IN THIS ISSUE - Story County
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STORY COUNTY CONSERVATION • NATURE PROGRAMS AND NEWS
February - April 2021
IN THIS ISSUE. . .
Start the Conversation............... 2
Programs & Events..................... 4
Calendar.................................... 6
Updates & Stories...................... 7
Photo by Jacob Pitzenberger Partners Membership................ 11
Start the But first I had to grow the vegetables. Seth and I were
almost entirely inexperienced. I’d been around gardens
Conversation: off and on most of my life but as a teenager and young
adult felt I had better things to do than get my hands
dirty. Still, once in a while I picked a few glowing red
Rhythms of tomatoes and tender, finger-length yellow squash,
blossoms just fading off the ends. But I’d never been
the Land responsible for a garden from beginning to end. I didn’t
learn the practical skills--the craft or magic or whatever it
Bekah Beall, Naturalist took to make things grow.
I didn’t know that even as I pored over tomato varieties
As the climate changes and we experience a warmer,
(mortgage-lifters, giant oxhearts, Mr. Stripeys!) that the
wetter, and wilder Midwest—more prone to extremes
rhythms of gardening were changing. I had deciphered
of drought, heat, and floods—I’m searching for the
the tiny colorful map of “hardiness zones” on the back
meaningful rhythms of nature I want to protect, examples
of the seed packets to determine what grew best and
of resiliency from my family’s past, and hopeful solutions
when to plant to avoid frost. I didn’t know that in 2012
for the future.
this map was redrawn, reflecting warmer temperatures.
Nights are staying warmer; thaws are starting earlier.
Our garden in Iowa hooked me before I even started
The kind of soil-drumming downpours with two inches
pulling shallow rows through the beds and sprinkling
or more of rain from a single event are becoming more
in radish, lettuce, and carrot seeds. My husband, Seth,
frequent. Planting—in both gardens and farm fields—is
and I started beets, swiss chard, cauliflower, cilantro,
delayed by wetter springs. Floods are expected more
and dill. I walked down each row to stare at the soil.
often and so is drought. The common thread is a
I waited for the first curled sign of a sprout. When the
tendency to extremes.
shoots appeared, I sat back on my heels and watched,
convinced I could see them reaching upward, unfurling
I tend to forget that my family has connections to the
ever so slowly. We’d moved to Iowa the year before and
rhythms of soil and plants. I know my grandparents
jumped at our first chance to grow a garden.
farmed. My grandmother taught my grandfather after
their marriage. They farmed land that she had worked
My garden lust started
with her father when World War II took the boys from
when my mother sent
the farm. She became, as my great-aunt put it, “a very
me a food-spattered,
good ‘son.’” My great-great grandfather also farmed (and
second-hand copy
before that, I don’t know, but I wouldn’t be surprised if
of Stocking Up from
they were farmers). To me, one generation removed, the
Rodale Press. Stocking
farm had already become an abstraction, something I
Up details everything
can’t visualize beyond corn and beans, brief memories of
the neophyte needs to
the truck and machine shed, riding high in the combine,
know about canning,
drying, and freezing
fruits and vegetables.
It provides illustrated
plans for root cellars,
instructions for making butter, cheese, and yogurt, and
step-by-step how-tos on turning an animal into any
number of products, all the way down to headcheese
and scrapple. The book is genuinely glorious.
2
and the neatly hung Practices that rebuild the soil—for example, mulching
row of my grandfather’s instead of tilling along with using cover crops—can
seed caps. Today, these increase productivity and resilience to erosion and
farmers would recognize drought. These practices also help soil store carbon with
shifts in the patterns of huge potential to help slow climate change. Plants draw
climate that I don’t see. carbon from the atmosphere and pass it to microbes
that stabilize it in soil. Iowa’s prairies did this naturally.
I tend to forget. In Degraded and eroded soil doesn’t store carbon, so now
my childhood, my gardeners and farmers need to care for soil to restore it.
grandparents lived with I saw these ideas reflected where cover crops began to
Mountain Dews in hand pop up on farm fields.
and got twitchy if the
supply ran low. After a I learned the definition of the word “friable” as I rubbed
dinner of canned peas our garden soil between my fingers and palms. I’ve
and hash, my grandfather slipped a Little Debbie Nutty always loved soil, the smell
Bar from the cardboard box by the refrigerator to eat of it, the feel of it under
during Wheel of Fortune. But my grandparents’ children bare feet. Like my home
had learned the heated weight of a tomato, eaten out dirt in Indiana, our garden
of hand from the garden, and they knew the hollow- soil in Iowa looked so black
thumped, chin-dripping taste of Indiana cantaloupe. and rich as to be nearly
When they were young, the family grew a half-acre edible. Restoring soil helps it
garden on the farmstead that provided nearly all their produce abundance.
food.
In our garden, we hoed
I tend to forget. My mother picked pints of strawberries up hills and pressed the
from her own garden, buckets of blueberries from the big, pointed seeds of
nearby U-Pick patch. In the summer she belted a bucket watermelon, cantaloupe, and
to her waist and waded into the black raspberry canes. squash (summer and winter,
The soil had long provided my family with abundance. six kinds total, including
This abundance of farm, garden, and woods is part of two types of pumpkins) into
a legacy that connects me to nature, and part of what I the warm soil. We planted scarlet runner beans and too
work to protect. many tomatoes and peppers (both sweet and hot). I put
in a row of zinnias, marigold borders, and a couple of
In our own garden, Seth and I bumbled along, carrying sunflowers.
the Guide to Iowa Vegetable Gardening and a second-
hand copy of Rodale’s Basic Book of Organic Gardening For a few weeks it rained and rained. Black spots
next to our seeds and gloves. One bed we dug while still appeared on our perpetually green tomatoes. The rabbits
too wet, turning over solid bites of soil. I thwacked and munched down our cauliflower. We found our green
hammered with the hoe, but the soil dried into golf-ball beans devoured all the way to the ground every time
sized, stone-hard clumps. they sprouted a tentative leaf. Plants jungled through the
garden but not as we’d imagined. By the Fourth of July, I
Here is what I thought I needed to do: dig and till. Later, expected our main crops to be foxtail, zucchini the size of
as grass consumed our sprouts and lamb’s quarter sprang baseball bats, and green tomatoes, in that order.
up everywhere, Seth and I realized we should have
started with mulch, any kind of mulch--newspaper, grass But plants grew and kept growing until we had thick-
clippings, straw. In our new garden plot, the weeds grew stemmed, bristly squash plants, a jungle of tomato vines,
better than the vegetables. and feathery, medicinal-smelling carrot tops.
3
Some of the tomatoes in our garden ripened eventually.
I consulted Stocking Up. I quartered them and simmered
them in a stock pot, working them down with a potato
masher. Our Giant Oxhearts and Mr. Stripeys turned into
a beautiful orangey-pink sauce. This process sounds easy,
and it is, but I stood in the kitchen all day. I filled the
enameled canner and muscled it onto the stove. I set in
the rack and the jars and turned on the heat. The kitchen
filled with steam when the water hit a full rolling boil,
clattering the canner’s lid.
Gardening bring us close to that abundance of the earth,
puts our hands in the soil, and forces our attention to
rhythms of rain, sun, and temperature. Here’s the thing: what you love and hope we can protect through our
this practice of growing has potential to help us notice common efforts to slow climate change. Right now, I’m
change, connect to the resiliency of past generations, in love with not only the tomato ripening on the vine
and look forward to newfound solutions. We don’t have but opening a rich red sauce in dead white winter and
to have all the answers, but we do need to have the washing the blue jar to use again.
conversation. You may not take up gardening, but
I hope you find your own stories to tell others about
— PROGRAMS & EVENTS —
Providing people opportunities and inspiration to develop an appreciation and
understanding of nature and humans as a part of it
FEBRUARY MARCH
Backyard Bird Identification Diversify Your Landscape and Eat Your Yard
Wednesday, February 10 Wednesdays, March 3 and 10 (two-part series)
2:00 - 3:00 p.m. or 7:00 - 8:00 p.m. 7:00 - 8:30 p.m.
Zoom program Zoom program
Learn to identify birds you might find in your backyard We have been working for our yards for years; now is
or local park in preparation for the Great Backyard Bird the time to make our yards work for us! Learn how to put
Count! The GBBC is February 12-15 and only requires 15 in place a more edible landscape with an emphasis on
minutes of bird watching before sharing your bird count plants that are suited to our climate. This is a two-part
online. This is a great way to get involved with a citizen series, so we can go into a little more depth on certain
science project from the comfort of your home. These topics. Fee of $10 is required with registration by 4:30
programs are free, but registration is required by 4:30 p.m. on Monday, March 1. Registrants will be emailed
p.m. on Monday, February 8. Registrants will be emailed the zoom link prior to the program dates.
the zoom link prior to the program date.
STORY COUNTY CONSERVATION
515.232.2516
56461 180th Street • Ames, Iowa 50010
4 Monday - Friday • 8:30 a.m. - 4:30 p.m.
conservation@storycountyiowa.gov • www.storycountyconservation.org
The Fungus Among Us
Thursday, March 4
10:00 - 11:00 a.m.
O.W.L.S. Programs
We’re offering O.W.L.S. (Older, Wiser, Livelier Souls)
Zoom program
programs in a virtual format. These are designed
for “boomers” or older -- but anyone can attend.
Join Naturalist Jess Lancial to learn about the basic
Registrants will be emailed the zoom link prior to the
ecology surrounding the Kingdom Fungi! We will explore
program date.
the basics of how fungus grows, the role they play in
our lives, the different types of fungi, and what crazy
mushrooms you can find near you this spring! This From Beans to Brew
program is free, but registration is required by 4:30 p.m. Tuesday, February 2
on Tuesday, March 2. Registrants will be emailed the 10:00 - 11:00 a.m.
zoom link prior to the program date. Zoom program
Explore one of the world’s favorite beverages,
COFFEE! Dive into its mysterious origins and natural
Luminary Hike history, and discover just how great an impact it has
Saturday, March 20
on our planet. Join fellow coffee lover, Naturalist
7:30, 8:00, or 8:30 p.m. start times
Heather Hucka, with your favorite cup of joe and
McFarland Park
explore how we can change the world for the
better one cup at a time. This program is free, but
Let luminaries light your way around McFarland Lake
registration is required by 4:30 p.m. on Sunday,
on a special walk to welcome spring. The walk is self-
January 31. Registrants will be emailed the zoom
guided; complete luminary loop is about one mile on a
link prior to the program date.
paved path. Register for a 7:30 p.m., 8:00 p.m., or 8:30
p.m. arrival slot. Event ends at 9:00 p.m. Fee of $5 with
registration is required by 4:30 p.m. on Friday, March 12.
Exploring Madagascar
Tuesday, April 6
APRIL 10:00 - 11:00 a.m.
Zoom program
Geocache Egg Hunt
Saturday, April 3 Located off the east coast of Africa, Madagascar
10:00 a.m. - 12:00 p.m. is the world’s fifth largest island and known as a
McFarland Park hotspot for biodiversity with animals like lemurs,
fosses, chameleons, and flying fox bats. With 80% of
Your family will love this new-age way of hunting eggs! its natural forests now gone, Madagascar is one of
Join Naturalist Jess Lancial to learn how to use a GPS, the fastest disappearing ecosystems on our planet.
then go search the woods to find the Conservation Join Naturalist Jess Lancial as she shares stories and
Bunny’s nests of hidden treasures. Collect prizes and photography chronicling her month-long excursion
candy and discover some of nature’s wonders along the through Madagascar’s unique landscapes, cultures,
way. Be sure to keep a watchful eye as you may come and wildlife. This program is free, but registration is
across a “golden egg” worth a special prize! Spots are required by 4:30 p.m. on Sunday, April 4. Registrants
limited; register early. Fee of $5 per collector (any child will be emailed the zoom link prior to the program
3-14 years old) is required with registration by 4:30 p.m. date.
on Monday, March 29. Each family group will share one
GPS; if your group is 8 people or more, you may want to
register as two groups.
5
— CALENDAR OF EVENTS —
Date Time Event Location
FEBRUARY
February 2 10:00 a.m. O.W.L.S.: From Beans to Brew Zoom
February 8 5:30 p.m. Story County Conservation Board Meeting Zoom
February 10 2:00 p.m. Backyard Bird Identification Zoom
February 10 7:00 p.m. Backyard Bird Identification Zoom
February 15 Story County Conservation Offices Closed
February 23 7:00 p.m. Environmental Literature Club (2nd book) Zoom
MARCH
March 1 - 19 Annual Photo Contest Submission Period
March 3 7:00 p.m. Diversify Your Landscape and Eat Your Yard Zoom
March 4 10:00 a.m. The Fungus Among Us Zoom
March 8 5:30 p.m. Story County Conservation Board Meeting Zoom
March 10 7:00 p.m. Diversify Your Landscape and Eat Your Yard Zoom
March 20 7:30, 8, or 8:30 p.m. Luminary Hike McFarland Park
March 23 7:00 p.m. Environmental Literature Club (3rd book) Zoom
APRIL
April 3 10:00 a.m. Geocache Egg Hunt McFarland Park
April 6 10:00 a.m. O.W.L.S.: Exploring Madagascar Zoom
April 12 5:30 p.m. Story County Conservation Board Meeting Zoom
Need to locate one of our parks or areas? You can view individual maps and 911 addresses online.
www.storycountyconservation.org
Partners is now 192 members strong! Unlikely HUNTERS
Only twice since its beginning in 1996 have we
exceeded a yearly average of 180 members. Newbies Beth and Erica shared their motivations,
Along with celebrating new membership, several uncertainties, and excitement about learning how to
of you have increased your level of giving. As bowhunt in our last edition. We immediately received
comments from others saying they shared the same
of the end of the year, you have contributed
backgrounds, were curious about the newbies’
$11,755 (49% of our goal) towards the purchase
perspectives, agreed that there were barriers to getting
of the 35-acre Osheim Wildlife Area along the involved, but most often we were just asked, “WELL, DID
South Skunk River. Obviously, you understand THEY GET DEER?!”.
the importance of preserving and protecting land
not only for the benefit of our water and other Beth and Erica sat down in front of the camera twice—
natural resources but for the quality of life of once before the season started and again a couple months
future generations. Let’s keep the momentum later—to capture all the feelings and discoveries that
going. If you know someone who enjoys the come with a new adventure. Visit our YouTube channel to
public lands in this county, please share with watch Parts 1 and 2 of Unlikely Hunters to find out how
them why you are a member and encourage their seasons ended.
them to show their support.
Sometimes seeing other people try new things helps you
picture yourself trying it too! Are there more outdoor
6 activities we could shed light on with an “Unlikely” series?
Backpacking? Fishing? Birding? Let us know!
DARK SK Y WEEK Beth Waage, Naturalist
On a recent trip to Arches National Park, I read that it
is certified as an official International Dark Sky Park.
While we stayed in Moab, we made sure to go out at
night to view the stars. It was beautiful; I have always
been intrigued by the night sky. But it was not so unlike
the night sky I normally see in rural Story County. It
made me feel very lucky to live where I do, as not
many Americans, possibly one in ten, live in a place
where they can see the roughly 2,500 stars that should
be visible.
A dark night sky holds so much value. It’s a history
lesson: The International Astronomers Union was
formed after the first world war to finally settle the
debate of which would be the “official” constellations.
They listed a total of 88. Before the IAU, there were 60-
120 constellations on various star charts, so there are
many lost constellations in the sky.
It is also a bridge to our past. It connects us to our
ancestors. We can go out at night, look up, and see
what our great, great, great, greats saw.
The lighting of the night wastes energy, exposes
humans to excessive artificial light which can lead
to myriad problems, and can have disastrous effects
on nocturnal animals who are dependent upon the
darkness for their livelihood.
Fearing the loss of our shared human heritage from
an ever-brighter night, a high school student started
International Dark Sky Week in 2003. It is a weeklong
event put on by the International Dark Sky Association
to help draw attention to and educate people about
the importance of allowing the darkness.
Luckily, light pollution is reversable! And you, as a April 4-10, 2021
homeowner or renter, have a voice in the lighting that
surrounds your dwelling. Check around where you live https://idsw.darksky.org/
to see what you can do about the night lighting, and
participate in Dark Sky Week to learn more.
7
— THE LATEST —
Timely and brief updates on ongoing projects
Tedesco Connector Trail
A private fundraising effort
to further enhance the new
Tedesco Connector Trail is
a little over halfway to its
goal! Invasive plants have
been removed, over 100
native trees and shrubs have
been planted, and future
donations will fund bat and
bird houses, a bike repair
station, benches, a dog walker’s station, and
interpretive panels. Consider joining the effort
to beautify this new trail!
Rick Dietz wins INHF’s Hagie Heritage Award
This longtime outdoor ally has a tremendous passion for
Hickory Grove Park
Park goers can now travel a complete loop
Iowa’s natural heritage and is one of our go-to supporters for
around the lake (just under 3 miles) on a
volunteer and advocacy needs. His personal commitment to
limestone trail. A new footbridge will soon
protecting and improving natural resources, and encouraging
traverse the “tubes” on the southeast corner
others to do the same, is clearly demonstrated by his
of the lake. Patch work on the park road and
nearly 20-year relationship with SCC. This award honors
improvements to boat ramp parking were
his dedication to protecting and improving wild spaces and
recently completed as well. All paved park
ensuring others can enjoy outdoor recreation. Way to go, Rick!
roads will be overlaid with a 3” lift this spring.
Nature Connect Call Mid-Iowa
Community Action
SCC’s Service Assistance Program 515-956-3333
to verify need and
Increasing access to youth and adult programs, recreation, receive your
camping, and more for Story County residents discount code.
experiencing financial need.
Qualifying households can
Want to support Story
now receive 50% OFF:
$20 supports a weekend
County residents camping
• Nature camps at McFarland Park
experiencing financial $40 sponsors a child at • Environmental education programs
need? overnight camp • Camping at Hickory Grove Park, Dakins
$100 sponsors five children at Lake, and Robison Wildlife Acres
Call 515-232-2516
day camp
8 to donate • Shelter reservations
A CHANGING HABITAT
at Christiansen Forest Preserve
Brandon Clough, Natural Resource Specialist
What is a savanna? A savanna is a plant community with
scattered oak and hickory trees. This sparse tree canopy allows
the sun to reach the ground, giving native grasses and forbs
(flowers) a chance to flourish amongst the trees.
Oaks and hickories are fire-tolerant but shade-intolerant,
enabling these species to grow back when wildfires shaped
Iowa’s ecosystems. Humans have suppressed fires in recent
history, which allowed fire-intolerant/shade-tolerant tree and
shrub species to quickly out-compete the slow-growing oaks
and hickories. Very few oak or hickory seedlings could take root
and replace the older trees as they died off.
A savanna’s unique composition of mature trees, grasses, and
forbs make it critical habitat for a number of Iowa’s wildlife
species, including endangered and threatened ones. The prairie
understory makes excellent habitat for pollinators, the acorns
and hickory nuts are a great source of nutrients for wildlife, and
the bark of the mature trees provide an excellent place for bats 1930s imagery
to roost.
How do we know that this area is supposed to be a savanna?
If you look at an aerial view in the 1930s you see very few
trees dotting a grassland (particularly towards the front of the
property). Many of these 100+ year old trees are still standing
at Christiansen today. If you fast forward through the decades,
you notice the open space becomes filled with undesirable tree
and shrub species.
There are also multiple savanna clues visible in the park today.
You can still find the old open-grown oak trees. An open-grown
tree branches out wide as opposed to just growing tall, but only
if it has the available sun to do so. As these trees have gotten 2019 imagery
choked in a crowded understory, they have begun to shed their
lower branches in an effort to conserve energy and keep the
rest of the tree alive. MANAGEMENT TOOLS USED IN THIS PARK
The park’s grass and forb species are clues as well. Some
savanna species that have persisted at Christiansen are • Removing trees, • Prescribed burning
bottlebrush grass, hyssop, and Virginia wild rye. Seeds of other shrubs, or vines • Goat grazing
savanna species are waiting in the soil for the right growing • Girdling trees (kills • Brush mowing
conditions—more sun. the tree but leaves • Herbicide
it standing - good
In time and with a variety of management techniques, we’re habitat for bats,
confident this savanna will flourish again. Take a walk on the birds, insects, etc.
trails this spring to check out the progress. 99
Earth Day Every Day
I think back to the start of the As the Earth continues to be stripped wonder how we ever let our planet
pandemic last March. I watched of its natural resources and carbon get so sick.
from my window at the Story County is released into the atmosphere
Conservation Center at McFarland at an exponential rate, we need a The root of Mother Earth’s sickness
Park as people flocked outdoors. The fundamental shift in how we treat is that our culture loves to consume.
parking lot was full every day: people our planet. In my lifetime, I will We drink out of one-use bottles, wear
exited their vehicles looking for calm watch as the last glaciers melt. Earth “fast” (poorly made) fashion, order
and comfort. A Yale study from 2017 Day can’t be just one day a year. lots of unnecessary products online,
showed a widening disconnect with 2020 was a return to the wild; this and eat food that was produced
nature: the average adult spent year let’s fight for the planet that is across the globe. We can easily
five hours or fewer outdoors each crying out for our help. celebrate Earth Day every day this
week. Get this: that counted driving year by monitoring our consumption
time. Big yikes. But I can’t wait to We can celebrate Earth Day every and buying fewer one-time use
see the studies about how those day simply by spending time outside. products. The answer to this giant
hours soared off the charts last year, Just five minutes in nature has been problem rests with us, the citizens of
verifying what we who work in shown to have incredible benefits to Earth. We are eager consumers. But
conservation witnessed in real time. your mental and physical wellbeing. is that the role we want? We get to
People who spend time outdoors choose the role we play in the drama
Mother Earth grounded us in 2020. frequently have faster healing times, that is unfolding: what we in the
She wrapped us in a beautiful stronger immune systems, longer field of environmental sciences call
reassuring hug and whispered lifespans, and are at a lower risk “The Tragedy on the Horizon.” Will
comforting words to us through for stroke and heart attack. Nature we be caretakers or destroyers? Will
green leaves and brilliant flowers. can lessen stress, anxiety, and we heal or harm?
We spent so much time outdoors last depression, while boosting creativity,
year that I can’t help but think we concentration, and productivity.
owe her a big thank you. How do As we increase our time in nature
we pay that appreciation forward in and find ourselves healing and
2021? reconnecting, we will begin to
Paige Kappelman is an Environmental Sciences
Earth Day originated in the 1970s in order to bring focus to the need for a student at ISU and our Outreach Assistant.
clean air and clean water act. Factories in the United States were pumping
toxic smoke into the air, dumping toxic waste into our waterways, and
Americans were fed up. Across the country, 20 million Americans came out
to demonstrate that this was not how we wanted to treat the land. The
outcry was heard and later that year Congress authorized the creation of
a new federal agency to tackle environmental issues: the Environmental
Protection Agency. Now every April 22, Earth Day is celebrated around the
10
world to demonstrate support for environmental protection. Photo by Corah BoothHELP PURCHASE A NEW PROPERTY!
BOARD & STAFF Help us reach our goal of $24,000
Your Story County Conservation Partners membership will help purchase a new
Conservation Board property along the South Skunk River south of Story City. You will receive a
Dr. Jim Pease, Chair nature-themed magnet and a 10% discount on all programs, facility rentals, and
Christine Laumer, Vice Chair merchandise. The Red Fox membership level and above will be recognized in
Dr. Nancy Franz, Secretary the conservation center for their support.
Craig Meyers, Member Eagle Business Level - $1,000 or more Monarch Business Level - $250 to $999
Ted Tedesco, Member
Linda Murken, Ex Officio Member Red-tailed Hawk - $1,000 or more Goldfinch - $70 to $124
Great Blue Heron - $275 to $999 Otter (Family) - $35 to $69
Red Fox - $125 to $274 Great Horned Owl (Individual) - $30
Conservation Staff
Conservation Center, Ames Name
Michael Cox, Director
Address
Ryan Wiemold, Parks Superintendent
Pat Shehan, Special Projects Ranger City State Zip
Marianne Harrelson, Financial Data Manager
Elizabeth Jackson, Administrative Assistant II Phone
Jerry Keys, Environmental Education Coordinator E-mail
Heather Hucka, Naturalist
Jess Lancial, Naturalist Enclosed is my check for $
Rebekah Beall, Naturalist My membership level is
Beth Waage, Naturalist
Erica Place, Outreach Coordinator Make checks payable to: Story County Conservation Partners
56461 180th Street, Ames, IA 50010-9451; Phone (515) 232-2516
McFarland Park Shop, Ames
Danny Simcox, Park Ranger Or join online!
Russ DeWall, Conservation Technician II www.mycountyparks.com/
Derek Seward, Trails/Natural Resources Technician County/Story.aspx
Joe Hill, Conservation Technician
Dillon Schmidt, Conservation Technician
Hickory Grove Shop, Colo Thank you to all those who support
Luke Feilmeier, Park Ranger Story County Conservation with
Jake Smith, Conservation Technician donations of time, funding, and materials.
Hunter Simmons, Conservation Technician
Brandon Clough, Natural Resource Specialist
IRVM Office & Shop, Nevada
Joe Kooiker, Vegetation Management Biologist THANK YOU TO THE FOLLOWING FOR THEIR GENEROSITY
Tyler Kelley, Vegetation Management Specialist
Big Bluestem Audubon Society Jennifer Drinkwater
Tadd & Jill Griffith Daniel Ketelsen
The Story County Conservation Board Outdoor Alliance of Story County Dermot J. Hayes
typically meets the the second Monday REG Andy Swanson
Bran & Laura Taylor John & Tanya Sorem
of each month at the Story County
Conservation Center at
McFarland Park (56461 180th St.),
northeast of Ames. Meetings are open to
the public.
11STORY COUNTY CONSERVATION Nonprofit Org.
56461 180th Street U.S. POSTAGE
PAID
Ames, Iowa 50010-9451
Ames, Iowa
Permit 301
HOW SMARTPHONES ARE HURTING GORILLAS
A critical component in smartphones and other devices is a substance called coltan. 80% of the world’s supply of
coltan is found directly in the center of gorilla habitat in the Congo. Mineral mining for smartphones has fueled bloody
conflicts and gorilla habitat loss. The best way you can reduce this impact is recycling old smartphones and limiting
unnecessary upgrades to a new device.
We have partnered with the Blank Park Zoo and
ECO-CELL so when the Conservation Center reopens
you can bring your old smartphones (and ipads,
tablets, mp3 players, handheld gaming systems,
chargers, and device accessories) to the Story County
Conservation Center for recycling. ECO-CELL is a
nonprofit which reclaims the precious minerals found
inside these devices. Recycling these items helps
save endangered gorillas by reducing the demand for
coltan while 100% of the proceeds from this project
go directly towards reforestation in the Congo and
care for rescued gorillas.You can also read
