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PRAIRIE PLANTS

In mid-July various prairie plants were planted under the birdfeeders on the south side of the Nature Center.  The staff of the Cerro Gordo County Conservation Board decided which plants would be best to plant.  The goal for this project is to establish an aesthetically pleasing, local ecotype short-grass prairie, with a diversity of colorful and unique forbs, which bloom throughout the year.  Currently there are tongue depressors next to each plant for two reasons.  The first reason is to help identify plants from weeds at this early stage.  The second reason is to educate the visitors at Lime Creek Nature Center.  Each tongue depressor is labeled with an abbreviation of the plant it is next to.  Most of the plants will not bloom this year, but next summer the site will be a very beautiful one to see.

The following photos are a few of the plants you will find in the prairie planting:

Pale Purple Coneflower

Roadside Planting with Butterfly Milkweed, Purple Prairie Clover and

Yellow Coneflower

Local Sportsmen Receive "Friend of Lime Creek" Award

The Lime Creek Nature Center Foundation presented their "Friend of Lime Creek" award to Don Plagge and Dale Plath, both of Mason City, at their board meeting on Tuesday, April 7, at the Lime Creek Nature Center.  Plagge and Plath were recognized for their many years of service as volunteers for Lime Creek Nature Center programs.

Plagge and Plath, both avid outdoorsmen, have been assisting with the Cerro Gordo County Conservation Board's (CGCCB) annual Ice Fishing Event since its inception over 10 years ago.  At the events they drill numerous holes and help participants find fish and use proper fishing techniques.

The two have also volunteered their time for many other educational events sponsored by the Lime Creek Nature Center and CGCCB, and both have served on the nature center foundation board.

The "Friend of Lime Creek" award was created to honor individuals, families, and organizations for exceptional efforts in the area of conservation education and support of the Lime Creek Nature Center's mission, said Todd Von Ehwegen, Natural Resource Manager-Environmental Education for the Cerro Gordo County Conservation Board.

"I would like to commend Don and Dale for their service to Lime Creek," Von Ehwegen said.  "They are very skilled outdoorsmen who have done a great job of sharing their knowledge and introducing people of all ages to fishing and other outdoor activities."

Deb Tesar, President LCNC Foundation, presents Don Plagge (left)

and Dale Plath (right) with the Friend of Lime Creek Award.

MURAL IS COMPLETE!

The mural in the Lime Creek Nature Center Auditorium has been completed by Jan Kostka (see Jan's description of the mural below)!  This beautiful painting of a marsh in early September is now the focal point of the Charles E. Strickland Auditorium.  In addition to its obvious value as a work of art, it is also very educational, and will be used as a learning tool during pond study activities in the auditorium.

The Delicate Balance We Hold in Our Hands

The mural by Jan Kostka depicts a marsh in early September.  We must take it to heart to become good stewards of the land, to protect it, treasure it, love it, and educate others about conservation strategies.  (Do you see the symbolic heart of pond water in the hands?)

The artist wanted to create a scene that symbolizes the beauty found right here in north iowa.  She is very concerned about the protection of wetlands and wildlife habitat.  Even though 95% of Iowa's prairie wet lands have been drained, we must secure the future of our natural resources.

The mural was completed in February of 2009, taking 96 hours to complete.  Although not all inclusive, thirty-seven reference photographs were combined to create this representative scene.

ALL SYSTEMS GO FOR ALTERNATIVE ENERGY PROJECT AT LIME CREEK

The Lime Creek Nature Center's wind energy project is completed and fully operational.

The latest addition, a computer touch screen display inside the center, is currently monitoring the system's wind and solar energy output and weather conditions.  This display is available to nature center visitors for a "hands-on" educational experience with the alternative energy system.  The public is invited and encouraged to stop out and give it a try!

Plans are in the works to develop a curriculum for school students to help them learn about alternative energy systems in the classroom and on field trips to Lime Creek Nature Center.

Interpretive signage will also be added to the touch screen display to make it more user friendly for nature center visitors.

The 35-foot, 2,500 watt wind turbine provides an impressive site and can be viewed at "close range" on the restored prairie north of the parking lot.  Eight 130-watt solar panels can be observed on the open air shelter located in the picnic area adjacent to the restored prairie.

These two components have been installed to create a "hybrid" alternative energy system that provides power to the Cerro Gordo County Conservation Board shop, where the power generated by this system is stored in eight 6-volt batteries.  Two 3,600 watt DC/AC inverters convert stored power from the batteries into usable electricity for the shop.

The goal is for the solar panels and turbine to provide 100% power for the shop, but the system will automatically revert to standard electricity if necessary.  The system also has the capability to run off of the batteries if the utility grid goes down.

The total cost for this project was $87,965.  Half of it was funded by the conservation board's Resource Enhancement and Protection (REAP) account, and the other half by the Lime Creek Nature Center Foundation's Dorothy Curtis Trust account.

The Lime Creek Nature Center's alternative energy system provides a demonstrational facility for renewable energy; specifically a hybrid (solar/wind) system to show integration into existing buildings.  This cost-effective system reduces carbon emissions and supports a healthier natural environment in accord with the nature center's educational mission.

For more information on this project, contact the Lime Creek Nature Center at 641-423-5309.

NEW NATURE CENTER SIGN

The next time you visit Lime Creek Nature Center take a look at our attractive new sign!  This unique 100% plastic sign was purchased from Wood Product Signs of Parlin, Colorado.

It is constructed of laminated plastic made from recycled milk jugs.  Purchasing products made from recycled materials is important as it “closes the loop” by creating a market for items made of recycled products.

The sign will require little or no maintenance and should last for many years.

WINNER!  Iowa’s Outstanding County Conservation Board Environmental Education Program Award for 2006.