Polk County Conservation Board

News Releases

Rediscover the Wonders of Nature with your Child

Introduce a young child to the outdoors with the help of a Naturalist. This special series of nature programming is for 3, 4 and 5 year olds, accompanied by an adult, and will be held at different parks in Polk County.

Nature Friends programs will be held on
The August 9th theme is Busy Bees.
The August 24th theme is Fossil Dig.
At each one-hour program, held from 6:30-7:30 p.m., you and your child will listen to a nature story, make a craft and participate in an outdoor activity. There is a $7 registration fee for each program.

Nature Friends is co-sponsored by Polk County Conservation, Des Moines Izaak Walton League and West Des Moines Parks and Recreation. For information about Nature Friends, call Polk County Conservation at 515-323-5300. Pre-registration is required one week prior to the program by calling West Des Moines Parks and Recreation Department at (515) 222-3444 or go online to www.wdm-ia.com

Incredible Insects

Do you know the difference between an insect and a bug or a bug and a spider? Join a Polk County Conservation naturalist on Tuesday, August 10, to learn more about insects, bugs, and spiders.
The program on August 10th will be held at Fort Des Moines Park, Shelter #1 from 6:30-8 p.m.

Conquer your fears and phobias about these incredible invertebrates that rule the world. We will take a look into the fascinating life of these highly beneficial critters so you can see them eye to eye. Which ones have six legs and which ones have eight? How many body parts do they have and learn why we can’t live without them?

For more information or directions, contact Polk County Conservation at 515-323-5300 or www.leadingyououtdoors.org.
No pre-registration is needed.

Older, Wiser, Livelier Seniors: Iowa’s Frogs and Toads August 3, 2010

Join Polk County Conservation on Tuesday, August 3, to learn about Iowa’s frogs and toads. Older, Wiser, Livelier Seniors (O.W.L.S.) programs are free and are held on the first Tuesday of each month at 11 a.m. in the Jester Park Lodge. An optional $7 catered lunch follows each program.

Stephanie Shepherd with the Iowa DNR Wildlife Diversity Program will give an introduction to the songs of Iowa’s most vocal wetland residents. Come learn why Iowa’s amphibians are of such conservation concern and how you can identify these critters by sight and sound.

Pre-registration is required for lunch by calling Polk County Conservation at 515-323-5300. The program luncheon registration deadline is Friday, July 30.
Join us each month for a new exciting nature topic.
Go online to www.leadingyououtdoors.org to see a listing of the 2010 OWLS programs.

Willow Weaving Workshop Aug 7, 2010

Learn how to use natural materials to construct practical and beautiful projects for inside and outside of your home on Saturday, August 7, from 9 a.m. – 4 p.m. at the Chichaqua Bottoms Greenbelt Longhouse.

Pam Dennis and Ryk Weiss will lead the group in constructing a willow end table. Participants will learn to identify and choose appropriate materials, and prepare the willow for use. Basic construction techniques are emphasized, with a variety of design options explored. You will leave the class with the ability to repeat the project on your own.

This public program is $50 per person and the minimum age is 12 years old.
Pre-registration is required online by going to www.mycountyparks.com by July 30. Participants will need to bring a hammer, anvil shears, small bow saw, and footwear that can get wet. For more information, contact Polk County Conservation at 515-323-5300.

Nature’s Story Hour August 11, 2010

It’s a picnic in the park for the family! Join a Polk County Conservation naturalist for a casual lunch hour of outdoor nature discovery through stories, puppets, felt boards and hands-on learning. Bring your picnic blanket, sack lunch, and enjoy an outside story hour. This family program provides the perfect opportunity to spend time outdoors, learn about nature, and participate in some fun-filled summer activities.

Nature’s Story Hour is a free program designed for youth of all ages. The programs will be held on
August 11 at Jester Park, Shelter #6.
Pre-registration is not required. All programs will be held from noon to 1:00 p.m.

For more information, contact Polk County Conservation at 515-323-5300 or visit their website at www.leadingyououtdoors.org

Hike Polk County!

Go on exciting hiking adventures each month with a Polk County Conservation naturalist. Be active and learn about nature as you explore a new area in Polk County each month on foot. These outdoor hikes are free and fun for all ages.
August 3: 6:30 p.m. Engeldinger Marsh

Pre-registration is not required. If you attend six or more hikes, you will be awarded a free gift. For more information, call Polk County Conservation at 515-323-5300 or
go online to www.leadingyououtdoors.org

Nature Play Dates

Reserve time to reconnect and rediscover the wonders of nature with your child or family at this summer. Join a Polk County Conservation naturalist on
August 4 from 10:30-11:30 a.m. for a nature play date.
Locations include:
August 4- Jester Park, Shelter #5

Make time for some unstructured nature discovery of the woods and natural areas. Wear clothes and tennis shoes that can get dirty. Bring a sack lunch and enjoy a picnic in the park following the play date. This free program is sponsored by Polk County Conservation and does not require pre-registration. For more information, call Polk County Conservation at 515-323-5300 or
go online to www.leadingyououtdoors.org

Polk County Conservation Canoe and Kayak Trips August 7, 2010

Join Polk County Conservation naturalists as you float down the Boone, Iowa, Upper Iowa, and Middle Raccoon Rivers. A series of canoe and kayak trips have been planned for the summer of 2010 and are open to the public.
Middle Raccoon Kayak Trip August 7 8 a.m. – 5 p.m. Fee: $35

Prior canoe or kayak experience is necessary. Check out the Polk County Conservation website at www.leadingyououtdoors.org for beginner canoe and kayak classes. More information about the trips can also be found on the Polk County Conservation website. To register for any of these trips,
go to www.mycountyparks.com

“Get Outside” Conservation Videos Now Online

Polk County Conservation recently received a REAP-CEP grant to produce 18 conservation videos. The videos are now available. and will be airing on a variety of local cable stations. The video series titled “Get Out” will show viewers how to have fun while exploring Central Iowa’s great outdoors. Explore the mysterious Skunk River oxbows by kayak, find out the best places to ice fish and cross country ski, go on a guided trail ride at the Jester Park Equestrian Center, or learn where to enjoy some quality hunting close to home. Whatever it is you like to do outdoors, any time is a great time to get outside! So what are you waiting for... check out these videos and then... GET OUTSIDE!!!

For more information, contact Polk County Conservation at 515-323-5300.

Firewood Policy, Polk County Conservation Board

PURPOSE:

To reduce the risk of accidental introduction of emerald ash borer (Agrilus planipennis) (EAB) and other damaging forest pests into PCC recreation areas and forests through the implementation of an effective firewood policy.

SPECIFICS – FIREWOOD ALLOWED:

1. In-state firewood that is not from a EAB quarantined area.

2. Untreated dimensional lumber such as scrap 2" x 4".

3. USDA certified firewood is also allowed: Bundled firewood purchased in-state at a commercial store (even from a quarantined county) can be brought in if each bundle of firewood exhibits a USDA Stamp indicating the firewood vendor has a compliance agreement with USDA. (See example of compliance agreement stamp below.) The agreement will have a unique compliance agreement number at the bottom (for example IN-012) that will be different for each vendor, but the rest of the stamp is standard.

SPECIFICS – FIREWOOD NOT ALLOWED:

1. Out of state firewood.

NOTE: All firewood transported from or through state or federal quarantined area that is not federally or state certified as pest free. Areas currently quarantined include all or parts of Michigan, Ohio, Virginia, Maryland, Indiana, Pennsylvania, West Virginia, Illinois, Wisconsin, Missouri, Minnesota, and Ontario, Canada.

ENFORCEMENT: Actions to respond to the discovery of firewood from out-of-state, but not a quarantined area:

1. Ask campers to immediately burn all restricted firewood: Use discretion to provide a time period to the camper on burning the restricted firewood (not to exceed 24 hours).

2. If a camper brings out-of-state firewood that isn’t from a quarantined area and doesn’t agree to burn the firewood immediately, we will require them to double bag the wood turn over to the camp host/PCC staff. Refunds of camping fees or firewood are not permitted.

3. Warnings and Citations: Verbal or written warnings should be used for the majority of discoveries. If a citation is deemed necessary it should be written, under Failure to comply to a lawful order- Interference: 719.1

ENFORCEMENT: Actions to respond to firewood from quarantined areas:

1. PCC Staff will confiscate the firewood and double bag it. Staff will fill out the “Information Sheet Quarantined Firewood from a Regulated Area.”

2. Refunds of camping fees or firewood are not permitted.

4. The Natural Resources Manager will contact Animal Plant Health Inspection Service (APHIS) and/or Iowa Dept of Agriculture and Land Stewardship (IDALS): He will coordinate with APHIS and/or the appropriate state department on violations involving federal or state quarantine respectively.