I would like to update you on the happenings of the State Preserves Board.

Neil Bernstein is the new chair.

The group reviewed activities with Rock Island Preserve and the adjoining
Jones Property that was recently donated to the Linn County Conservation
Board.  The DNR, Linn County Conservation Board, and DOT are conducting field
studies this year and in 2003.  The Byssus Skipper, threatened butterfly, has
been found again this year.  Ornate box turtles are on the west side of the
Cedar River in the proposed Highway 100 corridor.  The habitat in the Jones
Property, on the east side of the river, matches that of the west, so the
ornate box turtle may be found there.  A revised management plan was
distributed, which will be discussed in greater detail at the next Preserves
Board meeting.

The Banister-McGregor Woods, near Jefferson, was discussed as being added to
the preserve.  Work will continue in getting species identified and a
management plan developed.  This area was described as spectacular.  It is
scenic, has a lowland forest, is free of invasives.  It also has historic
significance.  The bridge of the old Lincoln Highway is on the National
Register of Historic Places.  President Eisenhower did a cross-country
encampment, while he was in the military, to determine if troops could be
moved across the country in wartime -- one of his encampments is in this
area.  There is a significant encampment site that was occupied by Indians.

The group discussed making land a preserve when there is an issue about a
highway being built.  This has come up in both the Highway 100 project and
McGegor Woods.  The question is taking quicker action, which would avoid the
highway but preserve the area.  Jeff Vonk says they should not dedicate a
preserve to avoid a highway, they need to look at all of the requirements for
a preserve as stated in the statute.

Black Hawk County wants to include Hartman Woods in the Preserve System.
This area will be toured by the Preserves Board in October.  It has a lowland
forest of mature oak trees.  It also has ridges of oak and hickory.

The group discussed adding DeLong Woods near Grinnell to the Preserve System.
 Dr. DeLong has been restoring a savannah habitat.  It is also wooded.  This
area will be toured in 2003 and discussed after the tour.

Toward the end of the meeting Strasser Woods was discussed.  Someone had
dumped solid waste at the preserve and was burning the junk on the preserve.
The person was caught.  The most interesting part of the discussion was
whether Strasser Woods should even be a preserve.  The discussion moved to
the question of should any preserve be de-listed and when.  Someone started
discussing the invasion of non-natives, such as garlic mustard, and said that
if you get a serious invasion, then it might mean that the preserve status
would be in question.  There will be more discussion about de-listing in a
later meeting.

The fish kill at White Pine Hollow on June 20 was discussed.  It is believed
that runoff from at least one of 4 open feedlots entered the stream,
following a cloud burst.  DNR will talk to the owners about how they can stop
runoff.  A few weeks before this, there was a frog kill in the same stream.

Someone dug up plants at Hayden Prairie this spring -- believed to be yellow
lady slippers.  The DNR is making signs to alert people it is illegal.  They
are also working on a press release to let people know it is illegal.

The next meeting will be October 25, if the Cedar Rapids--Waterloo area.  The
group will be touring Hartman Woods and Rock Island Preserve.

Pam