War of the Worlds Dennis Goemaat, Deputy Director H.G
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the Oak December 2015 LINN COUNTY Hickory CONSERVATION DEPARTMENT War of the Worlds Dennis Goemaat, Deputy Director H.G. Wells, in his novel the War of the Worlds, describes home country. In yet other cases, plants such as multi- an alien invasion and life under Martian invaders. During flora rose, Reed’s canary grass and autumn olive were a 1938 radio broadcast, Orson Wells narrated passages intentionally introduced for wildlife and erosion control. from the book in simulated news broadcasts. This format As they say, it is often difficult to put the genie back in along with a commercial-free format led to concern and the bottle and that is very true of invasive species. panic for those who failed to hear the start of the show. The emerald ash borer (EAB), native to Russia, China, My favorite images from this event are the ones that show Korea and Japan, is just the latest in a long list of invasive people sitting on their front porch, shotguns across their species that are wreaking havoc with our natural systems. laps, ready to blast those “dadgum” Martians back to EAB will also have a significant impact on our cities and where they came from. I suppose at a time when people towns as well since ash trees have been a favored tree received most of their entertainment and news through for use as shade trees for many years. When American the radio, it makes sense that there was some confusion elm trees died from the Dutch elm disease, a disease that about what was happening. was brought to the US inadvertently, ash trees were often planted to replace dead elms. Today, as high as 20 – 30% I don’t want to alarm anyone and please don’t send the of many communities urban tree canopy consists of ash doctors my way for an evaluation, but I’m here to tell you trees. Since ash is a native species, our woodlands and that the aliens are here and they are living among us. No, forests will be severely impacted as well. the alien invaders I’m talking about are not from another planet, but they are from other parts of our world. Linn County Conservation staff spends a lot of time trying to keep invasive species at bay in your parks and Sometimes referred to as alien, non-native or invasive natural areas. These non-native invaders often disrupt species, these displaced plants, animals or diseases cause natural systems and if left unchecked, they can disrupt many problems. They often arrive unnoticed and it can be the natural system by displacing native species. We are years before we know they are here and then it is usually currently involved in fighting garlic mustard, autumn too late. olive, multiflora rose, oriental bittersweet and many I often say that elephants would not be good invasive others. Now that EAB has been found in Linn County, species. They are big, easily noticed and reproduce very we can officially add it to the list of concerns. In the next slowly. Something like an insect on the other hand is the several years, this insect is likely to cause a great deal opposite – not easily seen, those who do see them may of damage and a lot of work removing dead trees. not recognize them as a problem, they reproduce quickly The most important thing that can be done at this point and move easily from place to place. is to take steps so additional species are not brought In many cases, these non-native species were brought into this country. We are far better off to landscape with as part of commerce and international trade. The house native plants than to bring in additional species that have mouse and Norway rat likely arrived with the Pilgrims potential to do irreparable damage. We don’t need any as stowaways on ships when the first immigrants came more alien species to fight; we are losing the battle with to this country. In other cases, people brought plants and the ones that are already here. animals with them that they were familiar with in their The Oak Hickory News is published three times each year by the Linn County Conservation Department. Questions, comments, concerns can be directed to (319) 892-6450 or [email protected]. WINTER IS AN EXCELLENT TIME TO ENJOY OUTDOOR ACTIVITIES at our Linn County Parks, whether it be for hiking, snowshoeing, bird watching, or simply spending time with family and friends. In addition, try some of these winter activities. Be safe, and dress for the weather! CROSS COUNTRY SKIING: SNOWMOBILE TRAIL: Several Linn County Conservation trails are A snowmobile trail at Pinicon Ridge Park is open- groomed for cross country skiing: from December 1 until April 1, if the weather and ground conditions cooperate (1” or more of snow Matsell Bridge Natural Area 5+ miles cover required). It is nearly a mile in length and Morgan Creek Park 3.8 miles follows the main road through the park. Snow- Pinicon Ridge Park 2.5 miles mobiles must follow markers staying on the trail Squaw Creek Park 3.5 miles at all times and adhere to the 15 mph speed limit. Wickiup Hill Outdoor Learning Area 3.3 miles Snowmobiling is also allowed on designated un- 4” of snow is the minimum amount required to use paved surfaces of the Cedar Valley Nature Trail our grooming equipment. Tracks are first “rolled” north of Center Point through Benton County. and then “groomed”. Hikers, horses, and dogs are encouraged to stay off the intendedN ordic ski track. ICE FISHING: Be safe! We encourage bright colors on the trail. Newly created fishing jetties at Pinicon Ridge make for excellent ice fishing opportunities on the SLEDDING: Wapsipinicon River. No one should venture onto A hill by Woodpecker lodge at Pinicon Ridge the ice unless it is least 4 inches thick. (And don’t park, and the area next to the Red Cedar Lodge at forget to check page 7 for our January 16 Kids Ice Squaw Creek Park have been popular for sledding Fishing Clinic.) during the winter months. PINICON RIDGE PARK ADDS NEW PLAYGROUND AT CAMPGROUND Spring won’t come early enough for those that want to enjoy the new playground at the Flying Squirrel Camp- ground at Pinicon Ridge Park. The 8,400 square foot site is ADA compliant, inclusive, and fun! There are over 30 grounded or elevated activities for those ages 2-12 (make sure you check out the Zip Cruise). The playground is next to the Flying Squirrel shelter and shower facility. Sitting benches and a bike rack are also planned for the location. 2 Iowa Department of Transportation Commission awards Linn County Conser- vation $600,000 in State Recreation Trails Grant funds Construction and hard-surfacing for next phase of Cedar Valley Nature Trail through Center Point expected to begin summer of 2016. The Iowa Department of Transportation Commission ap- proved a $600,000 Linn County Conservation grant request for continuing hard-surface and improvements along the Ce- dar Valley Nature Trail. The construction and paving of this key 3.5 mile stretch will complete a continuous paving trail connection from Ely in southern Linn County through Center Point. The $1.3 million project (phase 4) includes: paving the trail segment from Schultz Road to Apple Creek Bridge using a combination of concrete and asphalt, drainage improve- ments, and seal coating the crossing at intersecting county roads. Along with the $600,000 IDOT State Recreation Trails Grant, funding will come from Linn County Conservation capital improvement project funds. Other funding commit- ments include: • City of Center Point $25,000 • Center Point Economic Development Alliance $9,000 • ITC Midwest (power line easement) $290,000 • Linn County Trails Association $100,000 • Teeter family estate $58,000 Red Cedar Work this winter will include re-establishing drainage, clear- ing, and grubbing. Paving this area is expected to begin in Lodge summer of 2016 with completion in the fall. A reminder that Red Cedar Lodge will be closed to all Public interest in paving the trail continues to increase. reservations from February 14 through December 16, Following newly paved segments, trail counters installed by 2016 to make way for a brand new facility at Squaw the Linn County Trails Association in 2012 showed the traffic Creek Park. The aging building has been in need of past County Home Rd doubled and traffic through Lafayette repair and improvements after 40 years of family increased by 150%. gatherings, corporate events, weddings, graduations, The Cedar Valley Nature Trail spans over 52 miles connect- and so much more. The Linn Conservation Board ap- ing the Linn County metro area to Evansdale. Linn County proved new construction after renovation estimates and Black Hawk County each own and maintain one-half of surpassed the cost of a brand new structure. The orig- the Cedar Valley Nature Trail. After this paving project, only inal “Squaw Creek Lodge” was dedicated in June 1976 13 miles of unpaved areas remain in Linn County and 10 in with a ski lodge theme. It served to accommodate the Black Hawk County. Those areas are currently surfaced adjacent ski hill which was in use until the late 1980s. with crushed limestone. The current Red Cedar Lodge will be razed in Febru- ary with construction of a new $1.15 million facility starting soon after. The new lodge will add air con- ditioning, ADA compliant restrooms, new changing rooms, an enlarged kitchen, and other amenities. Increased storage and energy efficiencies are among the improvements, including connection to sanitary sewer.