Johnson County Heritage Trust
Tammy Richardson
320 Kirkwood Ave., Suite 2
P.O. Box 2523
Iowa City, IA 52244-2523
319.338.7030
Fax: 319.341.2228
info@jcht.org
Johnson County Heritage Trust does not solicit charitable contributions from donors who are residents of Florida, New Jersey, New York and Pennsylvania.
Old Man's Timber (Kansas Ave SW of Iowa City off Highway 1) Saturday, May 11th, 9:00 - noon
Boots are recommended; the walk may be wet and muddy.
The walk will be easy, but may be a mile or more with a few moderate hills.
Intact, relatively undisturbed floodplain forests are a rarity in Iowa.
Come walk through an 80-acre tract of such forests adjacent to two creeks on one side and upland wooded ridges on the other. Woodland owner Larry Weber, a hydraulic engineer, delights in describing the land's hydrology as well as its native features, abundant wildflowers, and his restoration efforts. JCHT Chair of the Board Mark Madsen, an avid birder, will join us to ID warblers (which should be migrating through then) and other birds. This walk should be a real treat!
The woodlands are just southwest of Iowa City.
Driving Directions:
Head southwest out of Iowa City on Highway 1, continue past Menard's about 3 miles, turn left on Kansas Ave (gravel road opposite of Black Diamond Road), continue 1 mile south on Kansas Ave, access trail to property is at the bend in the road.
You are best to park alongside the roadway at the access entrance and walk to the west about 1/4 mile to the site. Signs will be posted along the roadway.
BUYING SHOES FOR A BETTER WORLD
IOWA CITY, IA: From April 19-May 4th Patagonia and local retailer, Active Endeavors have partnered up to support Johnson County Heritage Trust, a non-profit conservation organization. These three organizations have come together to support the planet through local conservation efforts. Throughout these two weeks, for every pair of Patagonia shoes sold at Active Endeavors, each organization will donate $10 to Johnson County Heritage Trust. In addition, each person that purchases a pair of these shoes will receive a complementary membership to Johnson County Heritage Trust for one year. This membership includes the JCHT journal, Heritage, which details their upcoming activities and ways to get involved. Membership also includes voting for the Board of Directors, participating in property acquisition and protection, and connecting with like-minded people.
On April 20th from 11-1:30 Active Endeavors will host a Patagonia Trunk Show, which a Patagonia representative will be on hand to display the entire collection of shoe styles. Orders can be made on the spot, and of course each pair of shoes sold will donate $20 to JCHT and receive a complementary one-year membership to JCHT. To view the selection of shoes you can visit www.shopactiveendeavors.com
April 6, 2013
As many of you know, last year we started a series of monthly nature walks to environmentally significant places in Johnson County. The first was in August to Hickory Hill Park, for a talk about Ralston Creek by Laura Rigal. The second was in September to Lon Drake's butterfly garden and his other restoration projects at Red Bird Park. The third, led by Mark Vitosh and Dick Baker, was a tree and prairie walk at our Turkey Creek Preserve.
The series went indoors for the winter with talks by Peter Hoehnle about the Amana Landscape, Connie Mutel about her experiences and values as a naturalist, and Wayne Petersen about urban water conservation that we co-sponsored with the State Historical Society at its Iowa Avenue second floor library. The last of these will be at noon on Wednesday, April 10, by Larry Stone, former nature and outdoors editor of the Des Moines Register. He will talk about the environmental and historical significance of Motor Mill, the largest and most imposing of the twelve early 19th-century lumber and grain mills on the Turkey River in Clayton County.
In May we plan to start outdoors again, possibly in collaboration with other local environmental organizations. Suggestions about places, topics and leaders are welcome.
March 11, 2013
Family Day at Turkey Creek
May 19 from 1:00 - 3:00
For further information or to become an event sponsor contact us at (319) 338-7030.
October 13, 2012
A Prairie Burn at Belgum Grove
Slow Down Garlic Mustard By Keeping Clean
We are not saying you have to take a shower before you take a walk in the woods, but if you clean your shoes before and when you leave a natural area you can potentially reduce the spread of the non-native invasive plant called garlic mustard (Alliaria petiolata).
Garlic mustard is an undesirable plant that can degrade quality woodlands by crowding-out understory (lower layer) wildflowers and tree seedlings which are critical in maintaining a balanced ecosystem and providing habitat for a variety of wildlife. This plant has been invading Iowa’s woodlands and natural areas at an alarming rate over the last 10 years.
This plant spreads by seeds that are usually mature between July and August, and they can attach to many things including people (boots, shoes, gear, and clothing), pets (fur and feet), deer and other animals, moving water, and tires (bikes, mowing equipment, cars, ATV’s, etc.). You can potentially reduce the spread of garlic mustard by thoroughly cleaning any materials that could come in contact with seed before you leave natural areas that could have established populations of this plant.
There is not one single method that will control the spread of garlic mustard in Iowa (see the following link for plant identification and general management http://www.iowadnr.gov/portals/idnr/uploads/forestry/garlicmustard_brochure.pdf, but when you go for a walk in a local natural area do your part by making sure your foot wear and clothing are clean before you enter and are clean again before you leave.
Join our Property Stewardship Campaign!
We are embarking on a $150,000
three year campaign to raise the seed money
for a sustained professional, proactive
property stewardship program.
The use or possession by the public of firearms and weapons of all kinds is prohibited on all Johnson County Heritage Trust properties except those areas designated as game management areas and subject to the restrictions of the Hunting Policy.
Calendar
Other ways to help JCHT:
Wondering what to do with your stuff?
Johnson County Heritage Trust has an account at STUFF, Etc. Quality Consignment Stores located at 1027 Hwy 6E, Iowa City OR 2818 Commerce Drive, Coralville. All you have to do to assist JCHT is ask that the proceeds from the sale of your items go to Johnson County Heritage Trust.
