NEWS & EVENTS
NEWS
EVENTS
News
Updated 2-08-10
Iowa Junior Duck Stamp Contest
Entries for the 2010 Iowa Junior Duck Stamp Contest need to be sent to the Neal Smith National Wildlife Refuge and postmarked by March 15, 2010. The contest is open to all students in K-12 grades. The entries are judged in four grade groups with the top 100 winners in each state receiving ribbons. The Best of Show winner is sent to Washington, D.C. to participate in the national contest. The top three national winners receive $5,000, $3,000 and $1,000 respectively. The winning image of the national contest will be printed on the 2010 Junior Duck Stamp. For more information and contest regulations, go to Federal Duck Stamp Program Please call Doreen Van Ryswyk at the Neal Smith National Wildlife Refuge 515/994-3400 or e-mail at Doreen_VanRyswyk@fws.gov with questions.
Fall 2009 Newsletter
The fall issue of the Prairie Winds newsletter has been published. Follow this link for a pdf copy. Newsletter (349KB)
Scholarship Program
The Friends announce a $1,000 annual scholarship program for a graduating student from Prairie City-Monroe (PCM) High School. One student each year will be awarded the scholarship. New scholarships will be awarded annually. Students winning the award may re-apply for up to four years total. Requirements are based on high school academic records, college academic achievement and the understanding that the student work toward a 2 or 4-year degree in conservation or environmental related studies. Deadline for applications is April 16, 2010.
For full requirements and application contact Casey McMurray, PCM Guidance Counselor, (641) 259-2315 or cmcmurray@pcmonroe.k12.ia.us
Refuge Activities
Seed cleaning continued in the seed lab. Viste-Sparkman and volunteer Yentis provided training to volunteers in processing and cleaning the seed and using lab equipment. Heavy snow in early December put an end to seed collection efforts for the season.
A total of 256 walk-in visitors visited the Prairie Learning Center, with another 10 people attending meetings at the Visitor Center. Visitor Services staff provided interpretation to 10 visitors. Total visitation was estimated at 3,990 . *NOTE- This area has had one of the snowiest Decembers on record which caused the visitor center to close one day and many days travel was difficult.
Nancy Gilbertson - refuge manager, retired on December 31st after 11 years at Neal Smith and thirty years with the FWS.
In spite of an early winter storm and the approaching holidays the volunteers were busy here at NSNWR in December. Even with refuge closures this month bookstore volunteers still contributed over 200 hours this month. A dozen volunteers participated in Second Saturday Stewardship activities on the twelfth making a Hugh dent in remaining seedlab stock.
Prairie Learning Center
Room Rentals
The Prairie Learning Center has two meeting spaces available for rent, a small conference room and a large conference room. See the following brochure for a description, fees and requirementsCenter Information
Iowa Native Plant Database
This plant database is designed to help you identify what plant species are native to Iowa The database serves as a learning tool by providing descriptive information about individual plants.
All About Birds
Birding 123, Bird Guide, and everything you wanted to know about birds and birding at Cornell Lab of Ornithology All About Birds
Events
Updated 01-13-10
Secord Saturday Stewardship Workday -
February 13, 9:00 a.m.Encounter fellow prairie enthusiasts and actively participate in helping the refuge. Meet at the Prairie Learning Center for task assignments and instructions.
An e-mail description of the up coming workday is sent about once a month. If you would like to be added to the list, send Jonathan an e-mail at jyentis@msn.com
Upcoming Events for 2010 -
2010 is upon us and we have a lot of fun events and activities to look forward to this year. Here is a list of events and dates so you can start marking those calendars now!
March 14th, 2010: Linking Girls to the Land – stewardship day for girlscouts
April 17th, 2010: Earth Day – public stewardship day
May 8th, 2010: International Migratory Bird Day and Jr Duck Stamp Celebration
September 11th, 2010: Monarch Madness – public monarch tagging day
September 25th, 2010: Buffalo Day/Public Lands Day
October 2nd, 2010: Volunteer Bus Trip
October 9th, 2010: Ding Darling Day – public stewardship day
November 6th, 2010: Volunteer Recognition
Remember to keep checking at the visitor center and on our website for more events throughout the year
Adopt-a-trail program Are you affiliated with a Civic Association, Church, Youth or Scouting group?
Is your group looking for an opportunity for a valuable on-going community service project?
Then check out the Adopt-a-trail program at the Neal Smith National Wildlife Refuge. The 5,600 acre refuge, dedicated to the reconstruction of Tall Grass prairie, was established in 1991 as one of the largest ecological restoration efforts in the federal refuge system. The goal of the Adopt-a-Trail program is to improve the quality of the prairie plantings along our primary hiking trails for the enjoyment of our visitors and the continued enhancement of the prairie.
The program provides Individuals, groups and families an opportunity to adopt up to a 50'x25' plot along the trail and tend it, to include helping to plant native seeds or seedlings, and remove non-native or invasive plants. This is a great hands-on learning opportunity! Training is provided by staff or our many experienced volunteers. There is no set schedule for participation; your group is welcome to work your plot anytime between sunrise to sunset throughout the spring, summer and fall. We ask that you commit at least 2 visits per month during the growing season.
For additional information on Adopt-a-trail,please call Al Murray at (515) 994-3400 or E-mail AL Murray at Al_Murray@fws.gov
- U.S. Fish and Wildlife Special Events Calendar for all Refuges
For more information on any of these activities, call the refuge at 515-994-3400
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