play bug bingo and enjoy lunch at the lake.
- Location: Lost Island Prairie Wetland
Nature Center north of Ruthven on the corner of 330th St. and
355th Ave.
Trumpeter Swan Releases
- Saturday, May 15, 10:00 a.m., Bluewing Marsh
- Iowa Department of Natural Resources will be releasing a Trumpeter Swan at a local wetland. Learn more about the successful Trumpeter Swan Release Program and have the opportunity to see one of these magnificent birds.
- Directions: Located one mile east of Lost
Island Nature Center on 330th St.
- Saturday, May 15, 3:30 p.m., Rush Lake
- Directions: Travel south from Ayrshire 6 miles on N28, proceed west on B63 one mile, then1/2 mile south on 370th Ave.
Breakfast with Birds
- Sunday, May 16, 8:00-10:00 a.m.
- Hike the trails at Lost Island and onto Huston Prairie to see spring warblers and other migrants living in 6 restored wetlands and 52 acres of restored prairies. The hike will be led by local Audubon member Lee Schoenewe.
- Site: Huston Prairie
- Location: Lost Island Prairie Wetland Nature Center north of Ruthven on the corner of 330th St. and 355th Ave.
- Donuts, juice and coffee will be served.
O'Brien County:
Warbler Walk
- Saturday, May 15, 8:00-11:00 a.m.
- Enjoy a treat for your senses as you search for colorful warblers returning to the Midwest after their winter in the South. Local Audubon member Lee Schoenewe will lead a hike through two potential Important Bird Areas of Iowa.
- Site: Hannibal Waterman Wildlife Area and Wanata State Park
- Location: Meet at the Kirchner Memorial
Park in Peterson, IA to carpool to the birding locations
Kirchner Park is located on Hwy 10, west edge of Peterson - (This event is co-sponsored with Clay County)
Falconry Program
- Saturday, May 15, 11:00 a.m.
- This is a great opportunity to see a live raptor and learn about their habits and habitat needs. Local expert Lance Christiansen will be demonstrating the birds.
- Site: Kirchner Memorial Park
- Location: Peterson Fire Station, Main St.
- (This event is co-sponsored with Clay County)
Trumpeter Swan Release
- Saturday, May 15, 1:30 p.m., Bruegmann Area
- Iowa Department of Natural Resources will be releasing a Trumpeter Swan at a local wetland. Learn more about the successful Trumpeter Swan Release Program and have the opportunity to touch one of these magnificent birds.
- Directions: Located 4 miles east of Hartley
on Hwy 18 and one mile north on 100th Ave.
Feathers for the Family
- Sunday, May 16, 2:00 p.m.
- The whole family will enjoy this afternoon of feathered fun! Match up some beaks and feet, investigate the phenomena of feathers, and try your hand - or "beak" - at building a nest. The program will include games, fun and even food!
- Site: Lodge at Mill Creek Park
- Location: 1/2 mile east of Paullina on
Hwy 10.
Emmet County:
Trumpeter Swan Release
- Saturday, May 15, 11:30 a.m., Gordon Garrison Farm
- Iowa Department of Natural Resources will be releasing a Trumpeter Swan at a local wetland. Learn more about the successful Trumpeter Swan Release Program and have the opportunity to touch one of these magnificent birds.
- Directions: The Gordon Garrison Farm is
northwest of Estherville at 1386 on 340th Ave.
The
story behind this place
The Prairie Pothole region of northwest
Iowa was once covered by marshes and prairies; its wet ground
and tall grasses made it very difficult to navigate by covered
wagon! Plows and underground tile turned most of the land in this
region into very fertile cropland. In the process, most of the
natural areas in these counties were converted to agricultural
use. Since the 1980s, many wetlands have been restored in this
area in order to improve water quality and reduce the effects
of flooding.
The Iowa Natural Heritage Foundation has helped restore many acres of wetland habitat within these five counties. As we helped promote the Wetland Reserve Program and other federally-funded opportunities in Iowa, we targeted our efforts toward a few counties like these where wetlands were once prevalent and where there was potential of creating a concentration of habitat complexes near one another.
At the same time, we've helped protect several
of the native prairies and woodlands that remained in this region.
Kirchner Prairie - This 167-acre site near the Ruthven
Wetlands Complex is one of the finest examples of the prairie
biome anywhere in Iowa. It features about 80 acres of virgin prairie
adjoined by approximately 80 acres of marsh and pasture. This
wide-open wetland and associated uplands provides nesting habitat
and a critical stopover for gulls, herons, rail- and waterfowl.
In the early 1980s, INHF tried to negotiate for the protection
of this site. Eventually, Dickinson County Pheasants Forever,
Clay County Pheasants Forever and the Pheasants Forever State
of Iowa Trust Fund had the opportunity to purchase the land. INHF
then contributed funds for its protection. A recent addition of
14 acres was aquired in July of 2003 with funds from Clay County
Pheasants Forever, Iowa Department of Natural Resources, and a
REAP grant.
Iowa Great Lakes Trail - This popular 14-mile asphalt trail winds through Spirit Lake, Okoboji, Arnolds Park and Milford. In 1989 INHF helped the Dickinson County Conservation Board acquire land for the trail corridor and apply for grant funds for the project. Today, bikers can enjoy an additional 60 miles of signed biking routes that loop from the spine trail over low-traffic county roads for a more challenging workout in the rural countryside.
Upper Des Moines River Area / Plum Creek Timber area - The canoe trip will float by this 31-acre site two miles north of Algona. In addition to lowland habitat that provides cover for furbearing animals and waterfowl, the site holds a stand of hardwood timber with an excellent river overlook. In 1985, CSB Management donated this land to INHF in order to connect two other areas owned or managed by the Kossuth County Conservation Board.
Huston Prairie
- Huston Prairie is located on the corner of 330th St. and 355th
Ave. adjacent to Lost Island-Huston County Park in Palo Alto County.
In 1987 the FmHA granted an easement on this 56 acre tract near
Ruthven, Iowa. The Iowa Natural Heritage Foundation assisted the
county conservation board in preparing the easement document and
request. The state FmHA office was the first in the nation to
grant a conservation easement under a new law included in the
1985 Farm Bill, allowing them to grant easements to state or local
conservation agencies. The Palo Alto Conservation Board now manages
the area, and has restored 6 wetlands, and 52 acres of prairie.
Partner
Information
The
Clay County Conservation Board (CCB)
works to enhance and protect Clay County's diverse natural resources
by providing outdoor recreation, environmental education and management
of roadsides through the Intergraded Roadside Vegetation Management
(IRVM) Program.
The Dickinson County Conservation Board (DCCB) manages 467 acres within the county. Its
goal is to provide a wide variety of public recreation opportunities
while also conserving and improving wildlife habitat and ensuring
protection of natural resources on county lands. In 2003, the
DCCB naturalists provided over 396 environmental education programs
to the county's students, residents and visitors, encouraging
attendees to appreciate and respect their natural environment
through understanding and experience. The DCCB is establishing
a Nature Center at Kenue Park in Spirit Lake where visitors can
explore the natural history of Dickinson County's lakes and prairies.
btagami@co.dickinson.ia.us
jwalters@co.dickinson.is.us
Contact the naturalists at 712-338-4238 with questions.
The Emmet County Conservation Board (ECCB) is continually striving to safeguard its natural surroundings for all to enjoy through education, parks and recreation. The ECCB manages several campgrounds, parks and wildlife areas. The education program helps those visiting these areas and others throughout the county to learn more about the environment and the importance of our natural resources. The ECCB works with the public to provide information and maintain the natural habitat areas in the county for many generations to come. emmet@netins.net
The Kossuth County Conservation Board (KCCB) exists to
promote and foster the conservation of wildlife and natural resources
through education, land stewardship and outdoor recreation opportunities.
The KCCB manages and maintains several campgrounds, parks and
wildlife areas. It also provides direct assistance to landowners
with habitat establishments such as prairie seeding, tree plantings
and wildlife food plot plantings. The KCCB's Environmental Education
program promotes outdoor learning and environmental awareness
through a wide variety of programs.
kccb@ncn.net
The O'Brien County Conservation Board (OCCB) strives to provide the best possible education
and preservation with regard to the environment that is unique
to the area. With the need for environmental education on the
rise, OCCB's naturalist program aims at educating the public by
interpreting and promoting the natural resources of the county
and developing an environmentally responsible citizenry. Plans
for a new education center are in progress right now. The Prairie
Heritage Center will provide classrooms, exhibit areas, demonstration
plots and interpretive trails to aid in increasing the public's
understanding of the prairie ecosystem and history of the area.
occb@iowatelecom.net
The Palo Alto
County Conservation Board (PACCB)
has a mission to conserve the natural resources of the county
and to acquire, develop, maintain and make available public parks,
preserves, and wildlife areas. Its goals are to provide programs
of public recreation and to help educate local residents about
the natural world. The board manages over 2,200 acres of public
forest, parks, marshes and prairies. Habitat management includes
tree planting, prairie and wetland restoration, wildlife food
plots, fish stocking and the maintenance of nesting structures
for ducks, geese and songbirds. The board coordinates an Integrated
Roadside Vegetative Management program and along with its foundation,
supports the Lost Island Prairie Wetland Nature Center near Ruthven.
paccb@ruthventel.com
Site Map
May link to another Website,
INHF page or downloadable PDF if necessary
Driving Directions
The main event on Saturday, May
15 is sponsored by all the counties. It will be held at Spencer
Community School Administration Building, 23 E 7th St, Spencer
IA - Room B. Spencer is located on Hwy 71 and Hwy 18 south of
their junction. See individual event listing for other directions.
Visitor Info
Clay
County: Spencer Chamber of Commerce
(712) 262-5680
spencerchamber@smunet.net
Dickinson
County: Spirit Lake Mainsail Chamber of Commerce
(712) 336-4978
mainsail@ncn.net
Kossuth
County: Algona Area Chamber of Commerce
(515) 295-7201
info@algona.org
O'Brien County: O'Brien
County Economic Development
(712) 957-1313
ocedc@tcaexpress.net
Palo
Alto County: Emmetsburg Industrial Development Board
(712) 852-2262
City@Emmetsburg.com
Emmet County:
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