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The Des Moines
Ike Newsletter
DES MOINES
CHAPTER NEWSLETTER
DEFENDERS OF SOIL, AIR, WOODS,
WATERS, AND WILDLIFE
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Notes
From President, Tom Holm
More on Wetlands
in the USA
When we say “Wetlands” most of us envision a marshy area with
tall grass, cat tails and other such aquatic plants. But what,
exactly, is a wetland? Scientists generally agree that a wetland
can be identified by a certain combination of soils, plants, and
wetness. A wetland can contain either fresh or salt water
depending on its location. However, others may be wet, or
contain water, for only short periods of time during a given
year. They are typically areas that separate dry land from open
water. Sometimes they are covered with a shallow layer of water,
but some are also dry for part of the year. Some never have
visible water, but the soil is usually damp.
Wetlands are found in every state. The most famous is the
Florida Everglades, which is also touted as the world’s largest
marsh. The lower 48 states contained more than 200 million acres
of wetlands until the early 1900’s, but this has now declined to
about 105 million acres. For many years they were viewed as
“wastelands” providing few benefits to people, but now, are
widely recognized as one of the Earth’s most important
ecosystems.
(The above is an excerpt from the IWLA “Wetland Sights and
Sounds” Newsletter)
May is American Wetlands Month and between now and May, I will
include additional wetland information in this newsletter.
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Thanks for
Your Help!
Although a little late, we wanted to express our appreciation
for your generous efforts.
To Sonny Satre, Bill Radnich, Jerry & Deb Starrett, Kevin
Freymiller, John Dautremont, Geno & Merrie Cataldo, Wayne &
Sally Kozak, Jack Eaton, Scott Charter and Don Richman for
your help at the Home Show.
To Jim Peter, a special thanks for trimming all the trees on
our Club House Grounds.
Volunteers
Needed
Volunteers are needed to help with the following projects:
April 23 – Pick up litter at Big Creek State Park
May 7 – Spring clean-up of DSM Ikes’ Chapter grounds –
9 am
May 14 – Assist Polk County Conservation Board with
tree planting at new Wells Fargo Events Center site.
If available on any of these dates and you want a sense of
accomplishment coupled with enjoyable camaraderie, contact
Sonny Satre and sign up for one of these projects.
Hillbilly
Auction Coming April 19th
This is the time of year when many of us turn our attention to
spring cleaning. We come across things we haven’t used in
years and our only recollection of them is seeing them during
previous spring cleanings. We go back to the same debate. Do I
throw it away or find a suitable storage place. Well, there is
another alternative. Set it aside for the Ike’s Hillbilly
Auction. You will clear up some storage space and at the same
time benefit the Uncle Ikes program. This year, if you have a
large item and need assistance in moving it, help can be
provided.
Please check the next newsletter for more details or call Mike
Roland.
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Calendar of
Events
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April 6-10 – Lake
Taneycomo Fishing Trip
April 12 - S.O.S. Meeting 6 to 7 pm
April 16 – Earth Day, Neal Smith Area –
8:30 to Noon
April 19 – Hillbilly Auction |
April 23 – Big
Creek Clean-up
April 29 & 30 – State Convention
May 7– Spring Clean-up Chapter Grounds – 9 am
May 12 – Kids Water Festival @ DMACC
May 13 & 14 – Ikes Crappiethon, Rathbun |
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Menus and Program
April 5 – Prime Rib
– Program: Mark Dungan, Forester/Arborist, Polk Co. Cons. Bd.
April 12 – Iowa Chops – Program: Kevin Szcodronski, DNR Bureau Chief
of State Parks – Current State Park Issues
IMPORTANT NOTICES:
April 6
through 10 is the Trout Fishing Outing at Lake Taneycomo, Branson
Mo., Tanglewood Lodge. There are still a few openings, (at this
writing), but they are going fast. If interested in some great fun and
fishing contact Joe Gavin at the Club or 961-3377 or Cell phone
515-681-4694.
April 23 we will be picking up litter at Big Creek State Park,
north of Polk City. Volunteers are needed. Please contact Sonny Satre
if you can help.
Hunter Safety Education class tentative schedule, held from 6 pm to
9:30pm:
July 11, 13 & 14
Aug. 22, 24 & 25
Sept. 19, 21 & 22
You must attend all three days of a session to receive your
certificate. To reserve a spot, call the Club House office at
244-3773. (Note: Dates are subject to change)
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