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IWTA
Mid-Month
Reminders
Iowa Water Trails Association
October, 2014
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Greetings!
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IWTA isn't advocating for any candidate or position, but we do advocate for an informed and motivated electorate. Do your candidates have positions on water quality, natural resources, outdoor ethics? Do they know that such issues are important to you? There's still time to ask questions, be aware, and get involved. And then VOTE!
 | Fall Colors Along the Cedar River in Linn County.
Photo by Gregg Stark. |
Many Iowans consider October their favorite month to visit a Water Trail. Water levels favor leisurely floats, and provide frequent opportunities to explore sand and gravel bars for natural treasure. The colors and textures will change dramatically over the course of 31 days. The constant flow of migrating visitors will make each day unique. It's a relaxing time, but with a hint of urgency, since we know that the warmth will fade with the colors.
There will be plenty of time to watch football when the snow flies. Now is the time to enjoy the sights, sounds, and smells of Water Trails. Invite a friend, grab your camera, and get out there! Visit the IWTA website: http://iowawatertrails.org/ And please keep us informed via email at: iowawta@gmail.com |
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In the Eddy: Quick Summary of Planning Items
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PLANNING CALENDAR: 
(Dates & Events Not in Newsletter Articles.)
October: Average first frost dates across Iowa. Autumn leaf colors begin to peak, north to south. Many bird species departing from Iowa, or passing through Iowa, as they head for wintering areas.
October 18; Clean Water Act of 1972.
October 22; Orionid Meteor Shower.
October 31; Halloween.
November 4; VOTE!
November 11; Veterans Day.
November 27; Thanksgiving.
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Oct 23; "Archaeology & Cultural History" Program, Decorah
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Join Elizabeth Reetz, Education Director at the Office of the State Archaeologist, as she discusses Iowa's cultural history and the importance of waterways, such as the Upper Iowa River, to that history.
This free, public event will begin at 6:30 pm on October 23 in the Decorah Library, 202 Winnebago, Decorah, IA 52101.
Elizabeth Reetz holds a BA in Anthropology and an MA in Landscape Archaeology. She is particularly interested in late prehistoric cultures of the Midwest, pottery analysis, and community-based archaeology. Her work experience has included time as an archaeologist in the Boundary Waters Canoe Area Wilderness.
This program is free of charge, but preregistration is requested.
Click on the link below to register online:
http://events.constantcontact.com/register/event?llr=oqgqe6jab&oeidk=a07e9rj7dslcf33469e
Online registration will be open through October 21. After that date, please contact Josh Dansdill, 563-864-7112 or email josh@northeastiowarcd.org
This event is cosponsored by Northeast Iowa RC&D, the UI Office of the State Archaeologist, and the Iowa Department of Natural Resources.
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Nov 4; "Archaeology & Cultural History" Program, Hagge Park South of Sac City
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 | | Photo by Sac CCB. |
Join Elizabeth Reetz, Education Director at the Office of the State Archaeologist, as she discusses Iowa's cultural history and the importance of Iowa waterways to that history.
This free, public event will begin at 7:00 pm on November 4 in Hagge Park, South of Sac City, IA.
Elizabeth Reetz holds a BA in Anthropology and an MA in Landscape Archaeology. She is particularly interested in late prehistoric cultures of the Midwest, pottery analysis, and community-based archaeology. Her work experience has included time as an archaeologist in the Boundary Waters Canoe Area Wilderness.
This program is free of charge, but preregistration is requested.
To register, contact Sac County Conservation at 712-662-4530 or sccbnat@frontiernet.net.
This event is cosponsored by Sac County Conservation and the Iowa Department of Natural Resources.
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Next Month; This Space Could Be Yours!
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This could be an article about:
- Your upcoming WT recreation, education, or cleanup event.
- Your upcoming WT organizing or stakeholder event.
- The valuable contributions of your WT volunteers.
- The oldest or youngest users of your WT.
- Your most unique WT programming of 2014.
- Your most successful WT program ideas.
- What you learned from a less-than-successful WT event.
- What you believe to be the most valuable contributions of WTs to Iowa.
- Your request for assistance on how to address a WT challenge, create a WT opportunity, or solve a WT problem.
Whatever you are proud of, concerned for, or wondering about, your WT community is here to provide support. Just tap in to your resources.
Contact us at iowawta@gmail.com
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Iowa Winter 2015 Events Seeking Your Ideas, Support, & Involvement
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 | | Black Hawk County Naturalist Chris Anderson advocated for children in the outdoors and "thrifty" paddling gear selection during the inaugural NE Iowa Paddlefest. |
Whether you want to plan to avoid conflicts, plan to attend, or plan to participate as a presenter or exhibitor, here are the dates of some key early 2015 events of interest to WT organizers or users. Most of these events are recruiting low- or no-cost presenters, and offer opportunities for exhibits, displays, or a table for literature about your WT, event, or paddling group. These events also provide a valuable and enjoyable opportunity to develop or renew contacts across our community.
January 24; Paddle Day at Indian Creek Nature Center in Cedar Rapids. Will be the 8th annual gathering of paddlers and friends of the outdoors. Send your speaker or topic recommendations to Education Facilitator Jan Aiels at jaiels@indiancreeknaturecenter.org Also, let Jan know if your organization would like to have a water &/or paddling-related display.
February 3; Iowa Rivers Revival Legislative Reception in Des Moines. Opportunity to develop legislative relationships, in a casual setting, on behalf of the health of our 70,000 miles of Iowa rivers. Contact Executive Director Roz Lehman at rlehman@iowarivers.org. Visit IRR at http://www.iowarivers.org
February 6-8; Paddle and Pedal Expo at CanoeSport America in Indianola. Grand-Daddy of the Iowa paddler gatherings, considered an "Iowa Homecoming" for supporters of paddling and river stewardship. Forward program or presentation suggestions to owners Jeff and Casey Holmes: jeff@canoesportoutfitters.com
February 8-11; PRRSUM 6th Annual UMSRS in Dubuque. Deciphering all those letters, the Partnership for River Restoration and Science in the Upper Midwest will host its 6th annual Upper Midwest Stream Restoration Symposium in Dubuque. With stream restoration showing signs of gaining traction in the Iowa legislature, this could be a unique and convenient opportunity to network with practitioners in our "neighborhood." More info at http://www.prrsum.org/
March 13-15; Canoecopia in Madison, WI. Not an Iowa event, but draws a lot of WT folks from our state, and our Iowa exhibitor presence is growing.
March 21; NE Iowa Paddlefest in Cedar Falls. Second year for this event, based on a successful first. Forward ideas for topics or presenters to Black Hawk County Naturalist Chris Anderson: chris.hrnc@gmail.com
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Expanded IDNR 2014 WT Education Programs Available for Fall & Winter
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The "float season" is drawing to a close, but please keep in mind that most of the 2014 topics can be enjoyed as indoor presentations during the fall and winter. Contact Todd Robertson, Outreach Coordinator for DNR River Programs, at 515-979-9538 or todd.robertson@dnr.iowa.gov .
Aquatic Insects; Jacklyn Gautsch, Biologist IDNR Watershed Monitoring & Assessment.
Discover the interesting adaptations & life cycle of aquatic invertebrates which dwell below the water surface.
Freshwater Mussels; Jennifer Kurth, Natural Resources Biologist in IDNR Watershed Improvement Section.
Meet these valuable components of freshwater biodiversity-Mother Nature's water filters.
Geologic History of Iowa River Valleys; Geologists from IDNR Geology & Groundwater Section.
Learn about the origin & evolution of Iowa's river valleys & the surrounding upland landscape.
River Critters & Wild Life; Wildlife and Interpretive Specialist Dr. Jim Pease.
Find & understand the wide variety of interconnected wildlife along Iowa's rivers, from birds & mammals to trees & shrubs.
Riparian Plant Program; IDNR Botanist John Pearson.
Learn to recognize the trees, shrubs, & wildflowers which inhabit our waterways, lakeshores, riverbanks & floodplains.
Iowa's Archaeological Past, A History of Iowa Cultural History; OSA Staff Cherie Haury-Artz & Elizabeth Reetz.
Reflect on the importance of Iowa's water trails to various people and cultures through time.
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We Hope That You Are Enjoying the IWTA Newsletter
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The mission of the IWTA is to facilitate the exchange of information, ideas and encouragement among Iowans working to create, enhance, or utilize our water trails. That is only possible with your support and participation.
We hope that you will continue to share your events, reports, ideas, quiz topics, and suggestions with us at iowawta@gmail.com.
If you are not one of the over 1,000 Iowans who currently subscribe to this free, monthly email IWTA Newsletter, please click on the convenient "Join Our Mailing List" button to get on board.
And, please share the IWTA Newsletter with your friends via the "Forward this email" or "Share on Social Media" buttons.
Sincerely,
Gregg Stark
Editor, Iowa Water Trails Association Newsletter
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