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IWTA 

Mid Month 

Reminders 

 
Iowa Water Trails Association 
 
February, 2015  
PICK, CLICK and READ
HELP CREATE THE FUTURE OF YOUR IWTA
In the Eddy: Planning Items Not In the Articles
Feb 17 REAP & Environmental Lobby Day at Capitol
Mar 7 Start Wildlife Diversity Volunteer Training Sessions; Chickadee Checkoff donations Due by Apr 15
Mar 7 & Apr 25 Focus on Photography
Mar 13-15 Canoecopia in Madison, WI
Mar 21 NE Iowa PaddleFest in Cedar Falls
Begin Apr IOWATER Training Dates
Canoe & Kayak School Classes Filling Fast
Thanks to IWTA Readers

QUICK LINKS
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We're all in this together.

Participants in the Feb 3 IRR Legislative Reception included many IWTA Newsletter readers.  And it was great to visit with some of you at the Feb 6-8 Iowa Paddle & Pedal Expo in Indianola. If you are a new subscriber who picked up an IWTA bookmark with newsletter and website info at the IWTA display, "Welcome Aboard!"


IWTA will not have a display at the Tuesday, Feb 17 REAP/Environmental Lobby Day at the Iowa Capitol, but your editor will be wandering the aisles, mingling with exhibitors, and visiting with legislators. If you notice the name tag, please say, "Hi!"


Vern Fish reports that he has secured a third participant, but is open to a fourth for a summer 2015 Wilderness Adventure on the Cochrane/Thlewiaza Rivers, Saskatchewan to Manitoba.  Vern presented on last summer's trip down the Blood River during the CSO Expo in Indianola.  If you may be up for a big paddling adventure, contact him at [email protected], 319-215-7830.

 

Please note the additional "Quick Links" to the finalized IWTA 2015 Planning Calendar (over 100 events, holidays, & full moon times) and full results of the IWTA Newsletter Survey, along with a direct link to the IWTA website.

 

Our current "Future of IWTA" survey may require a bit of contemplation, but no one can give us guidance on this better than YOU.  Please take a few minutes to weigh in.

 

IWTA's Future Relies on You!   Please Share Your Ideas, Suggestions, & Concerns.

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Moving beyond the current level of an IWTA Newsletter and Website would require definition of organization purpose, and then identification of sufficient commitment and resources to create and sustain the effort. 

 

Before any such initiative is even considered, we would like to learn your thoughts concerning the appropriate future for the Iowa Water Trails Association. 


Your investment of a few minutes to complete this survey would be greatly appreciated:

 

 

The survey allows more than one response per email address, and all members of your household are encouraged to respond, but please limit yourselves to one response per person.

 

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In the Eddy:  Quick Summary of Planning Items

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PLANNING CALENDAR: 

(Dates & Events Not in Newsletter Articles.)

February is an ideal time to broadcast native seed.  Planting now gives 

Mother Nature time to stratify seeds and work them into the ground through freeze-thaw cycles.

Feb 14; Valentine's Day.

Feb 21; Iowa Games Indoor Paddling Venue in Charles City,  http://www.iowagames.org/Sports/WinterGames/IndoorPaddling.aspx 

Mar 2-3 Iowa Water Conference at Iowa State Center in Ames

Explore current trends across water resource management in 

both urban and rural landscapes. 

http://www.iowadnr.gov/Environment/WaterQuality/WaterMonitoring/IOWATER/

Mar 5; Full Moon.

Mar 8; Daylight Savings Time Begins, set clocks ahead 1 hr.

Mar 18; St. Patrick's Day.

Mar 20; Vernal Equinox, First Day of Spring.

 

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Feb 17; REAP & Environmental Lobby Day at Capitol; IWTA Readers Are Invited!

Iowa Env & REAP Day 2014
Rotunda gathering during the 
2014 REAP & Environmental Lobby Day 
at the Iowa Capitol.    G.Stark photo.

The Iowa Environmental Council invites IWTA readers to participate in the 

2015 REAP & Environmental Lobby Day
Tuesday, February 17, from 9 am - 1 pm
Iowa State Capitol, 1007 E Grand Ave., Des Moines

Each year, organizations and individuals from across the state come together at the Iowa State Capitol to speak with legislators about the importance of protecting Iowa's natural resources at Environmental Lobby Day and REAP Day at the Capitol.

 

Speaking face-to-face with legislators and showing that there is a broad base of support for a healthy environment is one of the most important ways to help advance programs and policies that protect Iowa's air, water and land.

 

The main event will be held from 9 am-1 pm, but training sessions and exhibitor setup are scheduled earlier in the morning.  Find more about the event's purpose, schedule, exhibitors, speakers, & RSVP at: 

http://www.iaenvironment.org/envirolobbyday.php

 

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Chickadee Check-off (Fish/Wildlife Fund) Needs Your Support by Apr 15

Mar 7 is Start of Wildlife Diversity Volunteer Training Workshops

Chickadee Checkoff Logo The "Chickadee Check-off" was enacted in 1981, offering Iowans the option of voluntarily donating part of their tax refund when they file.  It was created to provide funding to aid all Iowa wildlife, but especially the state's nongame species. This funding source led to creation of the Wildlife Diversity Program.

 

While Iowans still refer to it as the Chickadee Check-off, it is now identified as the "Fish/Wildlife" fund on a line near the end of the tax form.  Simply enter the amount you would like to donate on that line.  Your entire donation goes to the Wildlife Diversity program.  There are no admin fees, and your donation is tax deductible on the next year's filing.

 

Annual Chickadee Check-off funding peaked at over $200,000 in the late 1980's, diminished to just above $100,000 by 2009, and has slowly recovered through last spring, when 8,000 Iowa taxpayers (1/2 of 1%) donated $136,000.  Taxpayer participation has probably been negatively impacted by the use of tax preparers and electronic filing, which diminish taxpayer visibility to, and awareness of, this valuable option.

 

Learn more about the Iowa DNR Wildlife Diversity Program, & access the 2015 Bald Eagle Watch events schedule:

http://www.iowadnr.gov/Environment/WildlifeStewardship/NonGameWildlife.aspx 

Subscribe to the Wildlife Diversity Program Newsletter:

Contact Pat Schlarbaum by e-mail, [email protected] or phone (515-432-2823 ext. 104).

Consider becoming one of the volunteers essential to monitoring over 1,000 species of Iowa wildlife:

http://www.iowadnr.gov/Environment/WildlifeStewardship/NonGameWildlife/VolunteerWildlifeSurveys.aspx 


 

IDNR Wildlife Diversity LogoWILDLIFE DIVERSITY VOLUNTEER TRAINING WORKSHOPS


Workshops require a $10 registration fee which pays for training materials, a meal, subscription to our monthly newsletter, a frog and toad call CD or bird identification guide, and certification costs. To register, please download and complete the registration form for the desired workshop and return it with the $10 fee to: VWMP; Boone Wildlife Research Station; 1436 255th St.; Boone, IA 50036. Registration for each workshop will be first come, first served.

Volunteer Wildlife Monitoring Workshop Registration Form

Bird Nest Monitoring Workshops 
 
Anyone interested in being a Bald Eagle Nest Monitor must participate in some training.
 

March 7, 2015 WAPELLO COUNTY Pioneer Ridge Area and Nature Center south of Ottumwa. 10:00 am to 3 pm (with Wapello County Conservation)

March 14, 2015 DALLAS COUNTY Forest Park Museum near Perry, IA. 10:00 am to 3 pm (with Dallas County Consevation)

 

Frog and Toad Call Survey Workshops 
 
Anyone interested in participating in the Frog and Toad Call Survey must attend a training.
 

April 10, 2015 SCOTT COUNTY Wapsi River Educational Center near Dixon, IA 5:30 pm to 9:00 pm (with Scott County Conservation)

April 13, 2015 DALLAS COUNTY Forest Park Museum near Perry, IA. 5:30 pm to 9:00 pm (with Dallas County Conservation)

April 16, 2015  SAC COUNTY Sac County Conservation Center at Hagge Park, Sac City, IA. 5:30 pm to 9 pm (with Sac County Conservation)

 

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Mar 7 & Apr 25, Focus on Photography Learning Opportunities

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While neither of these photography learning opportunities is focused exclusively on outdoor photography, they both include excellent presenters and content at minimal cost. 

 

Mar 7; Photographer's Feast, Photography Workshop, 

WIU Quad Cities, 9:00am-2:00pm, tips for shooting around our region-architecture, landscape, nature, people, events, documentary, plus walk-around poster session/Q&A  with equipment suppliers.  $5 fee, preregistration required. www.RiverAction.org   

 

Apr 25; Linn Area Photo Club, Canon "Explorers of Light" Seminar, Award-Winning Photographer Eddie Tapp, Cedar Rapids.  9:30am-4:30pm.  Learn about Tapp and his work at http://eddietapp.com/  Event is free, but preregistration is required.

Seminar preregistration info at http://linnareaphotoclub.org/ 

 

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Mar 13-15; Canoecopia in Madison, WI

Charles City Exhibit
Charles City WhiteWater, Cedar Falls Tourism,
& Dubuque's River Museum were among
Iowa exhibitors at 2014 Canoecopia.
G.Stark photo.

It may seem a bit odd to plug an event not held in Iowa, but Iowa tourism groups, special events, and unique attractions continue to expand their promotional presence to the thousands of folks attending the world's largest paddling sports show.  

 

The 3-day "Canoecopia," sponsored by retailer Rutabaga, has grown over 25 years to include 100 presenters, 200 exhibitors, and 250,000 sq.ft. of display area at the Alliant Center in Madison, WI.


Whether or not you choose to part with any of your Iowa dollars, it's a lot of fun and a great source for information and ideas.  More info at:

http://www.canoecopia.com/canoecopia/page.asp?pgid=1001

 

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Mar 21; NE Iowa PaddleFest in Cedar Falls

NE Iowa PFest Siefkin in Pool
Darin Siefkin positions paddler during
in-pool demo at  2014 NE Iowa PaddleFest.
G.Stark photo.

Black Hawk County Conservation invites you to join them at River Hills School in Cedar Falls, IA for the Second Annual Northeast Iowa PaddleFest.  The inaugural PaddleFest event was so successful, and so much fun, they just had to do it again!

  • Keynote speaker Gene Ott of Packsack Canoe Trips, Ely, MN.
  • Updates on paddling opportunities around NE Iowa.
  • How to make your own lightweight wood gasifier stove.
  • Bring your trip videos to share.
  • Multiple concurrent presentations.
  • Demo training sessions in the HEATED therapy pool.
  • Lunch will be served for those who pre-register. 
$15 per person (pre-registered); $20 walk ins.  

More info & preregistration at NE Iowa PaddleFest

 

Beginning April, IOWATER Introductory Training Dates, Volunteers Needed

IOWATER Logo

Facing similar budget pressures as most areas of state government, Iowa's citizen volunteer water monitoring program, IOWATER, relies even more heavily on those trained citizens to conduct basic water chemical, physical and biological measurements.  Volunteers are provided with the tools, equipment, and training to understand and help protect Iowa's valuable water resources.  You are encouraged to register and participate in any of the training session dates listed below. If you are already a trained volunteer, but possibly discouraged by recent problems reporting your data, a new website is now up and running.

 

IOWATER Introductory Training dates for 2015, so far. 

April 30, 8:30 am-4:30 pm; Osceola, location TBD

May 9, 8:30 am-4:30 pm; Indian Creek Nature Center, 6665 Otis Road SE, Cedar Rapids, IA 52403

June 19, 8:30 am-4:30 pm; Upper Iowa University, Baker-Hebron Bldg, Rm 106; 605 Washington St., Fayette, IA 52142

June 26, 8:30 am-4:30 pm; Des Moines, 11730 SE 6th, Runnells, IA 50237 (ELC facility)

 

IOWATER also reminds us of the Mar 2-3 Iowa Water Conference at Iowa State Center in Ames. Attendees will explore current trends across water resource management in both urban and rural landscapes, with a particular emphasis on the interconnected nature of our water resources, and the opportunities this offers for collaboration.
 
 

More info at http://www.iowadnr.gov/Environment/WaterQuality/WaterMonitoring/IOWATER/

Or email [email protected]

 

Beginning May, IDNR Canoe & Kayak School Registrations Filling Fast

Canoe School Boone River by Todd Robertson
Canoe School on the Boone River.
Photo by Todd Robertson

From Todd Robertson, IDNR River Programs Outreach Coordinator:

 

"The Iowa DNR 2-day Canoe/Kayak School courses (including a one-day flat-water class) are a great way to improve skills for people who help get others out on the water. You are expected to have some previous experience, but not expertise. The intent is to increase safety, lower stress, have fun, and pay knowledge forward, based on American Canoe Association instructional foundations. Time is divided between some classroom and hands-on experience on a lake environment and then a river.

 

"Participants from past schools rated the training extremely helpful. They were also surprised by how much there was to learn and how intensive this course is. The one-day flat-water class will be held at Gray's Lake in Des Moines. All of the two-day classes will be held along the Boone River at Briggs Woods, in Hamilton County. By popular demand, we have added a second kayak school for this year. Class size is limited, and these classes will fill up fast."

 

Details about course content, accommodations, gear to bring, & registration forms for all classes: 

http://www.iowadnr.gov/Recreation/CanoeingKayaking/PaddlerResources/InstructionSafety.aspx 

For any questions, contact Todd Robertson at 515-979-9538 or 515-725-2960 or email: [email protected]

 

May 21; "Flat-Water Essentials" IDNR Canoe School for Naturalists, Scout Leaders, Youth Group Instructors.  Gray's Lake, Des Moines. Focus on skills, hazard ID, teaching & learning styles.  One day, canoes & equip provided, ACA instructors, $25, limited space, preregistration required. 

May 27-28; IDNR Canoe School for Naturalists & Trip Leaders.  Briggs Woods Park, Boone River. Focus on skills, hazard ID, teaching & learning styles, risk management.  Two days, for canoes only, ACA instructors, $25, limited space, preregistration required. 

Jun 9-10; IDNR Kayak School for Naturalists & Trip Leaders.  Briggs Woods Park, Boone River. Focus on skills, hazard ID, teaching & learning styles, risk management.  Two days, for kayaks only, ACA instructors, $25, limited space, preregistration required. 

Jun 24-25; IDNR Canoe School for Naturalists & Trip Leaders.  Briggs Woods Park, Boone River. Focus on skills, hazard ID, teaching & learning styles, risk management.  Two days, for canoes only, ACA instructors, $25, limited space, preregistration required. 

Aug 5-6; IDNR Kayak School for Naturalists & Trip Leaders.  Briggs Woods Park, Boone River. Focus on skills, hazard ID, teaching & learning styles, risk management.  Two days, for kayaks only, ACA instructors, $25, limited space, preregistration required. 

Aug 25-26; IDNR Canoe School for Naturalists & Trip Leaders.  Briggs Woods Park, Boone River. Focus on skills, hazard ID, teaching & learning styles, risk management.  Two days, for canoes only, ACA instructors, $25, limited space, preregistration required. 

Sep 15-16; IDNR Canoe School for Naturalists & Trip Leaders.  Briggs Woods Park, Boone River. Focus on skills, hazard ID, teaching & learning styles, risk management.  Two days, for canoes only, ACA instructors, $25, limited space, preregistration required. 

 

We Hope That You Are Enjoying the IWTA Newsletter
IDNR Blue Trash Bag
Reusable blue trash bags help remove trash,
& deliver the message "Keep It Clean, Keep It Fun."
Be sure to have some available to
distribute during your spring WT events.  
Contact Water Trails Outreach Coordinator
Todd Robertson at   [email protected].

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. 

 

Please continue to share your events, reports, ideas, quiz topics, and suggestions with us at [email protected].  Thank you for your continuing support and encouragement.

 

If you are not one of the over 1,100 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